bluesbuffett

Sunday, August 19, 2007

"We're not worthy!"

This 10k average over any period I calculate is getting spooky. I mean, from last post, I ran 5k on the Sunday after my 25k with NTR, but I've still managed 125k in 12 runs since 04/08...

Some details:
* Sun 05 5k recovery run on legs that were shot
* Mon/Tue 06/07 8k 6am Clean Streets and freezing
* Wed 08 10k 5pm Clean Streets, more civilised
* Thur 09 10k lunchtime M7 north; weights after work
* Sat 10 12k Quakers Hill return; weights
* Sun 11 17k home/M7/Nurragingy via Western Sydney Parklands
* Mon 12 8k lunchtime Nurragingy/WSP
* Tue 13 8k 6am lean Streets freezing
* Wed 14 8k Scotchman's Creek path (Glen Waverley, Melbourne)
* Fri 16 10k lunchtime Clean Streets; weights before work
* Sat 17 21k; weights

Now, yesterday's run was special. I got to meet and run with Tesso, and I ran again with NTR (so that means there were three of us, actually four). Talk about a convergence of CR's: I even got a "go coolrunners!" from Princess Odette, who was cycling on the M7.
I met Tesso at Kings Langley shops, and we ran from there along the M7, meeting up with NTR and his son around the Quakers Hill overbridge. From there, we continued along the M7, took the Doonside exit, and went off-road. Crossing Richmond Rd and Power Rd, we took the partly-formed Western Sydney Parklands trail (which will eventually link to the M7 - even more options for NTR and Mouse) and ran through Nurragingy Reserve. From there, a bit of road navigation along Knox Rd and back to NTR's place where we left them, with Tesso and I completing the run back to the shops for stretching and a chat. All up 1 hr 55 min, so the legs are a little tired, especially after backing up for weights training yesterday.

It was great to meet the famous Tesso, run with her and also run again with NTR. Both good running companions and conversationalists (plus a special commendation to NTR's son L who kept up well on his bike). I don't know how she puts in the training she does, and of course comes up with those excellent, consistent results. Hence the Wayne's World header.

Hopefully I'll be able to catch up with Tesso again while she's in town, perhaps at the Bay where we should be picnicking next weekend. Mrs BB is keen to meet her and test her trivia knowledge. With any additional luck, NTR can swing a "work from home" day soon and join me for a lunchtime M7 run.

Musically, I've picked up on eBay a rare David Gates CD: 1994's Love Is Always Seventeen. Currently waiting in the car intray.

I'm reading Boris Akunin's latest Erast Fandorin's late-ish 19th century outing in "Special Adventures" aka "Jack Of Spades/The Decorator". Two completely different styles of novels released in one book.. The first witty and light, the second macabre. Fairly typical of Grogory Chkartishvili.

Plenty happening in the world of Australian politics this week. Loved the Costello off-the-record "he's goin' down" story, but loved even more Abbott's convoluted logic. Who's on first indeed...

Pede poena claudo.

"Exit, stage left"

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Day Time Run with NTR

Since last post, I've managed 11 runs for 123k, averaging more than usual. Statistics can be misleading, as before today I had 10 runs for 98k.

Today I ran from home to the M7, met up with NTR around the pedestrian overbridge near Quakers Rd, ran with him on a circuit that took in Lake Woodcroft, then headed back to the M7; he turned around at the railway line, and I headed back home as before. Total: 25k, 2hr 25min. Legs very tired. Unsure how he and the others managed 42k last weekend!
Still, a great run and excellent company. NTR seems like he has fully recovered from the rigours of the marathon, and hopefully we can catch up again soon to try the run to Riverstone - a modest 18k.
He may also be interested in another M7 run with some other CR's: I'm trying to set up a run to showcase the M7 to Tesso, who will be in Sydney for some weeks, enjoying R&R. I hope to get Go Girl, NTR, Princess Odette and perhaps the new chums from KR/Stanhope along.

Some highlights of the past 13 days:
* three good 10k hitouts at lunchtime along the M7
* a 10k at lunchtime through Nurragingi and Rooty Hill
* an interesting and slightly hilly 12k run from North Rocks to Epping return last Saturday while Son's coached U9 soccer team hammered the opposition 5-0
* three runs before dawn around the Clean Streets

I should add I've mixed this with the usual twice-weekly weights sessions at BLC.

Another highlight was watching the M7 Cities Marathon last Sunday, stationed at the 24k mark, cheering on the runners with Mango and SES volunteers, then down to the Stadium for the finish. Very inspiring performances from all finishers. Eagle impressed: three marathons in two weekends including the Canberra Bush Marathon the previous day.

What's happening apart from sport?

* music
Well I've managed to pick up on eBay some CD's I've been planning to get for ages eg The Shouting Stage (Joan Armatrading), ENZSO (sort of Split Enz) and Say Yes (a rare Billy Field).
As well, I've finally got Les Miserables on DVD. That's the 10 year anniversary concert performance in London featuring Phillip Quast, not the movie. Oh, and the boxed set DVD collection of Wodehouse Playhouse, featuring John Alderton and Pauline Collins from 1975.

* books
I'm currently engrossed in Amy Myers' Murder In The Queen's Boudoir, featuring chef and reluctant detective Auguste Didier. A very witty series, although this one (published 2000) is the last one so far. Amy has moved on to other protagonists and detective genres. Marcia, I highly recommend the series!

Well you can tell a Federal Election is getting closer. Fearless John is now The Action Man. In his never-ending quest to take over everything that isn't nailed down (small hospitals, Water supply) does he realise that Labor tried something similar in 1949 and got booted out of office? They wanted the banks, and it's called Nationalisation. I always thought that was a cornerstone of Socialism, but then I went to Uni a long time ago and obviously FJ has re-defined political theory. He must be worried interest rates will rise: he's now blaming the states. Anyway, it's good to know he has the ecological future of the planet sorted. I'd be interested in trawling through the Kyoto dialogue to discover his "comprehensive and realistic" action he proposed there at the time. Oh that's right, he didn't have anything other than agreeing with George Dubbya in rejecting any commitment...

Inspired, idealistic, insipid... which word best describes FJ???

Infinitus est numerus stultorum.

"Exit, stage left"