Rushcutters 20 x 400s (rolling every 2 mins)

Not since 1960 and the great film ‘The Magnificent Seven’ has there been (well nearly) the HuRTS TOP 7 assembled for one session. A breakaway group formed today with Barts(doing his best Yul Brynner impression) leading his troops away from Mikeys’ set down session. So with Barts, #1 Tucks, Dave Clarke, Enda, Muzza, Jeet and I we made our way over to Rushcutters for the 25 x 400m marathon session working from a rolling 2 minutes.

Decided even before the start that I was only going to do 20 of the 25 and the general consensus was that each should be done around 4-5 seconds slower than your normal 10 x 400 times.

Don’t know what it is about Rushcutters put I always run pretty well down there and felt good early although 20 is certainly more than 10 so wasn’t getting too carried away as I was coming in around 78 for the first half dozen or so, about 4 seconds behind the leading group.

Got to 10 OK and was keen just to keep it ticking over and counting them down, 15 soon came and went and then it seemed as if the front group picked up the pace slightly whilst I held the pace.

Muz and Enda were only doing 20 like myself so I kicked the last one down and was pretty happy to find that after nearly 8ks (19 reps) that I had enough left in the tank for a 69 finish time.

Amazing what slowing it down 4-5 seconds per /400 can do, as I felt pretty comfortable throughout and held the times well all working under 3.20 per/k for each.

Times for the day, 78, 78, 78, 79, 77, 78, 77, 78, 78, 78, 78, 77, 77, 77, 78, 77, 77, 77, 77, 69.

The front boys looked even more comfortable – must have been coming in around 73s I reckon with Jeet only a couple of seconds behind me on each as well.

Enda continues to talk it up as his great running goes on, he’s been telling all that he reckons Chairman Tommy H is there for the taking in this year’s City to Surf after a holiday break of 4 weeks, I’ve told him it’s been 4 weeks NOT 4 years and my money is still on one of the best racers in the business.

Sight of the day goes to Dave Clarke who was giving his best impression of Basketball player Paddy Mills who is back in town – looked like he’d just come from the court with his fluorescent canary singlet and oversize baggy shorts…..what was he thinking?

Talking of outrageous costumes, this week is HuRTS boy C.Ts 40^th Birthday bash, I was thinking of getting around to Enda’s house to get fitted out for the occasion but it’s a 70s disco theme and I’m afraid some of Enda’s gear is still stuck in the 50s so I may need a rethink? Maybe I’ll have a chat to Master Sweeney?

HuRTS favorite and #1 Tucks is sorted it seems, he’s just sent in the following J

Tucks already in party mode for Sunday's big birthday bash, I'm already worried what some of the other HuRTS boys will rock up in after seeing some of there fashion over the years.

Will be out in the morning for another easy 10-12ks

Cheers

Peace Run with Pat Farmer

Rolled up this morning at 6.30am to find possibly the smallest group for a Sunday run on record with only Jeet, Barts and Enda braving the cold. Did the usual 6k loop returning to the café at 7am to pick up any late starters only to find no one.

Decided then to leave the park and head up to Randwick junction before heading to Coogee and along the beach to witness the massive waves at Cloey, had to endure the long drag back up the never ending hill that brings us back up to Frenchman’s Rd. The pace was kept honest over the hills around the beaches but it certainly wasn’t fast although I could certainly feel it around the 14k mark of the morning.

Back into the park and finished up at the café with Enda for 18ks whilst Barts and Jeet continued away for another 10k or so.

18ks all up in 83 minutes average pace 4.38s

First 6k        27.57 ave 4.39

Beach 12k  55.10 ave 4.37

Then a quick dash over to Luxe Café where Ultra Runner Pat Farmer was giving a talk about his recent ‘Peace Run’ that he did over 1500k.  Pretty good as well as he told us all about some of the obstacles he overcame whilst he was knocking out 84ks per day in trouble torn areas. He took a film crew with him and channel 9 have agreed to show the doco once he has produced it all, so will be interesting to see the finished item.

Many thanks to Enda, his mate John Mc, clients Sarah & Neville as well as Pommy Paul Birch who got from his sick bed to attend – much appreciated and hope the coffee and muffins went down well whilst listening to Pat.

Funniest point of the morning was Enda asking me what Pat’s PB was? I told him I thought  it was around 2.39. so when it came to the Q and A part of the morning and some decent questions were asked about nutrition, injuries etc…. Poor Enda thinking his 2.38 Gold Coast might be good enough fired ‘and what’s your marathon PB Pat’?

Pat’s Answer – 2.20

Enda ‘ For F@rk sake’ …..d’ohhhhhh

Will be back out in the park early tomorrow for an easy 12ks or so.

Enda, Ultra Runner Pat Farmer, John McDonald and I at Luxe Cafe Woollahra

Cheers

Woollarha Hill Reps and Easy Run

Thursday

With City to Surf only 3 weeks away I thought I’d best get out there and test myself on the hills, Kind of knew what to expect but didn’t really think I would struggle as much as what I did. The best thing that could be said about the session was that I finished it. Worked on the Woollahra Hill (700 metres) in Centennial Park but was cut short near the Moonlight Cinema turnoff around 520-530 metres as they were doing road works up closer to the main gates. (thank God)

Didn’t want to push it too much on the first but found myself struggling to even complete it working just over 4 min/ks

Kept telling myself not to worry about the times and just focus on one at a time as I worked through the 6, and boy I wasn’t a pretty sight at the completion of the 6^th I’m telling you.

Times were (520 mtrs) 2.15, 2.12, 2.08, 2.07, 2.06, 2.04

Friday.

Just cruised around the normal 10k Sunday loop to finish the week off, cold morning and with that bitter wind it made it seem even cooler, Once again never felt good but was happy to keep it honest working under 4.30 per/k. This loop is made slightly tougher around the 8k mark when I add in the Woollahra Hill once more (that’s about 9 times for the week now).

10ks in 44.08 average pace 4.25s

Will take tomorrow off and get out for the longish run on Sunday, although may have to cut short as have promised Sharonne that I will attend the Pat Famer Middle East talk that he is doing at the nearby coffee shop at 8am. Managed to get a few of the boys to help out and attend as well with Kanser promising to see how many cups of tea he can demolish in 60 minutes with Enda doing his own speech on his latest Gold Coast Marathon ( hope he doesn’t give us the full 2hr38 version)

Good luck to all those HuRTS guys running the popular Sutho to Surf – always a good run this one and man in form Damo Bray will be hoping he can break into the Shire #10 with the likes of Laura (injured) Eloise (Comm. games) and Noelene Waters (making coffees) all unavailable.

Have a great weekend

Train well

Stay safe

Cheers

2 x 6k Woollahra Hill Loops

Miserable morning in Sydney town today although the slight drizzle actually made it a pleasant change to run in. Met Enda for a quick chat as he was leaving the park before deciding on doing the old favorite that is 2 x 6k Woollahra loops.

Dilly Dallied around for an age before actually getting into it and soon settled into a decent pace working under 4.30 pace, seem to struggle up the hill and came around for the first loop in under 27 minutes. Made an effort to up the pace on the 2^nd and then tried to push it harder up the hill ….. unfortunately the only thing I felt I was pushing was a Grand Piano as I seemed to struggle even more, although I was moving at a faster pace to be fair. Managed to get to the top huffing and puffing like a bloody steam train and was glad to get to Paddo gates and finish it off with the last 500m coming downhill.

12ks in 52.02 average pace 4.19s

1^st – 6k in 26.26 (4.24)

2^nd – 6k in 25.36 (4.15)

Looking at the times it wasn’t too bad although it was certainly tougher than what I had planned and there wasn’t much left in the tank.

Tomorrow I might stay in the park and do a dreaded hill session with City to Surf fast coming around.

Cheers

It's a start at least.....

Wasn’t in the best of moods when I returned to the HuRTS sessions today and it certainly wasn’t about to get any better when I rocked up at 12.25pm to find nobody there and Mikey taking the team down already  150 metres away to a NEW location without telling anyone despite  about 1000 emails saying nothing?

So I was left with about another 5 people including Barts to cover 2ks to get to pretty much the original start near the Opera House gates to begin the 14 x 3 minute efforts that was on the program.

Just about had time to give Mikey a serve and he was OFF, So as I stood around getting a signal and tying laces etc it meant I missed the 1^st rep, Then joined in on the 3^rd (which I wasn’t too concerned about as I only planned on doing 10-12 at most). Worked the first rep and just sat in with Fats, Skippy Heyden and Tucks who I hadn’t seen for a while sitting at 3.24 pace. Held the next few but where I normally start to feel the pace on this session around rep 8 or 9 I was already gasping after only the 4^th so knew I was going to struggle to even get 10 done.

Held the pace for the next feeling terrible but on the upside I was still working all sub 3.26 pace, Decided then on the 7^th that one more will do me and worked in with Renaud (Allo Allo) on the 8^th to get me home – managed a little kick at one stage and retuned in 3.22s

When running well this is perhaps my favorite session on the calendar, but I am some way from that so it meant I only managed a disappointing 8 reps – Still, it’s a start I suppose.

Good to see a decent team out there including marathon men Enda and Angus backing up from the 42ks only 9 days back, Barts, Crossy , Muzza and Dave Clarke running strong at the front, Not sure what Tucks and Fats were up to  running just ahead of me? And girl on fire Renee continues to improve with each session (think she may have even  been ahead of Mikey?)

Will try to get out in the morning for an easy 12ks

Very tired now and still not felling 100% but hopefully over the worst of it.

Cheers

Gold Coast Half and weekend wrap up.

Felt like crap for 10 days before the half (and still nearly 7 days after) so for perhaps the first time in memory I really wasn’t in the mood for the popular Gold Coast weekend that sees a cast of thousands head north for the 21k and Marathon event.

Flew up on the Saturday and took an early dinner before the 4am start to kick off the big day ahead, A bit of a warm up and then found myself on the start line in the dark standing by Irelands #1 Tri guy PLOD. With a less than impressive start from the starter and we were off, both POD and I remarked how hard everyone went out and I said that it looks like there will be at least 200 people breaking 70 minutes with the way everyone took out the first 1k.

Not sure about the first couple of ks time wise but felt I was moving OK going through 5ks in around 18.52 (3.46s), Took the little left turn section but as soon as I got back on the outward road I felt as I was struggling – and it was only 6.5ks in. Within the space of 1500m I was struggling to run even 4 min/ks as Jeet was the first to fly by. I was then left with the indignity of a walk at 8ks as Elle also came by looking in good form. I think Birchy was next and in fairness he tried to lift me and told me to run with him for a while but at this point I was all but ready to turnaround and walk off (and cry). Managed to lump my sorry @r$e to the halfway mark with countless amounts of walking and shuffling although I was enjoying the views of a spectacular morning the Coast was offering.

On the 14k mark ‘Corky O’Conner was having the race of her life and flew past on a way to a certain sub 90 minutes, whilst at the 15k I was then joined by ‘Sultry Sonya’ and her pacer John Fenton. I thought ‘perfect’ I’ll just bring it home with Son, and ticked the ks off after that, Got to the 18k mark and despite Sonya holding her pace (for a sub 90) I somehow just got a bit of kick going and went ahead to try to help Corky finish off her race. I was only working around the 4.15 mark but the way I felt It seemed like 3.30s. Got a bit of a buzz from the big crowds over the last 1k or so but to be honest the finish line couldn’t come fast enough as I crossed the line in 88.55

Very disappointed in truth but there really was not a lot I could do about it, in hindsight probably shouldn’t have run but those that know me know that’s not really my style, Knew I was in strife when I was running at one point and nearly run in the back of a parked car out on the course as my head was all over the place.

Despite my less than impressive display, Once more the same CAN’T be said for the rest of the gang, Some bloody brilliant times from everyone with another batch of PBs added throughout.

Probably top of the list we should salute good friend Enda Stankard on his 2.38 Marathon time, unbelievable and it was nice to see all the good training over the past 6 months or so paying off. I saw him at 30ks and he was looking good and delighted he was able to finish it off even stronger and more importantly that he now has managed to be able to boast that he is now the fastest member of the Stankard family after talking his Aunt’s PB ( we won’t mention that his Aunty Edith Stankard run her 42k carrying 50lb potatoes over 78 acres in gumboots over fields). Other considerable mentions must go to fellow Irishman POD who run 75 for the half ( taking $50 from me in the process – smashing my PB), Corky O’Conner broke her PB by nearly 5 mins, Birchy’s great race, and Jeet’s 80 minutes, as well as the above mentioned Sonya’s sub 90 minutes.

I know there are many more but I can’t recall at the moment – so apologies if I overlooked any fine achievement.

The afternoon session took place in the Surf Club with C.T out to redeem himself after his shocker in Munich, he looked in good form early as the team settled in for a big day, I think he was just running on adrenaline on the thought of him WINNING HIS FIRST EVER BET (yes, it had to be me didn’t it? after giving me 8.5 mins start), If Enda’s run was near Performance of the Day, then on the social side it was surely the WORST of the Day as whilst the rest of us were drinking he was spotted around Cavill Avenue and ‘Pacific Fair’ shopping centre buying up tactless presents that included a ‘ Kiss me Quick, Squeeze me tight Hat’ for his coach. Poor C.T was talking Swahili by the Enda did arrive around 5pm – poor form.

If that wasn’t bad enough they then decided to play ‘Master Chef’ and head out for a night of fine dining for a few hours whilst the true hardcore continued into the night.

Special mention also to Renaud (Allo Allo) who celebrated in fine style after taking out the 2.5k race and enjoyed his winnings in the surf club tucking in to his 5 litre tub of Ice cream.

Overall a good weekend, although my sickness and travelling partners Sharonne injury at the 18k mark of the marathon that resulted in her fracturing her leg and getting a free lift to the hospital at the 18k mark marred what is generally considered one of the better weekends away

On the betting front – had another shocker (2^nd on the spin now ) PLOD took great delight in taking $50 from me, Jeet put me through the cleaners for $20, and C.T took plenty of beer from me. Special Kudo’s must go to Pommy Paulie Birch (Birchy) who I had $20 with and agreed to give him a 2 minute buffer. In true English Gentlemen’s style he REFUSED to take my cash saying that ‘It wasn’t fair due to my sickness’ and wouldn’t be happy taking it  suggesting then we hold the bet over till the next race – (Wonder if Enda would ever do that ?? Yeah right)

So it’s been nearly a week since the race and I’m still not right , I have taken the week off from all running and have found it hard just to remove myself from the house at times. It’s only 4 weeks till the biggest race of the year – City to Surf, so I really want to get back amongst it next week.

In the World Cup , the final awaits Germany and Argentina on Monday morning, it’s been brilliant so far with Germany’s win over a very poor Brazilian team on Wednesday  that took some believing with 5 goals in the first 29 minutes. I’ve said Brazil were ordinary the whole tournament and with the players of the caliber of Fred, Joe, Bernard and Hulk  who wouldn’t get a game in the Championship I was surprised they even got that far.  You watch, Toms Newcastle will be lining up to pay $40 million for Fred before the season starts in 4 weeks J

My tip from the start – Argentina are another team that hasn’t really impressed but keep doing enough and although the Germans are on fire (aren’t they always) I’m going to go against the grain and stay with the Argies for the victory and take out the big one come Monday.

Timmy’s Tip

Argentina 2 vs. Germany 1 (AET)

Enda powers ahead at the 30k mark, actually think the HuRTS support carried him for about 50 metres at this point.

And the secret to Enda's run .......Its all in the singlet.

Despite having T.Bell for pacing it wasn't enough to get Angus Boyd over the line for a sub 3 hours - good run all the same mate - well done.

Whilst the rest enjoyed beers & wine , Renaud was to enjoy his winnings that came with the 2.5k race - stuffing his face for the afternoon on Ice Cream...........Shameful

Have a great weekend
Cheers

Brass Monkey Weather

Nothing exciting just did an easy 9ks in 42 minutes in and around the park. It was bleeding freezing – think I saw about 8 degrees at one point and didn’t help that I stood around for an hour working prior to my run.

Returned home to watch extra time in the Belgium vs. U.S.A game and saw all the goals.

Felt terrible all day since.