Swimming with 'Fancy Pants' Gleeson.

No coach Walker for today’s swim but with Manly Steve leading out it was even tougher, Got there real early and did 400m with ‘The Gangster’ Jason Ibrahim as a warm up before sitting on Crossy Lads feet for the first 400m once our own session had started. A good turnout today, with Steve, new lad Andy, Angus, Crossy Lad, Leech, Brendan, Champ. Liam, Glesso in his very ‘Oxford St’ swimmers and even Hoey was down in the next lane continuing his improved swim leg.

If the first 400m was quick then the 200s were lightening and poor Crossy lad nearly peed his NEW floaty pants in all the excitement when he saw a 2.50 go through,  Despite racing last night I was more than happy to clock around 3 mins for the 200s but was delighted on the 4^th rep with a 2.55 ***

Finished off with some 100m efforts as the pace was still on – all under 1.30s

 

*** Please note the 2.55 was assisted with Floaty pants, and hand paddles

 

Nice to see mate Glesso return to the pool today, but I do wish he’d get a new pair of Swimmers, poor Hoey was well put out and lodged an official complaint.  I’ve been saying how bad they are for years without people believing me, BUT today I have proof as Champ brought his underwater camera down to the pool. (what he’s doing taking photos is another story and glad he didn’t snap Leech and Kroney at the top end of the pool)

We may have some good runners in the team but with Fat’s tablecloth shirts, Tom’s Carpet ties, Birchy’s haircuts and now Gleeso’s  budgie smugglers some of the fashion sense is shocking.

Check out Manchester’s finest.

 

 

I think Gleeso forgot he was at the A.B.C and NOT Oxford St today.


Big weekend coming up, first up Striders 10k at Lane Cove in the morning, not expecting much to be honest (especially over the hills) , will try to stick with the Leech for as long as possible. Only got one bet riding and that's with 'Old Fancy' Pants Gleeso, Gave him a healthy 75 second handicap start.

In the footy, Chelsea return to the Brit for what could be Jose's final match in charge (hopefully) Will be tough game and perhaps my heart is ruling my head here but the Timmy's tip this week is to stay with the Potters.
Stoke 2 vs Chelsea 1 .... and The Shaq to score (he's due one)

Have a great weekend
Train/Race well
Stay safe
Cheers

A.B.C Biathlon 19.38 - 4th Overall.

Miserable night and didn’t really want to make the effort but still went into town for race 5 (my 4^th) of the A.B.C Biathlon series. No sign of ‘The Missile’ Ed whose won every race so far but HuRTs Mike was on the starting line as to was old mate and PRO guy Dave Matthews who has raced over the years in the ITU races and was making a rare guest appearance.

Nice also to see new female HuRTS girl Bindi on the start line as well after talking to her at Oktoberfest last Saturday and hearing she is a very good swimmer.

A good warm up and I knew the wind was going to make the return leg difficult but at least we had the tough ‘Up’ heading out with a tail wind.  Normal service pretty much from the gun as I settled in 5^th spot and just couldn’t get with the guy (Alex) who was about 5-10 seconds ahead.

Got to the turnaround in about 7.07 I think the guy called out and straight away was battling the winds on the way home. Didn’t get any closer as I hit the top of the stairs in 14.14 some 14 seconds behind Alex.

Felt terrible coming down the stairs as the customary 20 odd second transition took place before jumping in trying to reel in those ahead. With each 50m I felt I was closing in and at the 250m mark I knew I had him. Managed to draw level with 4^th guy but the bugger kicked again and I was forced to kick even harder to get past and somehow found the wall 1 second ahead of him coming home in 19.38 to his .39

Pretty happy overall for my 2^nd fastest of the 4 races I’ve done and only 3 seconds off the first week of 19.35.

Run time 14.04

Transition 22 sec

Swim time  5.02

 

Cheers

 

Payne Plane Prince of Penzance

Well the mere fact you are reading this entry more than suggests I didn’t manage to snag the Melbourne Cup trifecta yesterday and meant a return to the office (park) at 6am this morning on a miserable wet morning.

Did 8.5ks real easy with clients before deciding to do an 8k tempo at 4 min/ks. Had tried to enlist the help of Enda, but once again he snubbed me and was last seen sitting on a park bench seller taping his ears to his headphones in order to listen to his podcasts (I’m NOT joking)..... what a plonker he looked.

Started off and worked  the pace I was after to begin with, just sitting under 4 min/k but I was starting to struggle as early as the 3^rd & 4^th as the times edged just over after that. The 6^th kilometre is slightly easier as I come back down the middle of the park but the last two were a real battle and I couldn’t have gone any faster had I wanted in truth.

Finished in a time of 31.51 averaging 3.59s but didn’t feel good at all.

Splits were: 3.57, 3.53, 4.02, 4.02, 3.39, 3.47, 4.01, 4.04

 

16.5ks all up for the morning – happy to log some extra ks as that’s about the longest run I’ve managed for a few weeks now.

 

As mentioned NO joy at the races yesterday – 4^th was about the best I could manage, with my selections in the trifecta coming home in 3^rd,4^th and 5^th. Not a bad effort but still meant I returned home SKINT after another poor day on the punt L

The real story of the day came though when Prince of Penzance saluted at 100/1 with female jockey Michelle Payne on board. And  just when you thought  it couldn’t get any better, you see her younger brother and strapper/handler Stevie celebrate and in turn steal a place in our hearts and make us remember just what the ‘Cup’ is all about.  Unbelievable.

 

The Feel Good story of the day and what the 'Cup' is all about. winning jockey Michelle with her brother strapper Stevie.

Special mention to another ‘Happy punter’ this time I’m the lucky recipient care of Champ who was more than happy and pay his debts care of the Nepean Triathlon. Fair play to him as he delivered a top bottle of the finest Tequila poolside at Monday’s swim. Yet another one who goes into the Lindop ‘Fair Bet league’ alongside Tom, Jeet, Glesso, Crossy Lad and Renaud when it comes to the betting stakes. Enda please take note.

 

 

 

A quick flashback to last Saturday's Oktoberfest held within the Domain. a brilliant day and turnout from the HuRTS boys and girls with everyone making the effort to get into the theme of the day.  Plenty of banter and TRASH talk (some more than others) as the beers flowed throughout the afternoon. C.T was like a man on an mission after his epic failure at Munich two years ago and was hanging in strong, but then he decided to play the ‘Beer Fairy’ roll and spent most of the evening going around playing barman topping everyone’s drinks up without drinking himself – shameful.

The biggest fail of the night though was once again going to come from the ‘Chairman’ Tommy H (what is it with this bloke?) who just seems to go so quickly – we should call him ‘The Light switch’  One minute he’s talking sh!te then next he’s fast asleep.  Unfortunately another early night was called and Enda and I had to do the right thing and see him in a taxi and back over the bridge he went. Sadly it also meant we couldn’t get back in, care of one meathead bouncer and that basically put an end to our entertainment for the evening as well L

As good as it was , made solely by the HurTS team I thought the organisation was P1$$ poor, long delays in getting overpriced drinks, toilets about 200m away, and at one stage a near 15 minute wait to get back into the beer tent...... and don’t get me started on Meathead bouncer who nearly caused World War 3 (not helped by Cockney Darren J calling him a Fat Fxxker at one point).

Some cracking photos of the day.

 

Oktoberfest comes to Sydney.... sadly still light years behind Munich.

 

Some of HuRTS finest females got into the swing of it. With Corky, Sonii, Ruth and Erika Ekland.

and the males - Birchy, Enda, Tommy H and C.T

Standing alongside HuRTS finest - Barts, Not sure why Tommy H got in the photo?

group photo.

Sonii, Special 'Q', Birchy and Tommy H

Good Lads, Enda Stankard and Micky Gleeson despite always trying to rort the little Stoke battler.

Taxi for Highnam, C.T getting great value.

And Finally
Two photo's - the first is who I was having a chat to PRE Tommy H going out.

All was looking 'Rosy' before I had to sort Tom out.

But sadly this was all what was left by the time I returned to the tent. And this was as good as it got.
That Tommy H owes me big time :)

Cheers

 

Melbourne Cup - McKay 800s

Monday. After a massive weekend I was looking for an easy swim recovery to start the week, but that was soon put to bed when ‘Curly’ Angus, Crossy Lad and Pete Walker rocked up along with Champ and Kroney. Tried to suggest a less stressful set that included 3 x 200s, 8 x 50s and 3 x200s

Pretty quick with the 200s all done in just over 3 mins for me with the front guys going closer to 2.50-2.55

 

Tuesday, With Melbourne Cup Day I put a call out to some of the Eastside Elites to hit down to McKay Oval first up for a series of 800s. Men in form C.T, Fenton, Irish’s finest Kanser, Birchy and ladies Sonii and Ruth all answered the call and Kanser surprised everyone with his time keeping. Birchy and the girls has started earlier due to work commitments so J-Fen and I started the first rep together whilst Kane was still patting himself on the back coming to terms with rocking up on time.

On the money for the first with a 2.38 before Kanser sat on my shoulder for the next couple, with C.T miles ahead. Never felt good at any stage (think the weekend may have had something with that?) but was still running under 2.40s that’s always a positive sign for me.

Times for the day – 2.38, 2.36, 2.36, 2.38, 2.38, 2.38

Once again the times were OK but felt nowhere near as strong as I did two weeks back when the Prince joined us.

 

The two front boys were flying and all of a sudden I’m starting to think they could turn a few of the more fancied HuRTS runners over next week in the JP Morgan? Old Kanser was giving it large ones 4 weeks back whilst at Wildman Stevie T’s leaving do, but he doesn’t sound as confident as the race gets closer in beating me now?

 

Was going to post a full report and photos from last Saturday’s epic Oktoberfest party but due to the Melbourne Cup calling me that will have to be held over till tomorrow. I think  I’ve got the winner today and hopefully I can snag that trifecta.

Timmy’s Tip -  Trip to Paris

Best E/W Roughie shot – Big Orange (50/1)

 

Good luck to all , and if I’m not at training on Thursday, then you’ll know I’ve got the trifecta up and will be found in the Caribbean somewhere.

 

 

Cheers

October Golden Duck 1k Swim Time Trial Handicap - 16.40 , 2nd place.

WOW , the biggest turnout of the season for the October ‘Golden Duck’ 1k Swim Handicap at the A.B.C Pool,  Back was Taffy James, J.C made a rare appearance, Todd was looking strong after a long absence, Leech was back, Crossy braved the cold (despite it being less than 28 degrees) and ‘Prince’ Hoey decided to put his name on the board for the first time .

Liam was first to set the clock under way followed by The Champ, then me with Dan getting an easy ride sitting on my feet for the first 500m or so, I went past Champ in this time before deciding to change lanes in an attempt to get rid of Dan. Started to feel the pace after about 600m but was working well , had a quick glance over the pool at 650 and saw training partner Crossy lad about two lanes over and at the 700m mark jumped over yet again to get on his feet and help me home for the final 300m

Stopped the clock in a PB for the 1000m in a time of 16.40 and thought it may have been good enough to snatch victory, but on looking up I see none other than ‘Dan the Man’ touching out just before me in a time of 16.36 ....D’oh.

Once again relegated to 2^nd spot but delighted with my overall time even if I did get some much needed help from Crossy over the closing stages of the swim. Some very good times all over to be honest. J.C was fastest of the day with a 14.30. Angus’s improvements continue with a 15.10 Todd also strong with a  15.20

Full list

J.C                    14.30

Angus             15.10

Pete               15.10

Todd              15.20

Brendan Yum Cha  16.08

Brendan Krone  16.10

Charlie L        16.10

Crossy Lad    16.13

Dan                  16.36 - Duck Winner

Timmy            16.40

The Champ   17.13

Leech              17.22

Taffy                17.33

Prince Ho       18.55

Liam                 19.05

 

Massive weekend on the cards, with the BIG game being played up  on the North East, where those soft Geordie boys Newcastle host Stoke City at ‘Sid James Park. I backed Newcastle last week and what a heap of trash they are, whilst Stoke turned the current champs Chelsea over in midweek

Only one result here – Get on the Potters for a 1-2 victory

Elsewhere it’s the Rugby Final – get on the All Blacks for the win by 12

 

A big social day for the HuRTS team tomorrow as Oktoberfest comes to town, time to dust the old Lederhosen and Dirndl off and head to the Domain for a fun day, I think about 20 of us are catching up and the big talking point is people asking if C.T can get past 5.45pm this time unlike his much ridiculed Munich disaster 2 years back.

A full report and photos to come on Monday

 

Also Halloween day tomorrow so I must get my pumpkin out at the ready and stick it on the front door (even though I won’t be home) to keep those pesky kids away J

 

Best of luck to training partners and good mates – Jeet and Renaud who are over in New York for the Marathon , both in good shape so expect some decent times from the lads.

 

 

Have a great weekend

Train well, stay safe

Cheers

 

 

Dan with his Golden Duck, flanked by Coach Walker, Taffy, Leech, Timmy, Crossy, Jerome and Liam.

 

Getting ready for Halloween tomorrow.

Meanwhile Taffy has his outfit all sorted.

Surely C.T can lift his game and stay after 5.45pm this time around - or else he faces another 2 years of ridicule.

And surely this party can't be as good as the REAL thing in Munich two years ago with the touring HuRTS party and local girls ? :)

 

A.B.C Biathlon 19.46 - 5th Overall

AM. It was only the fact I was already at the pool working that then forced me to stay on and do the planned swim as I really wasn’t in the mood for another tough workout especially with planning on doing the Biathlon later in the day.

Still, I managed to get through it and even did some laps with the feet banded together with the old inner tube in order to work the core more (even if I did feel as if I was drowning) . A series of 400s, 200s and 100s saw me get to the magical 3k mark once more before I was all done.

 

PM. Headed into the A.B.C pool for the 4^th week of the Biathlon (my 3^rd) and once more I was tired but these short sharp sessions are perfect for me in an attempt to find that spark that is sadly lacking. Usual suspects at the front again with ‘The Missile’ (found out his name is Ed and English) and Mike from the HuRTS team the two to beat. I hate the first 1k and wonder how I’m going to get even to the turnaround (never mind the finish) as I settle behind two lads who were running 5^th & 6^th some 20 metres behind 4^th spot. Manage to get to half way in 7.14 thinking (as always) that I can bring it home, this very rarely happens though and I find I’m not making any ground on the lads in front as I  hit the finishing gate with the time keeper calling out 14.14

Jump in the pool solo but at least I have someone to work off in front of me as I try to break the swim leg down as much as I can. Manage to catch both of them on the turn at 200m and get a better kick away that has me clear. Wonder if I may have gone too early but thankfully they both have little to offer over the final 100m and I touch out in a time of 19.46 for 5^th overall

See Ed poolside who takes out the win again in a time of 18.01 (previous 17.55 & 17.58) over Mike who are basically miles ahead of me.

My times this season have been 19.35, 19.55 and 19.46

My run splits were 3.35, 3.44, 3.37, 3.20 (last one short), Swim time the usual 5 minutes

Tough 20 minute workout and have decided it’s a lot harder when you have no one to compete with or no training partner to challenge – hopefully Tommy H and Enda and even Hoey may grow a pair and come and lay down the challenge in the coming weeks?

 

Cheers

Lassie in Centennial.

Real easy 8ks this morning in and around the park at 4.31 pace, that included 2 x 3 minute efforts with my faster guys to finish with. Saw C.T floating around with his new client ‘Lassie’ and was causing mayhem , nearly bringing down about 80 cyclists when C.T let him off his lead.... Oh dear.

 

And back by popular demand, The #3 blogger within the HuRT squad, (with Sammy Aggers being  the reigning #2)  has stated that he has never seen the ‘Young Enda’ photo, so as we aim to please here it is.

 

I said I would not post this anymore, but still people request it.

cheers