Training Log Archive: blairtrewin

Read a story in the Economist today, about China's relationship with Sri Lanka, which made reference to the Sri Lankan Minister for Ports, one Arjuna Ranatunga. One wonders if any of the sledging he gets in the political arena matches up to what he got on the cricket field (those of a certain vintage will remember Ian Healy's "you don't get a runner for being a fat c**t").

C • What's the difference... 8

Thought after yesterday's discussion that it was worth trying a flat run. The hamstring was OK on completely flat ground (although I didn't feel brilliant otherwise) but hurt on the first small bump it hit. I want to get this right so think it best to give it a bit more time to settle down.

I may be feeling somewhat frustrated at the moment on the injury front, but some correspondence I got today placed such #firstworldproblems in perspective - in the form of a report from the direction of the national climate service of a small African country. She apologised that the report only covered January-November and that she didn't have December information because she'd fled the country, in fear that civil war will soon erupt. (The should-be-former President was defeated in an election a few weeks ago but has refused to accept the result, and the winner has said he's going to go ahead with the inauguration next week anyway. Could get ugly, depending on which horse the people with the guns back).

Hamstring somewhat improved today but still a bit sore. Didn't consider running pending a date with the physio, instead taking to the pool. It was a little sore there initially, too, but improved once going. Brilliantly sunny morning with lots of glare.

The physio thinks that the hills on the weekend were what set it off (I'm guessing the increase in speed at the end of Saturday may also have contributed). Should be OK to do at least something on the flat. It's a bit frustrating to have a string of injuries like this, but looking at Shep's log reminds me that things could be worse.

It is going to be a big week on the climate front - the official global temperature figures for 2016 are coming out on Wednesday night. No idea why NOAA and NASA might be so keen to get their numbers into the public arena before Friday.

C • Black Friday 3

The upper hamstring twinge from late yesterday made its presence felt overnight - it's never a good sign when something hurts enough to wake you up during the night. I wasn't particularly confident, but it felt sort of OK warming up on the flat so I decided to start and see how it went. Knew within the first 1.5km that I was in trouble, but thought I'd get to the top of the hill (in this part of the field, you mostly have to walk the steepest parts whether you like it or not, because of congestion on the single track) and see if it improved at all once over the top. The answer was that it didn't really and was uncomfortable on any sort of slope both up and down - felt like the sort of thing that I could probably struggle on with if it really mattered, but not worth it for what was clearly going to be a poor time, even compared with expectations.

It's getting frustrating that a new injury seems to pop up each time it looks like the last one's fixed. (It's also a pity to waste conditions as good as you'll ever get in January). I know that's part of getting older but not everyone falls apart. Seeing the physio tomorrow so will see what she thinks.

C • Dam 5

C • Its only the fortunate that don't fall apart 8

Event: Melbourne PAS Surf Coast Series 2 - Point Lonsdale
 

Surf Coast series event at Point Lonsdale, (sort of) on the way to Two Bays. Started out on the sand dunes and beach before going back into the town. Felt like a struggle for the first half, but gradually improved and the competitive juices got going in the last 15 minutes as I tried to fit as many controls in as I could (although the top of the right hamstring produced a signal when I sped up a bit). Still not too sure about tomorrow, but we'll see how it goes.

Initially planned my route more for scenery than points (it was a score event), but did end up getting all ten 15-point controls, mostly leaving out areas in the north which were more suburban and not particularly high-scoring.

By being on the Bellarine side of the bay this afternoon, we missed the opportunity to partake of the Portsea Polo. This is one of Melbourne's more notable festivals of poshness - the sort of place where you're definitely slumming it if you arrive in your own vehicle (a chauffeur-driven one is acceptable, but those who really count make their entrance by helicopter). Coming off the boat at Sorrento, we saw two stretch limos in rapid succession disgorging occupants in a range of states of inebriation.

Back to Fitzroy for this session for the first time in a while, getting moistened from above as well as below (although only lightly for the most part). A reasonably routine morning; felt like something was threatening to cramp at the end (as it occasionally does in this session) but not too bad.

There was a large and rather obtuse climate sceptic ad in today's Australian on behalf of somebody calling themselves the Climate Study Group. I'm not quite sure why you'd pay good money to publish such an ad when the Australian is already printing plenty of their stuff for free.

From Fishermans Bend (car being serviced today) down to St. Kilda. After the first couple of kilometres, a consistent run without reaching great heights, on one of the better mornings we've had for a while (i.e. temperature and dewpoint were both close to January averages). Not exactly a good replica of what's to come in terms of its topography (the only "hills" were going over the footbridge opposite the Espy, and the bump on Fitzroy Street which feels big when you hit it at the 37k mark of the Melbourne Marathon but is inconsequential at any other time), but at its best in the last couple of kilometres which is encouraging.

Better than yesterday, which I guess is progress (it was a little less humid, which helps). Took to the terrain this time on Aranda Hill/Black Mountain - moving reasonably smoothly through the terrain, without a lot of speed or taking on much in the way of serious hills. Wore a few spider webs, but no grass seeds, which meant my advance planning was unnecessary (I'd brought a pair of socks full of holes which I was intending to throw out).