Chicken Pox. The Sequel.

I still haven't got chicken pox but my other kid, Ben, has.

Thank goodness I only have two kids.

With school holidays starting today it is perfect timing (ggrrr). I'm just hoping now that he will be better in time for all the Christmas and family activities next week.

I had planned on a 7 to 8km run today with the kids following me on their bikes but that is now out of the question. Hopefully I will have time when Sal gets home from work at midday. I prefer morning running over afternoons though. It is hard to get the motivation going when the day is half through.

Yesterday morning my dog Oscar and I had another short run. We got out before the afternoons intense heat and completed 6.1kms in 0:30:41. A little warm conditions with lots of smoke haze around it was very satisfying to get back home.

Motionbased details can be found here.

I'm back

Some of you may know Victoria is currently in the grip of a bushfire crisis.

As part of my volunteer firefighter duties I have spent the past 3 days in a small, Gippsland town called Briagolong.

While in Briagolong I was tasked to Strike Team 0805. A group of six, four wheel drive vehicles made up of a Nissan Patrol "Strike Team leader" and 5 Landcruiser ute type appliances. The Landrcruisers had small 'bolt on, bolt off' water tanks and pumps and are therefore called "Slip-ons". We were involved in containment line building and backburning.

A picture tells 1000 words so without boring you further with all the dirty, dusty details I will post some pics taken from the trip.

Sleeping accomdations at "Camp Krusty". Briagolong Staging Area.

A healthy breakfast (NOT!).

7am briefing.

My crew partner Micheal, dousing out a hotspot.

Filling the water tanks.

My appliance Upper Beaconsfield Slip-on.

Starting a backburn.

Dusty roads.

The author having fun.

Where is the shower?

After eating like a pig while away and the lack of running leading up to this weekend I have been feeling very bloated and FAT. I have avoided the scales for the last couple of weeks as I didn't really want to know how bad the damage was. So it was with great treperdation that I weighed myself this morning. A little shocked the scales hit 99 kilos! It was time for a run.

To start the path of rediscovery my dog Oscar and I set out for a 5km loop around the local area. We completed the 5.1km distance in 0:24:52 and both of us were very puffed.

Further Motionbased details can be found here.

Chicken Pox

No. I haven't got chicken pox but my daughter Lucy, has.

She broke out in spots after school last Friday and the doctor has said she will have to stay home for at least 5 days.

As my wife Sal works mornings and I work afternoons looking after Lucy during school hours has thankfully not caused many problems. The only hassle is that with the heat wave on the weekend, and Lucy's condition keeping me housebound, I haven't been out for a run since my last post.

Isn't it strange that when you are unable to run is the times when you miss running the most? (That made sense in my head but reading it in print?? I don't know?)

The continuing bushfire situation and high temperature kept the CFA busy for the past weekend.

As mentioned earlier the temp gauge got pretty high. 37.8 degrees (100 Fahrenheit to some) on Saturday and a whopping 42.1 (107.7) on Sunday.

I attended a few local , small incidents including smoke alarms operating, road side cigarette butt fires and an idiot making prank emergency calls to name just a few. I also nominated to go as relief crew to the Gippsland fires but my services weren't required.

Just as well now with Lucy's chicken pox condition.

A local 12k run.

Yesterday instead of heading out for the regular 10km circuit, I thought I would just follow the road and try something different.

There is a couple of lakes in a nearby estate that I have been thinking of exploring lately. I know how to get there by car but it is a pretty boring, straight drive. I wanted to build up some kilometers and see some new scenery at the same time so after quickly consulting street-directory.com.au I headed off in the general direction.

I ran along meandering through the local suburban streets slowly finding my way. I hadn't been in this part of town before and it was interesting looking around the area.

Patting myself on the back for my good sense of direction I stumbled on to the first, of two lakes I was looking for.


This area is known as Berwick Springs. It is made up of several man-made waterways, created by land developers to pretty up open grazing farmland, and charge top dollar for properties with 'water views'. The region is now approaching 10 years old and the local council has looked after it well. It is nicely presented and frequented by heaps of water birds, an asset to the local area.

I ran a loop of the second lake and head back to home following the main road.

All up The Garminator recorded the distance as 12.75kms. I completed it in 1:03:41 setting an average pace of 4:59 minutes per kilometre.

More details can be found on Motionbased.

The rest of the day felt really good after this run. That was until I got to work later in the evening and sat in a train cab for over an hour. I tried to walk some stairs and tightness shot up and down my right knee and outside shin. Reminding myself that I should take more time to warm up before a big run. A couple stretches while waiting for the Garmin to get a satellite lock is probably not enough (not to mention sitting at the computer, downloading data, straight after a run!).

New Blogger Beta

It is with great trepidation that I finally succumbed and switched over to the new Blogger Beta. So far it seems as it is all business as usual with a few minor changes. I am a great believer and user of spellcheckers and it seems that they have made some cool improvements.

Unfortunately I haven't a run since my last post. I am on call as a volunteer firefighter and with Victoria's current bushfire situation I'm trying to avoid being too far away from the phone or the car. I was expecting to get deployed yesterday but it didn't eventuate and I am half expecting a call sometime today.

Post Movember and the darned itchy Mo is gone.

The latest donation, and first overseas contribution came from Alphamare. With many thanks that brings my total raised to $288. Once again it is a total that far exceeded my expectations and a fantastic effort.

I was very excited to see that the Run for the Kids is on again next year. I ran this event on its inaugural race earlier this year and completed the 14.7km distance in 1:20:09. In 2007 they have changed the course around considerably for the expected 30,000 competitors and the distance is now 15.2km's. I have already paid up and registered for the run and think I am entrant #121. With my sub 50 minute 10km times lately I should be up for a preferred, blue numbered start.

Time now to go and catch up on everyone's latest postings.

Stay safe all.

Late edit: Thanks Em for your concern. I did 'get some' after the Mo came off. Don't worry about being out of line. I am very broadminded :-P