Run Phil Run

I know - have not been very busy on this blog lately and that is prove that my running has taken a back seat too....and there is still that Fitzroy Fall Marathon coming up in 2 weeks time. Wonder how I am going to survive that one with the minimal training done. Currently following a running buddy in the USA along Route 66 - Phil has started a few weeks ago on his epic run self-sufficiant accross the US of A - http://www.runphilrun.com/blog/. Check it out and contact Phil so you get his great reports from the road!
I am already thinking Highway 1 around Oz.....but don't tell my wife yet.
Safe running

Games

With the Olympic's on till midnight it makes it hard to be in top shape the next morning for long runs. The runs were slower and shorter last week and this won't change this week with the games in full swing.
Got a first pre-view of the MdS 2008 DVD - some great shots and happy to say that my "hand" made it a couple of times into the coverage as well!
Currently running regularly with "Marathon Man" when training - Trent is preparing a possible run around Australia in 2009 - this is a huge project and in planning stage at this moment. I am sure we will hear more about this in the future.
So - have to run, the Woman's marathon is on TV :-)
Save running

14km - C2S in 73min

Did my City to Surf on Saturday and ran 14km in just over 73min. Happy to have a day off today and having enjoyed a run yesterday without 70'000 other runners competing for space on the road. http://city2surf.sunherald.com.au/home2.php
My training really suffered a bit lately - less then 40km a week but I have signed up with a new gym near my new work place and from tomorrow onwards it will be back on track - only 6 weeks to go till Fitzroy Falls Marathon and I need to clock up some more km's each week.
Bring it on...

Slow but steady

The last 2 weeks after our Hunter Valley 1/2 marathon were slow - I started a new job and just could not find the time to run more. Still clocking 50 km a week, so hopefully that will be enough for the next 8 weeks until Fitzroy Falls Marathon http://www.fitzroyfallsmarathon.com/. Just found out that the race is 2 weeks earlier then last year, so I need to squeeze in a few more runs between now and end of September.

Bought two new pairs of shoes and was able to give all my 'old'

shoes to a friend who takes them to South Africa, where

runners will happily use them for another few years!

I will probably find some of my shoes running The Comrades in 2010 against me :-)

Recently I am getting quite a few emails from fellow Aussies preparing for the Marathon des Sables 2009 and 2010 asking me for advise. Makes me all jealous to see them getting ready for next year - I am missing the desert, the excitement of preparing for that great race and I can't wait for my next big adventure....

Happy and save running

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.