Happy New Year!

Thurs 6.23pm 10.63km Roo+Lake 40m21  (3m48 K's)


Fri 1.56pm Nudgee 15 X 400m -110m jog recovery/75secs? 


1. 73;07  (138bpm), 
2. 74;48 (148bpm) 
3. 73;24 (151bpm), 
4. 75;16 (152bpm), 
5. 74;40 (153bpm) 
6. 73.84 (155bpm), 
7. 74;25 (157bpm), 
8. 73;46 (157bpm), 
9. 73;11 (159bpm), 
10. 74;52 (159bpm) 
11. 74;43 (158bpm) 
12. 73;61 (161bpm), 
13. 73.46 (161bpm) 
14. 72;88 (164bpm) 
15. 70;53 (165bpm)


Conditions for todays track session were tough 29.1 O C (84  O F), and 15km/h wind speed gusting to 28km/h, it certainly felt like it cost 2 secs a lap! Wind was pushing me back for the whole  finishing straight and was also a battle for the first 80m of each rep.
Monday's session had left my calves feeling really sore - took me  two days to recover so I did this session in my  Adidas Adizero 'Tempos'
Yesterdays run was a typical check out the Garmin pace as your going along and doing the mental arithmetic could I go under 40mins while still not going flat out? The answer was no! as I got closer to home I started to put the hammer down and still came up short.
No time to post my review so will do it later!
Happy New Year All!

1988 City to Surf Results

Does anyone know of a 'Ken' Sweeney who would have ran 45mins in 1988? 
If not, that was probably me, 41st and 45m19 as I cant see my name anywhere else and I definitely raced it in 1988.
Again these results are full of runners from the past and present some of who even read my blog, great to see you all and isn't it good your still running 22years later! 
Make you feel old??

1987 City to Surf Results

Click on image to get it larger

My mate Stuey ran what today we would really appreciate as a brilliant 44m52 (Official). It is with thanks to Stu who sent me these results.
Simon and Jim 11th and 12th, the results are just full of names of the past and present, great to see you all and I'll post it on FaceBook for you all to tag if you want to.

OOOh too be aaahh- Goooner!

What day is it??
I had to look at my watch!


Wed  12.40pm 10.6km Roo+Lake 42m15  (4m00 K's)
Tues 11.48am 10.6km Roo+Lake  44m27  (4m12s K's)


Still splashing around in Monsoonal conditions!
My Shoe rotation options have just been expanded though I'm not sure I want to 'dirty' my brand new Pearl Izumi - Streaks  or my Adidas - Tempo. 

You'll Never Walk Alone!

1.15pm Nudgee 8 X 800m 400m jog recovery;


1. 2m26;12   153bpm  (71.79  143bpm   +  74.33  164bpm)
2. 2m28;37   157bpm  (72.72  148bpm   +  75.60  167bpm)
3. 2m26;92   159bpm  (72.53  149bpm   +  74.39  170bpm)
4. 2m26;58   161bpm  (71.71  152bpm   +  74.87  171bpm)
5. 2m28;06   159bpm  (73.24  149bpm   +  74.82  170bpm)
6. 2m26;66   162bpm  (72.75  153bpm   +  73.91  172bpm)
7. 2m27;00   164bpm  (missed split)
8. 2m23;61   166bpm  (finger slipped on button again but saw it was 70 so + 73)


I had seen Kevin Forde do this session and thought it would be interesting to see how I compare.
Conditions were sopping wet! It has been raining for what seems like a month! I am rotating my running shoes to have a dry pair but humidity is so high nothing is drying! In fact we had this really freaky instance today where it is so humid we are getting water condensing  on our floor tiles inside the house! It was 93% humidity indoors!
Back at the track I tied on my spikes tight and splashed around this session, I ran bare chested with just the HR monitor.2000m warm up, + 4 strides and off.
I think 800's are easier to run than 1K's as they are easier to sustain, that extra 200m in a K seems to mess you up (both mentally and physically). I could see I was running all my first laps quicker and only in the 5th interval did I make a deliberate attempt to see if slowing the first lap helped the pace on the 2nd lap = it didn't so I reverted to going out hard and hanging on. After 3 I thought there was no way I could manage 8 but kept them going and was' virtually racing' Kevin in my mind! Thought I was going to pull the plug at 6 but having the whole lap as recovery (3mins??) meant I was well recovered by the start = heart rate dropping to about 110bpm prior to the start of each interval. Pleased with this session! No one else at the track, high humidity, sopping wet conditions, and lasting the whole session.

Boxingday Handicap - Dirty Old Town

Sun 1.32pm 10.6km Roo+Lake 40m39  (3m50 K's)


No time to get down to the track so squeezed in a quick run in the rain! 
Quite a bit cooler than normal conditions so  able to speed the pace up.
Family and I had a great Christmas Day hope your was the same.
Spent the Day at Nat's relatives and I heard one music track that I knew but couldn't recognize, so I had to ask. It was Dirty Old Town but this version was by The Pogues where as I am so used to the Dubliner's version. 
I checked out both again tonight on You Tube and had to decide which one merited posting here. Difficult choice but I like the harmonica in The Pogues version and besides, Shane has the type of face that makes every man feel good!

Seasons Greetings!

Hi All.


Best wishes for Christmas and Holidays all!
Guess what ? I've been running some really different training runs these last few days!!!
Well sorry to say it was actually more of the same, just different times of day and different pace!.
For me pace is always about how easy I feel running/ how much pain I feel.
Last couple of days knee and groin/thigh were difficult, today it was pi$$ing down again and I really didn't fancy training , and was very close to having a recovery day but was home  early from work (Public Servant!) had only had one 0.5 ltr stubbie of Brok at work) and just felt ancy when I got home.
Natalie wanted me to go to Chermside to check out some outdoor furniture shops (Xmas Eve !!!) so I acquiesced to keep the harmony but didn't realize I was supposed to commit to buying something there and then! So I upset the Misses by not shelling out 1/2/3 $Grand on new outdoor setting   cos we are having people over for New Years Eve! But know I will be spending 1/2/3K in the next few days!!
Any how's was not much up for a run but forced myself out the door into the rain! Conditions were pretty muggy (warm and humid) and remarkably this arvo, I felt 'OK' and ran sub 4min K's!
Hope you all enjoy the holidays and your families have a great time - my thoughts are ...get up early(not going to happen!!) ...go for a run and then what ever else happens I'll feel comfortable with myself!


I had a comment on a post a few months ago from fellow blogger Josh Amberger. Since then I have kept an eye and posted the odd comment on his blog.
In particular it is interesting for the insight it provides on a 21 year old World Class Tri athlete living and training in Brisbane.
 I remember lining up for the Queensland State 5000m Champs a few years ago with Josh and raced him in past Bridge to Brisbane's.  
Check out his commitment to being a Tri Guy on his blog. 


Yearly review up next!
Chow


Fri 5.37pm 10.62km Roo+Lake 41m05  (3m52s K's)
Thur 5.12am 10.61km Roo+Lake 45m44 (4m19 K's)
Wed 6.00pm 10.65km Roo+Lake 45m02 (4m14 K's)

Red Square

Tues 5.04pm Roo+Lake 10.63km  39m55  (3m45 K's)
Mon 5.56pm Roo+Lake 10.65km 45m15  (4m15 K's)


That Human League lyric reminded me of Moscow 1984, I dressed up in my most dour outfit to fit in with the locals! 

March March March across Red Square!
Do all the things you wouldn't dare!


I have changed the video in the previous Post which has a pretty cool Star Wars content that suits the track nicely!

Norman Wisdom , Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee

Sun 6.00pm Nudgee 15 X 400m 110m jog recovery


It pi$$ed down all day yesterday, I waited and waited for the rain to let up but it didn't so I had to run in atrocious conditions! Needless to say I was the only one at the track. I switched on my Garmin but it said 0% battery life so I had to run them untimed. The Garmin probably would have malfunctioned with all the water anyway. Remarkably I felt good throughout. The recovery was easy, the intervals were consistent. Perhaps it helped that the temperature was very very cool for Brisbane about 19 O C. Saturdays poor performance has certainly spurred me on and I have the motivation to really get going again.March March March across Red Square.....


The World Masters rankings are posted. There are lots of omissions (like I didn't see Keith Bateman's name credited clear top by a mile in any of his events!!). Congratulations to all who made it including Jamie and Bruce.Peter Reeves, Ronnie Peters. Phil Davies in the M50 10,000. Glenda in the Ladies W45 5000 and Marcia in the W50 5000 were both right up there. 
Writing of Keith, he broke the World M55 Mile Record on Saturday 4m35.04 !

QMA 3000m 9m32 2nd/1st

Sat 7.00am QMA 3000m 9m32.4  2nd/1st
Fri 5.00am 10.68km Roo+lake 45min aprox (Garmin got to full and stopped!)
Thurs 5.19am 10.48km Roo+Lake 44m57  (4m17 K's)




I was hoping to improve on my seasons/years  best but I was also aware that I had curtailed my track session's
a few weeks ago and that the chance of running sub 9m18 would be slim. Conditions were very humid but no wind! I was told a Tri guy called Carl Gufesston (30  years old, no Lycra! and he had hair on his legs!!) would be running 9m15 and was looking forward to some company!
Perhaps I was a little too on edge and blasted out a 69/70 first lap and could not recover from that (that was the lack of recent interval training) 1st K was about 3m04 and tri guy Carl went past me and I was just underdone/unprepared and could not  keep with him.
Just hung on and was happy to keep Phil Davies behind me at the finish.
Carl ran 9m17.3.
Had a problem with the right foot during the week, might have been a spider bite as it was inflamed swollen and sore. It did not affect me in the race and is on the mend.

Queensland Masters 3000m 2nd/1st (in Cat) 9m32 by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

Queensland Masters 3000m 2nd/1st (in Cat) 9m32 by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

Roo+Lake 2nd Fastest Ever! by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

Roo+Lake 2nd Fastest Ever! by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

6.69km in my Sleep! by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

6.69km in my Sleep! by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

USATF Club Cross Country - Masters Men

Tues 5.31am 10.55km Roo+Lake 42m47  (4m03 K's)
Wed 5.24am 10.57km Roo+Lake 41m25  (3m55 K's)


Hey many thanks Anon for posting those links, I do follow Kevin Fordes Blog (even though he is a Spuds fan!)
and it was remiss of me not to pick up on the USA Masters XC Champs. I saw some photos of Pete Magill on Facebook running XC but just thought they were some old photos he'd been tagged on! With the juxtaposition of our seasons I just didn't get it that there are actually people splashing around in snow and mud racing XC right now!! It was 90% humidity during yesterdays run and must have been the same today, blue shies and 23 O C (about low 70's F).


Pete continues to show terrific form, an amazing achievement to win the Masters title outright at age 49!! I'm sure he will have been specially pleased to have beaten his team mate Christian Cushing-Murray. The WR M50 5000m is 6 or 7 months away!
What a fantastic field of runners were assembled puts us Aussies to shame!
Results are Here

2nd Best

Sat Rest
Sun 5.20pm 10.68km Roo+Lake 38m47  (3m38 K's)
Mon 12.28pm Go Betweens 12.29km  (4m17 K's)


Sat a.m. spent the morning mowing the lawn and doing the edging , someone had left the Brisbane Sauna going all night so by the morning things were really steaming. It was way too hot and humid for running so thought I might go out later. However, a storm came and cooled things down to reasonable conditions but it it rained all afternoon. In the end just didn't feel like running in the rain so had a rest day.
Sun was more rain! kind of needed to get down to the track but in the end just ran Roo+Lake flat out. The wet weather Roo+Lake is slightly longer than the dry one (wet means I don't run the straight tangents across the grass so it is about 100m/20secs longer). So 38m47 2nd  best ever and is pretty close to my fastest ever 38m20 in August. Went through 10K in about 36m40.
4m00, 3m39, 3m36, 3m42, 3m35, 3m39, 3m36, 3m32, 3m40, 3m35, 2m13 (3m17 pace)

I got out this arvo for what I can only describe as a test of endurance. I was mighty stiff and sore from yesterdays run and the unbelievably sweltering conditions made it slow going. I really should have waited till this evening but as Nat does Soccer training there isn't normally time to get a full run in.Officially the temp was about 29 O C (84 O F) and 62% humidity, doesn't seem so bad does it -  But believe me! I looked a mess when I got back to work, I sat in the shower cubicle for 10mins dripping wet and took a 10min cold shower and was still sweating when I tried to put my shirt on! I wont do that again....

U2 360

Fri 5.29am  10.6km Roo+Lake 41m57   (3m58 K's)
Thur 5.23am 10.65km Roo+Lake 43m32  (4m05 K's)
Wed 5.28am 10.64km Roo+Lake 44m05  (4m09 K's)


Running conditions this week have been fantastically humid! the sweating has been monumental each arm stoke shakes about 4 droplets of sweat off! I'm managing to get through the party season lots of beer but will have some abstinence in the New Year !
Natalie and I went to see U2's 360 Show last night at Suncorp Stadium, and amazing show from one of my all time favourate  bands - sensational!

Samir Nasri

Tues 5.22am 10.61km Roo+Lake  46m18  (4m22 K's)
Mon 6.04pm 5.71km Roo 22m13  (3m53 K's)
Sun 2.26pm 21.07km 2 X Roo+Lake  83m10  (3m57 K's)

3000m 9m18.6

Sat 7.30am Griffiths Uni. Southport  3000m  9m18.6
Fri 5.26am 5.66km Roo 22m54 (4m03 K's)
Thur 5.20am 10.62km Roo+Lake 42m21  (3m59 K's)


I expected to run about 9m15 based on last weeks performance in the VO2 Max tables.
I put in  a good solo effort. Hitting the K in about 3m02 , most of the other lap times escaped me as I haven't quite tuned into hitting these slower marks. Conditions were OK , slight breeze and drizzle. The worst thing about this track was all the Duck $hite all over the track courtesy of the Duck family that live there!
So 9m18 is OK off the limited training I'm doing, it is getting there, but I don't think I'll be happy till I run say sub 9m10 .
Lots of people use MacMillan Calculator to assess their performances, I like the Running for Fitness Web site as they use a number of different tables from which you can compare and contrast race pace from race pace, check it out here
Have a great weekend guys and hope it rains in Adelaide!

Keith Bateman does it again!

Keith Bateman M55 last night in Melbourne ran 10,000m in 32m28.7 just a second outside the World Record but a massive 70sec better the existing Aussie Record and better even than Ronnies M50 Record which is 32m54'ish. imagine being a lap in front of the next best there has ever been in your country!!! he will be very disappointed to have missed out on his 2nd WR in a month but nevertheless an incredible run!

The Boys of Summer

Wed  5.24am  10.51km Roo+Lake    40m34  (3m52 K's)

4m29, 4m19, 3m58, 3m52, 3m50,
3m39, 3m42, 3m40, 3m40, 3m40,
+1m46 (3m27 pace)

Overcast and humid, 23 O C at 5.00am.

Tom Bedford

5.17am 10.58Km Roo+Lake 42m13 (3m59 K's)

4m32, 4m13, 3m56, 4m02, 3m57, 3m59, 3m39, 3m53, 3m55, 3m44  + 2m01 (3m29 pace)

I heard that Tom Bedford (Dave's son) ran 2h19m30 for 6th Place in the Florence Marathon at the weekend
(Thanks Jim) pretty amazing performance!

Nudgee 5 X 1000m 200m jog recovery

Sun 5.00pm Nudgee 5 X 1000m  200m jog recovery
3m06, 3m10, 3m13, 3m10, 3m08

Mon 5.15am 5.6km Roo 25m  (4m29 K's)

I cut this mornings run short as I was knackered and suffering with the knee and hammy.
Yesterdays track session was also a bit of an effort. Racing on Sat and then having a track session the following day does not really work out well for me (Mondays are nearly always a write off as a consequence) so I might change it to a long run Sunday and try to make it to the track during the week. Idealy I'd like to do two track sessions a week but at the moment I dont think my body could cope.

Garmin Connect Race Details 5000m 16m02.65 1st

Untitled by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

Jump

Sat 7.00am 5000m QMA Nathan 16m02:65 1st
Fri 5.22am 10.56KM Roo+Lake 44m13 (4m11 K's)
Thu 5.26am 10.52KM Roo+Lake 44m15 (4m12 K's)

I knew I was in better shape than 16m30 
so gotta be pleased with a 25sec jump in performance? 
Yes but some reservations , a 75sec last lap was a pretty poor effort!
Warm and humid conditions and only a light breeze ;) 
I started hard as ever,ran solo through 3k in 9m34,which is about 15m50 pace.
Found it tough going really hanging out for the Bell!
Got there in 14:47 and expected to run sub 16, but could not quite pick up my dieing body, though I did draw upon Ronnie Peters in the finishing straight, to have the honour of being the first ever fellow Master to lap Ronnie!
All things considered I'm happy because I know there has to be more to come 
and I have at last ran a half decent time!


Here's a homage to Madonna The fittest 50 year old in every sense of the word!

Martin Keown

Wed 5.10am 10.6km Roo+Lake 41m36 (3m57 K's)

I managed to find the groove about 3K into todays run .
After the customary laboured 'warm up' I cracked about 7 X Sub 3m50 K's

I have been deliberately avoiding reading about any football  as it is still too painful,
which meant that I was not aware that we played Champions League this morning -
and it comes as no suprise that a team we whipped 6 - 0 earlier this season, beat us 2 - 0 today!

I had to laugh though when I saw this in  'The Fiver' this morning!



Arsenal have lost much of the mental strength and defensive solidity for which their name was a byword when Martin Keown (above) was playing for them. Photograph: AP

Einstürzende Neubauten

Mon 5.14am 10.51km Roo+Lake  46m59 Slow (4m28 K's)
Tues 5.06am 10.53km Roo+Lake 43m36 Medium (4m09 K's)

Bands you never hear on the radio  these days ; Einstürzende Neubauten
I loved their early stuff and saw them one memorable night in  Kilburn.
Formed in Berlin, in 1980, part of the industrial metalic breed like Test Dept
they were unreal!
Look out for the industrial instruments!!

3000m 9m32 1st by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

3000m 9m32 1st by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

8 of 10 X 400m by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

8 of 10 X 400m by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

sick as a parrot!

4.00pm Nudgee 10x400m 115m jog recovery (70secs?)
67:21, 68:48, 68:28, 69.44, 68:74
69:40, 68:08, 66:77, 69:16, 68:65
ave 68:42

Conditions still breezy down home straight but not as bad as yesterday or last week.
very happy to keep them all under 70, timed via stopwatch function.
heart rate ave per rep went;
146, 154, 155, 156, 156
158, 158, 160, 161, 162
the maximum bpm were up around 175


We went to see the new Harry Potter last night, quality! 


I can't talk about football Sick as a Parrot!!


Posted via Maxeys iPod touch!


You know what I really enjoy, when you challenge your wife to name the band and she cant and then you name the band and she doubts your correct and you Google it and your right and you play it with your hands raised in triumph!!
This tune is currently playing on an ad here and I got to raise my arms in triumph!

Who's who of Queensland Masters

Sat 7.00am  SAF Nathan QMA 3000m 9m33.01   1st


The wind was really gusting/howling last night and I thought it did not bode well for this morning.
I woke at 4.30am and could still hear it but nevertheless got up at 4.45am to see if the weather
would accommodate racing. The Golden Palms around the pool were in full movement with the gusts
at times bending them over. I decided I would not race as times would be so slow I'd be disappointed.
So as I sipped my tea I thought what would I do to make up for it 2 X Roo+Lake 22KM ?
Bugger it! 
I thought 90mins by myself or 10mins with Masters ! 
I decided to race. Arrived slightly late for a full warm up but felt OK as I toed the line with a veritable who's who of Queensland Masters; Marcia Sheer, Glenda Banaghan, Phil Davies, the formidable Ronnie Peters and even Brendan Wheelan officiating!
70 secs for first lap, 3m06 for 1K, 6m21 at 2K (3m14), 9m32 (3m11).
The wind was, as expected, really tough, stop you in your tracks tough, sap you of everything tough, in my estimation it was worth 10 secs so to finish up marginally faster than last time in tough conditions I was happy.
The BOM official figures for between 7 and 7.30am were wind speed 15km an hour gusting to 32km an hour, and SAF is set somewhat exposed atop a hilly plateau.
Results are here

The British and Irish Masters International Cross Country

The British and Irish Masters International Cross Country took place last Sunday in Dublin
Results are here

My 'old' mate from Lufbra Ian (Fernee Babe) Furness took out the M50's.
I understand the course had one hill and was pretty muddy!

Athletics Ireland reported

On Saturday November 13th there was some very competitive running around the Santry cross-country course in the British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships with the Irish team celebrating some notable victories.
Dundrum’s Peter Mathews, winner of the Irish Cross Country titles in 1994, 1998 and 2002, defeated some worthy opponents from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland over the soft underfoot conditions to win the coveted Over 40’s race in 26:57, some 36 seconds ahead of England’s John Herbert.
The victory was an early birthday present for Matthews, who turns 41 on Wednesday but still clearly has the speed to make his mark at this level at this highly competitive level.
Matthews was one of three Irish individual winners with Ciaran Doherty winning the men’s Over 35 race by a narrow margin from his Irish team mate Paul McNamara, 27:02 to 27:04.
Carmel Parnell took the women’s Over 55 by a convincing margin of a minute and a half.
The Irish Men’s team won the Over 35, Over 45, Over 55 and Over 70 events, beating England on each occasion. Irish Olympian, Jim McNamara, finished second in the Over 70 race but had the consolation of leading the team to a thrilling two points win over England.

Peter Mathews

Wes Santee

5.00am  10.60KM Roo+Lake  44m29  (4m12 K's)

37mm of rain yesterday! Still very overcast this morning still warm and humid!
There were some roos on the pathway today, they waited for me to get right up to them before they decided to hop out of the way! (I must appear inoffensive!) Because the pathway was bounded by a stone retaining wall the roos had to bounce along beside me for about a 100m before they could make a break for the safety of the golf course. Deliberately tried to take things easy today and felt marginally better than yesterday.
My old Coach Alf Wilkins sent me this piece which I believe is probably written by Dave Cocksedge. An interesting tale of Wes Santee beating a 28 Man relay team over 14 miles by himself!!!
Wes Santee (4:00.5 for a mile in 1954) once raced a relay team of 28 of his fraternity colleagues in a 14 miles road race - and he beat them all by 150 yards. Santee died last week, aged 78.


Here's the interview segment:
Is the story true that you raced your fraternity brothers in a 14-mile road race, where you ran solo against what amounted to a relay team of your fraternity?


Wes Santee: 'After I finished 36th in the National Cross Country Champs (I won in 1953) and I returned to Lawrence, Kansas, my fraternity brothers met me at the airport with a sarcastic 'Hello 36th' sign, to which I responded, “I could outrun all of you.”
'That became a kidding subject until we set up a race from Tonganixe, Kansas to Lawrence, of 14 miles. They each ran 880 yards (28 of them) and I ran alone all the way, finishing in 1 hour 14 minutes (74 minutes). This turned out to be a big event: people drove out from Lawrence and turned around to follow the race and with four to five miles to go, all the highways were blocked and no traffic could move until the race was over. Hundreds of people backed up the intersection in town to see the finish. I won by 150 yards and as there were five other trackmen in the fraternity I had to build a lead in order to beat them. The race was covered in almost all national and local newspapers.'


Note: Santee ran the 5000m at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and believed that he would have won the 1500m at those Games if he had been allowed by AAU officials to race that distance at the US Olympic Trials. Roger Bannister, John Landy and Wes Santee were engaged in the well-publicised 3-way 'race' in 1953/54 to become the first man to run a mile inside four minutes. But Santee, (who later became a US Marine Colonel) says that he was told that under domestic AAU rules he could NOT be blatantly paced in the way that Dr Bannister was at Oxford on 6 May 1954, when he clocked 3:59.4... i.e. during that period, Santee ran times of 4:00.5, 4:00.6 and 4:00.7 for a mile in separate races ON HIS OWN.


dc

Hot Town Summer in the City!

Thurs 5.00am 10.48km Roo+Lake  43m37  (4m10 K's)

Tough going this morning (pain), only really got moving when I came up on a guy running with a large back pack on (probably training for Army reserves or something like that). Well I couldn't just edge slowly past him, it had to be a dramatic flash past! Don't these guys carry 40 to 60kg? Anyhow I managed to keep the raised tempo going all the way home and was happy with that. The Garmin came up short again today - bizarre! I know that clouds are not supposed to affect them but I think they ours do! We had very heavy looking rain clouds though it was warm (24 O C at 5.00am) and humid!
These Summer mornings are really bring out the 'fairweather' runners! There has been a dramatic increase in numbers over the last few weeks. It is always good to see the ladies who probably out number the guys 3 to 1 on an average morning.

Going to race 3000m at Masters, Saturday morning , if weather looks good.

Ploughing on

Wed 5.15am 10.6KM Roo+Lake 41m15 (3m53 K's)

I never know for sure how I am going to feel as I set off, but this morning the pain/stiffness was not so bad, I got moving relatively quickly though it still took 4m30+ to run the first K. Pushed it quite hard all the way with a 9th KM in 3m30. Warm and sunny conditions.

From Lance to Landis

Monday 5.49pm  5.62km Roo  21m41  (3m52 K's)
Tuesday 5.12am 10.42km Roo+Lake 44m53  (4m19 K's)

Maybe it was heavy cloud cover but the Garmin measured about 200m short this morning (normally measures 10.65Km. I had the usual reaction to an fast evening run = next morning soreness but still managed to keep moving. Very humid - I was drenched.

I am currently reading 'From Lance To Landis' - Inside the American doping controversey at the Tour De France by David Walsh = What an eye opener!!!

Speedwork

Sunday 2.00pm Nudgee 10 X 400m  100m Jog recovery (60/70 secs)  

Warm (27 O C) Very Windy

72, 72, 72, 72, 70, 70, 72, 71, 70, 68

A New World Record M55 3000m Keith Bateman 8m56.8 !

Keith was in the 'C' Race, results are here

A race Video has been posted on You Tube here

The previous record was 8m57.27 by Ron Robertson of NZ in 1997.

5000m 1st 16m28.08

Fri 5.11am 10.61km Roo+Lake 44m53  (4m14 K's)
Sat 7.00am S.A.F. Nathan: Queensland Masters: 5000m  1st 16m28.08
Sat 5.19pm 5.75km Roo 23m23 (4m04 K's)


Conditions warm (23/24 O C = 75 O F ) and a little windy. Conservative start, fairly even paced running; the Garmin of course measures short round the track but for what its worth, the 'K's went;
3m09, 3m13, 3m12, 3m16, 3m14 + 23ecs  (so add 5secs to each K)
I'm not happy about the time but hey! at least I'm out there and I'm a racing. 
Perhaps in a competitive race with the youngsters I might be able to knock this down some? - but for the time being - it's OK! 
It is a base, a platform from which to build. I think the hammy is on the mend, I am running on my own, in warm humid conditions, in flats, early season........ there.... I've convinced myself! 

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Arsenal 2

Wed 5.06am 10.60KM Roo+Lake 45m47  (4m19 K's)
Thur 5.13am 10.65KM Roo+lake 44m24  (4m10 K's)

If the weather is OK Saturday, will run 5000m at Masters.
Relieved to see the Gooners win again this morning ; )

Nundah Twilight Crit

Mon 12.00noon 12.31km 'GoBetween'  52m06   (4m14s K's)
Tues 6.00pm 5KM Nundah Twilight Crit 16m29s  172bpm


I wanted to do something different in 'training' so went along to see what the Nundah Twilight Crit was all about.
Held over a 1.2KM accurate/measured course = 4.17 laps at Albert Bishop Cycle Track.
The lap is flat, one long straight and about 4 curvaceous bends. Very important to run the tangents! Small field perhaps 6 of us started. It was humid and a little windy. The  Garmin does not measure circuits very well ( as I have seen at the track), and tended to over measure the K's so it ended up giving me 5.1KM, the 'K's went;
3m06, 3m13, 3m17, 3m20, 3m15m + 18s for 105m.
HR was; 158bpm, 171bpm, 174bpm, 176bpm, 180bpm, 183bpm
That 183bpm is the highest figure I have managed to crank out.
I ran the whole 'race' by myself, my stomach felt off (Spag Bol for lunch!), was really quite concerned about hammy during warm up but once again (maybe its the adrenalin) didn't seem to affect me during the run but again did so after. 
I thought that was a good workout.


Couple of other things, I think Haile will race again, only a few weeks ago he was talking about London, I just feel the injury has got him down. He'll take a few weeks/months off and start running again.


The most annoying advert on TV featuring a 'runner' ! I just don't like the running style and it is so stupid ! As if a house owner is not going to be know where his house is!
The premise is if it is not listed on Domain.com it is invisible!
The video soundtrack is out of sink with the action for some reason but you'll get the picture.
There again there is that advert with two female runners sort of racing each other
and they go through a turn-style ! What is that all about - just rubbish!

John Eales

5 X 1KM  200m jog recovery (2mins)  
3m03 (160bpm) , 3m09 (164bpm), 3m11 (167bpm), 3m08 (169bpm),3m08 (171bpm)



I was at the API Queensland Property Conference on the Gold Coast Fri/Sat and rested on Saturday. The motivational speaker this year was John Eales legendary Wallaby who gave an inspirational presentation, very impressed.
Sunday did K'm at Nudgee . Quite a windy day and found it very tough going. Give me 20 X 400m anyday!
Half time at the Emirates and Newcastle lead the Gooners 0 - 1, it seems like it may be one of those games! - Maybe I'll concentrate on watching the NYC Marathon live.

Cool Night Classic

Untitled by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

It was interesting to see the 4th KM time when I had the two off course moments.

The heart rate drops twice, the speed was certainly slower, the map route doesn't really show any deviation at the bridge.

I suspect that the Garmin has to interpolate certain details as this course runs under the bridge and also runs under the Riverside expressway along the bicycle path (out of sight of satellites)

Cool Night Classic

Thurs 5.30pm Cool Night Classic 5.2km 17m20  3rd
Fri 5.00am 6KM Slow


The logistics of racing straight from work are always awkward, not the usual comfort of getting ready from home however, got this about right. Finished work at 4.30pm got changed, warmed up in the Botanical, slight mishap I ran into a branch and corked my thigh but at least it was a diversion worry away from my knee and hamstring!
Must have been 2349 city runners lined up but I couldn't see any out and out guns so thought I might have a chance of a win. Lined next to the really petite Clare Geraghty . I charged off into the lead (slight downhill section) in the Botanical and must have kept it for all of about 600m when M40 Geoff Berkeley and Hintsa Mebrahtu came past me ; (  the first K was about 3m05, I tried to hang in there but I got gapped by them and another young fellow - Mick O'Shea (they are all young compared to me). Out across the Goodwill Bridge and along the South Bank I was happy enough with the pace. Lots of pedestrian traffic to dodge (we were running on public footpaths in rush hour). Mick , in third, was dropped by Geoff , as Hintsa went off into the distance.
I pretty much caught Mick by Victoria Bridge and followed him running off course as we went up nearside rather than going under and up the far side of the bridge! Only lost a few seconds but still! Up along the bridge I went into third and gapped 4th, running down the other side of Victoria Bridge ramp I had a mind explosion as thought I'd gone off course - turning around and running back from where I'd came, Nick O'Shea however reassured that the ramp did a 'U' turn and led us back in the right direction towards the River Stage! In total I would have lost 10/15 seconds. I took control again and gapped him to run back into the River Stage arena alone in 3rd ($150) about 100m behind Geoff Berkeley (17m00). The tight twisting course was not conducive to fast times - Hintsa ran 16m30. He's about a 14m30 / 30m guy.
Results are here

Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime

Wed 5.00am 16.3km Roo+Lake+Roo  68.48  (4m14's  K's)


10 points if you knew the band who did this perfect pop number back in the 80's

Melbourne Cup

Tues 5.00am  16.34km Roo+Lake+Roo  70m37  (4m19' K's)
went through Roo+lake in 46m18

Slightly easier this morning but still a struggle!

Monday Monday - Not so good for me!

Sun 2.47pm 10.5km Roo+Lake  40m50 (3m54 K's)
Mon 5.11am 10.55km Roo+Lake  48m50 (4m38 K's)

I had no time on Sunday and could only squeeze in a quick run and so I lifted the tempo.Happy to run; 4m36,4m02, 3m52, 3m51, 3m47, 3m49, 3m48, 3m41, 3m50, 3m49, 1m43(3m32 pace)
I paid for that this morning (8mins slower!!!) ran in pain nearly all the way, a very lethargic run.
Knee and hamstring pain.
Monday mornings!

No wonder I have taken Monday as a rest day a few times over the last couple of months! I was thinking if all my runs are this painful I'd have to take some time off and see if I can shift at least the hamstring issue.I am resigned to running with knee tendinitis for the foreseeable future!

3000m Back to Life, Back to Reality by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

3000m Back to Life, Back to Reality by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

Back to the Track, Back to Life, Back to Reality!

Sat 7.00am State Athletics Facility Nathan Queensland Masters
3000m 1st 9m33.55


It was back to life, back to reality, today with my first track race in two years!
Up at 4.45am (no need to adjust the alarm!), packed my bag; money,phone, change of clothes,drinks for after, spikes, Garmin, heart rate monitor, visor, towel, Sunnies.
Cup of tea, a few stretches, another cup of tea for the road and then off to Nathan - 
it took 40mins, with the 'new' motorway and bridge. 
3KM warm- up, Register, a few strides, large field of runners and walkers.
Sunny 22 O C (70 O F), humid, and no breeze! I quite like I those conditions but it is warm.
The nerves are really doing my stomach in, the left knee feels OK but slightly worried about right hamstring pain.
Gun goes and I fly off, 33/34s 200m and 70s at 400m. 
Way too fast and I drop it down. 
Had decided to see what the heart rate looked like in a race and wore the monitor. 
Could feel my heart going 10 to the Dozen (what does that mean!!?)
2m28 at 800m and was well into lapping the walkers and some runners! 
Went through 1000m in about 3m08 and 2000m in 6m18, I felt comfortable enough, 
not flat at by any means and was enjoying the feel of racing track again. 
It does take some getting used to and typically for me about 3 or 4 races to get up to speed. 
I ran it in flats, and was happy enough with  my time - I want to run this pace (3m10's  for 5K) in a years time.
It was sobering running through with 200m to go in 8m55.
My Garmin was way off the mark giving me 


3m02, 3m07, 3m07, 18sec   for 3.1 KM 


but the heart rate data should look good,; 


1KM 157bpm, 2KM 169bpm, 3KM 175bpm, 107M 178bpm


I warmed down with Peter Reeves and Phil Davies along the tracks through the bush. Peter is father of Chris, Michael, Andrew, and Mathew - all runners or former runners. 
Chris was a real talent but has sadly given up running , joined the police and weighs 100kg (muscle as someone told me he was into weights). Michael (won the Noosa Half two years ago) has been suffering a number of injuries. Andrew finished just ahead of me in this years Bridge to Brisbane.
I am by no means a Soul Boy (that was my buddy Phillipe Browne - now in Luxembourg), however I always loved this one, enjoy the rest of the weekend;