A slacker writes...

Yes I have been a slacker and haven't posted for a little while but I have been busy....Honest.

Let me go back a few days...

TUESDAY 20th of DECEMBER

Tuesday morning Oscar and I went for our 10k run. We waited till after the kids went to school at 9am and set off. It was a little hotter than I would have liked and after 5k's I was soon feeling the effects. I was reduced to a walk and I knew then that I was stuffed. I ran on a little then walked some more and so on and so on. We called our run off early and headed home. Only ran/walked 8 kilometers and I was very disappointed.

SATURDAY 24th of DECEMBER

This past week since Tuesday I have been exhausted. I'm not too sure if it was due to my bad run on Tuesday or the return to afternoon shifts at work. I have been so tired even to the point of needing afternoon naps before going to work. I haven't run at all this week until Saturday morning.

I woke early feeling fresher and we set off about 7am. It was a good 10k run and I arrived home in record time of 52 minutes. I think I just pushed myself too hard in the same week as returning to work.

SUNDAY 25th of DECEMBER

Christmas Day and I didn't get a run in. The kids woke us at 6am and the day didn't stop. The family and I went to the in-laws place in Ocean Grove. I can hear you all groaning now but don't despair, my in-laws are pretty decent people.

I drove home that evening as I had to start at 10am Monday. Narre Warren to Ocean Grove and return is 300k's. I'm glad I was in the car and not running it.

TUESDAY 27th of DECEMBER

Oscar and I run 10ks today. It was a good cleansing run after the excess of Christmas. Completed in around 55 minutes.

I was on standby with the fire brigade this afternoon. We ended up going to a three story high pile of chook poo that had ignited with the heat. Spent about 5 hours at that fire just protecting assets. The poo didn't smell as bad as I thought it would.

THURSDAY 29th of DECEMBER (TODAY)

I finally bought my new runners today. I bought a pair of Asics Kayanos XII. After checking out different prices, colours and deals I purchased them from Action World in Fountain Gate. For $216.95 with a pair of Kayano socks thrown in I thought it was a pretty good deal. Nearly bought them from Rebel but they just didn't have them in my size 13 hoof.

After shopping I had to go to work but as soon as I got home Oscar and I took the new runners for a short 5k spin. They feel lighter and bouncier than my Nike Air Peagsus. I don't know about the so called fancy $30 socks but it did feel good to have my ankles exposed with the low cut socks. I am looking forward to doing a few more k's in the Kayano's.

Back to work tomorrow

Today is my last day of four weeks leave. I go back to train driving tomorrow night. I have enjoyed these holidays. The trip away in the middle sure makes a difference to normally sitting around home.

Oscar and I did our 10k's this morning. The weather was a poorer than normal with a little rain. I haven't run in the rain before and it was refreshing. Completed my 10k course with a personal best of 52:15.

There was a large grass and scrub fire in Frankston yesterday. My brigade was moved up to Frankston to cover their area. We stayed there for about 2 hours with our pumper, only turning out once to powerlines down. In the end not very exciting but a change from the ordinary.

Shoe shopping.

I took a days rest then went for 10k again. Blister felt a lot better, I ran home in 53 minutes.

I have been looking at new runners. In particular the Asics Kayano. Rebel have the XI for $200 and XII for $250. I tried them both on and was very impressed. So much lighter than my current Nike Air Peagsus.

I looked around for the best price. I know the guy selling shoes from the back of his car at the Shopping Centre will do the XI's for $170 but I am wary of his reliability. Besides Foot Locker has a 20% off sale at the moment, making the XII's just under $200. If Rebel will come to the party and beat them by 10% I figure I could buy the current Kayano's at $180!

I think I will give it a bit more time. I am a larger guy and have heard that the Brooks Beast would suit me as well. And at the rate money is being spent around here with Christmas shopping I may wait till the January sales to be more financial. I'm sure my trusty Nike's will see out the year.

My 1st blister

Yes I know not a very pleasant title to a post but I did get a blister on my foot while running so I thought I would share.

Oscar and I where out on our regular 10k run when about half way I felt what I thought was a stone in my runner. We stopped to inspect the shoe but found nothing. I continued running but the discomfort become pain and I was forced to walk/shuffle 4k home. After getting home I had a closer look at the sole of my foot and found my first blister. I think I may have picked up a little gravel on my run which has caused it, or maybe my pair of Nike Air Peagus may be starting to wear out.

When I started running around July I needed some better runners than my worn out, Kmart cheapies. My wife was a little skeptical about me continuing running so we didn't want to invest too much money on shoes. Rebel had a sale on and the Nike Air Peagus was good starting out value for $80. So far they have served me very well. But after a couple hundred kilometers they are starting to show a bit of wear.

A guy has set up in the main foyer of our local Shopping Centre selling assorted runners. He has Asics Kanyano XI for $170. From what I have read on www.coolrunning.com.au they seem to be a pretty good shoe. I may do some more research before making a decision.

Going to rest the blister a day before running again.

Running on the Gold Coast

Hi all. We arrived back home on Thursday after a long 2 day drive in the car (reminder not to drive to Queensland again!) and even though our holiday was fun it was good to be back home.

On the Gold Coast we stayed at Miami, about 5/6 kilometers south of Surfers Paradise. We had a fantastic resort, the Grande Florida, and I highly recommend it. With beachside access it was a great place to run from.

On the Thursday after our arrival I set off early for a run and was rather surprised at the amount of people out running, walking and bike riding at 6am! Most were walking with a few on bikes and even less running. I figured with the humidity the smarter thing to do would be to walk. But since I have started running I haven't been known for being too smart hehe. I set off on my normal run/jog pace and followed a pathway north for around 25 mins, I then turned around and ran back to the resort. At my regular speed I estimated that to be approximately 10 kilometers. The air felt heavier than what I am used to so by the time I got back I was fairly stuffed. Jumping straight into a pool to cool off was bliss.

The next day I headed south for 15 minutes then returned home. South bound was a bit more interesting with a hill over the South Nobby Head and steps to climb. The crowds were out again in the early morning.

Saturday morning I again headed south but the scene was a bit more somber. There was a surf lifesaving helicopter hovering low over the coast near the South Nobby Head with numerous lifesaving watercraft in the water obviously looking for something. The crowds were out again, this time for a stickybeak and I found out later that a young Victorian man on his end of school trip had drowned in the surf the evening before. I ran 15 minutes down the coast then returned with my thoughts with the teenager and his family.

Sunday and I ended up walking 15 minutes south then returning as it was warming up quite early. The search was still continuing but it seemed to have been scaled back considerably.

Monday I ran south aiming to do 25 minutes then returning but at around 20 minutes I found the Burleigh Head National Park. There was a trial through the forest that looped back on itself. It added and extra 5 minutes to my time but the park was well worth it.

Hamish Sorensen's body was found Monday morning at 8am. At only 18 it is such a tragic loss of life. My condolences go out to his friends and family.

Tuesday I ran down to Burleigh Head Park again. Such a pleasant place for a run with the shaded trials. It is an asset to the area.

Wednesday morning we left early for the long drive home (with a lay-over in Forbes).

That was my week away. The wife thinks I am nuts for running most days of our trip but I really enjoyed it.

I gave myself a day to recover from the drive then Oscar (who stayed with friends) and I went on our local 10 kilometer run this morning. Completed in 57 minutes it was a little slower than normal but something to improve on.