Blog 2006-08-28

Vets Half Marathon

This was my 16th (?) Half Marathon, and a PW (personal worst) by a long way, and I have hardly been more elated. It was touch and go as to whether I would run at all for all of the week, especially after a few poor (poor? Nay, abysmal!) performances over the last week in particular. Last by a long way in the Black Mountain run up (2.6km and with a great difficulty in breathing); last in the almost pancake flat Cross Country Dunrossil Drive 4km; last and looking for a 6 foot hole at the summit of Mt Ainslie after a mere 2.2 km on Tuesday . . . . things did not auger well for the half.

Thursday was a low patch, most of the day spent asleep or in the pursuit of it. However I felt rather better on Friday morning, and after Bob and I had a coffee date at Bob at the National Gallery, and then we visited Peter the PRB in hospital. A quick trip home for Bob to change before fronting up to the Customs run at lunchtime in drizzling rain.

Although I run a snail-paced 27:45 (5:33 pace), I was much better during the run than I had been for ages, even being able to say “G’Day Richard/Tony/Paul/Simon” (et al) as I ran, instead of grunting a gurgling wheeze in lieu.

Waking early on Sunday, Bob and I travelled separately, with me to start with the earliest group (over 2 hours) at 8:00 am, and Bob with the speedy old blokes (sexist, I know) at 9:00 am. Thankfully I was very early, as there was no address on the form downloaded from the website, so I had posted it to regular Vets PO Box address (a fair assumption I would have thought). Alas, no. Along with many others, our form had not been received, so my ample time to change, go to the ladies, etc was greatly shortened. I re-registered for Bob and I, and frantically rang the home and mobile numbers to let him know where his race bib was, as he could not collect it from the usual place.

Eventually getting through, I dashed to the toilets, and nearly missed the start when leaving my bag at Stage 88 and then running to the Start line some distance away. With my heart rate already at 133 bpm, I settled in to the start of the run at a slow jog at the tail of the pack. Within the first kilometre, I came across MC from Customs, and we settled into a steady, chatty rhythm. We were content to let the other purportedly slow runners ease ahead of us, as the ribbon of T-Shirts and caps stretched out along the lakefront around Regatta Point and across Commonwealth Avenue Bridge.

I was happy with our slow and steady pace, happy to nibble away at the miles in small, digestible tastes, rather than bite of more than I could chew and choke! I had to dash off into the bushes more than once, however that is one of the joys of running in Canberra ~ even in a largeish event like this one, there are plenty of fairly discrete bushes along the course . . . it doesn’t happen in the City to Surf!

MC tired a little, and we vowed to stick together over the hills, climbing out of Scrivener Dam, then Black Mountain Peninsula, and finally Hospital Hill at Acton. Down, down through the underpass and the 19 km mark, I started looking over my shoulder for a flash of orange to see if I could catch sight of Bob, as the front runners from the 9:00 am group started coming past with increasing frequency. MC dropped further back and told me to keep going along this stretch towards the Ferry Terminal.

Up until this point my heart rate had been averaging a very pedestrian 124 bpm or so, and the speed had gradually decreased to around 7:30 mins/km. Picking up my pace in this last, familiar mile, my breathing was a little harder, my heart rate peaked at just over 150 bpm ( far lower than the average during Customs or a similar event), and I did far and away my fastest kilometre (5:33 m/km). I was chuffed!

Finishing in an incredible 2 hours 23 minutes and 56 seconds (Incredible if I had run twice the distance that is!), I was nevertheless delighted. It has encouraged me to do more longer, slower runs.

I wonder how slow the famous Saturday morning group of the PRB does?

A few days down at Merimbula with Bob will be the icing on the cake.

Woo Hoo!

A personal worst at the Vets Half this morning and I couldn't be more delighted! I finished, when the 2.2km on Monday was very suspect.

Now Bob the Boy Wonder and I are heading down the coast for a night or two - I am really looking forward to it. Happy belated anniversary Strewth and Mister B, you both looked wonderful. Exciting to meet Tuggeranong Don, and all my love to Rad for his 79th Birthday on Tuesday.

I had a rough night on Wednesday, and when the PRB rang at the very civilised hour of 9:30am on Thursday to let me know that he was not to be discharged from hospital until Monday, I didn't know if I was awake or not.

Bob was out cycling with Kris, who was training for Hawaii, and although I got up then, it wasn't going to last for long, and I spent most of the day in bed, drifting in and out of a fatigued sleep.

It obviously helped though, for on Friday morning I had already changed into running gear when Bob suggested we have a coffee date. We enjoyed the drizzling, grey view from the top of the National Gallery looking over the grey green native trees, the grey blue lake, and the shiny luminescent grey of wet slate in the Sculpture Garden. We then popped down to visit the PRB in hospital, where Bob hadn't seen him since his nadir the day after his operation and I got to see him unplugged from machines that go !ping! for the first time. We was delighted to see us.

It was a close call as Bob still needed to go home to change into his running gear, but we made it to the start of the Customs run (just) where people went off at any time instead of necessarily their correct handicap given the conditions. I left on scratch (my heart rate was already up from racing, so it was close to a warm up) with Jodie, Ricky and a few others. From the start I felt surprisingly good, and the adductor / hip flexor / groin strain has been getting gradually better over time making the start relatively comfortable.

I pushed hard, as I always do these days, and my breathing was fairly comfortable and not so laboured. Out on my own, I kept at it, and was able to actually form the words of others names as they ran towards me, a sure indicator that I was much improved.

At a total time of 27:45 I'm not going to break any speed records yet, but I was really buoyed by feeling better running than I had for ages.

Bob & I returned the rental car before heading to the special Mt Ainslie Run-Up event.
We were able to catch up with the returned Duathlon victors, Rad & Bob C., and check on the wounded Friar (household chores are far too dangerous for runners to do).

The start was uncharacteristically delayed to accommodate the photographer, with a mass start with the faster runners then doubling back for a delayed 5 minute handicap to permit the photographer to ascend the mountain in his vehicle.

I was well and truly ensconced in the first slow group, and increasingly lost touch with the other back-of-the-packers. Although I could see that the four people in front of me were walking, I kept plugging away in an attempt to run, my breathing becoming more laboured and rather noisy.

Before I had been chugging away for 11 minutes, the first 3 runners from the fast group passed me with the tiny Emily Brichacek hot on the heels of Adrian Shepherd. Soon enough the other faster runners also passed me, leaving me without doubt at the tail end of the field.

By the stairs I knew that the end was near and picked up. A parade of runners now started to drip down the track, most wishing me encouragement by name as I climbed the last 100 metres.

A few more finishing shots were being set-up as I finished, so after I caught my breath I snuck away to jog down to the base.

This evening while Bob went to his triathlon swim squad I went to the gym, where I ran into Jodie on her way out. After having discounted the Spin Class as being unwise due to a painful perineum, on a whim I joined in the small group. It was a success.

Bob & I returned the rental car before heading to the special Mt Ainslie Run-Up event.
We were able to catch up with the returned Duathlon victors, Rad & Bob C., and check on the wounded Friar (household chores are far too dangerous for runners to do).

The start was uncharacteristically delayed to accommodate the photographer, with a mass start with the faster runners then doubling back for a delayed 5 minute handicap to permit the photographer to ascend the mountain in his vehicle.

I was well and truly ensconced in the first slow group, and increasingly lost touch with the other back-of-the-packers. Although I could see that the four people in front of me were walking, I kept plugging away in an attempt to run, my breathing becoming more laboured and rather noisy.

Before I had been chugging away for 11 minutes, the first 3 runners from the fast group passed me with the tiny Emily Brekinshot hot on the heels of Adrian Shepherd. Soon enough the other faster runners also passed me, leaving me without doubt at the tail end of the field.

By the stairs I knew that the end was near and picked up. A parade of runners now started to drip down the track, most wishing me encouragement by name as I climbed the last 100 metres.

A few more finishing shots were being set-up as I finished, so after I caught my breath I snuck away to jog down to the base.

This evening while Bob went to his triathlon swim squad I went to the gym, where I ran into Jodie on her way out. After having discounted the Spin Class as being unwise due to a painful perineum, on a whim I joined in the small group. It was a success.

The plan was to do my 1st 'Stretch & Tone' class at Club Pink at 9:30 am this morning. I had seen it underway when I was having my fatness (sic) assessment, and I certainly could do with more stretching!

I didn't have too bad a night, but once again upon waking at 3:30 am, I was not going get back to sleep until the sun was riz (the birdie’s were already busy chirping outside my window).

So I was a little slow in getting going, needing to fire off an email to Bob about the saga of the SLR Digital Camera we had replaced by insurance last year through their agent in Melbourne, which had failed download. Emails, phone calls and returning the SLR body as requested had failed to fix the problem.

I did manage to get to the class on time, and thorny enjoyed it. I am writing this as I am having a drink afraid in 'Cafe Pink', before doing some proper exercise on the Rowing machine and the weights. As part of my 'make the Gym a lifestyle' mindset, I plan to eke things out and pace myself.

With a compact edition of MS Word on my PDA, I plan to update my Blog more frequently and keep myself honest!

(Later . . . . )

I had a lovely time in the gym during my security shift: according to my programme, the six minutes @ the designated work level was far too short. I was surprisingly able to do each of the sets at 'correct weight'. I shunned the treadmill today; however did use the 'Cross Trainer', a low impact device which always looks a bit boring to me. Nevertheless, I did manage to get into it, keeping my cadence well above the required 65 rpm, and found my heart rate gradually rising over the 20 minutes to a maximum of 160 bpm.

Unfortunately, time was against me now, and I called it a day to shower and change before visiting Peter the PRB in hospital.

He was much better than only a few days before, and was bright eyed and doing a Suduko. He had even eaten a little at lunch, a great improvement on his poor appetite of the last week. We even made it downstairs to the not-so-exciting surroundings of 'Cafe Hoz' in the foyer for a coffee. While here we were joined by a fellow Saturday morning running group member, Beryl. I rued my current lack of form and inability to join them for the foreseeable future.

Returning to the ward as his Imed machine was on a constant 'ping', we found that his No. 1 son had also been up and had left ultrasound photos of his yet be born grandchild.

Excited by another excellent gym session, and a good day all round, I got stuck into further household chores, cleaning the fine dust from the fire which seems to coat everything; more vacuuming, and the omnipresent laundry that so bedevils my life at the moment.

The house looked (at least temporarily) clean and bright when Bob rocked up around 6:30 p.m.. We had a dinner meeting which began at 7:00 p.m., although Bob thought it unlikely that he would return in time. One of the most pleasant meetings was had by this little duck, with no time to do anything else than go to bed.

Tomorrow Bob shall return to Swim Squad, and I will go down to the gym at that time. I'll just need to be organised and have his dinner ready to zap in the microwave when we get home after 9:00 p.m..

The mind is willing, but the flesh is weak.

After a few games of telephone tag, I managed to read much of the weekend papers before collecting Aki in 'Lemon Peel' and heading over to the ACT Cross Country Run at Dunrossil Drive, the entrance road to the Governor Generals residence. We thought that we had arrived in plenty of time, only to discover that the Girl's Race (who organised this??) was already underway, with the Men's run to start at the designated 1:00 pm start time.

Wombatface / Ewan was there at registration which was a pleasant surprise, so we had our names ticked off and undertook to run with the blokes. It was only 4.2km, so I was confident that there would be some 'slow old blokes' to run with at the back.

As it turned out, quite a few women started with us, however the slow old blokes must have been hibernating, or, more likely, that are not nearly as slow as I remember!! The course is simple to follow, along the grass verge of the roadway, heading downhill for around a kilometre before crossing to the other side and then running distinctly uphill for the next kilometre.

Before I had completed my first lap, a grey swoosh! flashed past and crossed the finish in 11:49. A new course record, I'm sure Marty Dent would have preferred to win the City to Surf last weekend than the cup that was on offer today. I never expected to be lapped!

There had been one other woman in front of me I had hopes of gaining upon, however she drew further away on the ascents. A fellow started to appear, stopping to walk for stretches in which I would get closer and closer, however by gurgling breath must have scared him off, as I never quite caught up and he managed to finish well in front.

Last in the rather smaller, select field of the Black Mtn Run-Up on Tuesday and last again today in a somewhat broader field. Oh well, as I said to someone who asked, I'd prefer to do it like this than not do it at all (which is probably a close call).

I dropped home RP, whose car was up in Brisbane where he was working on assignment, and then popped home to change and make up some sandwiches for Aki. Not much in the fridge, but home made grainy rolls, pesto, grilled tofu and tomato would have to do.

On returning to Dunrossil Drive where Aki and Ewan had gone for a run around the golf course, we headed over to the hospital to visit the PRB again. He is immensely better than when we saw him post op, and reluctantly left as his sister from Victoria arrived. Aki and I then dropped in to her favourite Coffee House near her home on the way home, and I picked up 4kgs of salt for my frequent sitz baths.

Driving home I realised that I wouldn't worry about the Vets Handicap at Urambi Hills tomorrow. I was very tired and needed to sleep. If I didn't have to worry about having to wake up, I might sleep better.

After the usual last minute delays, Bob managed to leave on his drive to Melbourne, bike in the car and blisters popped and betadined. I caught the bus into Civic, getting there an hour before the Customs run, and fortified myself with a takeaway coffee from Kaldo in the NAB foyer at London Circuit.

The ladies toilets were being painted, so Rick acted as Cockatoo as I dashed into the men's, before starting early. My handicap of 10:00 minutes would have me finishing at the back of the pack (which is OK), but as I had many of my worldy (or at least technological) chattels with me, I didn't want to leave things unaccompanied for too long.

I ran hard, however my breathing was much better today, and I fought hard against the strong westerly that blew from the lake around Acton. My halfway willow tree split indicated a slower time than last week when I was being paced by Nigel, but I picked it up and continued to work. No tape to duck under today, I sprinted to the finish all on my own-some, oblivious to how silly it might seem to the busloads of school children who may have observed.

I finished in 28:15, a tad slower, but I felt a bit better and the conditions were not as good as last week.

Heart Rate
Low 77 bpm
Average 154 bpm
Max 188 bpm.



Speedy Geoff kindly let me put my gear in his car boot, and we did a Duck paced warm down clockwise around Central Basin. He insisted that he didn't mind going so slow, but I find that very hard to believe! After cleaning up and getting changed at Regatta Point I walked across to the Budget Rental Car depot at Rydges Lakeside, however not until I spent a stressful time fending off two pairs of typically aggressive Plovers who must have nested in the grasslands in the median and near Parkes Way. Plovers are bad news!!

After some delay, I picked up a canary yellow Hyundi Getz, a basic, but perfectly acceptable little runabout to brighten up my weekend while Bob was giving the new car a run down to Melbourne.

It got lots of use as Aki and I visited the PRB in Canberra Hospital, had a coffee and then searched for an acceptable Laksa (I opted for the lower fat, healthier Pho Tai) for dinner.

Feel particularly enthused by the added run with Geoff this afternoon, so plan to go to the Cross Country tomorrow.

Black Mountain Run-Up shouldn't present too many problems, after all, I didn't do the City to Surf and it's only 2.6km right?

Uh, Dummy, don't you remember how bad you are at running at the moment?

I was quite confused beforehand, although living a tad over 5kms from the start by foot over the trails of Black Mountain, I drove and allowed plenty of time. The increasingly impressive engineering works at the corner of Caswell Drive and Belconnen Way led to long delays, but I still had plenty up my sleeve. In a pique of dissociative amnesia, I turned off the road into Dryandra Street, vasilated, then turned right before I was headed out of way of everything.

After a U-turn, I crossed under Barry Drive and onto Frith Road before realising I was completely in the wrong place. Doh! No time to back-track to Clunies Ross Drive, I dumped the car at the the corner and jogged down the track to the start of the run. I was going to be late, but as I continued down the path thought that I would tack onto the back of the group coming up, figuring that my warm up down would at least equal the distance and difficulty of running from the start.

Later than the designated starting time, I could see the massed runners on the footpath starting line, and them start running at a 'Go'. I was closer than I imagined, and although the speedy guys raced past on the southern side, I tucked in to where Friar was, and he advised me that he had been running for 44 seconds.




It was very pleasant to run with him, however before the 1km mark was reached (and where the incline was still only very gradual), I dropped further and further behind until I was well off his pace. Once the incline started to steepen, I found it a real struggle, and was wheezing and struggling with my breath, while a tightness in my calves indicated a weekend of long, hard, tough mountain running that was only in my dreams.

I reluctantly walked most of the way up the concrete summit trail, and would have DNF'ed and not continued to the summit if I wasn't last and thought that John and Friar wouldn't be waiting at the top for me. I plugged on.

Eventually I made it to the top in 24:50, a significant PW, and indicative of my regression;

1. 15/08/2006 Black Mountain, ACT (2.6k) 24:50 9:33
2. 18/07/2006 Black Mountain, ACT (2.6k) 23:19 8:58
3. 20/06/2006 Black Mountain, ACT (2.6k) 22:17 8:34
4. 16/05/2006 Black Mountain, ACT (2.6k) 20:47 7:59

After I started to breathe again, Friar and I first walked, and then jogged down to my car. Jogging downhill and on the flat section of trail, I actually enjoyed the run and couldn't believe how bad I had felt on the ascent.

Decided it would be best to give the BBQ Stakes a miss tomorrow, and go to the gym instead.

I'm currently going through the clothes from my wardrobe and culling out the "I'll fit in these soon" favourites from their valuable hanger space to a high shelf. I am not tossing out my DKNY Size 2 Jeans (No Aki, I didn't get you to try on these, those were size 8), for my weight is notoriously unstable swinging from a dangerously low 42kgs to my current elephantine 77kgs seemingly at will. I would like it to stabilise (like it so often does) in the low-mid 50's again.

Going to the wardrobe full of fat clothes, middling clothes and skinny clothes, and still having nothing that fits me is unnecessarily depressing. So, I will keep some clothes (bottoms!) hanging that might fit me again in the not-too-distant-future, but banish from view my favourites (and best quality) stuff. It will be nice to look forward to fitting into them again.

My fitness programme at the gym this morning was really positive, despite the confirmation of my 'Overfat' status. I was surprisingly strong, both in my upper body and in my legs, so I will look to hold on to that. My mysteriously vacillating blood pressure (hypotension one month, medication for hypertension the next) was on the hypertensive side, and three readings managed to score one which snuck under the borderline for being banned from activity without a medical clearance.

My programme was drawn up by a kindred spirit, still sore from the city to surf on the weekend, she seemed to understand my goals and the need to take it easy sometimes, and easy fatigability.

I'm Fat.

Not just overweight, not just unfit, but great, big and FAT!

Why this has happened is 'just the usual' I suppose, too much food, and not enough exercise. OK, so the not enough exercise is largely due to (an unrelated) health condition, but I'm at my wits end.

So what am I going to do about it?

There was a gym membership promotion this weekend at Club Lime / Club Pink, down at the CISAC pool at Belconnen. I took not of the ad in the newspaper on Friday, but didn't think too much of it.

Friday - a depressing nightmare. I won't go into the gory details, but worked very hard during the 5k run on the Customs course, my heart rate averaging over 154 bpm, and finding breathing tough, even though I enjoyed chatting and running with NC as we both left early. He cruised, I gave it everything, and managed a measly 28:11.

I had to hot foot it home to shower, and then slept until early evening.

Saturday I awoke with a shocking sinus headache, meaning more time in bed, best when asleep, to ease the pain that was crushing my face in it's vice. The fire went out overnight and wasn't re-lit all day, I wasn't well.

Sunday - after another straight 12 hours sleep, I managed to almost wake up in time to catch the start of the City to Surf. Best of all, my head was clear and I wasn't feeling too shabby. Household chores took up the morning, while I was keeping a close eye on the Cool Running website to see what news there might be on the City to Surf, the Yeppoon Half IM, and the Gold Coast 24 & 48 hour track races. While I was there, I gave my two cents worth to newer runners seeking advice on a very quiet board.

I did feel like a hypocrite without being able to explain!

Without word on how Aki or Bob went, I diverted the phone and headed out, destination unknown, just to get out of the house during this nice weather. I ended up at Woden Plaza, and was uncharacteristically bewitched by the displays of new season (summer) dresses. With my rapidly ballooning body, I can only fit into one pair of black trousers and some running gear. I'm really sick of it, and the waistbands are getting tighter, not looser.

I tried on a few things, however this just made me very, very, very depressed. Spoke to Bob briefly, and he seemed quite happy with his race. Wandered a bit, with one pair of slacks being possible, but that was that.

Headed over to Belconnen to check out Club Pink. Hey, I have wardrobes full of clothes I love, and I don't want to buy fat clothes. Dressing Room mirrors are very unsympathetic as well.

It was pretty busy, and I had it in mind that Run2Eat did spin sessions there. Nothing of a Girly Girl, I must admit I got good vibes, and was getting desperate. Comparing lots of apples and oranges I did bite the bullet and join. I look forward to some gentle swimming, and getting some more advice on weight training.

So - I have avoided stepping on the scales as I am getting fatter and fatter, but I am booked in for a fitness assessment tomorrow morning at 9:15am. No turning back now.

I do know that this will seem very hypocritical (No. 2) to Aki, who I dissuaded from joining a local gym only a week or two ago. I hope that she understands.

So, lets hope that this helps me to jump-start something.

Fingers crossed xxxxx

Today Bob and I picked up our Niece Madelyn once more for the day, also collecting her elder brother Sam this time to drop at school (many, many kilometres away!) at the same time.

That done, we drove to Deek's Dunny (at the corner of the barren waste ground that is now at the corner of the Cotter and Uriarra Roads), where Bob changed out of his tracksuit and ran the 11km home along the good dirt trails through the re emerging Stromlo Forest and the Cork Oak Plantation.

Maddy and I then headed into Civic, and to the transition area at the end of Anzac Parade at 'Gallipoli Reach'. Last week we had headed towards the tunnel play area (that Aki and I discovered and played in last year), however the joys of outdoor sculptures en route meant that we didn't quite get that far. This time we did, and it was a treat for both of us!

After over an hour of climbing up, down, through and down, we reluctantly had to leave to meet 'Uncle Rob' at home and take him to the airport. I was wearing Sports Gear today, although was unlikely to get out for a run - this was a calculated plan as I both plan and want to be as active and 'sporty' with my 2 year old giant, and planned to do lots of running, swinging and crawling around. It was a good move!

Our walk back to the car was necessarily delayed by more great things to climb on, a man made creek to cross by jumping on rocks, and the discovery of a security pass on a hidden track. A phone call to the agency's number on the back didn't bring me any joy then and there, so I followed it up at home where I grabbed some fruit for Maddy, and helped Rob on his way. Fortunately, the pass holder worked at the Airport Business Park, so with her mobile number at hand I could kill two birds with one stone.

The three of us had a drink together before loading on the plane, and then spent a goodly length of time curled up in the window of the airport, waving to the 'nice men who were driving the aeroplanes' looking at the luggage being loaded, and watching plane big and small landing and taking off. It was a good day, with a much loved cheese and tomato sandwich in a cafe before going home for a sleep.

Unfortunately, Bob and I will be in Melbourne next week for the Australian Duathlon Championships, so no play date for Carolyne. There's always the weekend after though, and lots of parks and playgrounds to explore.

I was full of Joie de Vivre on Sunday morning, looking forward to a pleasant, controlled trot around Telopea Park thirteen times under the peaceful eyes of the Canberra Sri Chinmoy team. I arrived early, to find that the early start would not be operating this year as times were being entered into the computer, instead of there being lap counters this year. Although I had had no coffee, I was pleased about the extra time to race to the toilets in the park when I would have been running.

Bob cruised up on his bike for the run, and Aki made it in time for the start despite an inauspicious morning waking up late. The conditions were gorgeous, still requiring gloves and warm gear at the start, although there was a very welcome moments silence at the beginning in the Sri Chinmoy fashion.

Self Seeded at the back, I was soon keeping the marvelous Rad and Val company as others shot off into the distance. Bob was attired in his new Orange Nike Dri-Fit T-shirt, so I could easily keep an eye of him as he trotted around the loop course. On the first lap I saw Aki close on his heels and was horrified that she may have gone out way too fast and would regret it. She looked good and was running comfortably though.

Onto the second lap I could still feel the sharp pangs of groin pain that always hits me when I start running, but which may settle down a bit with a controlled, steady, slow pace. I was sticking to my end of the bargain ~ I was slow and steady, but the sharp pain continued to bite. I ran through the second and third laps, being lapped by the lead runners early, then the still so speedy gang of three M55's (Des Brown, Peter Clarke and Paul Archer), and as I came along my final straight on the eastern side of the course, by a very focused Aki who had tossed her jacket and gloves away at transition and was looking so focused I'm sure that she didn't even see me!

[to be continued . . .]

Friar was on the ABC News last night, racing away in the Customs run yesterday as an appropriate visual to illustrate the Griffin Plan. Unfortunately, I missed it as I was in the kitchen preparing dinner, however I did see Marco at the end of the story running around Regatta Point.

I was unable to run Customs yesterday, as I was in charge of our little niece Madelyn, and we both held the watch, after a simple picnic lunch in the pavilion with a couple of friendly honking black swans.

I plan to do the Sri Chinmoy event tomorrow, and my slowest ever half by a long way. The hills seem to be particularly tortuous, so I will welcome seeing how I cope with the flat, and somewhat boring 13 lap course of Telopea Park. Unlike most previous events from memory, the weather conditions tomorrow look perfect. Instead of sleet and snow, -1C to 15C degrees with clear blue skies is ideal for a 9:00 am start.

Bob is just settling in to riding his beautiful new bike . . . . .