He's Back from Hospital

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and wishes.
My father was let out of hospital yesterday. It wasn't as bad as I thought as they didn't cut him open, just made him a pin cushion for a week. I think that did involve a few tubes in some weird places, but much better than last time.

So it was straight to the golf course yesterday for him.

Now if only his son could run!

Battle with the evil empire part 2

Some of you may remember my father had part of his lung cut out from cancer two years ago. Tonight he has had to go back to hospital as he has a really bad infection in the same lung. Where did he get the infection from? Most likely cause is the hospital two years ago. Just takes that long to come back.

He is not expecting this time to be as bad as the last time. Should be home in a week fingers crossed. Damn Cancer!

Love you Dad.

p.s He is the good looking bloke in the middle of the back row.

Canberra Marathon DNF

I knew the day would turn out bad when I couldn't get my car out of the hotel car park at 6am and had to get a lift to the start with another runner.
I have had ongoing problems since December with Plantar Fasciitis which moved into one spot in my heel at the start of March.
Inspite of this I still tried to keep all the training up for the race hoping that I could run 'at pace' for the full distance.

I started off standing near Tucks and Springer although not running near their pace. Was just trying to get a decent start. Ran most of the race in a nice pack that was just around half a dozen runners on 2:55-3hr pace. Included Blue Dog, Sub50 and Brick.
I had a split calculator on my arm for 2:56 and stayed almost on those splits for the first 17ks. At about the 15k mark the Dog said he was pulling out. But from the 17k we head down hill and my heel was getting increasingly more painful from the downhill pressure on it.

From the Black Mtn turnaround my pace started to slow as the pain became to much to handle for me. From there the voices in my head were screaming at me to stop/run/stop/run. Oh come on make up your mind you idiot.
When I saw my family at the 25k mark going back to the bowen turnaround I had made up my mind that I would run back to see them and let them know. They had been standing in the rain cheering for myself and all the "Go Striders" or is that Ghost Writers? I laugh at that one.

That was it, no amount of CR's or Striders imploring me to keep running as they went past was going to make me continue. I was an emotional wreck standing there talking to my parents.

It was a slow hobble back to the finish to watch all the other runners come in. Got to see Mark Tucker power on for the win as I was still walking back. And it was great to see Uncle Dave and Tucks up close as they both still looked strong running sub 2:30.

Thanks to all who have encouraged me to run sub 3hr for the marathon this time. I'm sorry that I couldn't keep my end of the bargain. I shouldn't have run the race at all with my foot like it was. I'm now paying for it as I had the physio this morning put me on crutches to relieve some of the pain so I can walk properly. No running for at least a month for me.

Sorry for such a long post. My first race DNF. Probably very lucky.

Marathon's through the years.

Marathon's through the years.
Top to Bottom.


Canberra 2005
Canberra 2007
Sydney 2007

Easy 40 minutes

Ran up to the SFS and back. Took the run very easy avoiding all the pot holes.
Total was 8.6ks in 40:01. Average pace of 4:39 per klm.

Yes Heel still hurts Tesso. Just trying not to think about it.

5k @ Marathon Pace

A nice very wet run in the rain tonight. Ok it was bucketing for part of the run, lucky I had a few trees to run under so didn't get the full force of it.
Did a 2k warmup before starting. How much can you do when it is already raining?

5k in 20:10. Must have been the extra water in the clothes slowed me down.

Did a 2k cool down after finishing. Mud everywhere how cool.

I'll see what I can do on Sunday with this heel. Could be interesting.

Last run in the park 15ks

Is this really a long run? Not really only 15ks this afternoon after I slept in this morning.
Did a few laps inside Centennial Park late in the day.

Ran 15.8ks in 71:27. Average pace of 4:31 per klm. Felt very easy running that pace.

Lifestyles of the rich and famous, when your daughters private school has their own Equestrian team. Yes it is true. Spotted a horse rider in Centennial Park with a Rugby top on saying that.

Easy 10k + 6 Strides

Did a couple of laps of the running track in Centennial Park late this afternoon plus a bit outside as well.
Ran 10.02ks in 46:05. Average pace of 4:35 per klm.

Then did half a dozen 100m strides on the grass along Alison Rd.

Mona Fartlek

Ran a flat course around to Fox Studios and back. Legs not feeling that good, especially the heel.

Total was 5.2ks in 20 mins. Average pace of 3:50 per klm.

One Hour

Ran around Moore Park, Centennial Park, SCG, SFS and Fox Studios and back home again.

All up 13.1ks in 60:02. Average pace of 4:34 per klm.

Time Trial

Did a 2k warmup before starting tonight. It was getting pretty dark in Centennial Park when I started doing my run.
The time was 13:42 for the 3.7ks. Average pace of 3:42 per klm. And I'm supposed to be getting faster when I taper. I thought I would be faster, but the sore heel is not helping me.

Did a cooldown with Mohammad inside the park. Good luck at London Marathon mate. Also saw CT and JT running a lap after training.

Edit: I did run a 14:09 last year before Canberra around the park. So I guess I am faster.