2005 that is all folks. Now for 2006!

I was going to write a "year in review" post but the possibility of sending half the blogging world to sleep and then having to listen to your snoring until somebody woke you up was just too much for this little koala bear to handle. So instead its just the 2005 highlights and 2006 goals!

April 2005 - getting my eyes lasered and now having unbelievably clear vision for the first time.

May 2005 - Pacing Slojo on her first Half Marathon at Williamstown.

July 2005 - Pacing some very special (Sydney) Cool Running ladies on the City to Surf. The whole trip to Sydney, the race and the post race celebrations still put a smile on my face when I think about it!

September 2006 - Breaking the seemingly insurmountable 50 minute 10k barrier by 1 minute 30 secs!

December 2006 - Breaking my 10K PB again and the whole 10k Blogger Challenge with Go Girl

Now that is all just (memorable for me) history! Its now onwards and upwards!

2006 Goals:

* To see off these shin splints once and for all!

* Complete my first marathon smiling. Canberra in April 06 being my first attempt.

* Help somebody achieve a personal running goal (by pacing or however else I am able to help)

* Get myself at least one pair of these suckers! Topless Sandals

Coastal Trail again

I thought I would take the camera along today to try and capture some more scenes from the Coastal Trail that I love running so much.

Coastal Trail at Half Moon Bay

Coastal Trail at Sandringham
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Coastal Trail looking south at Sandringham


While I got some nice pics I didn't realise how hot it was going to be and I was later out than normal. It was about 30 degrees while we were out running and Holly and I were both feeling it on the way home so it was walk/run mostly for the last 1/3rd.

About 13kms or so for the round trip and my shin was fine while running but not so good afterwards. I have made an appointment to see a quack soon to see whats going on...

We have some friends from Canberra staying here for the next week and one is into Triathlons so maybe I will have a new running buddy for the next week :)

Thanks to all who have posted some pics in their blogs. Its great to see!

I'm on a roll

Okay, enough Christmas frivolity - this is afterall (mostly) a running blog.

Why am I on a roll? Well being out there "in the good paddock" for the past few weeks has seen my waistline steadily expand and my weight increase. Three kilos so far and that is about as far as I will let it go.

So it was lace on the Adrenalines and get out the door before the heat set in. With a forecast of 35 degrees today a 7am start was the go (urgh!). Today I ran with fellow cool runners Greybeard and AndrewinOz and Holly (the ever happy lab). We took in the Coastal Trail from Rickett's Point to Hampton Surf Life Saving Club and return (roughly 13-14k).
Coastal Trail at Hampton (and Wobblette #2)

Holly and I led most of the way (she loves to be in front) but unfortunately my legs couldn't hold the pace towards the end particularly on the soft sand so we walked/ran the last 500m or so.

An enjoyable coffee and a natter with Greybeard followed at the kiosk while we compared thoughts on Canberra Marathon strategies. Expect a declaration of intention post on that shortly....

Its time to ice my shin (preventative) now and afterwards I think we are all going to see a "family" movie. A movie review will follow in the next post...

Stuffed Wobbly...

I didn't go for that bike ride yesterday, nor did I buy the bike brakes as hoped - in fact I didn't even put on the roller blades (much to Anna's relief)! I was however, busy doing "stuff" around the house and looking at the list of things done, I can see why I feel a little tired right now.
11:30pm status - Kids are asleep, Mrs Wobbly is asleep and I am finishing tidying up then I too will be going to hitting the sack....

Me? I am a very happy boy. The family had a great day and that means I did too. My best present = A CD: The best of Mental as Anything. If you leave me can I come too? *dancing strange 80's dance*

Some friends dropped in from down the street unexpectedly late evening which was cool. Its been a great Christmas day - terrific being at home and not having to travel and terrific to see all of the family so happy.

A couple of photos from today are below for those interested:
Present opening time:

Nanna and wobblette #2

Wobblette #1

Mrs Wobbly

Poppa Wobbly and Wobblette #2

Friday check-in (2 week holiday commences!)

In the spirit of Christmas here is a pic of our Christmas tree (and me if you look hard enough). Fellow bloggers - I want to see your trees too!

No exercise to report yet but I am thinking about doing some soon. Honest....

Today I could hardly feel any soreness in my right lower leg while walking and although I can still find a sore spot I am thinking I may try a bit of a "quasi" run tomorrow afternoon. I'm thinking I will dust of the rollerblades and go for a little roll. Now I can almost hear you lot out there saying "what sort of injuries will poor Wobbly sustain on this folly" but let me assure you, I am better equipped than a medieval knight when it comes to my rollerblading exploits. Hands, wrists, elbows, head and knees are all plastic body armour protected.

In fact somewhat amazingly, the only injury I can think of that hs been sustained from my rollerblading was when I took Anna (then apr 6 month old) for a "roll" in the pram and I managed to get some sort of weird "power-wobble" thing happening and the pram and I wobbled over spilling poor Anna onto the pavement while an aghast Mrs W looked on in abject horror. I remember the look on the faces of the onlookers, what an irresponsible parent! Somehow the only injury sustained (thank you again to the patrol saint of injury prevention - whoever you are) was a minor scrape on Anna's hand. Needless to say I was never allowed to wheel any children along while wearing roller blades ever again. Oh, and I never did raise the possibility of using the backpack and kiddie helmet which I think would have been much safer....

So I am thinking of a small bike ride in the morning - to buy some new fangled cantilever brakes followed by the inevitable string of jobs around the house preparing for Christmas lunch with my parents. Then, if time permits, a roller blade in the late afternoon - I may ask Anna to follow me on her bike if she doesn't get too freaked out at the thought of me being nearby on rollerblades! Once finished I will partake in afternoonsies while trying to retrofit said brakes to the treddlie.

I may try either a soft trail run or a sand run on boxing day to try out my running legs again.

No running now since my December 11th 10k race, weight gain since then nearly 2kgs (now a smidge under 78kg)

A week off

No running (or any other exercise) to report this week and my right shin was all the better for it. Today it was pain free while walking so I went for a bike ride to the library to return the ultramarathon book I had been reading (recomended christmas reading- Ultramarathon man by Dean Karnazes) and managed to fall off my bike and landed with my right shin hitting the pedal. Doh - now its sore again! No wonder I don't get out on my bike much! I am such a klutz sometimes....

Holly enjoyed the run/ride though and was very attentive when I fell off - just like when she I fell over running one early morning during winter. I suspect she wouldn't ever to be the kind of dog that would drag me home when I broke a leg or something but she certainly would keep me hydrated with all the licking she does!

I've also been reading a little on running form lately and have concluded I have some form issues - too much heel and not enough bend in the knees when landing. Something to think about when I start again after my break (Thanks for the article ref. Gronk! -much appreciated mate)

Another week off and I will hopefully start back with some trail and beach running.

I have been missing my early morning runs and was very tempted to joing Greybeard on a long one this morning but instead reaquainted myself with the concept of a Sunday morning sleep-in - very nice indeed.

Might also try to slip in a leg massage this week if I can - just because.

Weight gain so far 77 (+1kg)

Today's bonus

No running to report I'm afraid. In fact I don't plan on running at all during this week. My right shin is sore and is deserving of some well earned rest after Sunday's abuse.

So what is the bonus I hear you ask? Well the official results were posted from Sunday's race and it turns out I was even more delierious than I thought when I finished as I finished with an even better time than I thought.

What I thought was 48:59 as I was passing the finish line was in fact 48:49 according to the official clock. I have just checked my Garmin splits and yes its right - according to my Garmin it suggests that I finished with a 48:45. I'll take the 48:49 as I am sure I saw the seconds clicking over to something 9 as I passed!

So I sliced off a massive 44 seconds off my September 10k PB! Woohoo! *dances a silly dance*

I intend that my time in the good paddock will be spent eating and building up some reserves for my marathon push so current weight is 76kgs - I expect that will blow out to be over 82 by New Years day. Anyone want to take bets on my new years day weight?

I was once so proud of you....

... my September '05 10k PB! Unfortunately for you though (and happily for me), you are now being tossed out and have been replaced by a better PB! Although I worked hard to earn you my "old PB" friend, you have served your purpose and so its now out onto the lonely streets of PB history - soon to be forgotten by all but me.

Today started well without any shin pain and a quick piece of toast a check of the weather and I was out the door.

An easy warm up jog with Greybeard and a plenty of hellos to fellow Cool Runners, a quick few moments to focus and we were off. I foolishly stayed in the middle of the pack for the first 300m and was slowed a little but by the 2nd km I was settled into a good rhythm and feeling good. Hindsight - they say its a wonderful thing and let me tell you it is! I wish I had taken the time to drink something before toeing the start line between the time I woke up and the start of the race. I thought about my thirst for ages and how dry my mouth and then throat were. I walked through a drink stop at km 6 and lost my rythm for a while while the guy I was sort of comfortably running behind slipped away from me and joined a small pack that were just easing away from me the rest of the journey.

I ended up running most of the second lap alone but surprisingly managed to gather my thoughts and focus on breathing correctly.

Garmin Splits
Lap 1 4:43, 4:47, 4:52, 4:48, 4:58
Lap 2 5:11, 4:55, 4:47, 4:59, 4:46

Apart from split #6 where I lost the plot I am stoked with my splits!

I usually have a strong finish but today I was sooo tired it just wasn't there to draw on - I guess it was starting to warm up a bit too. I gave everything I had left in the last 700m and when I looked up at the clock it was 48:53 tick, tick, tick (push hard! more!) it seemed so far away and was almost ticking in slow motion - I slipped past the line with the clock ticking onto 48:59 and was unable to say a word to anyone for a couple of minutes.

So Go Girl, you may have won our blogging challenge (this time) but I have to confess I am not feeling at all like a loser! In fact, I am feeling rather chuffed with myself having sliced off 34 seconds from my now redundant but only 3 month old PB. Thanks for your best wishes over this challenge everyone!

The rest of the year will all be easy runs and a bit of rest to get over any niggles (I hope you are listening right shin!). My Marathon debut training starts in earnest in January.

I feel like a winner...

...after beating my virtual partner for the first time! Wobbly 1, Virtual Pony Tail 0 *cheers*

Having gone without a run since last Saturday I thought it best to stretch the legs a little before pummelling the bejeezus out of them tomorrow in my 10k race.

I though I would set virtual partner for the first time and set him for a conservative 5:40 pace for my 6km jaunt around Royal Melb Golf Course. I think I set him a little easy as I ended up quite a distance in front of him in the end - I blasted up the hills on the course and felt very strong the whole way around.

My right shin is happy to have had a rest this week and doesn't feel any worse for the run today.

Tomorrow Greybeard is picking me up before 6:45 for my 10k PB attempt at Wiliamstown. I am looking forward to the massage and pancakes but admit to being a little apprehensive of getting to the Go Girl's recent 48:16. Strangely I feel pretty good about beating my 49:33 in September so if I beat that I will be one happy puppy!

The Coastal Torture Trail again

After bumping into Cathyp this afternoon who was bounding along a coastal path while I was measuring the Cool Running Christmas run for tomorrow I felt the need to get out and run myyself today. Fortunately for me AndrewinOZ was up for a late one.

We met at Rickett's Point and followed the Coastal torture trail taking all available ramps and stairs on more than one occassion.

Despite the hard work-out we came home after 12kms and put in a strong last km under 5mins. The increased distances since June and increased consistency are paying of I think.

After my late night at the office Christmas bash last night I am so ready for a good night's sleep and am looking forward to catching up with lots of Cool Runners tomorrow.

I hope everyone doing their Central Coast Runs tomorrow have great runs - will be sending some powerfilled thoughts to Gronk and Go Girly especially.

12.1km 1:11:51

Serious taper time now - feet up and resting/icing my right shin.

Thursday morning rainbows

I wanted to run hard this morning as the weather forecast was for a hot day and I didn't fancy doing speed work in 30 degrees! Not that my shin is up to it anyway :(

Out at 5:45am and onto my coastal torture trail to do the stairs and the steep ramp down to Half moon bay. As I hit the coastal trail I noticed a beautiful rainbow out over the bay and stared at its beauty against the purply pink sunrise clouds. Man it was beautiful and there was just me and Holly to enjoy it (oh, and a bazillion flies).

My newly named torture trail takes 3 loops of a set of 60 stairs and a very steep ramp and then a slong slowish hill and then a short one on a sandy base.

I made it around okay - not quite as fast as I would have liked but I can blame Holly for slowing me down a little bit.

12.4kms 1:15:00

Shin pain 3.5/5

Oh, I snuck in a little 6k run on Tuesday morning too - but that was very uneventful and I won't bore you with that.