SMH Half Marathon 1:34:32

Training hasn't been very good this year at all. Even since the 50k at Canberra I've struggled to do a 30k long run under 5 min k pace average which is slow for what I want to run at.

So with no speed work at all I took on the Fairfax mountains of SMH half around the city this morning. The good thing about the race is getting to run through the city and darling harbour with all the roads closed. Pyrmont I can do without as the hills just seem to get worse over there lead by Fairfax just after numbers. Rant, Rant!

Time was 1:34:32 net. According to the timers I was 734 out of 9186 finishers. Top 8% even with my fat.
According to my splits I was:

5k - 21:49
10k - 44:15(22:26)
15k - 1:06:44(22:29)
20k - 1:29:20(23:36)
21.1k - 1:34:32(5:12)
Obviously too fast at the start. But the course I think gets hillier after 5k as you have to cross to Pyrmont and back again. So could be ok the splits.

Fairfax had the first half in 46:22 and second half in 48:10. And I was 808th at half way and finished in 734th position. Couldn't see the 70 I passed.

Jack Carter Cup Sand Race 1.9ks - 11th win

An event my surf club holds in jan/feb each year. People do it solo or as a team.
Swim, ski paddle, sand run, board paddle. Of course I do the run a huge 1.9ks this year. About the same each year.

We lead the swim, ski paddle, run only just this time and the board paddler was behind at the last turning buoy but the other paddler nose dived on a wave coming in when he was next to our paddler.

So we took the win. The board paddler and my 11th win, ski paddler 10th and we roped in a new swimmer as the usual one was away.

The prize was a pair of sun glasses again. Pace was good 4:29/k on the hard/wet sand.

Beyond the Black Stump Fatass 28ks

At least 40 people rocked up at Berowra on New Years morning at 6am for what is supposed to be the early start. We only had about 15 last year early.

Usual run from Berowra community hall across to the bush. Down along Berowra creek to the ferry. The pack went past me in the bush as I'm not running well/ was tired as well.

Got to the ferry on my own and there were about a dozen waiting at the ferry. I reckon the first of this lot was about 10 mins ahead.

Took off up the road, which is 3.5ks, did the bush out to where the burnt out car is and then turned around as I wasn't feeling too fresh.

Ran back and just missed a ferry at the bottom of the hill so had to wait and consequently about a dozen caught me,
Off the ferry and I took the road back to the start. Still a hell of a climb anyway.

Total was 28.7ks in 3:11. Very hard work

Moore Park 8ks

Just down to the start of Moore Park and back. Felt like my legs were not moving at all tonight.

8.19ks in 41:31.

Moore Park 10ks

Hot day to start. Up to 30 degrees but only 21 degrees at 7PM when I started. Just ran down to Moore Park Rd and back.

Total was 10.58ks in 54:30.

Centennial Park 21ks

Missed my run in the morning mainly due to a lack of sleep due to asthma and then falling asleep on the lounge for 2 hrs. Probably needed it.

Run was at 3 in the afternoon. Not too hot only 22 degrees. Sun still out though. Nice run around the Moore and Centennial Park areas. Staying on the grass mostly.

Total was 20.84ks in 1:47:57.

Longest run since Gold Coast Half in July.

An hour in Moore Park 12ks

Down to Moore Park and around there. 16 degrees. Lots of traffic. Especially bikes.

Total was 12:03ks in 1:00:37.

Moore Park 10ks

Moore Park along Anzac Pde. No speed still but still using the asthma puffer. Very frustrating as I can't sleep either. Waking up choking.

10.04ks in 50:14.

Moore Park 8ks

Down to Cleveland St and back. Very boring. Hamstring and asthma still there. 17 degree start.

8.52ks in 41:54.

Randwick 7ks

Down to Moore Park and back via Alison Rd going past the racecourse.

7.57ks 38:07.

Randwick & Centennial Park 10ks

Still hampered by the hamstring and asthma. Hopefully I can breathe one day again.

Total was 10.23ks in 52:17.

Randwick 6ks

From home down and along one part of Centennial Park and back. Still trying to get the hamstring and asthma complaints to go away.

6.17ks in 33:35.

City 2 Surf 2015

Arrived about 6:30AM to the baggage area and wandered past the toilets with no lines. Then down to the start line about 6:40AM to find only about a dozen lined up. Mostly usual suspects. Maybe Fairfax and the don't arrive 30 mins before the gun email had an effect?

Start was made up of standing around having a chat and praying the sun came out from behind the trees which it did. Seemed to help but in fact the tempo was 6 degrees but with the 20k westerly we had during the race it was really 2.5 degrees.

Asthma and hamstring were noted as being a problem before the race so I expected not to be able to run fast at all. So it was proven as I had to run with my inhaler.

Found the crowds really rude this year as heaps of runners trying to get through gaps that they can't get through just belt your elbows without a hint of sorry. Next year I'm running with Michael Clarkes unused cricket bat. Will see more hits at least.

Splits I noted. Could be adjusted later as I press the button when the gun went and couldn't work out if there even was a start mat?

5k 23:15
7.2k(clock) 34:57
10k 48:55
14k 68:04. Avge pace 4:51 per klm.

Neg split 34:57/33:07. At least I'll keep the red start for next year.

Centennial Park 12ks

Ran down to Centennial Park and watched a bit of the 50/100k CP Ultra going around the park. Ran with Eagle and Horrie for a part of a lap.

Total was 12.14ks in 1:02:55.

Long Block 7ks

Been too busy and hamstring being worked on so not much running. Ran around the block at work. This is the block if I go one way as there is a train line and industrial estates in the middle so I don't think you can cut any off. Damn long block.

Total was 7:02ks in 35:31.

Randwick 3ks

Physio wanted me to tray a run after a few sessions. Didn't work well. Hamstring still sore.

3.16ks in 18:36. Had to walk for part of it as the hamstring was grabbing behind the knee.

Gold Coast Half Marathon 1:45:08

Best forgotten about with almost no training and a sore hamstring.

10 degree start at 6AM and minimal wind. Obviously the Half is always in the dark so no hat or sunnies needed which is always good.

Garmin measured me running 21.18ks which is good considering the crowds. I must have been ok at taking the racing line then which is always a good thing. Shortest course possible. Was not a happy birthday either.

SMH Half marathon 91:36

Another course change by Fairfax taking out the Barangaroo loop and the finish loop in college st. Added a hill at circular quay to replace it. 

Start time is now 6:45am to get us off the streets earlier.

Run was ok since I've only had 2 weeks training since Paris marathon. Passed about 70 people in the 2nd half to finish 538th. No rain during the race but streets were wet. 

Nearly 10,000 runners in the race with Tom highnam getting 4th. Excellent. Getting a new laptop this week so hopefully can update blog. 

Paris Marathon 3:08:43

Running on merrily until about the 25k mark doing 4:20k pace or 22 min 5 k pace when the tunnels came and I lost touch with the garmin and it and I didn't recover till the 30k mark.

By that stage I was doing 4:35-4:40k's and couldn't get it back.

Conditions were great. Nice and cool and crowded as you expect with 40,000 runners.

Forgot to look at Youtube for the cobblestones in the last 10ks. They hurt like hell on more sore Achilles. Remember Youtube next time. Heaps of support on the course with plenty out watching in the streets and cheering the runners.

Expo was huge. Largest since I was at Boston.

I finished the race 1884th and 3:08:43 which was my best since the PB in 2010. Which makes it a 45-49 Age Group PB as well. And I'm faster than Blue Dog for the age.

Splits 10k 43:55, Half 1:32:26, 30k 2:12:27.

Not too bad splits 1:32:26/1:36:17.

1884th out of 40,259 Finishers. Top 5% in a Marathon I'll take that.

Lost in Rome 19ks

Lost in Rome was rather dramatic but the map probably shows how bad it was. Cold day and I had so much trouble when I got back to the hotel as it used keys I couldn't turn the key and had to get hotel staff to help me. Fingers were frozen.

https://www.strava.com/activities/280481658

It ended up being 19.2ks in 1:40:30. Intention was and hour and a half but getting lost didn't help. Last run before the Marathon next week in Paris.

Hopefully the course is marked.