Centennial Park 6 x 1k Reps

With temps over 100 degrees in the old scale you'd have to have rocks in your head to train at lunch so I enlisted the help of Enda, Birchy and Jac for a Centennial Park morning session before work. Unfortunately HuRTS answer to English footy player 'Sick note' Darren Anderton pulled a heart muscle once he heard the session and was a no show once again.
A good few Ks warm up before we were into it and it was already hot so the aim was to try to just keep them all consistent without killing ourselves. A 3.24 to kick it off and already was sweating buckets, pretty much held the remaining although I could feel my pace drop on each over the final 250m and certainly wasn't hitting the line strong. Come rep 5 and 6 it was just a case of getting it done.
Times for the 6 were. 3.24, 3.25, 3.24, 3.26, 3.27, 3.27
Jac and Birchy both hung in well recording times around the 3.50 - 3.55 marker for each. Tough old session and glad to get it out the way.
Had a client straight after so used that as a means of a 6k cool down

Think its the same for tomorrow temp wise, so may have to run early again, although it will be easier pace.

Cheers

St Peters Park Run 18.03 - 4th Overall

A spare hour so it was over to St Peters for the 2nd weekend running to give the Park Run another bash. Didn't really see anyone I know but saw the 'geekie' young Asian Lad that normally takes the win as well as one or two others young pups that I knew would be hard to beat.
The boys went out hard and even though I'd gone to hard with a 3.24 first 1K could only find myself sitting in 7th place, Went past a couple soon after before steadying myself for the dreaded hill just before the 2m marker. Although the pace dropped I was over it without that much damage, and then tried to hold it steady from that point. Really dislike the new course as at 4.2ks you then have to try to run through the crowds of the slower runners to get to the finish line. I could see 3rd place guy about 7 seconds ahead and despite him struggling, I must have been as well as I didn't reduce the gap over the final 500m or so.
Happy enough with a 18.03 finish time for 4th overall that was in fact my PB on that course that I'll take. Thought I may have been able to dip under the 18 mark but I can live with 3 seconds and when I head over to the easier (and shorter) Curl Curl Park Run I know I'll be knocking on the door to a 17.30

A few hours of work then a short break before it was over to Waverley Bowling Club for the afternoon care of Sammy J's 40th Birthday Bash - Quality afternoon with a  top showing from the team. Unfortunately our bowls can't match our running ability with some very ordinary displays on show. Taffy was just crap, Jac's spent more time in the gutter, whilst Birchy  had a beer lined up at each end and just got hammered, with J-Fen the best of a bad bunch.
Good to catch up with Mikey Conway again for a top afternoon and special thanks to Sammy and Olivia for hosting and bringing it all together.
Will post pics tomorrow

Its going to be hot day tomorrow with 36 degrees planned so will head out early morning and lined up Birchy to help out with some 1k reps..

Cheers

A.B.C Biathlon 19.31 - 4th Overall

Ventured down to the A.B.C for the Biathlon for the 3rd time in as many weeks for another 20 minutes of torture with a 4k run followed by the 300m swim leg.
A lot smaller crowd this week with only Mikey L and 'Mr Muscles#2' Jordi from the team that I knew.  Frantic start and with a big headwind for the first 400m tuck in behind guys before finding myself in about 10th placing on the first of the climbs. Go past a couple and get a shout out from Jerome who is spectating around the 1k marker and happy with a 3.36 to kick things off. Usual battle till the turnaround in 7.10 then just try to bring it home faster but have to contend with the headwind all the way. Reach the top gates in 14.09 in 7th place with two guys only slightly ahead that I'm comfortable with as I think they will carry me along in the water. Soon found out they were in fact too slow and go around as early as the first 50m, as I then see the 4th place lad about 20m further ahead. Just tried to keep it ticking over but feel as if I'm reducing the gap with each 50m completed. 250m down and now only a couple of metres back so put in the big ones in an effort to overtake, luckily 'speedsuit' man has nothing left to give and with about 20m to go finally go past as I manage to touch the wall in a seasons best (well 3 races) in 19.31 (some 2 seconds quicker than last week)
Run 14.09
T1       .21
Swim 5.01

Great hit out and as I've said many times before, its the best 20 minute session you can do. You are in the hurt box as early as the 2nd minute and you just try to work through it the best you can. Happy with the time as it was quicker than last week without the help of the faster boys and in particular Adrian McGarva who I sat in with 7 days back. Will certainly do more once they return in Feb next year and will get the team back for another race where I'll be keen to get back down to closer 19 minutes and in turn take the Chairman's cash.
Over to the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel post race for a few beers before heading to Randwick to catch up with Paulie Hanley and Enda for a few ales. Good old night, plenty of story telling and banter along the way that once again led to a Friday morning struggle.

Big weekend planned (seems the common theme these days) with Sammy J's 40th Birthday bash tomorrow lunch then a big party to attend during the evening - looks like the Sunday long run could be in grave doubt :)

In the footy the team of the moment Stoke have a bloody tough task ahead in the capital against high flying Arsenal. Not a good record and never won at the Emirates Stadium and I'm afraid I can't tip them this week
Timmy's tip. Arsenal 3 v Stoke 1
  A few pics from last night.

1k down and already hurting.

Pool entry, it may not be the best...

but its better than Mikey L's

Happy enough with a 19.31 finish to end the season.

With the boys Mikey 2nd on the night, Jordi 3rd and myself 4th home.

King of the Biathlon - Mikey collects his trophy.

Followed by a few beers with the Eastside Elites - Mitch, Enda, POD, Paulie Hanley and Superfish Cookie.

And a selfie to end the night with TWO of Irelands top lads, One as hard as nails - Paul Hanley and one soft as butter Enda Stankard.

Missed my swim with Crossy Lad but it looks like he's found a replacement in Laura James to continue his 'selfie' obsession . Spends more time on his camera than swimming that man. Laura tells me she did manage 200m in the hour though.

Have a good weekend
Stay safe and train well
Cheers

Farm Cove 6 x 1k Reps

With the HuRTs session of 8 x 5 minute efforts on program I sent an SOS out to Crossy Lad for a little help with some 1k reps as an alternative that I fancied, Unfortunately he snubbed me as he said he had a 3k track race on the Wednesday night against some 'C Grade' Shire Heads and didn't want to work too hard - Unbelievable.
Headed into town anyway and decided to meet with the guys but go ahead with my planned session. Big crowd out although the enthusiasm was somewhat down with many already putting the running shoes away for the year and running easy. Plan was to run the 1k rep (in whatever time) then see out the 5 minutes that the team were doing very easy, with a  standing 90 seconds recovery break.
With no one coming with me I found I was out front as tipping along under 3.20 pace that didn't feel too bad and then pretty much just repeated throughout.
Times were, 3.20, 3.18, 3.17, 3.19, 3.18, 3.16

A good cool down with Tommy H and Eastside Elle for a further 2.5ks around Mrs Macs and the Domain with the highlight being when Elle asked Tom why he always gets that 'Silly Glazed, Cross Eyed Pi$$ed look' when he's out on the town and consumed more than 4 schooners?

A shout out to good mate Lady Laura James who is in the 'Broken Wing Club' with injury. I know Tommy H wrote a nice touch on his mundane 'Times Like' Blog but seeing he wrote it at the end of the days entry I doubt Laura would have stayed awake long enough to see it ?
I know she is a daily reader of the 'Trash' so we wish her a Speedy Recovery and hope to see her back stronger in the New Year.
Stay Strong LJ ;)

Cheers

Monday Swim at PAP

As predicted the Sunday long run never happened and the closest I got to it was heading to the park later in the morning  and going for brekkie with pal Birchy once he had completed his.
Once I had recovered enough I did however make a token effort and knocked out a 45 minute run around the Bay of all places late in the afternoon.

Headed to the pool on Monday lunch and with Crossy Lad (2nd at Kurnell, he did ask me to say to some old time actor - Christopher Lee?), Pete, Champ and Angus 'Why Am I always in a rush' Boyd knocked out over 2.2ks in plenty of efforts including 3,2 and 100s
Fastest 200m was 3.01 and most of the 100 metres done in under 1.30 that I was pleased with even if I was helped by the old floaty pants and hand paddles.

Near perfect weekend in the footy Stoke won (2-0, hope you got on), Tommy's Toon got beat and old mate Enda's Aston Villa got a spanking. Lord, even the Tin Pot Palace found a way to win that will mean Sammy Aggers can come out of hiding this week and may even respond to my messages.
Q. What's the difference between Crystal Palace and the Bermuda Triangle ?
A. The Bermuda Triangle has three points.

Back out tomorrow for the HuRTS 8 x 5 minute efforts
Cheers

St Peters Park Run - 18.29 4th

A break in work and I managed to get myself over to St Peters in time for the Worlds toughest Park Run to get a solid hit out done. No one that I knew really except for 'Buzz' Keith Hong and once the gun went I found myself in with a leading group of 4 as we all went through the first 1K in about 3.30 pace. The front 3 just got away before the hill and after my performance on 'Everest' a fortnight back I was keen to put in a stronger effort as I feared the camera may be lurking at any time. No problems this time around though although I did spot the camera on the 'down' part of the hill that once again didn't do me any favours. Pace dropped off slightly around the 3.5k mark and then I had the leading female in 5th overall come up and try to get away that I wasn't having a bar of and was happy to tuck in with her as we had to endure the slower runners for the last 1k that seems to slow everything down who were still on the first lap.
Got a bit of a hurry on with 500m to go and got away that saved me the indignity of getting 'Chicked' for the morning and was happy enough to hold out for 4th overall crossing the line in 18.29
Not a bad effort is I suppose especially for this time of the year and after a massive Thursday evening, and will be happy to keep it ticking over for the next few weeks during the busy festive period.

Out tonight with the Taffy Lad to help him celebrate his birthday over a few beers so it looks like the Sunday long run will be in doubt once again.

In the footy, Stoke are on a roll so once again get the cash on them for another 3 points when they take on Burnley at the home of football.
Timmy's Tip - Stoke 2 v Burnley 0

Few Pics from Thursday.

Mass start

Looks like the Chairman was using me as his pacer ?

Group shot.

Post race drinks with 'Golds', Renee, Jerome, Jack 'The Lad' and Eastside Elle.

Celebrating Taffy's Birthday with Vic's and Jac.

As always with Taffy, things then start getting out of control.

Good to see 'The Wildman' Stevie T back in town.

Although he did bring with him the Worst Haircut seen at HuRTS since Sammy Aggers effort 4 years ago.

Doesn't look like those birthday drinks helped the Taffy Lad much for his training on the Saturday?

Crossy Lad trying to give me a few swimming tips at the pool on Friday .

St Peters Park Run on the downhill heading for home to stop the clock in 18.29

cheers

A. B. C & HuRT Biathlon 19.33

Down to the ABC Poll for the biathlon that also doubles up as the yearly HuRTS race as I assembled a small team for a good Thursday evening hit-out. Had 14 starters from the gang and decided to go with a random 'Double Team' comp that saw me paired with newish recruit Jack 'the Lad' Maxwell.
Always a fast start for the first 300m before you get a short sharp hill that has you thinking how you are going to even get to the 2k turnaround marker never mind the swim leg. Settle after that as Jerome comes past me a little before the 1k point just happy to sit in trailing Adrian McGarva as I reach the half way post in 7.10 As usual try to pick up the pace for the easier downhill and get a good look to see where everyone else is and can't believe how close people are and all having strong run legs.
Hit the top gate on entering the pool as I click on 14 minutes that I'm happy enough with along with Adrian although he's in the pool before me as I do my best to bring the heart rate down, Its nearly 30 seconds before I'm in the pool (from the top gate) and try to tuck in with my rival for the night knowing its easy enough to slipstream but I'm nowhere near strong enough to try to go past. Chuckle to myself as I'm going down the lane at 200m as I can see Tommy's big head in the next lane whilst he's doing his now famous breaststroke to complete his 300m.
Make one final attempt to put in the hard yards over the final lap but not strong enough to edge out McGarva who pips me by 3 seconds as I stop the clock in 19.33
First home from the team was 'King of the Biathlon' Mikey L, with Jerome 2nd, Tom 3rd, Adrian & myself for 4th & 5th.
The Jerome , Adrian combo was to prove too strong in the team event beating home Mikey who unfortunately had to carry his 'Clydesdale' partner Taffy James.

Results for the teams were

1^st  Jerome 18.49 & Adrian 19.30  = 38.19

2^nd Mikey L 17.54 & Taffy   21.22  = 39.16

3^rd Tommy 19.08 & Renee  20.51 = 39.59

4^th Alex S    20.21 & Craig W 20.58 = 41.19

5^th Timmy 19.33 &   Jack        21.55  =41.28

6^th Golds   21.48 & Elle        20.23    = 42.11

7^th Ash      21.35  & Craig Mc 25.02 = 46.37

Will post some pics tomorrow.
Top night was complete as we headed over to the Bells pub and with 'The Wildman' Stevie T in town (with the worst haircut since Sammy Aggers 4 years back) and Taffy's midnight Birthday feast it turned into one hell of a night, as Birchy and Jac also joined in the fun later in the night.

Cheers