Long run 1.45

5.30am start at the Ship Inn with Pete, Aaron & Mike for a river loop + Gardens loop. Actually ended up with a few interruptions in the run for drinks; rendering assistance to a cyclist who came down next to us and; catching up with Jonesy for a quick chat. Funny coincidence: crossing the Green Bridge the conversation turned to good 1500m runners & Pete mentioned Jonesy. Within a few seconds there was a shout from the river below - would you believe Jonesy was sculling past. We waved & eventually caught up to him pulling ashore near the West End rowing sheds.

At West End we gatecrashed the Brisbane Road Runners 7 & 14k race. Running alongside a stroller Dad & another son cycling wide we heard cyclists behind whistle but nothing else & the second guy collected the first & went down. We saw a few people render assistance & just up the road Mike mentioned to the BRR marshals at the finish that first aid might be asked for / given to the cyclist. They were non-plussed & only interested in their runners.

Back to the SI in around 90 & went round the Gardens for another 15 while the others kept going for another 10. Good conditions, overcast.

Last Sunday I ran my first long run with the guys & Glenda for 90 mins. Headed out round New Farm & Tenneriffe before returning up Ann Street ( a few clubbers outside a night club around 6.30am). Honest session, 4.30 ks.

Attended PCRG sessions Tues & Fri (only 3 runs a week at the moment).

Ed Hillary 1919-2008

Image from the Australian Himalayan Foundation

The link takes you to their website & a really good overview of Hillary's life from Mike Dillon.

Ed Hillary was a bit of a hero of mine growing up in NZ. Here was the proverbial 'living legend' known around the world and a humble kiwi to boot. EH established a foundation that has provided schools & medical centres to the Sherpa people of Nepal. Hopefully his work will continue undiminished.

Although not inspired to take up mountain-climbing I do love mountain scenery & have trekked to Everest twice ('86 & '99). Having stayed with the Sherpa people & seen the hardships they endure it was an easy decision to join the AHF & hopefully my next trip to Nepal won't be too far away - potentially later this year...

Highgate Hell

Took off om my own for the Sunday long run - the sun was finally out & it was very humid. Decided last minute to head into the city & do the loop that we did on new year's eve. Things were going pretty well until after GOMA where the river run loops back to the south. Maybe there was a drop in the almost non-existent breeze but I started to overheat, had to remove my cap, slow down & start looking for water. Just my luck, nothing until Hill End side about 3 ks away. Topped up there & splashed water over my head & cap (probably deemed an offence in our level 6 restrictions...).

Started up the hill from the river level & made it to the top of Highgate Hill in a very slow, tortuous 20 mins. A slow jog but didn't walk at least. No water in sight & no money (mental note, must bring a coin with me for a cold drink along the way). Found a water fountain at the top of the cemetery, overlooking the path down to the Green Bridge. Shuffled home a la' Cliff Young in 77 mins all up. Can't remember a hotter long run than that. Must try & go earlier, 6am instead of the 8am start.

Friday before I attended PCRG - my first session since the December time trial (roughly a month ago). It was a good session for me: 4x 1 ks with 1 min SRs (+ 2x 500m with 30s SR). Didn't try to go too hard, which was sensible - don't think I could've gone any faster. The legs weren't too bad but the lungs were protesting & my belly was swinging around with the results of too much December 'good cheer'.

Season's Greetings

Tenz acted as Santa again & helped dole out the presents as well as tear them open. No running clobber but a few furry toys to sink his teeth into & rip ears off.

I had a mole removed from my left shin early December that required stitches & no running for 10 days. However, it got infected, I was put on antibiotics & the inactivity stretched out to 14 days. It seems to have cleared up well now & I've been increasing my running time by 10 or 15 mins each run. Still no PCRG sessions but hopefully back this Friday.

Yesterday I felt obliged to take T for a long run: the weather was cool, misty rain & a decent breeze. Decided to run to the Ship Inn via Fairfield & Annerley Roads, took 22 mins. Then thru' Southbank, West End, Highgate Hill (the River Loop course). Had T off the lead round most of Riverside Drive but going up the hills to Torbreck he was a wreck. Basically dragged him up & we had to walk the top-most section...Ended up being 1 hour 18 & despite the rain I got sunburnt shoulders. Mental note - must leave T behind for any runs over 1 hour, he hates hills & the humidity probably gets to him also, despite the inclement summer weather.