X Rays and Ray's Ex

An actioned-packed week. X-rays and CT scans to finally reveal bulging disc in C5/6. In common language, a sore neck which also radiated to tingling fingers. Not really painful, just annoying. So then it was back to the chiro for some manipulation over the next few weeks. And plenty of neck exercises, plus commonsense stuff: don't slouch, think about posture generally. I guess we all hear this but it never really sinks in until action is required.

Running continued although without the same level of enthusiasm, at least until Thursday when the CT scan results came through. Work colleagues were supportive: "great news you're not having a stroke". Glad they have a morbid sense of humour. That one didn't occur to me...

So this week
Mon 6am 8k Clean Streets
Tue 6am 10k Clean Streets
Wed 6am 10k new course through The Ponds (new suburb)
Thur 6am 8k Clean Streets
Fri 6am 10k Clean Streets; weights BLC at lunchtime

Boring so far? Not really. I like the early morning run, before it gets too humid and too hot. Unfortunately so does Louie The Fly and his mates. It seems no matter how much Off I spray on, they don't comply.

Sat 7:45am 12k through Beaumont Hills and the new road into and around Rouse Hill Town Centre. I'm looking forward to Stage Two opening in March, as there will be further trails and scenery in general to explore. A good course to end up at Rouse Hill Centenary Park for sprint training.
Weights BLC in afternoon (then lawn mowing, then Bundy Dark n Stormy).

Today was St Mary's 8k Fun Run. As I headed there at 7:45am, I saw Go Girl who was finishing a 30k training run. Great training Nat!

The course was indeed flat, and good for fast times. A Woodstock Runner - Thalia - ran with me all the way and we finished in 38:17/38:18 (ladies first). Thanks Thalia, you paced me well and ensured an honest run.
I'll be back next year - it was well organised, well marshalled, nice community feel and great value at $10 on the day.
An extra bonus was bumping into Jenny, my Uni girlfriend's sister. I hadn't seen her or her husband for 15 years, so it was great to catch up on all the news and see how ex GF was. Jenny herself ran very well as did her daughter.

Off to Melbourne for a few days this coming week, so I plan to do two runs from South Yarra down to and around The Tan, about 10k each. Maybe with a bit of Yarra Path included (it's such a great spot, and perfect weather to run, early mornings this time of year)...

Torpid is how I would describe politics.The fact that we have completed two weeks of the Federal Election campaign is one thing, but the realisation that there is twice as much time left to run ensures one's body is permeated with ennui.
Still, plenty to amuse the avid surfer. My vote this week goes to Happy Joe Happy for his memorable line
"our fear campaign is based on fact"
This is special, and pure gold in my book.
Faced with this obsession about % of ex-union front benchers, I wonder if we could ask Honest John about his team. Do lawyers really represent 20% of the Australian workforce?
Perhaps they need a better representative sample. Maybe include an overseas-trained GP, a Tampa survivor, three people on AWA's and Paul Mcloughlin.

By the way, the PM has a message for all of us: a Liberal Party ad should only be held accountable for its content if it's been aired at least three times. Better start counting...

Abusus non tollit usum

"Exit, stage left"

Wait a sec, that's a PB

Yesterday saw a 12k easy run around Easy Streets in humid conditions, followed by weights in the afternoon.

Today was SMC #2. I went along with netball colleague Joe. 10k for me, 5k for him.

Talk about averaging out.

His target: 20 min flat. His result: 20:01. Still a great effort and placed 10/38.

I was hoping to beat 50 min, with last month's race 49:37 (23/47). My result?

49:36 (29/69)

Statistically, it's hard to comprehend how one second can affect a person's psyche. I was elated, Joe initially disappointed, although soon afterwards he realised it was a great run and he would easily crack it next time, knowing the terrain now and planning his assault.

Today was much hotter than last month, and it was more focused as unfortunately this time I didn't have Tesso for company. Still, saw many of the regular CR's including Johnny Dark looking strong in the half, and Hills Aths who backed up after a late night following the Nick Cave concert for a 20:57 in the 5k. Go Girl did the 10k, and finished in 47:20 so another strong run from Nat.
Until today, I hadn't met Bernie, but she ran well to finish just behind me. Speaking with her afterwards, it was even more impressive when I found out she was backing up from Fitzroy Falls last weekend...

Cooled down then back home for a chat and Gatorade with Joe before the family went for a BBQ to harbourside Neutral Bay complete with pool and terrific view. I'll bottle that day...

"Exit, stage left"

Holiday virus drove me crazy

It's been 22 days, 15 runs and 155k since my last post.

What's happened?

Well, we've holidayed on the FNC, staying at Coffs Harbour, Casuarina, Ballina and Hallidays Point. All up, just over 2,000k driving and progressively getting worse with some sort of virus. It would be fair to say that put a dampener on my enjoyment, although I still managed a few decent runs.

The holiday merry-makers were me, Mrs BB, YD, Son. Naturally ED avoided the ignominy of a family holiday. Our accommodation at Coffs provided scenic views along with complementary breakfast, which Son attacked with gusto.

Casuarina was interesting, with a noticeable similarity in intent to Cabarita here in Sydney. It's the sort of area that is pretty, expensive and a little sterile. Certainly the houses are unusually designed.Here's ours:

With three bedrooms, air con and a lap pool, it had all the comforts. Just looked weird. Good views from the top deck, which would have been an ideal BBQ location however not with the moths that frequent it. My dad called in on his return journey from Melbourne; I am now the proud owner of a limited edition Myanmar Hash House Harriers t shirt. Just the thing for those Burmese riots discussions.

We did Movie World and Sea World, then headed to Ballina for a couple of days. Yes, it's still the place to move to...

An overnight at Hallidays Point (Tallwoods Golf resort)

provided a break before returning home and back to work.

Memorable runs included the bike path from Casuarina to Kingscliff, next to the ocean; and Ballina: North Creek, Lighthouse, Prospect Lake, beaches: just brilliant for running (and living) .

Having called into the GP a couple of times since returning, I now know that I had a virus but it didn't have the decency to hit my chest, nose, throat or head. Just feeling run down and congested. So it's back to normal now and focusing on running.

Two M7 lunchtime runs this week: 8k Monday in 30 degrees, which was pretty stupid, and 10k Wednesday with NTR, which was great company. Just didn't feel up to the Hills 3k after that, but am ready for the SMC 10k Sunday. My netball colleague Joe and I will be heading out there; Joe will be doing the 5k and hoping for a sub 20 min performance. I'll be happy just to do around 50 min for the 10k. The forecast is for 35 degrees sometime that day, so it could be a warm run... Hoping to do the St Marys 8k the following Sunday.

Plenty of excitement now that the Federal Election campaign is underway. This is the 14th I've taken an active interest in, ever since I was a very young lad. I remember the excitement of It's Time in 72, The Dismissal in 75, the Hawke sweeping victory of 83. Maybe I'm getting old. All recent ones have lacked excitement, although Latham managed to successfully generate ill will from me. It's all about luck isn't it? Just ask Menzies. You can hold onto power for many reasons, but if you face ineffectual opposition leadership, you stand a better chance. This time, I think it might be a Dear John letter to dear John.

The only thing I have found amazing so far is this. Murdoch muzzled? The world is indeed bizarro!

Extinctus amabitur idem

"Exit, stage left"