Stunning - Eastside Coastal Run.

Smaller team out this morning and thank God for the likes of Corky O’Conner and HuRTS #1 female Renee who at least added a bit of class and  conversation to the run otherwise it was only Enda, Pommy Birchy and the softly spoken Nick (Enda’s Irish mate) out on a stunning morning. No sign of C.T (running Manly Dam), Craig (counting his Scottish money he found  from last week). Sonya still injured, Barts back running with the Pittwater Road fumes and even Jeet who couldn’t make it due to overdoing it last night with TWO Gin & Tonics.

Started with the easy 5k section of the 10k loop we do before heading down into Coogee,  around Cloey Beach  and taking in all the sights following the Coastal track. A quick regroup once through the cemetery and then the big climb out from Bronte. Surprised how much easier the hills are feeling and with Enda covering every move on my shoulder  smiling away it was soon out the way. Dropped back into  Queens Park before returning to Centennial, fare welled Enda and Corky at this point but with only 18k on the clock Birchy and myself took in another 5 for the day to record a decent 23 for the morning and 1hr.50 mins in total. No GPS watch again- still in for fixing so no idea of pace.

Still a little down on mileage to be honest but happy with that – 23ks and feeling pretty good doing it, unlike this time last year where I was gone and getting dropped after about 9ks. All helped by doing plenty of hills that is surely building some good strength along the way?

Only January but the team has kicked off the year strongly, Corky is ahead of the pack running strong as a few of the other girls are battling injuries, Birchy is regularly clocking over 85k weeks, and hate to say it but even Enda is getting it all back and even though I’ve trained right through I’m thinking that the 2 mins start for the first Striders 10k could come down to a few seconds either way ?

Mixed with the beautiful people of Double Bay after when Birchy shouted the mornings coffee’s – nothing like adding a couple of ‘Northern Monkey’s’ in the mix to bring the standard down J

Supposed to be even more cultured this afternoon with a day at the Opera, not sure it’s my go to be honest BUT Birchy has really taken to it, Not seen at training all week, preferring to set up his little tent front and centre in the Domain to get the best views and booked himself in to see his favorite hair stylist Rupert to mark the occasion.

Rest day tomorrow, but may swim at lunch with the lads.

Cheers