Big Day, Fat Yaks and a Taxi Please...

Down to the pool early to begin another week and worked the pyramid that is 1,2,3,4,4,3,2,100s for 2ks total. Struggled again but happy to get it out the way in order that i could venture out at lunchtime with the HuRTS runners.
Was very keen to try to do my long run today after missing the planned one yesterday (more on that later), and decided that i would run into town meet the boys, do the session then run home.
The run into town was easy enough for the 5.8ks (ave 4.31 pace), and a big crew was in attendance today with Tom , Clyde, Kanser, Slim Sammy (with finished haircut), Elvis and a host of others, Got chatting to Slim Sammy about all things footy, before the Italian Stallion Durante joined us around Mrs Macs Chair - Great to see him back out and he seemed to be moving along OK as well, Kanser peeled off around Shelley Street (looking wrecked i must say - hope he's not over doing it) as did Durante. Then got talking to Angry Man Clyde as we headed home before he also cut short around the Quay area,  Legs were starting to get tired before catching back up with Slim Sammy for the final 3ks home whilst Tommy H must have been a further 100m ahead.  15ks done with the guys average pace was 4.35 in 68.45 (as i said fairly quick for a Monday) and then i had the task of the extra 5.8k to get home.  The pace dropped for the final leg of the day down to about 4.46 pace as  the garmin ticked over 26.6ks for the day in 2hrs.02 minutes (ave 4.37)
Happy to get that out the way and that is the furthest run i have managed for a long time, will try to keep the long ones up from here on in now.

Forced to do the long run today after going into town on Saturday evening and catching up for Tucks farewell drinks at the Glenmore in the Rocks. Every intention of only going for a few beers but was there early and people were only arriving when i was due to leave, Anyway to cut a long story the beers flowed in fine fashion once we shipped Fats, C.T , Enda and Kanser home early,  and when the Jugs were out i could see the 'tourist trot' run fading away. A good mix of Carlton's, Pure Blonde, Peroni and then the final straw ...Fats Yaks were brought out to inflict maximum damage to yours truly. Tom even started to get rounds of his Girlie Canadian Clubs in at one stage that come midnight also went down a treat.
Called it quits late on and then the next battle was to find a taxi, couldn't find nothing around and apparently they were all over the Dark Side around Manly area, HuRTS man Elvis (Costello) had booked them all out over the course of the mornings run with Tommy, Macca and Kanser. I'll let him tell you more about that though. :)
Great night had, and we wish Tucks and the family all the best over the next 9 months or so. Next time we will get to see him will probably be in Berlin, I'm pretty sure he will train pretty hard around the Valleys of Wales whilst he is away.

Early doors at The Glenmore with Ireland's best hopes - Enda and Kanser in deep conversation.
Kane:  "Enda I am just so focused on Berlin this year, nothing will stand in my way"

Enda: " Where have I heard this before..."

More of the Berlin Bound Boys - Macca, J-Fen and Kanser.

Kanser with Mrs H, .... still going on about how he will smash everyone.

Macca's better half, Mrs Macca with Chairman Tommy H (where did he get that shirt?).

J-Fen, Timmy, and Kanser.

Tommy getting his round of Canadian Clubs in - bet he wouldn't order those in the Working Mans club back home (and Kirst's tablecloth in the background)    :)

Cheers

More Ks and Flapping in the Pool

In Centennial early with clients where i used 5.2ks as a warm up before doing my 2 x 5k loops that i have in order to get more ks under the belt.
Worked pretty easy on the first loop coming in on 22.58 (4.35 average) before going out again and had the pleasure of chatting to  'Professor POD' who rolled up to me on his bike to keep me company for the second half of the run. Chatted again and before i knew it i was coming across the line in exactly the same time of 22.58 - Go Figure.
10ks done in 45.57 (average 4.35s) making it  15ks for the day.

It was then back into town for the Friday swim with the guys and what a big turnout there was as well on a glorious Sydney Day. My first proper swim in over 4 weeks and boy was it to show, With Super fast Mermaid, Walker, Flying Mike (not Conway), Irish Kev, Ronnie (Biggs), Angus and Todd all there i knew i was about to get hammered.... then Lo and Behold the 'Galway Goatfish' rocks up (Enda). After a few minutes abuse we were off on our 6 x 300 reps, was soon on struggle street and after the 2rd rep only managed 100m before the first of many breaks. Re-entered again but was soon dropped and spent more time admiring the view from the edge of the pool although in truth as one stage, there were more of us stood standing then swimming with only 'The Mermaid, and Pete Walker doing anything - All's it needed was for Andy Heyden there to be selling his Soft Serve Ice Cream and Tommy H to knock up some of his girlie 'Canadian Club' drinks and it could well have passed as a 'Contiki Holiday' outing.
Somehow managed to Flap my way through 2ks for the day (thanks mainly to my 500m before anyone got there) before calling it a day.

Rest Day tomorrow, and pretty happy to get the first week of running out the way. Since last Saturday morning i have racked up about 83ks for the week. Not a bad start and hopefully i can build on that over the next month or so .
With Richie Palmer looking over his shoulder, Slim Sammy Agnew reduced to getting bad haircuts in order to stay ahead, Enda still going underground on his running (still has the Flu by the way) and even Mikey's Famous Hammy is getting a little tighter after hearing i am coming after him . Kanser said it was that tight he thought he could  hear him play Deep Purple's 'Smoke on the Water' on it from his Bondi mansion last night.
Only slight BUT maybe there is a light at the end of the Tunnel for me as i start on another comeback trail. I may even get Kanser to put the 'Head to Heads' back on the Blog for me for the year, The hit list may include
Enda
Walker
The Leech (Eoin)
POD
Mikey
Slim Sammy Agnew
Richie P
Tommy H (with handicap)
Flake( just to make me look good)    :)

Will be out tomorrow evening for a few ales to say farewell to Tucks who is departing for the year back to Wales, Need to take it easy though as i have promised i will be out on the Sunday Long run this week starting on my home patch.... Centennial Park.

Have a good weekend guys
Train Safe
Cheers

Rushcutters 8 x 800s

First ride on the bike for ages early this morning as i zipped out a rather quickish 56ks for the morning as i tagged onto a group that was basically doing 6 x 6 minute efforts and a lap recovery in between each one. Was knocking out sub 6 minute laps as well that i was pleased with even if we were working off each other.
A bit of work after that before cycling over to Rushcutters for the 8 x 800m session that was on the cards. Good turnout with Tom, Elvis, Laura C.T, Angus, J.W, Heyden, Walker, Razor and a trim looking Slim Sammy Agnew complete with possibly the worst haircut in the HuRTS history (even worse then Warrior Charlie's Syrup he has), noticeable absentees were J-Fen, Kanser, Tucks, Richie High, Enda and Mikey (who is rumoured to have twinged that famous hammy again).
Knew this was a toughie but was again determined to get through it as i just sat in behind Razor and Skippy Heyden on the first crossing in 2.42, The second was quicker as Slim Sammy crossed with me. Felt the next couple just ease out a little as i was beginning to struggle. Numbers 6 & 7 were the toughest and it took some encouragement from 'Good Guy' J. Worsick to help me out each time as he came by around 600 metres on each rep. I felt like jumping on the seated lawnmower parked nearby after the 7th but managed to just have enough in the tank to get home with a 2.43
Times were: 2.42, 2.40, 2.43, 2.44, 2.44, 2.48, 2.48, 2.43
Happy with that, more so i got through it and completed the 8 as i did have negative thoughts about pulling the pin after 5 or even just doing 400s instead to finish off.
Slim Sammy Agnew was flying today and i tried to get the early bet on for Berlin but he wasn't having any? It must have been the haircut that helped :)

Will be out in the morning early for a few more ks before hitting into town for the lunchtime swim with coach Walker and the Mermaid.

Although this is NOT Slim Sammy Agnew, this is the photo he took into his Butchers in Manly (barbers) to model his latest haircut he was to show off at today's HuRTS session.
Rumour is he is going back tomorrow to finish it off :)

Had Elvis (Costello ) crying on my shoulder even before the start of today's session - Not happy that there was no 2013 prediction for him yesterday. Well i have looked into the ball this afternoon and found that a good year is in store for him as he is selected for the 397k ultra (walk) in July, The bad news for Elvis is that his new born Son (Bud) will score the winning goal for Liverpool to wrap up the league title before he turns me over again in a 10k Striders race :)
Also had a quick look ahead for Richie High, But the Ball went very murky and all that appeared was a bunch of Sharks........not sure what to make of that? He must be getting ready to rort me again with one his bets



cheers

Crystal Ball Time.... The Year Ahead.

Out early again this morning with clients then stayed in the park to get the ks up, Was lucky enough to bump into C.T who agreed to do a few flat laps with me. Time passed quickly and before long i had racked up another 15ks for the day. Felt OK and happy with that as i am slowly getting the volume back up - think that's about 60ks so far since last Saturday and still a few more sessions left in the week yet.
Good old chat with C.T who has confirmed he and Greta are in for Berlin which bring about 14 of us heading over come September, should be a great trip and one we are all looking forward to.

Talking about looking forward in the year, I have had my Crystal Ball out 'Mystic Meg' style to see whats in store for the HuRTS boys and this is what jumped out at me - Mostly all revolves around Berlin and events later in the year for the travelling boys.

Chairman Tommy H, will again have a stellar year and break 2.30 at Berlin but his old nemesis Tucks will still run 8 seconds faster, and then someone will come out and spoil his party and run even faster after this meaning he goes home empty handed again come HuRTS presentation time.

Kanser - Will also have a good run at Berlin but wont break 2.43 and the 'Yet to Run a good Marathon theme will continue until at least 2015. The big news will come at Octoberfest when Dave having one to many beers reveals his true feelings for Criniti that in turn sees Criniti's wife get upset and storm out the beer tent in tears.

Tucks - Will return from his 9 month stint in Wales looking more like a Beached Whale after over doing it on the Warm Welsh Ale ( but will still have the 8 seconds buffer over Tom)

Enda - Will have Guinness book of records on the starting line with him, to confirm his record number of excuses used up leading to the race.

J-Fenton - Will host a Sunday breakfast before Mikey Conway breaks 35 minutes for 10ks.

Mikey - Will run a sub 35 minute 10k (finally) before Kanser fires in a protest and it is found to be 200 metres short after being remeasured by Action Jackson and the run is deemed null and void in the eyes of the HuRTS hierarchy.

Slim Sammy Agnew - Will smash Berlin and will be seen doing the Robot Dance down the home straight in his beloved  Crystal Palace football kit.

Italian Stallion Durante - Will return to the fold after a 4 year hiatus and after one weeks training smash all in front of him to take out the November Striders 10ks.

and Finally -
Young Timmy, Will help the English team smash the Irish for the Churchill /Sands Cup in May, break 35 minutes for 10ks,and  finish about 3 seconds ahead of Enda in Berlin despite having to carry him for the 2nd 21ks to complete a successful 2013 :)

Looking ahead to 2013 - Its all looking good for the HuRTS team

Will be out at the HuRTS session on Thursday.

Cheers

McKay Oval 6 x 1k Reps

After reading the 'Beano' like (sorry that's Tom's blog) and with the words "Mikey's running everyday and is on fire, Timmy wont get anywhere near him this year" it was enough to kick start my new block despite it being a predicted top of about 109 degrees (again check Flakes blog for full weather report)
Was out early and i think everyone else had the same plan as the park was packed, saw a lively Sonya flying around on her bike, Robbie O'Neil, C.T and 'Allo Allo' man and fellow Berlin partner Rene all cruising.
Decided again to go back to basics and knock out 6 x 1k reps around the Oval and regardless of the times and how i was feeling i was going to push my way through as i aim to get some kind of form back on the board
Never felt great but was keen to break each rep down and look for some consistency. Reps times were: 3.25, 3.23, 3.25, 3.24, 3.30, 3.26
Still way down but its a start i suppose, and happy to get them out the way before the heat really does kick in and hit the 43 that they are predicting.
Think i will do more of these shorter sets in order to regain a little pace and even do some of my longer runs solo until i get a bit more strength. 6ft isn't looking good at this stage as only 8 weeks to go and I'd even struggle to get beyond the Cox's River in my present condition.

Been receiving loads of mail over the break (mainly from Flakey) and the latest batch is another from the 'Guess Who' section from when they were kids.
Today's TWO are both HuRTS boys and are what are commonly known in England as "Ginga's" , one is a regular and many will guess pretty easily, whilst the 2nd is a part time HuRTS guy and may be a little tougher to get. Although in truth is perhaps one of the more honest Irishman we have within the group and in general is a top and all round good guy'.

One of our more talented HuRTS boys. Who had a cracker of a year already showing early signs that great things were ahead in years to come.

Who is this "Harry Potter' like young man complete with scarf?  And No Lisa the person on the left of photo is NOT Dave Kane
Having issues loading photos on the blog now - not sure what has changed but it doesn't give me the option to use 'my photo's' out of my library any more. Any whizz kids got any idea why ??? very strange.
(Pity really as Enda's sister has sent me a couple of pixs i know you would enjoy seeing) :)

Cheers

In a Dark Place

Received the late call from Kanser & Tom that we were to go over to the Dark Side again and do our long run around Manly, Shelley Beach and North Head early doors. Called over to  Kanser's at 6am and can you believe he even runs late when you pick him up these days - Nightmare.
Good to see Tucks as well as the Two Macca's ( Craig McCreedie, and Macca McClarnon) there with Tom waiting for us as we set off on already a very warm morning. Felt pretty ordinary straight away and  that was the story of the day as basically i laboured all the way around despite the pace only being easy. Managed to get to the 9k mark outside Manly Hospital where we encountered the first real climb of the day and was reduced to a walk as the boys powered on. I soldiered on and caught the boys in North Head on the return leg as we then hit down to the spectacular sights that the beaches has to offer. It was getting to the stage where just getting to each drink station was an effort as the temps got even higher for the morning.
Detoured straight back to Tom's once off the beach and got back to Chez Highnams with just under 20ks done for the morning in 90 minutes averaging 4.45 pace. A quick dip in the pool was the order of the day whilst i awaited the boys to return and when Toms' eldest son 'Billy the Barista' supplied me the best coffee on the Northern Beaches i was starting to get back to normality.

The boys then returned after completing 30ks for the morning and what i witnessed next took some believing, I didn't think it was possible to see anyone worse in the water then Tom BUT Andrew Tuckey take a bow. Whilst he may be HuRTS #1 runner, its a safe bet to say swimming isn't high up on his achievements, as he tipped young Maggie out of her Floatie Ring before he ventured in.
Another TOP notch breaky was then served up by Kirst of Bacon & Eggs as Kanser drunk the place dry on the tea (even putting the kettle on himself these days, and complaining that the H.P sauce wasn't from Aldi)
Thanks very much to the Highnams again for the hosting - much appreciated.

Tough day at the office for me as mentioned, and i can honestly say i can't remember struggling like this before in previous years. Every K today seemed like about 10 in truth but i think i just need to get out there and do the hard yards and hope it eventually turns itself around - It could be a long slog.
I normally refer to going over the Bridge as going to the Dark Side, but in and around the beaches today was a delight and i think the only 'Dark Place' at the moment is within my own mind, Still onwards and upwards as they say
Will take a rest day tomorrow and with temps predicted to hit 37 early in the week it may mean i do my own session early morning on the Tuesday.

HuRTS #1 Tucks showing his swimming skills in Tom's pool.

...and the Chairman - showing he can match him



Cheers

Happy New Year........We are Back

Happy New Year to all, hope you all had a good festive season and enjoyed the break. Just hope you didn't eat and drink as much as what i did and added an extra 4 kilos to the already bulk frame that i have.
Spent the past 8 days up in Noosa (and the day trip down to BrisVegas in search of Master Sweeney), absolutely beautiful up there and the weather was even better that meant i spend more time on the beach and in the water followed by the Surf Club then actually any running.

Anyway a New Year is now upon us and we are back Bigger and Better (well certainly bigger) and it was straight back into it between work this morning. Got woken by a call from Slim Sammy Agnew seeing where i was as we were due to go cycling - only problem was i thought we had arranged for a Sunday morning session :)
On a hot morning i was into the park and wanted to knock out 3 x my 6k Woollahra Hill loops that i do, Knew it was going to be tough but have to start back somewhere and it took all of about 3ks before i was wishing i hadn't stuffed myself silly on turkey & Ham and sat in the Surf Club for hours on end over the break. Came through the first loop in 26.43 (4.27 pace) and then tried to pick it up on the 2nd. Did slightly but felt like shite after about 10ks and it was just a struggle to stay out for the 3rd loop at this stage. Happy that despite feeling ordinary i could increase the tempo with each 6ks
Times were -
26.43 (4.27 pace)
26.16 (4.22 pace)
25.52 (4.18 pace)
All up 18ks in 78.52 average 4.22s

Really need to knuckle down now as i think its only about 9 weeks before 6ft and i need to get those long runs kicked in quickly

Well great to be back, its been fairly quiet on the BLOG front all round lately with nobody really posting much of note with only Tom keeping his 'Times' like journal going (Jeez, its like reading the Bible), Kanser hasn't updated his since Noah was a boy, (tell he's not running well), and Fats blog is all Wine and Dine lately, whilst Enda's blog is still in Blogland (R.I.P from last year)

On the sporting front.............The BIG news was that Stoke still has a champion in its camp thanks to Phil "The Power' Taylor who took out the darts at Ally Pally defeating Dutchman Van Gerwin in the final (hope you got on as i tipped the finalist to you back on the 20th Dec), Unbelievable match with Gerwin going 2-0  up then 4-2 only for the Power to hit back and take out the match 7-4. The crowd just went off , going ballistic with guys dressed as Bananas, Superhero's and even the Royal Family making an appearance or two.
The Power dedicating his win to the Legendary commentator Phil Waddell who unfortunately passed away late last year. This guy is perhaps the best commentator i have ever heard with his famous one liners he used to come out with, my 3 favorites of all time were:

"The atmosphere is so tense, if Elvis walked in ,with a portion of chips……. you could hear the vinegar sizzle on them."

"This lad has more checkouts than Tescos."

"Keith Deller is like Long John Silver - he's badly in need of another leg."

Check out a couple of minutes from the highlights package from this years Championships - brilliant :)

http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,15618_8377420,00.html


Have a good weekend
Cheers