Training Log Archive: Mounty

Spin from Elvina Bay around Scotland Island, over to dog poo park in Bayview and back. Grind in to 20kt's out and a fun little ride home.

Evening slow Killarney trot.

Down to Fisherman's for a morning spin on the ocean, only to be rudely interrupted by a thunderstorm. Was just heading back to the beach due to dodgy looking clouds when suspicions were confirmed by the lightning siren on Long Reef Golf course going off. Sat on the beach in the rain for half an hour (quite pleasant as it was warm), then headed out for some ins & outs once the lightning was gone.

Had a bit of a go on the new Fenn ski (borrowed Yanda's swordfish for the weekend). Nice little boat - super stable for its speed, and surfs well - especially in the short period chop we get around here. Can see why Fenn will sell a heap of them.

Then another 20min later in the day commuting across to Elvina.

Old school! Continuing the theme of hitting the old classics, headed down to Narrabeen for the Narra-Dee Why 15k soft sand special. Used to do this run with the likes of Steve Craig, Darvo and Scotty as Sydney's closest equivalent to running around in Swedish marshes. Shocked to realise this was close to 20 years ago.

Anyway, was rather chuffed to discover that I'm faster now on the sand than I was back then. Surprising because I sure as hell couldn't get near my City to Surf time from then now. Stronger legs now perhaps from cycling and things. Or maybe it's just because my head is more aerodynamic.

Slow roll. Tired legs!

Bored.

Tapping away on the PC for work, and wondering what would make for an interesting run when it suddenly occurred to me that Annika was down at Curly for softball due to be picked up at 6. If I hustled I could get in a point to pointer and bum a ride home. Shoes on and out the door quickly for some 'running while tired practice'.

Down thru Manly Dam, hopping a ridiculous number of water dragons, and out towards the beach. Started to get slightly nervous that I mightn't make it - and without money or food it would be a long run home. Scraped in by a few minutes, then arranged to continue on down to Freshie for a dip.

Feisty little swell out there.

After a couple of weeks of hill intervals in more benign locations, it was time to step up and face the nemises - the famous Belrose pipeline hill. Aimed for 5 reps, and took along a collection of different shoes to keep myself amused. First effort was hard - the pinch of death felt like it was about to rip my soul out, so quite happy to get thru' the session in one piece. Advantage of changing shoes was the sneaky extra rest.

3:58: Asics GT 2140
3:57: Nike Lunarfly 2+
4:01: Innov-8 295
4:01: Montrail hippy shoes (barefoot)
3:53: Lunarfly.

Hard work.

C • Pinch 3

One of those fluky days when an unusually pleasant evening coincides with unusually good legs, and all seems right with the world. Plan was for a stock river loop, but made a last minute decision to extend when I got to the cobbles 'cause it was all rather nice. Legs felt fresh and cruisy, while the heavy rain had gone, leaving clear air, cool weather, puddles to jump in and a sparkly evening sunset.

Trotted up to the Cascades, then sat on a rock for a quarter of an hour listening to classical music and soaking up a bit of serenity. Happy as a hippie in Thailand.

Home on the bitumen thru' Belrose for a bit of hard surface conditioning, quite quick at times.