Training Log Archive: blairtrewin

MFR's contribution to World Orienteering Day - a club run using a course which Carl had set using OpenStreetMap. Fairly straightforward course (with just a bit of minor route choice) but still fun, and good to be part of the festivities. Made the mistake of trying to go from the gun without a proper warm-up (having had a bit of trouble getting my newly-acquired headlamp to shine white instead of red), but eventually loosened up and was going at street-O pace in the second half without any obvious ill-effects.

As I've noted elsewhere, the clash with Naplan testing meant we couldn't really have a serious go at doing anything major in schools today, but next year is late May rather than early May so that shouldn't be an issue. I'm also pondering the question of whether it might be logistically possible to do events in four states on one day (start in Brisbane or Adelaide, fly to Canberra, do events on both sides of the ACT/NSW border, then fly on to Melbourne for an evening event there), and if it is whether I'm crazy enough to try doing it next year.

C • *openorienteeringmap - tool... 1

A solid morning's work; any hint of the hamstring issues now seems to be behind me. Dodged a few remnant bits of floodwater on the Merri Creek track and got a few showers from above. Not quite sure what the Dalheims have planned for the MFR World Orienteering Day tomorrow night but I guess I'll find out soon enough.

The Philippines seem to be doing their bit to prove that even if he's elected, Donald Trump will not be the world's craziest President. Apart from promising to kill 100,000 "criminals" in his first six months in office, the winning candidate also committed to riding a jet ski across to some disputed South China Sea islands to claim them in person. Part of me thinks that the interests of regional peace might be best served if he actually tries to use such a vessel for such a purpose (especially if there is a typhoon in the vicinity at the time).

Not sure I appreciate this headline.

C • You would have loved the UK... 2

Swim at Northcote, my morning logistics being slightly rearranged because I wanted to catch the local bakery's 8am opening time (having forgotten to buy a week's supply of rolls on the weekend). Shoulder a bit sore to start with but not a bad swim thereafter, and I don't think the water was quite as hot as the sign (31.5) suggested.

Heard Malcolm Turnbull's name mentioned as I was going past the spa on the way out. The accompanying words weren't especially complimentary, which is not altogether surprising given that this is a part of town where the Liberal vote percentage will probably start with a 1.

Headed out on the Tan after work - had been sort of thinking of doing this anyway but the heavy rain around lunchtime (and its expected clearance) provided more encouragement. A rather slow run although traffic had a bit to do with that; felt reasonable, though, and no sign of hamstring issues.

While the storm surge flooding was nothing like Adelaide's, the debris marks suggested that the path under the (soon-to-be-expanded) Swan Street bridge had gone under at some stage in the preceding hours.

I wonder just how much energy is wasted in Crown's hourly fire-jet display?

A wet morning (as anticipated), although had eased to a few spots by the time I headed out - still good to feel the freshness. Headed up initially past my old place in the name of checking out whether it's possible to build a rail tunnel underneath it without flattening it (verdict: probably yes, but wouldn't be a lot of fun living there while the construction was happening), then down to the Yarra Flats and back along the river. Not as good a run as yesterday, either on the performance or the injury front, but not too bad and a significant extension of the amount that I've been able to handle, so I'm happy.

If I were in South Australia I would presumably currently be engaged in the scramble to snaffle as many bits of good power-pole real estate for posters as possible, but I'm not so I'm not. (This form of campaigning seems specific to South Australia - in theory they're not supposed to do it before 6pm on the day the election is called, but I gather there has been a certain amount of gun-jumping).

Headed out a little later this morning, partly because I'd decided I wanted to take in a route which took in the Studley suspension bridge and didn't want to be competing with the parkrun crowds (must be quite interesting to be on it at the same time as numerous other runners). Ended up as my best run for a while - felt pretty good, handled a couple of sharp climbs fine, and only a very slight twinge from the hamstring. Thinking that I've probably just about put this injury behind me, although I'll want to do something in terrain to be sure.

This was also a warm-weather run, the last one for a while, although 'a while' for me won't be as long as it might be for some - I'll have some heat, and some serious humidity, to deal with when I head to Guangzhou for a few days in a couple of weeks.

A bit on the slow side but probably the best run since returning in terms of how the hamstring felt - more like 90% than 80% today, and didn't feel impeded at all, even with more climbing today (mostly the Waterdale Road hill). Not sure I'm prepared to call myself absolutely right until I get through something longer, something faster and something in terrain (not necessarily at the same time), but some decent progress.

I'm indebted to the member for Gellibrand for advising us that, thanks to a $12,000 community development grant, the Altona Miniature Railway has received more funds from the Federal Government than any actual urban passenger railway has in the last three years.

And, while on the subject of politics (which you'll be hearing a lot of in the next few weeks), just to prove that some in the game have a sense of humour, on seeing an early draft of a proposed update to the state ALP environment policy, someone had slipped a reference to "factional hacks" into the section of the policy dealing with pests and weeds. As far as I know the State Government has no plans for an eradication program.

Longest run of the week so far. Felt only about 80% right again, but didn't get any worse as the run went on which is a good sign. Also ventured onto some small hills (don't get too excited - we're talking the climb onto and along the Studley Park Road bridge) for the first time this week, without too many dramas. Still feel as if I'll need to play things cautiously, but feeling reasonably positive.