Wednesday's 5:30am foggy frollick

Man it was cold this morning, so cold that I needed my gloves to run with again.

It was thicker fog this morning and the half moon could just be seen through the overhead mist. Holly was beside herself with joy bouncing up and down when she realised we were heading out again this morning.

Not much to see today. The usual three walkers and only 4 runners. I ran with Holly and my apprentice today. I let Holly off the lead for a while and she was terrific just staying by my side and not running ahead. That is the second time I have done that and it really great to see her control herslef - she seems to be maturing a little more now.

2.9 degrees this morning made it very chilly but after 9.4k I was well warmed up and I'm am glad to have done it. It will feel even better after a shower and breakfast.

9.4k in 53:05

Next run Friday morning: 12kms

Tuesday morning's foggy folly

It was easy getting out of bed this morning after another good nights sleep. My sleep patterns seem to be getting better just lately.

Holly was beside herself jumping up and down at the prospect of coming out so out we went - rugged up (me at least - she already is) and into a heavy fog.

Outside this morning was like a scene from an old Jack the Ripper movie - I couldn't see the bay at all. It was just the path in front disappearing into the fog and the yellowy glow of the next couple of street lights.

I didn't feel comfortable today while runnning - not sure if it was my calves still being a little tight or last night's dinner (pig-fest on my part) but I just felt a bit uncomfortable most of the way. I have a very slight sore throat so I hope I am not coming down with something.

While running I was thinking of all me friends going to Gold Coast this year and how they will be doing their last few runs this week. I wish I could be joining them all. Next year I will make it I hope.

9.4 kms in 53:49 6.4 degrees and 98% humidity

Next run: Wednesday morning 9.4k with the apprentice (and Holly)

Sunday long run

A blissful sleep in this morning ended abruptly when I looked at the clock and it was 8am - the agreed time to meet up with GreyBeard! After franticly running around the house collecting gear I was into the car and chasing him down. He had already met up with Cato so I parked the car and joined them.

Fortunately I only missed 18 minutes of runnning and we headed off and at a good clip for me (probably too slow for Cato, just right for Greybeard and a bit fast for me). Although I didn't feel like I could make the whole planned 24kms it was great to push myself a little the whole way to get used to running with a little discomfort. My last few long runs have been at easy paces so it was good to get some pace back into my run. The time flew by. The bay was at its beautiful best with the odd sailing boat and the cool sunlight reflecting off the ripples on the water. It was 5.6 degrees when I got back home - I guess it was a little cooler when we were running but it didn't feel like it. It was really nice to see so many other runners out today enjoying the morning.

I enjoyed the run this morning even though I was probably out of my ideal long run HR zone for most of the way. A good long run to put in to the bank

Run: Apr 21kms 2hrs

Next run: Tuesday morning 6km

New moon rising....and 4 degrees

I found some good motivation this morning and slipped out at 5am as I have an early start at work (late finish too but thats another story). Holly was dead keen to come also - despite the 4 degree temperature. Armed with tights and long sleeve running top and gloves we set off under the most brilliant new moon I have seen in a long while.

Not many people were out this early - half a dozen cyclists, two runners and 7 walkers only enjoying the quiet along the bay.

Running makes me feel lucky sometimes. Lucky I can do it (albeit slowly), and lucky to be able to enjoy the surrounds of the bay when so few others get to. Today I feel lucky. I wonder what else is coming my way......?

Ran 9.4kms, 52:48

Next run: Sunday 23kms (if I can make it)

Wednesday running under a fool moon

Walking outside this morning with Holly I thought I must be foolish. It was 6.4 degrees but at least it wasn't windy or raining. Holly the lab was keen so we set off on our Wednesday 9.4km loop. Just some scattered high level cloud remained after last night's rain and the full moon seemed to be just bursting with light.

We kept up a comfy pace going of about 6min/kms and we picked up my apprentice along the way while trying to keep my heart rate down below 155 which apart from a couple of long hills where it got to about 165 I think we achieved it pretty well.

Holly was terrific company and stayed by my side the whole way. She loves coming along and its nice to have her runn8ig alongside of me. I might take her with me on Friday as she seems like she could keep the pace up for a lot further.

Next run: Friday morning 12km

Will I or wont I...

Its 9:40pm on Tueday night. Outside right now its raining and windy and 10 degrees. Will I get out of bed in the morning at 5:20am (forecast is for 8 Celcius in the morning with showers clearing tomorrow) to go for a 9.4km run with my apprentice? Only time will tell.....

City 2 Surf organisation

Accom booking (Kirribilli): Tick
C2S Entry: Tick
Airline Booking: Tick

I'm practically there baby!

Frequent Flyer points left: negligable :(

Okay, so I haven't been able to run this week but at least I could think about running and get myself organised! I am so looking forward to my quiet weekend in Sydney....

A few days off

Mrs Wobbly has headed up to the Gold Coast today to look after her parents for a short while as her dad is recovering from a very serious illness.

This leaves me alone with the kids so rather than stressing about where I can fit a run in (and how), I will just try and do some stretching and skipping.

I guess it will give my shins another good weeks rest anyway...

Next run: Sunday afternoon (easy 17)

Monday recovery run

A blissful sleep in this morning after some terrible nights sleep this week. An e-mail from greybeard met me with a suggestion for an "easy" 12k this morning.

Now let me say that (as a slow runner) I have never found any run with Rob to be "easy" but as I was still feeling strong after yesterday's 17k I felt up to it. We ran the coastal path where we could and chatted away observing a Tawny Frogmouth owl and a Kestrel. The bird life in Beaumaris is plentiful this time of year.

Once again the run was over before we knew it and I have another solid run in the bank to start the week. Shins are feeling okay (a little tender but not needing ice or additional rest days) so far. The extra rest days this last week have helped them a lot.

Next Run: Wednesday 9.5k with the apprentice (might push him a bit if I am feeling strong still.

Sunday long run

Armed with a mild overhang this morning I set off in a foreign suburb to find the home of Slojo. After waking some friendly (and some not so friendly) people who also live in streets next to SloJo's and have the unfortunate luck to also live at the same number house as Jo, I finally found her ready and eager to run.

Pretending to be feeling fine I set off with SloJo and we quickly settled into a comfy pace and enjoyed the morning sun and the surrounds of the Williamstown Half again. The weather was sunny, the temperature mild and I found the longer I ran the less seedy I was feeling.

Before we new it we were on the home stretch and I was feeling a bit sad that the run was soon to be over. Exactly 1hr 45 mins after we started we finished in Sunny Williamstown and following a quick stretch we were met by a beaming George (Slojo's partner) who had been out for his first 30 min run. Well done George!

It was a great run with good company and one I will remember. Apart from the last bit where SloJo realised she had excess energy reserves and tried to burn me off, we maintained a steady pace and my head and shins are glad for that.

Next run Monday - 10k easy with 3kms at 5 km pace.

Shin pain 1/5, I am feeling strong again and looking forward to getting some speedwork in to bring down my sustainable long run pace a little.

Wednesday running with the stars

A chilly start greeted me this morning with only 7.4 degrees + effort to keep me warm. Two t-shirts, tights and a cap kept me warm enough but I should have worn gloves.

The only thing great this morning at 5:30 were the stars. It was a cloud free morning and I couldn't see a moon so the stars were just brilliant. Nothing else special about the run this morrning - just another "one in the bank" I guess.

My shins have played up a bit after the long one last Sunday but seem to have settled and I hardly felt them while running this morning. A bit of neurofen gel helped them I think - that and rest. I didn't feel the need to ice.

I am coming into a training phase that has more speed and hill work> I am looking forward to that as I feel I am getting even slower.

Shin pain: 1/5, Distance: 9.4kms, Time:52:54
Next run Friday - 6km hit out.

Sunday's looong run

This morning I didn't really feel that motivated but fortunately had committed already to run with Greybeard so out the door I went at 6:50am. It was darn cold this morning and I soon realised that I should have taken some gloves with me. With tights on and a singlet under my long sleeve running shirt I managed to keep the chills away from the rest of me anyway.

Rob had planned a 23km run today on a route I hadn't run before. Not having run past 22 before I confess to being a little apprehensive but the new route kept my mind thinking of other things and my eagle eyes enjoyed surveying the golden sunrise.

At the turnaround I was feeling pretty ordinary as we went out a bit on the fast side for me but half way back I was feeling good and it was only the last two or three kms that I felt leg weary.

It was great to run with Rob - he keeps my pace honest and I didn't know that running path existed until this morning.

The quest for the perfect banana pancake is about to continue.... boy am I hungry!

Time 2:25.00, Distance 23.5kms, Shin Pain 2/5. Next run: Tuesday or Wednesday

Friday Run with the Holly dog

5:30am and Holly desperately wanted to come on the run so I popped my new flashing red bike light onto my cap, turned the GPS unit on and out the door we bounced with our tails wagging.

I decided to take the GPS unit this morning as I have only ever guessed my current morning circuit at 9.5km - it is actually 9.32.

It was cloudy and dark this morning with a winter chill hanging in the air. I coaught a glimpse of what there was of the moon - a tiny waning crescent but mostly it was behind the low cloud. The bay was inky today and still and there was a light misty kind of fog hanging over the water - a bit San Francisco bay like.

Holly breezed along really happily the whole distance and didn't lag behind at all - I suspect she could go further but will keep her at this max distance for a while (because I am lazy).

I enjoyed this morning's run - next run Sunday long run (18kms).

Time 55:49 (slow), Shin pain 1/5, Current Energy levels 4/5, Current Appetite: 5/5!!

Slow and lethargic

Well it felt that way anyway...

I woke in the middle of the night bathed in sweat and feeling like I had a temperature or something but when the alarm went off I didn't feel too bad so went out for my usual Wednesday run, meeting the apprentice 1/4 the way around. Actually I think Andrew has become faster than me already - just not over distance yet.

It wasn't too cold this morning. 10.4 degrees and no wind with 78% humidity.

I felt really slow and lethargic the whole way round - even on the down hills I struggled to keep my leg turnover up. 2 mins slower than normal over the 9.5kms and it felt like it.

There were bazillions of cyclists out this morning - one pack, breaking the morning quiet that rode past us along Beach Road, had about 50 in it. Maybe its the start of their serious training season as there is not normally that many out at 6am on beach normally. The seem to just "whoosh" by and the chatter and whirring soon disappears allowing my quiet to return.

Only caught a quick glimpse of Sid (the evil paper delivery man) this morning - no doubt he is planning something dastardly for me to trip over or scare me.

Shin pain 1/5, calf stiffness 2/5, Energy levels 2/5