Getting Back into It.

Another scorcher of a week planned so it was out early this morning to get some much needed ks under the belt. It was already warm come 8am as i set about 14ks. Just did the 10k long run (Sunday loop) around the park before doing a further 4k flat loop.
Worked the first part in 45.17 (4.31s) then tried to step it up a little for the single lap, managed to do that although the breathing was heavy yet again as the pace came down to 4.13s
All up 14ks in 61.22 Average 4.26s

The swim session is always that much nicer when its 30 degrees plus and today was no exception, Small team out mind with only 6 of us today with Coach Walker going solo from the front, meaning it left a good group of 5 of us working together. Toddie was in charge of QLDer Dave, MrAce and I with Champ not far behind, i once again just hung on to MrAce's feet for the whole set that saw us knock out 3 x 300, 3 x 200 and 3 x 100s with some drills chucked in for good measure.
Its only been a week but hopefully i can feel the water again and already my times have come down from where they were last week - which is a good sign.
Times today were; 4.50, 4.50, 4.52, 3.11, 3.12, 3.14, 1.32, 1.30, 1.31 - all helped with Todd leading the lane with his consistency making things that much easier.

Had Kanser on email this morning wanting to know if i can do the 800 session with him in the morning, Think i will, save me going into town at lunch especially as temps are due to hit around the 30 mark once more. Lets hope i can get through it a little easier then last weeks killer.

Shocking results in the footy over the weekend with only Tom's Toon getting the draw, Poor result for Stoke, those are must win matches at home, whilst the Villa and Cardiff both got flogged, Slim Sammy Agnews Palace boys are up tonight i see, defeat for them will almost guarantee relegation i predict.
Good News for Master Sweeney as his Arsenal boys go from strength to strength, playing some great football and look like the champions already from what I've seen .......still along way to go mind you.


Few more photos from the Berlin Munich trip recently. Today's spread is some of the 'HuRTS boys on Tour'

J-Fen, Enda, Taxi Man Elvis, and Champagne.

The Team with Rachel the lady who made it all possible sorting out entry, accommodation and flights for all.

Warrior Charlie spent more time at the buffet bar then i did at the drinks bar, seen here with Steve and Barts.

Mark 'Spike' Milligan in pose mode with one of Enda's socks down his trousers. (not sure whats going on here?)

Mysterious Steve tucks into a 'Pork Knuckle' post race.

Even Greta Truscott got into the Big beers.

Rene 'Allo Allo' seen with J-Fen

Young Timmy learning a little culture with the local Bavarian Ladies.

in full voice - Dave Scott Williams late into the evening.

We start them young in the HuRTS camp, Jaden Truscott seen here drinking nearly as much as old man C.T.

Enda Stankard seen leaving Munich after a few hard days - heading home to Ireland for a rest.

More to come tomorrow
Cheers

Berlin and Munich Wrap Up

Well its been nearly 4 weeks since the touring HuRTS boys went on there inaugural tour to Germany to take part in the 40^th  Berlin Marathon. Since then it’s been pretty hectic going on to the Oktoberfest in Munich before returning home to Stoke for 9 days.

Anyway been back a week now so it’s about time I did a quick Berlin & Munich wrap up to mark the brilliant tour that was. Not really sure where or even how to start seeing a fortnight prior to the trip I was twisting Tom’s ear over a beer or two telling him that I wasn’t going to be a member of the trip. A few kind words from a few convinced me to at least make the trip and it was here that ‘A tour in the Making was to begin’

First port of call was Berlin with many of the gang rolling in from Thursday, great to catch up with everyone again and most seemed in pretty good form. Had a light run to the Brandenburg gates on the Saturday morning and saw the set up and finish area of the race. Decided then I wanted a part of it and the mind was set (now only had to convince the body to hold up). Early night on the Saturday before the getting the guys together post race (and Warrior Charlie away from the buffet long enough) then headed down to the start area. Amazing buzz around the start with a carnival atmosphere all around.

I’ve done a race report earlier so wont go into it again except to say I was stoked with the way it all went – certainly not in my top 20 races time wise BUT probably one of my most satisfying to date especially after the 12 months I’ve had. The Boys went well with over 8 PBs achieved for the day that meant the afternoon was certainly cause for celebration well into the evening.

From here we moved down to Oktoberfest on the Monday before hitting the big show on the Tuesday, With a 10am start to guarantee a good spot it was to prove more then a memorable day for all involved. Only C.T had been before so he was handing out tips to survive the day …………only problem was poor C.T was in fact the first to fall victim to the stronger 6% beer, carried out at 5pm…Oh Dear J

As the night wore on the volume seemed to get louder as the band ramped it up every 15 minutes or so, meaning we were soon on the tables in full voice to the Oompah pah band much to the delight of everyone dressed in there Lederhosen and Dirndl’s as the beer flowed.

Managed to last out till last orders (11pm closing), but we were back the following day when Kanser was to hit town, Enda and Taxi Man Costello were broken men at this stage and were last seen heading back to the comforts of home in Ireland as Kane, Lindop, J-Fen, Dave, Warrior Charlie went for part 2. Another corker of a day with the music reaching record levels as the Bavarian Ladies went ballistic as the night went on.

Only Kanser, his work colleague and I were left standing come 11pm (although it was more a stagger) as we called it a night as the last of the tents called time out.

Absolutely brilliant event and one that I would certainly recommend if you ever get the chance, The halls are packed with so many characters around and not a hint of any trouble anywhere, just everyone in party mode……….as it should it.

Most left on the Thursday to either return to Australia, Ibiza (Champagne Charlie & Allo Allo Rene) and I ventured back to Stoke for the week to continue the holiday.

Highlights of the Trip. Hard to single out any one as it was all brilliant and would be unfair to pick a single one , but the way the gang came together with everyone getting on and encouraging each other was pleasing to see and is what the HuRTS name has come to be all about. The fact that 8 PB’s were achieved was probably a highlight in itself J

Lowlight or Downer – To be honest there wasn’t one, From a selfish point of view though it would be the fact that I never got the chance to run the race fully fit and post a half decent time. The only other sad part of the tour was the fact mates The Chairman Tommy H and Slim Sammy Agnew weren’t there to share the occasion with us L

So from two weeks prior to not going to having one hell of a trip – So happy I made the call to get on that plane. With that I’d like to thank EVERYONE who made the trip a successful one for me and we are already looking at setting up a HuRTS on Tour Part 2 for sometime in 2014………….Do yourself a favour, and be part of it when it comes around, you wont be disappointed.

Will be posting many a photo of events from Berlin and Munich over the course of the next week – hope you enjoy them

Marathon Eve with Charlie, Barts, Enda, Rene and Steve.

On the way to the race who should we meet? Jimmy James, Tom's brother  L.T.O)

Enda Timmy and Rene race morning.

With the team on the finish line...........We've done it.

The first of many post race drinks with Irish boys Enda and Taxi Man Robbie Costello

Meeting NEW friends and possibly some NEW HuRTS members post race.

Let the party begin - Munich.

Robbie Taxi Man, Enda, Charlie, Timmy, C.T and J-Fen

Starting to fill up - with a few new friends to the table.

C.T in full swing...moments later he was carried out.

One of my favs, although still not sure what they said to me " Ich Liebe Dich

Just starting to warm up

with Kanser in town, alongside Steve and Barts

Many more to come
Prost

More Pool Action

Back to join the HuRTS swim team today after a 3 week break that also meant a 3rd swim in as many days. By chance the session was the same that Taffy and I did only yesterday 10 x 200s, Good turnout today with all the regulars on show. I was hoping for a better effort today especially with more people to work of. MrAce was to be my best mate today and it proved as i just sat on his feet for the whole set. Everyone had a turn on the front and i kept putting mine off, and unfortunately never got the chance as i was blowing pretty hard after each 200.
Happy to say i got through ALL ten, some rep times were faster then others depending on who was leading the lane and the times went as follows:
3.08, 3.20, 3.14, 3.20, 3.20, 3.19, 3.20, 3.20, 3.18, 3.09
2.2ks for day and over 6ks for the week
Stuffed now.

Another big weekend in the Premier League with Stoke taking on West Brom in a game that we need to win, (and will do), Slim Sammy's Palace have a tough one against Fulham (when isn't it tough), Enda's Villa have Spurs, whilst Toms Toon won't get any joy from inform Liverpool, so hopefully i can get a few points back in the Mediocre Cup Comp we have going.
Timmy's Tip - Take Stoke to win 2 -1

Will try to get out over the weekend for a longer slower run, talk about going over to Chez Highnams but it's probably a little to fast and long for me at this early stage so will just see who else is out and about closer to home.

Have a great weekend, train well
Cheers

It's getting Hot!

Busy morning work wise although still found time to catch up with Taffy James early doors for a swim set, nearly died when he called 10 x 200s especially when there were just the two of us although in fairness he did allow extra break time and he did lead the whole lot out. Jimmy seemed to be cruising them all coming in each time under 3.20s, I on the other hand was working my @r$e off just to stay on his toes. Managed successfully for 6 reps then was forced to sit number 7 out (or risk being carted off to St Vincent’s) , jumped back in for rep 8 and basically was in survival mode once more to get to 10.

Jimmy’s looking in good shape and will be interesting to see how he goes this weekend in the Half Ironman up in Port Macquarie

Timmy’s Tip: 4hr.28.

Times for the 10 reps, 3.20, 3.22, 3.19, 3.20, 3.19, 3.20, x.xx, 3.18, 3.20, 3.19

35 degrees, 100 mile an hour winds, dry heat that left me as dry as Gandhi’s flip-flop again and a fat and unfit Timmy meant only one thing = Carnage, for today’s HuRTS 10 x 400s at Rushcutters. I knew it was never going to be easy and a good crew turned out despite the killer heat. We broke into 3 groups today and were more then happy to run in the 2^nd directed by Mikey. Ran shoulder to shoulder with Mikey, Todd and about 8 others on the first and was surprised when it was an 80 second lap. Managed to pick it up a little on the next couple but so did Mikey who was running about 3 seconds ahead for each one. I started to struggle around half way but was keen to dig deep and hang on the best I could.

Again not the best session with times down but at least I managed to keep them all consistent for the day, Mikey says conditions played a big factor and everyone’s times were down by about 3-4 seconds on each rep meaning I was running around 77s on a good day.

Times were: 80. 79, 78, 79, 80, 81, 80, 81, 80, 79

Happy to get that one done, Buggered at the end and enjoyed the company on the return to the of one Michael ‘The Italian Stallion’ Durante who was back for his first session with the group in over 12 months – Great to see him back, and you can tell a night out must be nearing when the Pizza Loving friend starts to make a comeback J

Always pleasing to chat with him and even better when he tells me he is the number one reader of the blog each day, Makes me laugh though when he tells me he always reads Tom’s at the same time …..Not because he enjoys it but more to get the link to mine, Love your work Durante J

Forgot to mention the other day, well done to ALL the HuRTS team that competed in the Melbourne Half/Marathon on the weekend, some brilliant times again with Razor Wareham’s 2.39 one of the best, Hardman J.Cs 2.49 also worth a mention,  but the best by a long way was the run of Lady Laura James who ran a 20 minute PB to come home in 2.47 (and knock my PB off by about 12 seconds I must add J ) – Stoked for her, especially with all the hard work she has put in over the months and nicer person you couldn’t meet (Especially when she supplies the Home made Scones)  And in my eyes is a certain for Performer of the Year when the big awards are handed out in a fortnights time.

Tomorrow its  back in the pool for a 3^rd day straight, keen to get my swim leg back up to where it was before I went away, as it’s a battle at the moment.

Cheers

The Road to Rio.

Stayed in the park after work this morning and did 6 x Paddington Hills and back fairly easy, just trying to get a little strength back in the legs, before doing a flat 4k loop. Worked the flat flat loop at 4.19 pace but to be honest I was breathing fairly heavy even at that.
10.4ks all up.
Lovely day out there so then decided to try to fit a swim session in, Leech joined me and also had an unlikely partner in Brendan who has improved in the 3 weeks I have been away. Any thoughts of an easy session went out the back door when "Brigadier Brendan' was more precise with his breaks then Militant Mikey and Corporal Boyd.
Copied Monday's set that the boys did which was 1 x 400, 2x 300, 3x 200 and 4x 100s
Struggled to hang on in truth and the boys weren't going easy on me either - making me do my turn on the front for 1 of the 300s and a two. Times were down a little on normal, although that was to be expected especially as I haven't been swimming now for 3 weeks.
2.2ks done in total.

Well World Cup 2014 is just around the corner now, and the boys qualified this morning against the Poles at Wembley in a tense match. It was like a local derby match with all the Poland fans at the game and I can't believe they booed the National Anthem, when most at the game actually live there and send there child benefit payments back to Poland (Ok Rant Over)
So all roads now lead to Rio ........bring it on , and keep this to yourself BUT the HuRTS boys on tour number 2 could be on the cards for the Marathon in Rio whilst the Cup is on :) It’s the nearest Enda/Kanser/ Taxi Man and The Leech will ever get to a World Cup anyway. Although the Leech was telling me he is keen as we all know how keen he is to wear the 3 Lions England Shirt and this could be his best chance.
I think the draw is made for the round robin matches early December and where all the teams will be based so hopefully the crew could be doing the Samba come June/July next year.

Back to Rushcutters tomorrow for the 10 x 400s, normally one of my better sessions, but it's going to hurt like hell this one.

Cheers

McKay Oval 6 x 800s

Well first day back into running since the Marathon and really the first bit of training I’ve done for about 7 weeks so whatever the session it was always going to be hard and long road back. So when I go the call from old mate Kanser last night telling me he was heading to McKay to do some 800s I thought I may as well join him (plus it meant I avoided the dreaded HuRTS tempo session that was on the cards at the same time).

After waiting the customary 15 minutes for the late arrival of Kanser (and he still wasn’t there) I decided to start the set solo, and it wasn’t to be long before my heart rate went sky high (and that was just getting to the 200 metre mark), battled around the first rep in 2.42 and that was about as good as it would be for the morning.  A couple of seconds slower on the 2^nd, but hopes were then raised when Kanser finally turned up as I thought I maybe able to hang onto him for the remaining 4…………WRONG. In fact I was goneski… pretty much done after the 3^rd rep and was just in survival mode for the second half of the session. Still on the bright side I finished it and there is only one way to go now.

Times for the morning were; 2.42, 2.45, 2.47, 2.50, 2.52, 2.52

Managed a 4k warm up and then had to do a further 5ks with a client at the end as a means of a cool down, so happy enough with nearly 14ks for the day.

Haven’t forgotten about the Berlin Wrap up, I just need to download a few photos and find the time to do the write up the justice it deserves after such a quality tour and seeing my head is all over the place with jet lag at the moment I think it best if I wait a few days before attempting to begin J

Cheers

Drawing to a Close

Well last day of the holiday today and what a busy week its been. Pretty full on that has seen me head to Wolverhampton for the horse races for a days, Liverpool and its city of culture for a day out and then probably every boozer around Stoke.
Its been a blast and so happy i made the call to tour although i think i am ready to return home now as not sure how much more my poor liver can take.
So Monday will see me out there for my first run since Berlin and i suspect Tuesdays HuRTS session is going to kill me.............Please  GOD don't let it be the 45 minute  tempo.

Will give a complete tour wrap up when i get back home and post many a photo that has seen so many good memories along the way.

Cheers