Swim and run Day

Even after my big midweek swim yesterday I was still keen to keep the regular Thursday morning going so it was back to PAP for the 3rd time this week.
Starting to log bigger Ks these days and even if I'm not going faster I'm certainly getting stronger with it all, as in the past I'd be dying and ready to jump out by 1800m I'm now able to get over 3ks done within the session. Today's set was built all around reps of 300m in different ways and I was happy to depart the pool with 3.5ks done for the morning.

Feeling tired I gave myself the rest day from the HuRTS set that was organized by Barts and in truth the session was of no benefit for me so I decided to get out early and lined up Jac O'Connor for a few easy ks around the city. Nice little trot knocking out 10.3ks in total in 58 minutes averaging 4.47s

Think I've earned a well deserved rest day tomorrow.

The Chairman Tommy H has been pestering me all week as he tries to cope without good wife Kirst for the week whilst holding the fort with the kids. Poor bloke seems at breaking point and I for one will be glad when she's back in the country tomorrow.
Just received the following photo of what he's been dishing up for the kids - It beggars belief.

Tommy H giving his latest instructions to Charlie, Maggie and Claudia.


Cheers

Wednesday 3k Swim at PAP.

Second swim of the week down at PAP and arrived early to knock out 900m before being joined by Crossy Lad and The Champ who was making a rare appearance.
Took charge and set up the session that sees us do 2ks broken down as follows;
1 x 400m
8 x 50s (off 60 seconds)
1 x 300m
6 x 50s (off 60 seconds)
1 x 200m
4 x 50s (off 60 seconds)
1 x 100m
2 x 50s (off 60 seconds)

Tough set especially pushing the 50s hard. and struggled towards the end.
100m cool down and happy to add another 3ks to the total for the week.

Crossy Lad brought his trusty camera down to the pool today for more selfies and the hope his lady friend would be around (sadly she wasn't ), but he did snap the following.

Won't make the Thursday HuRTS set this week, although I've left it in the capable hands of 'Me, Myself and I' man - Barts.

Cheers

HuRTS 8 x 5 Minute efforts (90 sec rec)

Sammy J remarked before the start of today's session 'Geez Timmy you can tell J.P is fast coming around' and he wasn't wrong with a massive showing on a stunner of a day. Nice to see The Leech and 'Special Q' back as too was Jimmy James Matthews (albeit carrying extra luggage).
Felt pretty flat even before the start today so was cautious on not going too hard to begin and sat in running beside Mikey L, French pair Jerome & Dom as well as Leechy boy at 3.40 pace. Return was slightly faster and basically held the same pace for the first 6 reps.
A big drop out for many at 6 including Barts (minus his sunnies) and the front guys that I found surprising as I then decided to complete the final two but at reduced pace taking the opportunity to run with the Welsh Boy Jimmy.
Pace for the 8 were; 3.40, 3.36, 3.40, 3.36, 3.41, 3.39, 3.52, 3.51
Another good session banked.

Cheers

Sunday Run

Smaller team out than normal post Melbourne with only about 5 starters for the 6.30am start that included Marko Branagan, Shire lass Shannon, Nick M, and the two new pests of the group Sweaty Craig Wiseman and Brendan Fehon.
Pretty easy first 6k look and even at half way I was beginning to think that I wish I had have joined the NOTB Curry night when the 'pests' were in full flow. Back to the café in 28 minutes to pick up the late arrivals including Hoey, Laura, Richie Large and Jacqueline for the usual 10k loop. Picked up the pace slightly as I chatted away on the front with Hoey knocking out a steady 4.34 pace.
Had every intention of a further 8ks for the morning but Jac wasn't feeling the best so dropped back and run with her for a flat 4k loop (4.42s) before calling it a day with 20k under the belt.
20ks in 92 minutes average 4.39s

No sign of Jerome & Leech today (think they've still fallen out since Leech refused to wait that day), Jeet was on Tracker App watch, Birchy had women troubles, Taffy was with his Mountain Men, Enda was claiming rib injury from laughing too much at comedy night, whilst Super Kev was in the gutter from a drunken Saturday night out.
Enjoyed a post run coffee after with the girlies as all talk turned to the upcoming important Beer Mile Race coming up at the end of November.

Monday, Rocks up early at the pool to find Crossy already kitted out, found it strange initially but when I checked out the next lane it all fell into place. His NEW lady friend (aged 62) was in the pool smiling away at him that then took us an age to get going. Joined by Angus Boyd who barked out orders for us that included sets of 100m progressively getting quicker. Also had Hipster Chris join the action as well and was good to see down for the first time.
2ks all up and once done talk turned to the upcoming HuRTS presentation award night, think Crossy was getting a little worried when I mentioned that his name MAY be up on the shortlist for the Under Achiever of the Year. To be honest he shouldn't get it, although he's done bugger all this year and surely he can't keep harping on about his Silver/Bronze Medal (whatever it was) in the World's Duathlon 2 years back.


Can't finish up without a big shout out to my mate Flakey - Paul Bruning for his constant support and photos whilst I was in Melbourne. The mans a legend and despite him not running Melbourne (injured) he's never far from the action. He has a blog going as well and once you read it actually makes our Chairman Tommy H's  blog seem interesting. Still, its holding it place in the charts in 3rd spot (behind yours truly and Sammy Aggers) partly due to the fact he hasn't written anything for a few months.
If Hoeys is not already sending you asleep out the 'Flakes' on  superflake.blogspot.co.au .... guaranteed to be out for the count within 90 seconds

Tomorrow back out for the 8 x 5 minute HuRT set.

Cheers

3 x 2k Hickson Rd/Barangaroo Reps

Started the day down at PAP for a swim and after a 1500m warm up and some drills I was asked for a 1k T/T that wasn't expected that took me by surprise. Battled through it best I could and was all set for the changing rooms before being told to do another 500m easy to make it to 3ks for the morning.
Finally exited feeling wrecked.

Will I, Won't I ? Yes, No ....was left with the conundrum as to head into the city for the HuRTS 3 x 2k rep session after a couple of big days and feeling tired. Decided to head in and at the very least run them easy. Big team out and once there I pushed the first rep at sub 3.30 pace, It took a lot out of me but pushed ahead for the second return rep and despite the stronger wind was able to get back quicker. Pretty much done by then but Tommy H rocked up during the recovery and somehow convinced me to go again and he'd pace me out. Must have caught me at a weak moment as I agreed but by the 500m mark under the Bridge I was cooked, Eased right back and was then happy to see the remaining 1500m out around 3.40 pace.
Times for the 3 were: 6.55, 6.53, 7.19
A nice 2k easy return back to the start with Jerome before Tommy H caught back up with me and made me do perhaps the longest cool down in history of the best part of another 5ks back up to the Stone Pillars around the Domain & Mrs Macs Chair. Not helped with him nearly having me in tears as he regaled with a colourful account of how stressful his life was during morning family breakfast when he couldn't decide if daughter Maggie had an Apple OR Orange with her Ham &Cheese sandwich in her school lunchbox? Talk about being stressed right out.
About 15ks all up in total.

Rest Day Friday, and a much needed massage planned.

Big weekend of footy coming up and the Potters are on a high after 4 points in the last 2 matches ( are you watching Sammy Aggers ?). This week we travel to Hull and another 3 points is in the bag I'm tipping.
Timmy's Tip - Hull 0 v Stoke 1, I'll even give you the scorer this week .... Bony.


Have a great weekend
Train Well, Stay Safe
Cheers

Fartlek 35 Minutes - 7,6,5,4,3,2,1 (60 sec rec)

Tuesday .
Despite running the Half on Sunday I couldn't honestly say I smashed my legs up too much so it was back into the City on a cracker of a day for a set designed by the 'chairman' Tommy H after the HuRTS website left a blank that nearly brought the City to a standstill.
Went out fairly hard and found myself sitting off the back of a decent group and in a small pack of Marc Ashworth and Frenchman Dom. Was surprised to see Tom then join me towards the end and from that point on was happy to stick with him throughout. Found I was keeping it more than honest with each rep around the 3.40 pace but Tom was able to keep his 'float' at a higher pace than I was and therefore getting away during the 60 seconds recovery.
Just under 9ks completed within the 35 minutes with the pace for each rep as follows
7 mins @ 3.41
6 mins @3.37
5 mins @ 3.38
4 mins @ 3.38
3 mins @ 3.45
2 mins @3.40
1 mins @3.37

A good cool down back through the city with Renee, Corky O'Connor and Tom to end with.
Good set and happy with the way I run.


Wednesday.
Had lined up a run with Crossy Lad but he let me down (again) after he forgot his coat and it was deemed to cold to run for him.
Decided then to join a strong 20 plus team that included Renee, Jac, The Branagan Brothers, Sammy J, Brendan Fehon, Brendan Yum Cha, Tommy H, Hoey as well as a host of others for a trot out to my office in Centennial Park and back. Enjoyed the run up through Rushcutters, and then Ocean Street as the banter started to fly about the 'Battle of the Blogs'. Poor Hoey was devastated when Jac O'Connor said she read his after 10PM in the evening as a means to help her sleep, whilst Tommy H was left shattered after learning Jac doesn't even read his that left him mystified just who is the 2nd reader each day?
Once Centennial Park was done it was back up Driver Ave and back to the City via Oxford Street where Brendan Fehon was doing his best in trying to kill us all by running every red light.
13ks all up in 60 minutes averaging 4.45s
26k for the day after completing 13 as well during the morning, wouldn't normally count those but today was run at a decent gallop with some of my faster clients.
Pretty tired now.


Cheers

Melbourne Half Marathon - 86.09

The HuRTs tour bus travelled south to Mexico and it once again brought some big numbers for the running of the Melbourne Marathon/Half weekend.
I got lumbered in digs with Birchy, Jeet and Brucie Lambert and after a nice early pasta dinner on the Saturday we woke to howling winds on the Sunday that was to make for a tough day ahead. I've not been in bad form training wise but I knew that I'd have to reassess my goals with winds up to 55ks per/hour forecast.
Lined up with Jac O'Connor and Birchy and got chance to wish the 'Chairman' all the best before the guns goes and we are away. Blimey, even the first 1k seems tough up a hill before I settle coming down St Kilda Road to some great support from the travelling 'Highnam clan'. Get joined around the 4k mark by Erika Ekland and we exchange some chit chat for a good few minutes before the horrors were about to begin turning into Albert Park at the 5ks. Sense her struggle and drop slightly so bark at her to just tuck into me to avoid the wind. Its a long stretch of about 3ks and by the time we hit 8 I'm toast (although Erika is still on my shoulder). Get a little break at the top end, but I'm unable to take advantage of it and its here that Mrs Jordan pushes on (and never seen again).
Back up Pit straight in Albert Park to more high winds and I'm a broken man and I'm mighty relieved to get that part out the way and turn for home. Thinking the worst was out the way I was sadly mistaken as I headed back up St Kilda Road to another bloody headwind. I knew any sense of time had long gone and for the best part of 5k home it was little more than a Sunday Long run pace. Gave a good shout out to Mikey L, 'B Grade Binfield and Robin Vonk who came past in the marathon that gave me a little boost but when I saw the bridge about 800m from the famous M.C.G I was nearly ready to chuck myself in the nearby Yarra I was that over it and even the lap on the inside field of the ground couldn't lift my mood as I crossed out in 86.09 for the days work.
One of the toughest I've had to endure to be honest and when Sammy J came for a chat about 60 seconds later I offered no more than a grunt as I tried to regain some sense of normality.
Pretty disappointed but I know the conditions played a big part in the times for everyone and it was estimated that it cost between 2 - 2.30 (although I was about 4)
Splits were.
5k  19.00 @ 3.48s
10k 19.56 @4.00s
15k 20.31 @4.07s
20k 20.54 @4.11s
1.3k  1.37 @4.13s
 86.09 Average 4.02s

As you'd expect there was a very mixed bag from the team, The good was Jeet, Laura,Yido Darren Jordan, and Biggsy (all sub 3 hrs in the Marathon), Tom was average at best with his 74, Jac, Eastside and Birchy all got a pass mark and the ugly went to roomie for the weekend Brucie Lambert who had a race to forget with a 3.35 marathon time.
Hard to give a Timmy Run of the Day as I think the following 3 were all worthy on such a tough day for different reasons, so in no particular order I've gone
Michael Ho - 2.32:02 Class act and once again showed he's the master of the marathon within the team and despite only being 35 kilo wet through the wind didn't seem to slow him as he took out 12th place overall.
Mike Lichtwark - 2.40:02 Normally the 'King of the Biathlon Mike has once again proved he can go long as well as his run in 6Ft earlier in the year also proved.
Erika Jordan   84.07 The Swedish girl is one tough cookie, when the going got tough she motored on when others just gave up. Brilliant run in such conditions.

The afternoon /evening was the usual cracker when the team came together to exchange stories over a thousand beers. Poor Tommy H didn't even last till his Uber came and departed at 5.30pm, C.T was about the same, Sammy the Salmon took the easy option of a Sunday flight home and it was left to the regulars Birch, O'Connor, 'Sweaty' Pearson to kick on throughout the evening.

Another top night and weekend even if the race didn't pan out as expected.
Few photos from the weekend and race

I was looking OK, Pity it was only the first 1k

Not so at the 20k marker.

and the famous finish on the MCG

I was worried about my flatmates before the run - Jeet here in the zone.

And Bruce was always going to struggle with ONLY 12 gels to get him through

With Hoey and The Chairman Tommy H

The English lads on tour - Birch, Lindop and Highnam

The gang love a social

Great to have Laura back running well, seen here with partner and #1 supporter Wol.

C.T, Jeet and Jac O'Connor

A run he would want to forget - Bruce on his way to a 3.35 ... Look at the stride length

Cheers