Training Log Archive: blairtrewinIn the 30 days ending Jun 30, 2020:
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Tuesday Jun 30, 2020 #
8 AM
Swimming 39:00 [2] 1.0 km (39:00 / km)
Morning swim at Northcote. Felt slow and was slow. Think I would have struggled to run this morning, so probably as well that I didn't try to do so.
Notwithstanding the cold morning, almost everybody there was in the outdoor lanes - the indoor pool is a bit too warm for comfortable lap swimming (31-32 degrees) so it's not surprising that lap swimmers (the only ones allowed at the moment) prefer the outside.
A rabbit hole I went down yesterday was the 1945 aerial map of Melbourne, my interest prompted by learning that one of my uncles grew up at a dairy on Bastings Street, about 1km west of here (meaning that there were still paddocks supporting stock here post-war). In 1945 where I am now was very much on the outer edge of suburbia - Separation Street was essentially the northern boundary. (That also applied to my old place in Heidelberg, with the suburbs stopping one block north). Few people had cars then so anything not within walking distance of a train or tram was generally pretty undeveloped.
Notwithstanding the cold morning, almost everybody there was in the outdoor lanes - the indoor pool is a bit too warm for comfortable lap swimming (31-32 degrees) so it's not surprising that lap swimmers (the only ones allowed at the moment) prefer the outside.
A rabbit hole I went down yesterday was the 1945 aerial map of Melbourne, my interest prompted by learning that one of my uncles grew up at a dairy on Bastings Street, about 1km west of here (meaning that there were still paddocks supporting stock here post-war). In 1945 where I am now was very much on the outer edge of suburbia - Separation Street was essentially the northern boundary. (That also applied to my old place in Heidelberg, with the suburbs stopping one block north). Few people had cars then so anything not within walking distance of a train or tram was generally pretty undeveloped.
Monday Jun 29, 2020 #
7 AM
Pilates 40:00 [3]
The early Monday pilates session (not followed by what would once have been the regular Monday swim, which would have been a bit chilly at this morning's 2 degrees). Seemed to be a bit more awake than last week and loosened up a bit more than I did last week. Went a bit longer than last week because I got distracted by getting into a conversation about old rainfall records (both the other person in the class and the instructor are from the country).
5 PM
Run 31:00 [3] 5.3 km (5:51 / km)
Not as much of a turnout this week (partly because the Keys are in Mildura) - just Bruce and Mason. Once again I didn't last long - my back flared up about 5 minutes in and I let the others go. Somewhat to my surprise, a minute or so of stretching was enough to settle it down and the rest of the run continued without incident (although a bit more slowly), including the hills. Also managed to clear all the Yarra Bend part of Fairfield's "streets". Reasonably happy to get this in the book after yesterday (but definitely ready for the water tomorrow).
Sunday Jun 28, 2020 #
11 AM
Run 1:21:00 [3] 14.2 km (5:42 / km)
A pretty good session on a very nice morning, stretching the longest-since-September-2018 benchmark a bit further. No hint of back trouble at any stage and a very consistent pace after the first kilometre. Starting to tire a little in the last 10 minutes, which isn't altogether surprising (will the days return when it's a regular thing to have another 40 minutes left at that point?), and certainly knew I'd done a run afterwards.
I may have long since abandoned the Banyule alphabetical challenge but others have set about running every street of their suburb, so I thought I'd take that one on too. This session dealt with everything from Station Street westwards and north of the railway line (Fairfield is quite narrow), as well as a fair bit of the northeast (which is mostly industrial). Might get into some definitional issues later on - Yarra Bend Park is Fairfield, but what is a 'street' there? (I think I'll take my cue from the Melways).
I may have long since abandoned the Banyule alphabetical challenge but others have set about running every street of their suburb, so I thought I'd take that one on too. This session dealt with everything from Station Street westwards and north of the railway line (Fairfield is quite narrow), as well as a fair bit of the northeast (which is mostly industrial). Might get into some definitional issues later on - Yarra Bend Park is Fairfield, but what is a 'street' there? (I think I'll take my cue from the Melways).
10 PM
Note
At various stages this year, a certain type of commentator has variously blamed the Chinese, Aboriginals and Muslims for the pandemic. I was wondering when we were going to get the Sudanese for the full bingo card, and Peta Credlin has delivered. (For bonus points, she referred to South Sudanese Muslims - perhaps someone should tell her that the reason there is a South Sudan in the first place was a civil war triggered by, among other things, the Muslim north wanting to impose sharia law on the Christian south).
Saturday Jun 27, 2020 #
11 AM
Run ((orienteering)) 48:00 [3] *** 5.0 km (9:36 / km)
spiked:21/24c
Would have expected that the first actual event in Victoria was something not to be missed, but thought I'd better not enter while our area was under a cloud and by the time it wasn't the entry quota was full, so instead I re-ran a 2015 event at Eaglemont Flats.
The map is a few years old, which means some of the tracks were bigger (although sometimes very muddy - a reminder of why I usually gave the Banyule Flats track a miss between June and September) and some of them no longer existed. Some of the lower river flats were also very muddy on the surface although not boggy; my guess is that these were areas which were flooded back in April and it took weeks for the floodwaters to clear from the depressions. The vegetation was also very wet even though it hasn't rained since Thursday night; must have been a very heavy dew.
Found this hard going at times and not always easy to pinpoint controls; not much fluency in the terrain parts (which seemed pretty thick). One control was unreachable in dark green which presumably wasn't there in 2015, and a bit scrappy on a few others. Better in the second half.
The map is a few years old, which means some of the tracks were bigger (although sometimes very muddy - a reminder of why I usually gave the Banyule Flats track a miss between June and September) and some of them no longer existed. Some of the lower river flats were also very muddy on the surface although not boggy; my guess is that these were areas which were flooded back in April and it took weeks for the floodwaters to clear from the depressions. The vegetation was also very wet even though it hasn't rained since Thursday night; must have been a very heavy dew.
Found this hard going at times and not always easy to pinpoint controls; not much fluency in the terrain parts (which seemed pretty thick). One control was unreachable in dark green which presumably wasn't there in 2015, and a bit scrappy on a few others. Better in the second half.
Friday Jun 26, 2020 #
8 AM
Cycling 1:01:00 [3] 22.3 km (2:44 / km)
Morning ride on the La Trobe loop. Not especially energetic for the start but got going a bit later on. Don't think I've done this one in the morning before; 17 years of being on Heidelberg Road at this time of day in the reverse direction had taught me to expect that cars going the other way would be banked back to the Tower Hotel (on a good day) or the top of the hill (on a bad day), but nothing like that today. I suspect this has more to do with the new Chandler Highway bridge (removing a notorious bottleneck) than it does with the pandemic.
(I noticed yesterday that peak hour traffic was very light in the central city, but got progressively closer to normal the further you got out into the suburbs).
At the end I spotted a notice on the fence of the house at the end of our street, which on further examination turned out to be one of these. I've normally associated such signs with the back blocks of rural Queensland and people wanting coal seam gas explorers to go away (or words to that effect); I could imagine them also being the territory of sovereign citizen types, although the inner north of Melbourne is not exactly their natural habitat.
(I noticed yesterday that peak hour traffic was very light in the central city, but got progressively closer to normal the further you got out into the suburbs).
At the end I spotted a notice on the fence of the house at the end of our street, which on further examination turned out to be one of these. I've normally associated such signs with the back blocks of rural Queensland and people wanting coal seam gas explorers to go away (or words to that effect); I could imagine them also being the territory of sovereign citizen types, although the inner north of Melbourne is not exactly their natural habitat.
Thursday Jun 25, 2020 #
8 AM
Run 42:00 [3] 7.2 km (5:50 / km)
A rare south-of-the-river run and a rare day at the office, both of which were prompted by getting my car serviced. No real issues in the injury department (going south into Port Melbourne and along the coast for a bit), but didn't feel terribly energetic, which probably owed something to having been in a meeting since 5am. Quite a few traffic stops but that was probably more plus than minus today (and got to see what's been built in the last few months, and what hasn't).
Also looks like Fairfield is in the clear as a zone of pestilence, at least for now.
Also looks like Fairfield is in the clear as a zone of pestilence, at least for now.
Wednesday Jun 24, 2020 #
Note
(injured) (rest day)
Made a couple of attempts today. The morning wasn't close, the afternoon I was almost right but not quite. Hopefully OK to do something tomorrow (if not too sleepy after the combination of OA Board meeting finishing at 10.30 tonight and IPCC meeting starting at 5 tomorrow morning).
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020 #
12 PM
Swimming 37:00 [2] 1.0 km (37:00 / km)
A novelty: my first swim since March. (The Northcote pool actually opened a couple of weeks ago but didn't tell anyone). A lunchtime session was even more of a novelty - you have to book one-hour slots and the early ones go quickly, but at lunchtime there were plenty of spots. I was wondering whether I'd have forgotten how to swim in the interim, but it turned out to be a reasonably standard session, and fits nicely in the available time. Will probably look to bring this session in once a week (assuming the place doesn't close down again, which may or may not be a good assumption).
Could have chosen their words a bit better department: the sympathetic Facebook commenter who called on Conor McKenna to "stay positive". (I'd wondered from the start whether this was a case - there have been a few - of someone turning up a positive test weeks after returning from overseas).
Could have chosen their words a bit better department: the sympathetic Facebook commenter who called on Conor McKenna to "stay positive". (I'd wondered from the start whether this was a case - there have been a few - of someone turning up a positive test weeks after returning from overseas).
Monday Jun 22, 2020 #
7 AM
Pilates 40:00 [3]
Back to the early Monday morning Pilates session, even if there's no office to go to (and won't be for a while). A new instructor this time - standing in for the regular who's on holidays for a couple of weeks - and she's from the country which means that rain (or its absence) is always a reliable source of conversation. Not a bad session on the whole.
5 PM
Run 30:00 [3] 5.0 km (6:00 / km)
The resurrection of the MFR Monday night run is a few weeks old now but this was the first one I've been able to get to. There were two (running-related) challenges for me here - a third day in a row, and a late afternoon session after sitting, which meant my back didn't feel great before I started.
The Yarra Bend meeting spot involved venturing a couple of hundred metres outside the Leper Zone (why there's a small sliver of the City of Yarra between the river and Heidelberg Road is a bit of a mystery to me), though as far as I know all of the actual cases are north of Bell Street so I'm not unduly concerned. Supposedly there was going to be a fast group and a slow group but it was immediately apparent that the slow group had a membership of one, which meant I socially distanced myself off the back of the pack quite quickly. Was pretty borderline and I stopped a couple of times to do some mobility stretches, but eventually got myself going, sort of, so I'll consider this a plus.
Got home to hear that both the Wiggles and Nickelback had sold out the arena that Donald Trump didn't.
The Yarra Bend meeting spot involved venturing a couple of hundred metres outside the Leper Zone (why there's a small sliver of the City of Yarra between the river and Heidelberg Road is a bit of a mystery to me), though as far as I know all of the actual cases are north of Bell Street so I'm not unduly concerned. Supposedly there was going to be a fast group and a slow group but it was immediately apparent that the slow group had a membership of one, which meant I socially distanced myself off the back of the pack quite quickly. Was pretty borderline and I stopped a couple of times to do some mobility stretches, but eventually got myself going, sort of, so I'll consider this a plus.
Got home to hear that both the Wiggles and Nickelback had sold out the arena that Donald Trump didn't.
Sunday Jun 21, 2020 #
11 AM
Run 1:02:00 [3] 11.0 km (5:38 / km)
Spent the longest night of the year not sleeping very much of it (note to self: don't read internet comment threads with the potential to make you angry before going to bed) but felt OK in the morning. Reasonable morning's work and first time past the hour for a few weeks, heading out west towards Merri Creek and then back across Ruckers Hill (this bit featured a small group apparently trying to find the warehouse conversion that was on Grand Designs a couple of weeks ago, although there's no indication from the street of what lies within). Settled down reasonably after the first few minutes and handled the gradual climb better than I sometimes have been, although quads were a bit sore at one stage late (a traffic stop seemed to settle them down).
Saturday Jun 20, 2020 #
12 PM
Run ((orienteering)) 47:00 [3] *** 4.7 km (10:00 / km) +215m 8:08 / km
spiked:7/7c
Training at Glenluce. Warren had resurrected a 1980 5-days course and invited people to challenge the times that Oyvin Thon and Jorgen Martensson (along with Warren himself) had done - something Aston achieved, which was particularly impressive because Glenluce has greened up a fair bit, especially in the gullies, and is in my reckoning at least 30 seconds/km slower than it was at the time of WMOC 2002 (I can't speak for 1980).
I wasn't up for 11.6km - was aiming for 45 minutes - and decided that half the course would be enough for me (conveniently it came back close to the start point). Navigating OK and a bit more fluent in the terrain than I was at Creswick, but still couldn't run much up any of the hills (although interestingly small hills were a bit easier in the terrain than on tracks). Could also read the map fine, so it must have been a lousy map bag last time and not my eyesight. Was good to get into the forest on what was a rather depressing afternoon in the outside world.
I wasn't up for 11.6km - was aiming for 45 minutes - and decided that half the course would be enough for me (conveniently it came back close to the start point). Navigating OK and a bit more fluent in the terrain than I was at Creswick, but still couldn't run much up any of the hills (although interestingly small hills were a bit easier in the terrain than on tracks). Could also read the map fine, so it must have been a lousy map bag last time and not my eyesight. Was good to get into the forest on what was a rather depressing afternoon in the outside world.
Friday Jun 19, 2020 #
8 AM
Cycling 45:00 [3] 16.4 km (2:45 / km)
First time on the Boulevard for a couple of weeks. Felt pretty reasonable, including on the hills, but pace drifted out of it a bit in the second half. Certainly no issues with excessively chilled fingers (or other body parts) this morning.
Some fencing I saw at the far end suggests that there's been a slip on the steep slope overlooking the Yarra there. The path across that slope was one of my favourite bits of track in inner Melbourne (at least when something that far away is within range for me) so hopefully it's still there.
One of the better name memes I've seen for a while: your ABC rural reporter name is the name of your youngest sibling along with the name of your nearest arterial road (Cassie Grange sort of works, I guess). I wonder what Kate Doyle or Jess Davis end up with?
Some fencing I saw at the far end suggests that there's been a slip on the steep slope overlooking the Yarra there. The path across that slope was one of my favourite bits of track in inner Melbourne (at least when something that far away is within range for me) so hopefully it's still there.
One of the better name memes I've seen for a while: your ABC rural reporter name is the name of your youngest sibling along with the name of your nearest arterial road (Cassie Grange sort of works, I guess). I wonder what Kate Doyle or Jess Davis end up with?
Thursday Jun 18, 2020 #
4 PM
Run intervals 12:00 [3] 2.0 km (6:00 / km)
First attempt at intervals since the hamstring issues: 6 x 1 minute. Felt reasonable, if a bit lacking in sharpness, on the reps themselves, but back was a bit tight on the warm-down.
There were even more dogs in All Nations in the afternoon than there are in the morning (though none caused any significant trouble).
There were even more dogs in All Nations in the afternoon than there are in the morning (though none caused any significant trouble).
Run 25:00 [3] 4.0 km (6:15 / km)
Warm-up and down. A bit of a struggle heading back but good to get a session on the board.
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020 #
7 AM
Pilates 40:00 [3]
Getting used again to the starting-in-the-dark thing (it's still a few weeks before sunrises start getting meaningfully earlier, although we're already past the earliest sunset). Seemed to go fairly smoothly and was confident enough in my hamstring to restore those parts of my program I haven't done the last few weeks, but still stiffened up enough after a day sitting down to feel not up to a run late in the day.
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020 #
5 PM
Run 33:00 [3] 5.5 km (6:00 / km)
A run which was a bit of a struggle early on (after a morning false start). Was just starting to get into it when I was confronted with a urgent need for some open public conveniences, something in short supply at the moment. Settled myself down enough to be able to get home - by then the running was going OK but ended up doing a bit less than I would have hoped for. Will chalk this down in the minor annoyances department (and at least the hamstring was OK).
Monday Jun 15, 2020 #
Note
(injured) (rest day)
Three days in a row was more than I was up to at the moment; probably didn't help that I was trying to do it in Horsham first thing (might have been better for me to do one out bush as I did yesterday; Wyperfeld would have had some nice places for it).
Wyperfeld National Park (via Rainbow) was the main target for today; mallee country with sand dunes and interesting vegetation changes - quite a nice spot. As I expected, the towns out there definitely had the sense that not much has changed out there in many years (I suspect that Rainbow is the sort of place where you'll be able to go back in 2040 and still find leftover 2020 social distancing signs). Back in Melbourne tonight.
Wyperfeld National Park (via Rainbow) was the main target for today; mallee country with sand dunes and interesting vegetation changes - quite a nice spot. As I expected, the towns out there definitely had the sense that not much has changed out there in many years (I suspect that Rainbow is the sort of place where you'll be able to go back in 2040 and still find leftover 2020 social distancing signs). Back in Melbourne tonight.
Sunday Jun 14, 2020 #
11 AM
Run 44:00 [3] 7.4 km (5:57 / km)
A run in the Little Desert NP while my parents (who are travelling with me) did a nature trail walk; the first 10 minutes along the Nhill-Harrow road and then onto a track into the park. This was quite sandy (and muddy or slippery in low-lying places) and quite hard work; my back and hamstring were basically OK to start but were starting to tire, so decided to cut short initial ambitions of an hour; still my longest since the hamstring issues (and first back-to-back days).
Also featuring today were Mount Arapiles (looking magnificent from below in the morning light, although a bit too misty for expansive views from the top), and a number of well-decorated silos, notably at Sheep Hills (which has no hills and, at least at present, no sheep). Also lots of very quiet small to mid-sized towns on a Sunday, with Nhill without most of its usual highway traffic given that it's just about the end of the practical road at the moment, unless you're a truck.
(Central Nhill, like central Innisfail and central Napier, has lots of buildings of about the same age - circa 1900 in Nhill's case - and for the same reason of having been flattened by a natural disaster. For Nhill it was being the most prominent victim of probably Australia's most significant tornado outbreak, in November 1897).
Also featuring today were Mount Arapiles (looking magnificent from below in the morning light, although a bit too misty for expansive views from the top), and a number of well-decorated silos, notably at Sheep Hills (which has no hills and, at least at present, no sheep). Also lots of very quiet small to mid-sized towns on a Sunday, with Nhill without most of its usual highway traffic given that it's just about the end of the practical road at the moment, unless you're a truck.
(Central Nhill, like central Innisfail and central Napier, has lots of buildings of about the same age - circa 1900 in Nhill's case - and for the same reason of having been flattened by a natural disaster. For Nhill it was being the most prominent victim of probably Australia's most significant tornado outbreak, in November 1897).
Saturday Jun 13, 2020 #
8 AM
Run 40:00 [3] 7.0 km (5:43 / km)
Felt like a struggle for most of the way - perhaps a bit better in the last 10 minutes - but not too bad in the injury department after a bit of early back stiffness, so that's progress. Earlier than I'd normally do on a Saturday before hitting the road for an extended weekend in western Victoria - doing a bit more exploring than I'd normally do between Melbourne and Horsham (including the wet forests and waterfalls of the Mount Buangor State Park). The hot chocolate at the Vines in Ararat is still as good as I remember, too.
Friday Jun 12, 2020 #
8 AM
Cycling 1:00:00 [3] 21.2 km (2:50 / km)
Morning ride up the Eastern Freeway/Koonung path. Felt pretty sluggish and struggling on the few climbs (which on this route are short but sharp). Cold morning, especially close to the river - I might eschew the gloves in near-zero temperatures when running but they're definitely needed on the bike. (Perhaps I should have worn some better socks, too, as my toes took a while to thaw out afterwards). Strangely, not many people out on the path at this time of day and in this weather.
Note to self: now that school's back, riding along the streets that are logical exit routes from Fairfield Primary at 9am is not a very good idea.
Note to self: now that school's back, riding along the streets that are logical exit routes from Fairfield Primary at 9am is not a very good idea.
Thursday Jun 11, 2020 #
8 AM
Run 41:00 [3] 7.0 km (5:51 / km)
Getting a bit closer to normality; a bit iffy in the first 10 minutes but otherwise steady if not sparkling on a morning with a hint of frost. Hamstring fatigued a little in the last 10 minutes but not to the extent of the last couple of runs (though it's pulled up a little sore afterwards). Moving OK through the second half. Nice to get a normal(ish) run done in the morning before the start of a working day - something there's been too little of lately.
Wednesday Jun 10, 2020 #
7 AM
Pilates 40:00 [3]
Back to doing this in the early morning (although not yet to accommodate a commute which doesn't yet exist). 6.15 is earlier than I've generally been getting up lately (the day with the 5am teleconference aside), and starting a session in the dark is also something of a novelty, as is having other people there. Hamstring was a bit iffy for running today - something tested after this - but was OK for the Pilates session. This generally felt fairly straightforward, although I always worry whether feeling straightforward means I'm doing it wrong.
It was rather disturbing to learn that there was, and apparently still is, such a thing as a Miss Hitler competition, although thanks to the British courts the number of potential participants has been reduced by one for the next three years.
It was rather disturbing to learn that there was, and apparently still is, such a thing as a Miss Hitler competition, although thanks to the British courts the number of potential participants has been reduced by one for the next three years.
Tuesday Jun 9, 2020 #
12 PM
Cycling 43:00 [3] 16.1 km (2:40 / km)
Lunchtime ride on the Upper Heidelberg loop, slightly earlier than planned because of a system crash which made me think it was a good time to head out and hope that it would be sorted out while I was out (it was). Fairly straightforward and felt reasonably comfortable on the climb. One somewhat uncomfortable close call with a tradie ute (these have been on the roads throughout, but perhaps are behaving closer to the norm again).
Monday Jun 8, 2020 #
9 AM
Run 30:00 [3] 5.0 km (6:00 / km)
A bit more of a step up - no longer than the last couple of runs but in tougher terrain with all the ups and downs of the Mornington Peninsula sand dunes. Did something a bit different and went out to Spray Point for the first time in my many visits here (impressive views along the coast to the southeast), then onto Koonya beach, although most of the beach was too soft to be runnable in my current condition. Hamstring started to fatigue a bit and I decided to pull up at 30 minutes, but still progress at a certain level, and seem to have pulled up fine afterwards.
Certainly no shortage of people out and about today - I think there were at least as many people at Cape Schanck as there are on Two Bays day. Decided that staying until the evening was the best option given what the traffic was likely to be like in the afternoon.
Certainly no shortage of people out and about today - I think there were at least as many people at Cape Schanck as there are on Two Bays day. Decided that staying until the evening was the best option given what the traffic was likely to be like in the afternoon.
Sunday Jun 7, 2020 #
2 PM
Cycling 1:06:00 [3] 26.1 km (2:32 / km)
Down the Peninsula for a couple of days. Hamstring a bit sore this morning (and a bit more so after driving down) so went for a ride instead out towards Point Nepean, discovering in the process that the area is almost as busy on a winter long weekend as it is in January (I wonder if this would be the case in a normal year?). A more continuous ride than usual with no traffic lights to deal with; this meant a bit faster than usual, but also a little more tired than usual (mostly in the quads). A few small sharp hills, mostly at the far end, and on the steepest of them a driver actually sat patiently behind me for a couple of hundred metres waiting for a safe place to pass (and, to make the event even more miraculous, there were no abusive comments or obscene gestures when they did pass).
Saturday Jun 6, 2020 #
12 PM
Run ((orienteering)) 36:00 [3] *** 4.0 km (9:00 / km)
spiked:6/11c
Creswick Diggings. Numerous people had gathered to shoot for the two hours (Fredo had set a 60-control course for the purpose). I never expected to be that ambitious and wasn't sure if I'd cope with terrain at all, but thought I might try for something around an hour if I felt OK. I felt something a bit less than OK - no pain, but not really running with much freedom, especially in the rougher stuff - and thought 35-40 minutes would do me.
First time for a long time in anything technical. The rust was definitely there (it didn't help that I forgot my compass) with lots of small time losses in the circle, but I also struggled to read the small contour detail. I suspect at least some of this is to do with the ancient grimy map bag that I salvaged from the bottom of my running gear bag, but I'm also conscious that I've got further than most do without needing glasses or magnifiers (45 is often the magic number), so I'll be monitoring this over my next few events (whenever those might be).
Hamstring felt fine afterwards, so that was definitely one positive (and getting out into the bush is always a positive in any case).
First time for a long time in anything technical. The rust was definitely there (it didn't help that I forgot my compass) with lots of small time losses in the circle, but I also struggled to read the small contour detail. I suspect at least some of this is to do with the ancient grimy map bag that I salvaged from the bottom of my running gear bag, but I'm also conscious that I've got further than most do without needing glasses or magnifiers (45 is often the magic number), so I'll be monitoring this over my next few events (whenever those might be).
Hamstring felt fine afterwards, so that was definitely one positive (and getting out into the bush is always a positive in any case).
Friday Jun 5, 2020 #
1 PM
Cycling 41:00 [3] 15.0 km (2:44 / km)
Finished up last night at 3.45am, surfaced this morning at 10.30 (though I don't think I slept that much after 8; my room lets in a fair bit of light) and was feeling rather sleepy by the time I came out of a meeting at 12.30. Decided to go for a ride in the hope of waking myself up a bit more. Strangely it didn't work (although at least my hamstring was OK).
Perhaps it's as well the rest of us can't go to WA at the moment: it seems there's been a certain amount of craziness in one of our regular haunts. (Perhaps they feel the need to fill the gap now that Prince Leonard is no longer with us?).
Perhaps it's as well the rest of us can't go to WA at the moment: it seems there's been a certain amount of craziness in one of our regular haunts. (Perhaps they feel the need to fill the gap now that Prince Leonard is no longer with us?).
C • York 17
Thursday Jun 4, 2020 #
12 PM
Run 30:00 [3] 5.2 km (5:46 / km)
A step further today with a proper run, or something approximating to one. It was short and it was almost completely flat (bumps seem to have set the hamstring off in the past, so this will be one to watch). It was sluggish, but apart from some initial back tightness, it was OK in the injury department. Hamstring came up fine during and immediately post-run, although a bit of soreness after an afternoon sitting down, which in turn seemed to disappear when walking.
(My schedule has become completely detached from local reality by now; lunch was at 5.30, and as I write at 11.20, dinner is cooking).
(My schedule has become completely detached from local reality by now; lunch was at 5.30, and as I write at 11.20, dinner is cooking).
Wednesday Jun 3, 2020 #
10 AM
Lame walk-jog to fix lame injury 32:00 [2] 4.9 km (6:32 / km)
A (sort of) run. Enough of a hint of soreness in the first couple of minutes that I thought it best not to attempt a continuous run first up, but switched to a 2 on/1 off sequence and it went OK - a hint of a twinge after one small hill but otherwise pretty good, and has come up fine. Not bad as comeback runs go.
Feels a bit strange to be getting up at 9, but probably not as strange as it will be to be getting up at noon or thereabouts on Friday.
Odd spot of the day is that the last recipient of a pension from the American Civil War has died (hopefully not just in time for the next one). The last widow of a Civil War veteran died in 2008 but the children of those whose parents died when the children were still minors could also receive them; the last one of these was born in 1930 to an 83-year-old (which makes it not hugely surprising that he didn't last until his daughter's 21st birthday).
Feels a bit strange to be getting up at 9, but probably not as strange as it will be to be getting up at noon or thereabouts on Friday.
Odd spot of the day is that the last recipient of a pension from the American Civil War has died (hopefully not just in time for the next one). The last widow of a Civil War veteran died in 2008 but the children of those whose parents died when the children were still minors could also receive them; the last one of these was born in 1930 to an 83-year-old (which makes it not hugely surprising that he didn't last until his daughter's 21st birthday).
Tuesday Jun 2, 2020 #
3 PM
Cycling 43:00 [3] 15.2 km (2:50 / km)
Starting to shift my body clock to new territory temporarily in anticipation of a string of late-night meetings from tomorrow onwards (2am Friday being the latest of them), and with meetings almost unbroken from 4 to 9 decided to head out for a bit before that. Not quite ready to run so was out on the bike instead, discovering in the process that end-of-school-day traffic is definitely still there even if only half the students are. Spent the first half of it in one of those showers which is just heavy enough to be annoying but not heavy enough to register in any gauges (unless there is a potentially historically significant run of consecutive dry days in progress, in which case it will just tip it over for a 0.2). Reasonable ride without being anything special.
Melbourne multiculturalism at its finest: in West Heidelberg I encountered a genuine Aussie bogan ute with all the trimmings, flying a Samoan flag. There was a bit of a Pacific Islands theme to this ride because a couple of kilometres later I spotted a truck from Tonga Excavations.
Melbourne multiculturalism at its finest: in West Heidelberg I encountered a genuine Aussie bogan ute with all the trimmings, flying a Samoan flag. There was a bit of a Pacific Islands theme to this ride because a couple of kilometres later I spotted a truck from Tonga Excavations.
10 PM
Note
Some interesting (if not surprising) data on changes in Melbourne cycling patterns over the last couple of months.
Monday Jun 1, 2020 #
10 AM
Pilates 40:00 [3]
A fairly standard Pilates session, on a day was it was better to be inside than out. The hamstring still seems to be improving, though; only very minor discomfort walking in the morning, and is probably just about at the point of being worth another attempt to run on it (could be famous last words).