I Never Liked Roller Coasters As A Kid

I never got it with roller coasters. Even once I got past the imagined fear that something might go wrong and we would all end up flying off the edge at any moment. The realisation that in reality the mechanisms of the coaster were designed to take us up, down and round the prescribed tracks and that no matter how many people threw their hands about in the air we were just being dragged along in an over air conditioned train might have put a dampener on it. I don't know.

It was definitely the prescribed path with its uncompromising ups and down that I was never overly impressed with though. Particularly after Warren introduced me to the World of rock climbing. An activity that provided a real element of risk within the constraints of your willingness to extend yourself. Self controlled fluctuations, up when you wish and down as you decided (most of the time, but perhaps I was conservative in my challenge). why I stopped climbing I'm still not sure.

So why it is that my running resembles the roller coaster I never got rather than climbing I never continued I can not figure out. Over the past 4 months injury has certainly played a significant roll. I guess the fact that in 20-21 days (never could remember which months have 31 days) I am age eligible for masters games may suggest that I need to take more (ie do some) time stretching through the week. However I am beginning to have flash backs to my days at Springwood athletics club as a 18 to 20 year old listening to Dad and Vassell comparing adolescent PB's and listing the injuries they currently have that prevent them from reaching such lofty heights on that given day.

So with fear of turning into a distant memory I wish to get off this roller coaster and stick to something more akin to climbing. Can it be done? Ups and downs have constantly been an issue for me, with the most consistent part of my training having been planning what I'm going to do and then not doing it.

Last weeks up of the Wilson to Bilpin run has largely drifted far enough out of the memory to be the current motivator with the exception of the hamstring in my right leg that reminds me that I had only punched out a week or twos actual training prior to completing this run. So another target must be set and another plan laid out. Trying to control the ups and downs knowing that it is still a possibility that the tracks will drag me in another direction anyway. Fitzroy Falls Fire Trail Marathon via the mid station of Blackmores Half, this week the steps:

Monday 31st August
The Plan
Aquatic activities due to soreness in hamstring, most likely at the Wood in the PM following the Gnomes Rugby match

Completed
Interesting use of the word in that I didn't. Taking my seat in the Bush Beast. Watching the attendant check the should brace is in place. Having got the Gnomes ready for their round 2 match against St Col. Found out no referee. A phone call suggested that even though I havn't refed for 4 yrs (including atleast 2 major law rewrites in this period) it was up to me to blow the whistle. I dont know how many people have obvserved yr7-8 students who are new to union running round a paddock but direction is not a strong point. Needless to say the recovering hami took a blow There for, Enjoy your ride and smile for the camera on the first drop.

Tuesday 1st September
The Plan
Hoping to be back for an AM run from Sleep Trains, standard (for those who have trained in the past months anyway) Tuesday run

PM cycle at the Lakes outreach program to low lander sponsor child

Completed
Sleep was completed and a lot of complaints about the rugby ref who no showed. I hate the long slow climb up to the first drop, that click-click-click as the cars et dragged up the hill.

Wednesday 2nd September
The Plan
AM run, most likely from the Lucasville Resort

PM short run followed by touch

Completed
AM run from the lucasville resort. Clocked up 50mins and 21seconds with Whollie in and around the sights of Glenbrook. Overall the hami felt OK. In that it was felt the whole time but never felt sore. More just an awarness it was strained. Pulled up OK after.

PM an outreach program with GPB round the Lakes. Clocked in with 30kms in steady winds. Feeling quite tired after a two sessions following more time out with injuries. Feeling myself being dragged back onto the ride having stopped to checkout the views from up top.

Thursday 3rd September
The Plan
Heading over to Animals to do my run in the AM

PM teachers touch, though why I keep playing this I have no ideas as all my injuries have their origins from this comp.

Completed
Turned up to Animals and completed 5 mins 28seconds of running. Hami a bit tight after yesterdays testing of it and with a lot of people lined up for W2G by night tomorrow thought better of pushing it too much this morning. Hope I can nurse it through tomorrow now.

Friday 4th September
The Plan
Early PM Mt Biking with the Gnomes followed by the BMMC hosted W2G by the September Full moon.

Completed
After the Thursday hiccup, to now be known as the 5 minute mega run, I was happy to wake up feeling less tightness through the hami and confident of getting through the evenings events.

Began the CV activity at 4pm with 3 gnomes and PT. Having secured a chance to Mt Bike on what I think is the best short track circuit going round at Blue Gum Lodge. Spent 1hr getting lost on the trails and avoiding crashes on palliative care this time round. Once again supper fun and all the Gnomes seem eager to get back to this track in future.

The onset of evening bought with it the ever shortening proximity to the BMMC W2G by night. Still a little unsure of who was turning up it was tremendous to see so many local and low lander invitational runners front for this run.

Having grouped up with those running down from Wentworth Falls approximately 20 runners started of from Woodford off the 9.44pm train, knowing that the groups off the 3 earlier starts were all moving closer to the causeway already. The views early on of a well lite Sydney sky scape were astounding (what do you mean fossil fuels. . .) and the opportunity to see this repeated itself regularly along the first 10kms.

With some concern about leaving people on the track I had decided to sweep the course to be confident no one would pop up off Narrow Neck in 12 days time and as such spent an enjoyable night jogging through to the causeway at a comfortable pace. Probably a little longer spent on the trail than planned but in hind sight a better result for the long term improvement in the hami.

The crowd still kicking on at the gate when we finished startled me as I had not expected many people to still be there. More startling though was the fact Mr Cooper was still in the esky and he and I shared company before it was time to head home.

In bed by about 2am and already contemplating future runs.

So the plan is laid out before us. Setting it at a respectable grade 21 and hoping no one builds a roller coaster in my new found climbing playground.

Running Scared Of Somthing That Works

It worked. Not a session missed in a week thanks to the accountability of publishing the plan and the fear of ridicule for missing a session from Mum and her neighbour that she gets to read this blog. Solution for an inconstant trainer, stop posting all up so you cant be held accountable again.

Of course the Gnomes Go Skiing was verbalised as the initial excuse for not blogging (= not training) however after a week of having returned I could no longer keep taking photos of myself in the living room in my ski gear claiming I was still away.

So a weekend of driving the k's back up and a published week of training lie ahead. Please mum if you read this don't yell too much if I miss a session.

Phase One: Already completed at point of original post

Saturday 15th August
AM run with Rodthehornet, sailaway, Dr Phil and Sleep Train in the National Park. 7am start from the gate with a sound tempo (certainly for one rebuilding after achillies injury anyway) up to Bennets Ridge. Left RTH, SA & ST as they continued out to Nepean Lookout and rounded Bennets Ridge to Euroka with Dr Phil. Detoured to river (almost) and up side of hill along single track and back to causeway and the climb out. Happy with the 1hr 20mins all up. Some good hills and great to be back in the Park again.

PM run was planned to be the test running of the Sydney X-Country course. A complete lack of preparation in terms of taking note of the start point saw a scenic drive around family picnics and a trip back to the home lands for a casual jog with she who must be obeyed around the espresso run. 40mins.

Did have the pleasure of talking to 97 yr old Gordon as he was heading out for his 3rd walk of the day following our run. Getting on to the juice of half a lemon in cup of water yesterday.

Sunday 16th August
AM run from the Mansion on Marshall. Solo down to Lennox Bridge round lookout single track up to jumps over Mt Sion and back home through the white cliff and church track. Feeling a touch tired after doubling up for first time in months yesterday. Also noticed the dependence I have developed for the world of the I-pod. Mental note to self charge it the night before. Left with a single verse of some song I had woken to on alarm for whole run. (only thing more annoying is the fact I now have no idea what it was).

Monday 17th August
Bridges with the Gnomes after work. I must look to eat more quality foods through the day, started washed out and slightly light headed. Had patches of feeling the rhythm returning along river track on way home but never really settled in. 32mins 44seconds for a lap pretty average considering have lapped under 25minutes back in history. But fairly pleased with the 10 minutes from freeway bridge back to car park along the river track. Got GPB to shut up through some of the rolling bumps anyway.

Phase Two: Planning ahead

Tuesday 18th August
The Plan
AM run back to the BMMC Tue run from Sleep Trains. (Disclaimer may abort at Rickard exit if go soft in the morning)

Completed
6am start from Sleep Trains round house. Was warmly welcomed back to the fold by Gargermeister, Sleep Train and the (not so) Fat Kiwi. Lap around Sleep Trains standard Tue run in the standard direction. Train program running like clockwork still after so much time off. Struggled a bit on climbs but I guess this is to be expected following a three month lay off with injuries. Have to decide how many more times I am going to unnecessarily carry head light (nagging voice comes back about your injured you don't even need to buy that). 1hr 1min 37sec. Looking forward to getting back somewhere near 57 minutes. On on. . .

Wednesday 19th August
The Plan
AM run from the Lucasville Resort.

Completed
5.45am start at the Lucasville Resort with Wholie. Cruised around the streets while the light resumed going past the Brook, the Lapo and Giant mini trains and into the Aussie Pyrenees. Back round and over Mt Sion via a new track for me past the jumps along the single track to the lookouts and home on main trail and through back of Glenbrook Oval (short dip round THE VILLAGE) to get time up to the rounded figure often chased by OC type runners. All up 1hr 10mins 3sec with only the smallest amount of our conversation revolving around my once more demonstrated lack of coaching ability. Could have been 100pts so it could have been worse. Very social very fun. Is good to run.

Thursday 20th August
The Plan
AM run with BMMC. What once was mine is yours. See you at Animals.

PM Fartlek with ball, teachers touch 22mins 30sec each way.

Completed
6.00am from animals. Despite rumours to the nature of ownership of the Thursday run it has always been my belief that if one is not to run for a period as long as 3 months (regardless of reason) then one has no writes (I do actually know) to argue the ownership of a start from home plate on any given run. So as I was saying (just don't be away for any reason though) it was from Animal's that the Thursday run commenced and with said occupant, Sleep Train and The Slimmed out Kiwi a lap of the basic hill circuit was attended to. I must note that amendments to the course were to be expected following such a lengthy lay off of the course designer and one was truly magnificent in its added attraction to given course. However to cut a single track gully run to stay on widened fire trail shall never pass trough the boots of I. In the end another struggle up the hills but managed a running stride on every step of the valley track on Old Bathurst side. 1hr 1min 15 seconds.

PM the given fartlek with ball session duly completed through the realm of Nepean District Teacher Touch comp. another win for Nep Gnombility. This time over the jolly Saints 9-5.

Friday 21st August
The Plan
AM run 30mins from Mansion on Marshall

PM Mt Bike with the Gnomes

Saturday 22nd August
The Plan
AM run 2hrs playing on hills

PM run 30 mins easy on home trails

Completed
Having decided through eating my dinner last night that I was feeling quite good entered the Willy 2 Billy run instead of the planned runs. Seeing an opportunity to grab a 2009 qualifier for debut at 6ft next year. Started conservatively looking for something between 3hrs 30mins to 4hrs.

Ran the opening 50mins with another runner from Sutherland area. Very happy to have the conversation but in hindsight it would have been polite for me to ask his name at some point. Separated after the 10km drink station so entered the realms of ipod world for a few km. Spiderbait was the music of choice and found myself feeling very good through to the halfway mark.

Re-immersed myself into the social world from 15 to 21km and spent some time running with the BMMC running royalty patriarch King Donges. Also went through the realisation that ST & I in our massively exploratory adventures of Dec 2008 had actually only tramped through the very clear tracks we were now running on.

At the start of the decent into the valley at Mt Irvine went solo again and finished off listening to Spiderbait to try and keep myself alert on the descent. A brief refuel at the creek and the much anticipated climb began. 6km up and a tempo was required to aid feeling good throughout. Popped over to Pete Murray to set the mood and with a steady stride was surprised at how well I felt. Ended up putting in about 20 minutes over the climb on a number of the people who had been running around me up to that point.

In the end crossed the line in 3hrs 11mins ##sec. Was very happy with the time particularly considering the frustrations of the past few months with injuries.

So it stands for the week as planned. How strong is the influence of public embarrassment in failing to meet your own commitments? Does anyone other than mum read this so does anyone even know I planned these runs anyway? Does Mum read this? How did they ever give me a job teaching with spelling and grammar to put Hunter S Thompson to shame?

People We Know Who Look Like Cartoon Characters

It was pointed out by one of my favourite past students, whom shall not be named but those in the know know, that possibly an associated low lander may in fact strike a similarity to said cartoon character. Who am I to judge but please feel free to throw the first stone:

Is that were I put my mirror!