Trying to Stay Afloat

Had planned on getting my swim done early today in order to try to save a few hours of going into town, But the Taffy lad let me down and couldn’t make it so was forced to join the lunchtime crew.

Big team out as well, and was met by the smiling duo Lady Laura and Elle at the start who were knocking over there 1k effort.

Set was 5 x 200s and 10 x 100s

Once again I knew my place in the line up (right at the very back) and I was knackered in just trying to stay on ‘The Champs’ feet for 200m, so much so I had to sit the 3^rd rep out to recover. Rejoined for the 4^th rep that saw the line pretty much taking up the 50m from leader Pete Walker, through to Angus, Todd, .Charlie, Cialis, Leech, Brendan, The Champ, a few others and me

The 100s were no easier and was struggling to make it back in 1.40s and just tried to stay on the Leech’s feet (who it appears is struggling as much as I am)

It’s pretty tough in the water these days, and if I found my running is slowly improving then my swimming is sadly going in the opposite direction. So bad in fact I may need to give my mate Enda a call and get him back for a session …………If nothing else it will at least give me a bit of confidence.

Big weekend coming up, of course its 6ft Track and again best of luck to everyone – especially all the HuRTS boys and girls.

In the footy, Stoke have a tough game up against Norwich City who are battling like mad for a few points in order to survive the dreaded drop into the Championship.  I’ll be happy with a draw for this one.

Timmy’s Tip, Norwich 1 vs. Stoke 1

Should Stoke win though I predict that boss Houghton will be sacked

Over at Selhurst Park, I’m going to tip on the Palace game as well (I know how excited Slim Sammy Agnew gets when I do), Sorry mate, can’t find any joy for you on this one

Crystal Palace 1 vs. Southampton 2

Oh and don’t forget to back England over the Taffs this week in the 6 Nations J

Todd on collection of his Golden Duck he won last week in the 1k time trial - good work mate

Have a great weekend
Train Safe
Cheers

Rushcutter 400s - rolling every 2 minutes.

Over to Rushcutters Oval again for the 2^nd time in as many weeks, this time for the 10 x 400s rolling every two minutes. Good group in attendance with Davie Clark & C.T making rare appearances, and Tucks adding his final touches before Saturday.

Sat in the front group with the above mentioned slightly ahead (except Tucks) with Mikey, Razor, Dom and a couple of others all keeping it honest. Came around the first 400 in 74 and hoped that I would be able to hold that for the remaining 9. Went even quicker then for the next four, and then was happy to hold the pace to see out the session.

Times went.74, 72, 72, 73, 73, 74, 74, 74, 74, 72

3^rd session on the trot where I’ve felt pretty good and finally feel as if I can stride it out and push the pace more then I have in recent months which is pleasing.

No sign of the Chairman today, although a few of the boys have tipped him to run well on Saturday, Even had a few ‘Mice’ on the blog under the anonymous name giving there predictions on the big 5 for 6ft. Mikey told me today that he thinks Tucks will turn both Tom and Muzza over, so will be interesting to see how it pans out.

WARNING, if you are easily offended or can not see the funny side of things then please log out and read no further.

Its not been a good day in the Oscar ‘Blade Runner’ case – looking bleak for the poor guy, and even Irish bookmaker Paddy Power has jumped on the bandwagon and started giving odds and giving his two cents worth. This is what I received today from back home – Terrible really and if it wasn’t so serious it would be funny.

Irish bookmaker Paddy Power's latest offering.

Forgot to add yesterday - The Hardman himself J.C posing around the park alongside 'Shire's #2 Damo Bray:)



Cheers

Running with the Hardman (J.C)

Had the privilege to run with the original Hardman this morning with HuRTS J.C (John Clothier) who was knocking out his long run 2hrs 30 mins in preparation for his upcoming Melbourne Ironman, Not only a great triathlete but is even better with a sledge or two (even known to reduce Enda & POD to tears at times) that always makes for an interesting run whenever i spend time with him.
Just did 10ks all up with him average pace of 4.38s - that included the 6k Woollarha Hill loop followed by a flat 4k
Legs felt good and looking forward to the HuRTs 400s tomorrow now.

This Saturday is the 6ft Track up in the Blue Mountains that will see plenty of the HuRTS team take on the challenge over 45 TOUGH ks. Known Mountain Goat man Tony' Fats' will be back to defend his title although with Marty Dent on the starting line this year it could prove difficult (especially as he's going for 3.09 time?)
My Top 5 HuRTS guys (that i know are running) ......In this order are as follows
1. Tony 'Fats' Fattorini
2 Anthony 'Muzza' Murrell
3. Tommy 'the Chairman' Highnam
4 Andrew 'Tucks' Tuckey
5 James 'Taffy Lad' Matthews

Prediction, Can't see anyone beating Fats home, and think class act Muzza could reach 'Caves House' before the Chairman even though Tommy H is in good form and knows the course well. Its got to be a first where i don't have #1 Tucks beating everyone, BUT i don't think he's in the best shape so 4th home is the best i can find for him?
Rounding out the top 5 is my Taffy Mate Jimmy Matthews who has put in some good quality time in prep for this race. Spent many an hour in the mountains training (not 100% sure if its been training or just admiring the Sheep to be honest) so expect a time nearing the 4 hour mark for the lad from the Valleys.
*** Let me know if i have missed anyone.

Well over in South Africa the biggest Murder trial in the history started yesterday involving the 'Blade Runner' himself Oscar Pistorius. Very sad case indeed. Unfortunately the case has come to a halt this morning as Oscar has escaped, Not sure how? but check out below for any clues :)

Where's Oscar?

Fats on his way to winning 6ft Track - He may need faster then 3.26 this year?

Cheers

6 x 1k Reps Centennial Park

Into Centennial Park and with what i considered perfect conditions it was the standard 6 x 1k session on the cards for the day.
With a slight drizzle in the air and hardly anyone on the path i pretty much felt a whole lot better then i have been feeling in the past couple of months as i set about trying to hold under 3.30 pace for each rep. Didn't think i was moving that well for the first but was happy enough to record a 3.28 in what then was to prove the slowest of the day.
Pretty much held the pace for the remaining 5, although i did notice that i was losing it a little around the 750 mark on each that saw me having to dig in to retain the pace. Was still surprising with the times as i finished the 5th and pushed hard on the final rep managing to stop the clock in 3.20
Times for the day - 3.28, 3.26, 3.26, 3.24, 3.25, 3.20
Happy with that and its been a long time since I've seen sub 3.30s across the board and with last Thursday's 800 session its been the best of the year so far. Still a long way to go and i wont get carried away, but it all helps and at least gives me some hope.

Will cruise around the park in the morning before returning back to Rushcutters on the Thursday for the 400 session that is on the program.

In all my excitement in Stoke winning the other day i forgot to thank Chairman Tommy H for his contribution in the victory. Yes, Tommy's twin brother (no, not "The Less Talented One - James) BUT Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny was responsible for the penalty awarded to the Potters.
Take a look if you don't believe me.

Laurent Koscielny OR Tommy H?

Tommy H or Laurent Koscielny??

Tomorrow as the HuRTS big Guns line up for this weeks 6ft Track race - I'll give you my tips and predictions for the event.
..And can you believe i tip that Tucks WON'T even be in the Top 3 home for the boys....Whats going on there?

Cheers

Dydd gwyl Dewi Sant hapus.

Missed my long run this morning as was forced out on the bike with work commitments, Still managed to see pretty much the whole of the Eastern Suburb coastline on the way to 55ks all up, that included some decent hills coming out of Coogee, Bronte, Bondi and Watsons Bay.

Returned to the park to find my mate Taffy James on his last longish run before next weeks 6ft Track run and then kept him company for a few ks whilst he knocked over 20 for the morning.

Decent breaky followed up on King Street Newtown, where I got stuck into him about tonight’s Rugby between England and his Welsh Boyo’s, He seemed in pretty good mood although all that will change in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

Big Day for the Welsh yesterday as they celebrated there National Day, and for those NON speaking Welsh reading – the title of today’s blog is just wishing all our Sheep loving friends ‘A Happy St David’s Day’

Not quiet up there with our St George’s Day, but probably on a par with the green men for St Pat’s Day?

Couldn’t finish of the days entry without mentioning Stokes great win over Master Sweeney’s Arsenal last night, absolutely LOVING reading all the match reports and comments on football forums this morning! Of course, no surprises ….it wasn’t a penalty ….Adam should have been sent off….The balls never on the ground…..more like a rugby team…. Grass was too short/long….Yawn yawn!!!! Sensational result and as great a manager Wenger is for Arsenal there is nothing better for a Stokie in seeing Wenger sporting a face like a smacked backside in the post match interview when we turn them over J

And finally congrats to the TWO HuRTS boys, Tommy H and Barts on the fine performance last night for the 10k track event at Homebush, Great times for both, recording 32.46 although Barts just got the nod on the line. The Chairman did say he did all the work though whilst Barts just sat in his shoulder for pretty much 9.8ks?

Whilst over in Kiwi land – PLOD didn’t disappoint with a stunning 9.16 Ironman time, Brilliant effort mate

Will need to get out and knock some ks over this week at the HuRTS sessions

Cheers

HuRTS 1k Monthly Swim T/T at A..B.C - 17.48

Today signaled the official last day of summer and with it came the cold and rain just in time for the monthly 1k swim time trial that we do down at the A.B.C Pool. It meant a very poor turnout with only 6 starters vying for the Golden Duck Trophy.

I’ve only done 1 swim this year so I knew I wasn’t going to trouble anyone and having seen the handicaps that only confirmed it as ‘The Champ’ was only giving me a 12 second start – this after him swimming the house down and NEVER missing a session for about 6 months and holder of 5 Golden Ducks. Pete Walker is a good mate and as honest as they come BUT when it comes to sorting the Handicaps out he hasn’t a bleeding clue (either that or he just enjoys looking after Telstra employees?)

So first away today and true to form ‘The Champ had me caught at the 150 mark, think he sat on my feet for the next 50 metres before I let him go ahead and then tried to sit on him, this lasted all of about 75 metres and I was gone. With only 6 of us in the pool we were ALL pretty much having to work by ourselves and I was really feeling the pace at the 600 mark. So it was a nice surprise when the Taffy Lad overtook me at 800 and dragged my sorry @r$e home for the final 200 as I touched out in 17.48

Pretty ordinary time and over a minute slower then the last time I time trialed back in December last year. It just goes to prove that I need to keep swimming just to maintain my ordinary level if not then its struggle street.

Despite ‘The Champs’ best efforts to rort the system it was ‘all rounder’ Todd who took the Duck today, but with the likes of Elan, Walker and Mermaid away recorded the fastest time of the day with a 15.18 to go with it.

Overall times were

Todd       15.18– golden duck winner

Angus    15.49

Cialis      16.26

Taffy        17.00

The Champ 17.19

Timmy      17.48

Pretty good weeks training overall, managed to get two good run sets in as well as a swim. With my best session coming yesterday in the 800s.

Will be back out for the longish Sunday run around the park this week

Best wishes go out to both the Chairman Tommy H and Barts who are both doing the State 10k track run at Homebush on Saturday evening, both in pretty good nick so will be interesting to see what time they can knock out.

I won’t predict a time for either, BUT I do hope that poor Tom doesn’t get lapped TWICE J

Also, in Kiwi land, PLOD is turning out in an Ironman, not really seen much of him lately but he normally peaks for such races so again expect a good time from the Irish number 1

Big weekend in the footy (once more) with Arsenal the latest to venture to the home of football. Mr. Wenger and his boys don’t like coming to the Potteries as it’s normally to rough for them and they get a good beating. So let’s hope that continues this weekend.

Timmy’s Tip – take the 1-1 draw (and I think Master Sweeney will be happy to take a point at that J )

Have a great weekend

Train well and stay safe

Cheers

HuRTS 8 x 800s Rushcutters (rolling every 4 minutes)

Headed on down to Rushcutters to join the boys with near perfect conditions, a lot cooler, with a slight drizzle on a lovely surface made for some great running from the gang. Session was 8 x 800s and with Tucks leading the way on the first rep I sat in closely, followed in the first group with Mikey, Razor, Toddie & Skippy Heyden (what were those shorts he was wearing about though?) with Muzza and Barts joining in after the 3^rd rep.

First rep as normal is always too fast as I crossed with a 2.33, Then had Mikey complaining about the pace although in truth it was too fast for me as all I wanted to achieve today was to knock them all out sub 2.40 (3.20 pace). Slightly slower on the 2^nd but seemed to get it pretty right after that even if it did mean I was bringing up the rear on each rep.

Times for the 8 reps were as follows. 2.33, 2.36, 2.38, 2.39, 2.39, 2.40, 2.38, 2.34

Happy with that to be honest and probably best I’ve felt this year, Mikey continues to run well, apart from the first rep was always a couple of seconds ahead on each, Muz was flying (that lad has talent), Barts was just ahead of me cruising, and Tucks looked pretty consistent for each. Not sure what Chairman Tommy H was playing at in the 2^nd group? Pussing around with the likes of the Jock man, and Rene & Elle just pushing the odd 200??

Andy 'Skippy' Heydens new shorts that he rocked up to Rushcutters in?

And Andy with his new training partner..


Cheers