Sunday 23 September 2007

Sydney Marathon 2007

Despite being unsure about this years marathon, things went alot better than i was expecting.  The race started off pretty cold in the morning, but as soon as the clouds shifted it quickly became blisteringly hot.  I felt good running the first half of the race, no problems with the legs/feet and full of energy, but after about 30km really started to tire and began wishing i'd worn a cap to block out the sun, especially as there few trees around for shade.   The last 10 km were absolute agony, reminiscent of the horrors of my first marathon, but i managed keep going without stopping (apart from drinking at the aid stations) as I just wanted to get it over and done with.  My finishing time was 3 hours 26 minutes 32 seconds, which I'm quite proud of, and surprised of really.  I was aiming for just under 4 hours at the beginning, but decided to go at a pace that i felt ok with.   The first half i ran in 01:38:23, which was why i think i tired so much in the second which was run in a slower 01:48:09.

The winner of the Sydney marathon ran it in 2 hours 14 minutes which is an astonishingly fast time, he must have bionic legs.  (here are the full 2007 race results)

If i run the marathon again, I think i'll find it hard beating that time, it really took everything out of me;  who knows, i'll re-asses it in 6 months time. For now though I'm in agony,   walking is just so painful, my front thigh muscles feel like they have been torn out and stretched on a rack for a day or two, but it was worth it! 

Looking forward to a summer of surfing now. 

Wednesday 19 September 2007

Yarrrgghh

it's talk like pirate day today.

So bring me a noggin of rum, now, won't you, matey?

Monday 17 September 2007

Last Sunday

Fishing down at Vacluse

Naturally, I didn't catch anything. 

Been doing more surfing which i'm realoly enjoying, booking a christmas holiday in Byron Bay, reading Will Self books, avoiding facebook, and being pretty busy at work.  Off to South West Rocks with Gav and Chris next long weekend for a scuba diving trip with sharks and potentially whales (not just Chris). 

Running the Sydney Marathon this sunday which i'm not particularly looking forward too.

Monday 3 September 2007

APEC

This week Sydney is hosting the APEC summit. I'm not actually sure what the summit is about, but as 21 world leaders are going to be in the city at one time, the police army, navy seem to be involved in some enormous security operation.  There are 8ft high seclusion barriers all around the CBD, lots of men in black suits wandering around Martin Place, and over the last week or two, black hawk helicopters have been buzzing around the cbd practising for goodness knows what.  Seems like totally unnecessary overkill to me, i'm just wondering why they forgot to dig trenches and put barbed wire on the top of the fences.

Friday is the day the George Bush actually arrives, so Sydney has been given another public holiday.  Can't complain about that i guess.

Friendly 8ft barriers

Our wedding plans are progressing, a time and place has been set: 28th June next year in Drammen Norway.  Here infact, at the Spirallen.  Seems a long way off, and anyone would think we are organised.  Ha!