March 20 - March 26 2005

Running

Sun - Early start dark went I started running this morning. I decided to run down to Tamarama Beach then head to Centennial Park & do the 10k loop & then head home . Just for something different.
Mon - Ran after work in Centeenial Park - 7.5mls
Tues - Ran at lunchtime at Naremburn Oval . I did 8x400 1min recovery ave 71.5 last rep in 68.8 . It was raining so good session.Did a few wts when I got back to the gym.
Weds - Pouring rain so swapped rest days & did wts at lunchtime
Thurs - Ran after work at Gore Hill oval . I did 2x3laps,2laps,1laps with 90sec recovery . Quite a tough session. I thought my best reps were the 1 lappers . Started a bit slow on 1st lap of 3 lappers. Alap is about 450m. Not too bad a session.
Fri - Ran to Tamarama and then to Centennial Park and then home. An hour all up running .
Sat - Early morning start. I slept thru the alarm. Just had time for hills x 10. A little heavy in the legs from yesterday's 1 hr run. It was raining when I set off and at times during the run . Ave 42.2 last rep 39.8 got better as the session went on.
All just over 52miles this week. Not a brilliant week but got the job done. I thought Tuesday was the best of all the sessions.I expect to keep on improving but in reality it just does not work that way. I have a good base to work with and hope I can maintain fitness for awhile and fit in some races.
Life
Kieran had a mixed bag this week . He was quite sick on Tuesday and very listless. He slept really well that night because of his illness but early in the week he had a couple of restless nights. In the end we decided to put him in the cot and at least he went to sleep fairly quickly and at least got some sleep.He is getting more vocal when he is not happy.Biting at times can still be a problem.The last couple days he has been a lot of fun. Playing ball and scoffing Easter eggs this morning. Unfortunately the video is out of action . So we only have 2 DVD's and will have to rely on these in the wet weather to keep him happy. Perhaps a shopping expedition is on order this afternoon. So their is no outbreak of cabin fever.
Well the AFL season has kicked off and it does not take long to get the dander up. Why do I care so much ?. I was listening to the footy on the radio and Amy was talking to me and it was like I was in another world. I saw highlights on the TV and was outraged when two Brisbane players started to rough up StKilda captain Nick Riewoldt when he was injured . Amy was taking about the war in Iraq and the atrosities and he was me still cranky about the atrosities on the football field.Unfortunately with sport I live in my own little world sometimes.
Only a few days left before we leave and I hope the weather is kind to us. I think if Kieran travels realitively well it will make the trip more pleasureable. We went around to Sam and Simon's place for dinner last night. Amy and I started to playing with Kieran and we get so rapted up him it is difficult to have adult conversations sometimes.It will good that Amy will not have to sneak off to work on the weekends while we are away on holidays. I'm hoping that she can do some running in the US as well and I hope to run in two 5k's which are not too far away from where will be staying.
I better get going got to pack the running gear for the trip and my next blog will be from Connecticut USA.

March 13 - March 19 2005

Running - Easier week 46miles
Sun - Early start ran in Queens Park & Centennial Park by self for just a few minutes over 75mins
Mon - Ran in the afternoon after work in Centennial Park ran about 4k then did 12 strides & then ran 4k warm down & felt ok
Tues - Ran in trails at lunchtime near work just over 7.5mls & did weights
Weds - Did 7 hills in Centennial Park near cafe. I ran quicker first rep under 42 ave 41.6 good improving
Thurs - Ran in trails near work after work
Fri - Did 10x200 1min recovery at Naremburn Oval after work it was alitle wet but happy wih session ave 33.1 worht 32.6 on Rotary so going forward. Lunchtime wts
Sat - Rest day
Overall a good weeks training. Improving all the time so happy with how things are progressing. Niggles are starting to settle down.
Life
As mentioned last week Kieran & I watched some cricket last Saturday afternoon. Well their was a game of tennis nearby . Kieran was capitivated he just sat in my lap watch the tennis . He also sat & watched some of the cricket with me while I spoke to a few spectators. On Tuesday evening Amy,Kieran & I had seafood down at Bronte Beach which was enjoyable.I take Kieran to daycare on Wednesday,Thursday & Friday. He does not want to leave now as when I go to pick up the TV is on & you cannot pull him away. They have to turn the TV off for him to leave.On Wednesday Kieran was extremely tired as he had a restless night on Tuesday evening (up wih dad in the middle on the night watching videos). To cut a long story short he was not a happy camper on the trip home. It was only when I got him inside & put the Wiggles on that he settled.On Friday night we had a big test as Amy worked from 3pm till 11pm . I had a late dinner with Kieran & walked him in the pram at about 930pm . Luckily he fell asleep & did not wake up till 1130pm what a relief.We went to the Puma factory Saturday morning but I could not find any satisfactory racing flats for speedwork. Then we went to the swings at Queens Park & chatted to Sean who was there his son Charlie. Jimmy was at home when I got home doing some maintenance work around the house. Mum has only a 1/2 day at work today so hopefully when Kieran wakes up we will have an outing.
The trip for the States has now been booked. March 29 - May 1 . I have been looking at the racing calender on the net & we just miss the Broad st run in Philly by 1 day with over 10,000 entrants bummer. Still I hope to run in one or two 5k's . I will miss not being able to drive around. but Amy is really starting to get excited about seeing her parents & brother & sisters.She has stocked up on all sort of goodies for the plan trip to keep Kieran amused & brought me an extra pair of tights for training in the cooler weather.
I better get going . I have to do some work around the house & complete my AFL fantasy league team.
Till next week. See Ya.

Sunday - Saturday March 12th 2005

Running - Had a good weeks training 51.5mls & some good quality sessions.
Sun - Long run 85mins ran 30mins by self then last 55mins with Tiff around Queens & Centennial. Felt quite strong near end of the run which is a good sign.
Mon - Did hills after work 2x6 with Tiff near cafe in Centennial Park. Consistent ave 41.85 about 1 sec behind.
Tues - Ran before work in trails 12k & did some wts.
Weds - Did 6x3mins with 90secs rec with Tiff. Easier than last time I did session.
Thurs - Lunch wts. After work trails 8miles af ew twinges.
Fri - Rest
St - Early start ran 12 x 200 jog recovery along fence near cafe in Centennial Park. I just tried to run relaxed & quickly . I didn't time session.
Life
We have decided to go to the States March 28th to visit Amy relos for about 5 weeks. It's just so much cheaper to go now rather than later. Hopefully the weather will start to warm a little. It will be good for Amy's family to see how much Kieran has developed. I'm hoping to get a race in while I'm over there.. A big 5k is on in Philly but fear it is too far away so will do a lower key race nearer to where we will be staying in Medford NJ.I'll miss a couple of Jets home games as the footy season starts today but will look forward to going to some games in Mayy. Hoping they some Aussie Rules on TV over there. I was hoping to see a Red Sox game in the US but I had a look at the schedule & they won't be playing in Philly or New York while we are there. I have heard that a trip to Washington could be on the cards.
Kieran is sleeping as I type . I took him to the beach this morning .He went in the pool & the ocean & enjoyed himself & is becoming more comfortable with the water.He fell asleep on the walk back home before 12pm which is unusual. He has had a tough week sleepwise waking up a few nights at 9pm & not going to sleep till 11pm. He is really enjoying his time at the childcare so much so that he is reluctant to leave when I goto pick him up as he is usually dancing.
We went down to Coogee on Sunday morning & he enjoyed running down the beach with mum & dad. He had a long sleep & then we went to friends place at Liverpool where he went onn Easte egg hunt . He then proceeded to polish of three of the eggs in quick succession. On Tuesday we went down to Clovelly for a swim after work. The boy enjoyed himself in the water & chasing a ball along the beach. Oh the simple things in lifeThe Elmo video is the flavour of the month at the moment.
When Kieran wakes up we might take i some cricket as it is the last game of the season & play on the swings.I'm off to grab some lunch.
That was the week that was . Till next week.

Sunday 25th Feb - Saturday Mar 3 2005

Sunday 25th Feb - Saturday Mar 3 2005

Running
Had a good weeks training definetely improving. It has taken me nearly 9 months to get back to the fitness levels that I was at 9 months ago last June but thankfully it is starting to click together.
Sun - Early start 620am from home ran to Centennial Park & around. Met up with Tiff just after 7am. Didn't push just tried to run relaxed. Ran for 85mins
Mon - Ran from work before work in the trails near work & felt ok . I did within 1 or 2 seconds of what I ran last Friday.
Tues - Tiff was sick So I did a session by myself in Centennial Park around the lake. 2mins,90secs,1min,30secs x 3 with short recoveries. 27 mins all up & felt quite good.
Weds - Rest Day. Kieran had a cold so I stayed at home with him. Amy did not get home till 9pm so swapped rest days.
Thurs - Naremburn Oval 8x400 1min recoveries. Ran well averaged 71.95 which is a big improvement on the previous time I did the session. First rep was quite quick but put the brakes on & ended up with a good averaged. I finished just before the rain started with thunder all around.
Fri - Lunch Wts & after work. I ran in the Artarmon Trails & 40 secs quicker than normal without pushing the pace.
Sat - Queens Park - Tempo run 6.15k xcountry with Sean Williams group. Fast start 3.24 first k . I put the brakes but still ran strongly & negatively splitted the last lap. Ran 21.06 a 12 sec improvement. My second fastest time ever . I would dearly love to bresk 21mins one day. Splits 7.06,14.14,21.06
Mileage - 51miles - A very good weeks training
Life
Amy worked on Sunday . So I took Kieran to the beach & swings in the morning.Fox studios in the afternoon to look at the frm animals & two rides on the merry go round. He really enjoyed himself. We went to mums place for dinner & met up with Amy. Had a very good day.
Monday - Got home earlier & finally manged to get Kieran down to the park while had a run.
Wednesday - Kieran was quite congested with a cold. I finally got him ready & got him to the car whenwhat no car seat - Still in mum's car. So could not take him to childcare. So we spent the day at home together. We went to the beach in the morning as quite hot.Kieran went into the ocean up to his knees & then we walked over to the pool where he watched other people swim. I hopped into the pool . Kieran came into but after short time was keen to get out. In the afternoon we went to the park for 90mins. Watched videos & played ball.
Thursday - Mum came home quite late 9pm.. Long trip home due to thunderstorm & Kieran fell asleep for 40 mins . So decided not to go shopping but he did not take long to thaw out after his sleep & ended up watching & dancing Wiggles videos after his bath.
Sat - Amy had day off work so after I got back from my tempo run. We went for a walk to Coogee. Off this arvo to watch the National Athletics Champs at Homebush & catch up with some friends. Mum has gone out for a break before I go.
My car is playing up again. I'm hoping it is just the power steering needing oiling . As the car is making a horrible grinding noise. Keeping my fingers crossed it is nothing major. Amy told me this week that we will be going to the States hopefully in May depends on her work colleague. Hope I can get one or two races there when we go.
Till next week.