Monday, December 27, 2004
Christmas Day and Boxing Day
25/12/04
Ran with Belinda for our usual Saturday 7.5km loosener. It was my first run with my Timex GPS/HRM that I got for Christmas and really enjoyed it. We got out just before lunch as we couldn't get out before the kids got up and wanted to open their presents. It's important to get your priorities right. As I am running 29km tomorrow with the Striders doing the Tourist Trot STaR, have imposed an alcohol ban from 3pm and a very light dinner so I will be in reasonable shape tomorrow. Now, how is that for dedication?
26/12/04
Rose nice and early feeling a bit lethargic but I am glad I prepared properly as otherwise I would have rolled back over and gone back to sleep. Made our way to Centennial Park to be ready for Belinda's 6am start with the MTG for their 20km run. I then just stood around chatting to people whilst I decided which group to run with. After one run with the 6.10 group 3 weeks ago, didn't have much to go with. So, as the course we were running was one of the easier courses the Striders run, decided to give running with 6.20 group a crack and see how I'd go.
Glad I did as while the pace was slightly quicker than what I would have liked, was very enjoyable. Stopped off at the Cruising Yacht Club at Rushcutters Bay and had a tour of the yacht that Action usually sails on when he does his Sydney to Hobart thing. It was a nice diversion before we were off again. Running down William St and into the city, was great to know that there weren't too many people up, let alone going out for a long run. Met up with QLD Cool Runner fat bloke on the Harbour Bridge as he slept in and missed the start. But he just decided to do laps of the Harbour Bridge until we came along. After running along and trying to hold a conversation with him, realised it was becoming harder to stay in touch with the group, started falling off the back with him and Superflake who was enjoying his first Striders STaR coming back over the Harbour Bridge. Kept about 200-300 metres behind the group running around Farm Cove towards Mrs Macquaries Chair but lost them after that. fat bloke stayed with us until we turned off to run down the stairs towards Woolloomooloo to head off back to where he was staying. Superflake and I just continued on running at the pace that we'd been running at until we got back to Centennial Park. My Christmas present GPS lost contact at the start so didn't get the exact distance but from talking to others, estimated the distance to be somewhere between 29 and 30km. My watch said we covered the distance in 2:25 while Superflake's said 2:23 so we averaged around 5 minute km's which is the pace that 6.20 runs are meant to be run at. I somehow think that a few of them turned the last 5km into a bit of a race but I was just happy to finish the run feeling good and being able to have a chat with fat bloke as he really is a funny guy.As well as this, it had got quite warm towards the end. Will not have my designated rest day tomorrow as I've been conned into running the Cool Running 5km challenge tomorrow morning. Peer group pressure is certainly alive and well at the moment, but I am enjoying it immensely.
Ran with Belinda for our usual Saturday 7.5km loosener. It was my first run with my Timex GPS/HRM that I got for Christmas and really enjoyed it. We got out just before lunch as we couldn't get out before the kids got up and wanted to open their presents. It's important to get your priorities right. As I am running 29km tomorrow with the Striders doing the Tourist Trot STaR, have imposed an alcohol ban from 3pm and a very light dinner so I will be in reasonable shape tomorrow. Now, how is that for dedication?
26/12/04
Rose nice and early feeling a bit lethargic but I am glad I prepared properly as otherwise I would have rolled back over and gone back to sleep. Made our way to Centennial Park to be ready for Belinda's 6am start with the MTG for their 20km run. I then just stood around chatting to people whilst I decided which group to run with. After one run with the 6.10 group 3 weeks ago, didn't have much to go with. So, as the course we were running was one of the easier courses the Striders run, decided to give running with 6.20 group a crack and see how I'd go.
Glad I did as while the pace was slightly quicker than what I would have liked, was very enjoyable. Stopped off at the Cruising Yacht Club at Rushcutters Bay and had a tour of the yacht that Action usually sails on when he does his Sydney to Hobart thing. It was a nice diversion before we were off again. Running down William St and into the city, was great to know that there weren't too many people up, let alone going out for a long run. Met up with QLD Cool Runner fat bloke on the Harbour Bridge as he slept in and missed the start. But he just decided to do laps of the Harbour Bridge until we came along. After running along and trying to hold a conversation with him, realised it was becoming harder to stay in touch with the group, started falling off the back with him and Superflake who was enjoying his first Striders STaR coming back over the Harbour Bridge. Kept about 200-300 metres behind the group running around Farm Cove towards Mrs Macquaries Chair but lost them after that. fat bloke stayed with us until we turned off to run down the stairs towards Woolloomooloo to head off back to where he was staying. Superflake and I just continued on running at the pace that we'd been running at until we got back to Centennial Park. My Christmas present GPS lost contact at the start so didn't get the exact distance but from talking to others, estimated the distance to be somewhere between 29 and 30km. My watch said we covered the distance in 2:25 while Superflake's said 2:23 so we averaged around 5 minute km's which is the pace that 6.20 runs are meant to be run at. I somehow think that a few of them turned the last 5km into a bit of a race but I was just happy to finish the run feeling good and being able to have a chat with fat bloke as he really is a funny guy.As well as this, it had got quite warm towards the end. Will not have my designated rest day tomorrow as I've been conned into running the Cool Running 5km challenge tomorrow morning. Peer group pressure is certainly alive and well at the moment, but I am enjoying it immensely.
