Old legs still running well

Trent, Denis and I were ready for the 1/2 marathon in the Hunter Valley. After a nice steak and some local red wine the night before we felt great at 8.30 in the morning - a cool but clear day and 21 km laid ahead of us.

Denis and I signed up as a team 'Run4Vision' - competing in the 1/2 marathon were our times get added up for a marathon time. Marathon Man was here to run a new PB.

The first few km's were through the beautiful Hunter Valley Gardens and across some wines before we had to start climbing the hill up to Wilkinson Vineyard and then on to Tulloch Wines. Shame we only got water and High 5 at the drink stops. The long way out and back towards Cessnock airport was always a challenge - I don't particulary like to see the leaders and faster runners coming back towards me when I still had to run 6 km to the turn-around point. After a good first 10km (49'30) I left Marathon Man behind at a drink station and kept going trying to speed up for the second half. I started overtaking runner after runner until one guy did not like me to get passed him - for about 4 km we battled on up the hill towards Pokolbin Estate where I had to let him go but thanks to the increased speed I managed the second 10km in 48'30 and finished the 1/2 marathon in 1.43'03.

I was happy with that result considering my reduced training. Marathon Man ran a new PB in 1.47'20. Denis beat us both with 98'24 with team 'Run4Vision' finishing in 2nd position.

I have to get back a bit more into long runs but the track and tempo training is showing results and I am looking forward to the marathon in October.

There will be a couple of more smaller races to run in the next few winter weeks before the Fitzroy Falls Marathon. My goal is to finish that off road race under 4 hrs.

Happy running

Ready for some wino?

I am actually more ready for some nice red then for the forecoming 1/2 marathon in the Hunter Valley on Sunday....training was mixed the last 2 weeks with the cold morning making it hard to get out. Did I say cold.....

A few sessions in the gym but by far not the usual minimum 50km I had planned each week.

I guess I am still a bit in a recovery and resting mood after Morocco and my knees like it the slow going too. :-)

Looking forward to getting out of the crowded city and leave the streets to the Pope and his fans . Marathon Man has decided to join Denis and myself for the Sunday run - so looks like a fun weekend ahead.

All quite on the Western Front...

I went for a good 2 hours jog on the weekend with Marathon Man - www.marathonman.com.au along the coast and cliffs of Southern Sydney. Was a great sunny day and we could see the whales out there making their way up to warm Queensland.

The good news of the week is that the doctor did not feel like putting me under the knife! He told me that all my pain and suffering is due to the simple fact of, ahhmm... age.

Dhooo! Ok, it may also have been the 5000+ km of last years training but taking out stuff would not make it better in the long term and with optimizing footwear and choosing my running terrain wisely I will be out there for a few more years (fingers crossed).

That's great news - I am back in training for a full marathon in October and will be racing one or two shorter events prior to that.