Sydney Marathon Sneak Preview STaR 30ks

Not much of a sneak preview anymore as I've run this STAR half a dozen times now and it bores me to death.
Starts at North Sydney Oval and basically runs down to Centennial Park and back following much of the marathon course including endless loops in CP itself.

Only 4 of us this morning with Jo and Peter hanging back or did we start too fast and they got lost. Anyway Mike and I were off running at 4:30/k pace for the 1st 15 ks including up and down stairs before I let him go. Killed me. I cut a few klms out on the way back.

From yesterday afternoon I had a pain in my lower leg near the ankle at the front. Went away overnight so thought nothing of it. After about 10ks it came back hard. Restricted my ankle/shin movement on my right leg.
Then just before climbing the hill to North Sydney Oval my left calf cramped badly and I had to walk up the hill. Not good.

Shin now has a noticeable red spot on it. Have a Doc's appointment Tuesday to see if they can make anything of it.

Total was 30ks in 2:19:57. Average pace of 4:39 per klm. Considering it isn't flat and has a few stairs in it and stupid hair pin turns it was a bit quick for me.

Balmain Bungle STaR 30ks

Started in Drummoyne and then goes through Rozelle, Balmain, Birchgrove, Lilyfield, Leichhardt, Petersham, Lewisham, Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park, Canterbury, Ashbury, Summer Hill, Leichhardt again and back to the start in Drummoyne. A tour of the inner west basically.

We lost Al and Mike after about 3ks as they ran and ahead then took a wrong turn. When we got to Petersham Mark went short with Jo and Paul Hannell.

I then ran with Dave and Christian a couple of newish Striders. They are looking at sub 3hrs at Sydney. The pace hotted up after doing the 1st 18ks at 5:10/k pace.
We ran back mostly at 4:30/k pace which meant I was dropped just near the finish. Fast finish long run which I don't recall ever doing.

Total was 30.2ks in 2:28:34.