DOMS from the weekend has left the achilles very sore. It doesn't feel good. No problem - switch out the wharves recovery run for an easy A.B.C. swim. Convinced RG and Matt (both colleagues) to join me. First time swimming with RG, clearly a superior swimmer but happy to let me slipstream behind. First 600m assisted (10s break at 300m), 400 solo (another...
Saturday - Molly No training plan heading into xmas, just jogging and lots of it. Today's 15km at 5:30s would suggest an 'easy' one. My legs and my dog (Molly) disagree. Jogged over to Callan Park, then tracked East along the south side of The Bay Run. Worked the endless hilly side streets of Birchgrove, Balmain, Balmain East and finally Rozelle. A messy...
Race season is now closed, race weight goals gone and out comes the stretch pants. Friday's sprint event was the Beer Mile, then comes the food equivalent of a 42.2km. Thanksgiving at the Fentons. Pleasure mixing it up with only the food-loving runners of HuRTS (and +1s, offspring); notably the Everetts (R&J), Heyden, CT, Macca, Renaud, Jeet, Eoin, Fats, Sonya, JO'C, Quentin, James...
Eventful day down at A.B.C. Pool with the Friday swim squad. A much anticipated Golden Duck 1km TT. Being new to this cliche, I had zero idea what's involved... With a proliferation of pre-swim group email banter, I was left highly confused as to 'target times' set by Pete / Timmy L. These define handicaps off a staggered start. Heading in, Yum Cha...
In the world of farm-to-plate breakfasts, John Smith Cafe is my key pick for the forthcoming Silly Season. Notice how beautiful food is normally restricted to rip-off degustations or vegan cafes? No longer, because the JS signature is below. I'm very proud of my DSLR work standing on a stool. Day kicks off reading a deceptively unique, seasonal and healthy menu. Top right...
AM: Hot hot and hot. Knew this was coming and with the baby being a free 5am alarm bell, I rode to A.B.C. and snuck in a lazy dip. Pool is very popular at 6am on weekdays! Settled in the slow lane, starting with 1km freestyle. Low quality, no focus on technique. Lucky no one was watching. Got the 1km done in 20...
Once again, unsure what the day would entail. Kicked it off with 8km jog to work. Followed Para Rd, passed Central and shot down George Street. A complete non-event sort of recovery run. PM: figured a Redleaf pool run would take too long. In such steaming hot temp, some sort of dip was mandatory. Thus I did the shorter version, just as hilly....
Resting the feet today. Wise decision as I feel a few niggles from 120km last week and Sunday's race. This meant skipping the 8x5 min intervals around Farm Cove. Lined up the diary with Yum Cha Wong for some secret swim coaching A.B.C. Turns out it was a good decision. Funny enough, Jeet was also loitering in the pool area. YC set the...
Really struggled to get the legs moving. To be honest, it's a familiar feeling on Mondays. Joined Renee and Conway for a usual recovery run around Farm Cove and down to Barangaroo. Maintained 4:50s, which should be easy. Did not feel comfortable. Perhaps the heat, wind or yesterday's difficult 10km. 12km in 63 min. PM saw me add 5km running home at 6...
Balmain Fun Run - last one for 2015. So I'm told this is not flat. Well, this is how my 10km unfolded - zig-zagging 3x steep ascents along the Bay Run facing hillside of Rozelle Hospital. Terrain changes, tight turns, potholes and pedestrian dodging. Repeat this 2x. For once, no Lorie today. She's encumbered by a relentless baby. Spectating Neil instructs me to...
Why do I always get such sore calves from swimming? Struggled to eject myself from the bed, let alone head out for a usual Saturday Bay Run. Headed out at 6am down to a random cricket oval (Blackmore Park), near a filming studio on the south side of the Bay Run. Wore swimmers and goggles, just in case. 2km from home, then an...
40 degrees ... running is off, swimming is on. Joined the Friday swim crew and specifically, Conway and Sam for an anticipated 1km 'race' at A.B.C. Set off at 12:10pm in the medium lane and I lasted all of 100m in Conway's slipstream. Once dropped, there was no recovering. Did my best to maintain rhythm, breathing and loosely play with my underwater technique....
Thursday - Annual HuRTS Awards Night AM - legs still very flaky from Tuesday. Sammy J had similar excuses and we skipped the 3x2km intervals in favour of a run out to Cremorne Point pool. In 36 degrees, this proved a magical decision. The 5km run across the Bridge was gnarly due to the elevation changes past Kirribilli. We toughed it out and...
Must be 9 months since our last Redleaf pool visit. Inspired by soaring temps and catalysed by a classic Conway blast email, we had a great little turnout. Out to enjoy the hills - dip - hill set included Conway, Tom, Tym, Charlie, Lambert, Nathan and JW. 7km via the long-rout at the insistence of Conway. Legs actually felt fine but it is...
Indigo enjoys a strategic monopoly in one of Sydney's most affluent yet culturally devoid locations, Double Bay. If you are hungry and 45% of your salary does not go to the ATO each year, please avoid. Reflected in scarce parking and long queues, the locals love it. We are quickly profiled by the staff: Soccer mums? No. Latest model BMs? No. Clumsy parking job? No....
