Training Log Archive: blairtrewin

This morning's IOF session was even earlier than yesterday's (starting at 5). This meant in turn that I was ready to run earlier on Sunday than I normally would be (except on really hot days), being out on the streets by 7 on a gorgeous morning. Hamstring was at niggle level throughout (a bit worse on the few hills) but didn't seem to be impeding me at all - perhaps I was just enjoying myself in the nice conditions.

It's fairly full-on at work at the moment (I'm trying to get a project finished before heading off on 6 February), and I've worked through this weekend - my one concession to its being a weekend was stopping off at one of Fairfield's numerous cafes on the way to the station. (The plus is that you get more done with no distractions, the minus is that the view out over the bay on a sunny day is a constant reminder of what you're missing out on). I've probably got at least one more such weekend, perhaps two, to look forward to - may well end up going close to a month without a proper day off.

Early start after an IOF Foot Commission meeting. Decided to try running again even though I hadn't seen many signs of improvement when sitting down or doing other activities which aggravate it. Worked out more or less OK - noticed a bit of a niggle, but nothing which got in the way of running too much. Made sure I chose a dead flat course - will give it a few days before testing myself on anything more ambitious, given past experience with this injury.

Didn't sleep terribly well overnight, mostly because heavy rain was forecast and I was paranoid that I'd have leaks again like after Christmas (although in reality, the rain rate was probably closer to 0.2mm/minute than the 2mm/minute we got in that event).

The serious rain had cleared by the time I got to the pool, but it was still showery enough to keep most people away. The plan was a pool running session but when I got there I discovered the belt wasn't in the car - must have left it behind the last time I did such a session - so a swim it was instead. Reasonably steady session although drifted out of it a bit at the end.

Recording a video interview on bushfires and climate change took a couple of hours out of my morning, so it was a bit of a pity that it doesn't seem to have seen the light of day - presumably overtaken by events (the reporter who recorded it turned out to be on the scene at Bourke Street a couple of hours later). The events of the afternoon were very sad, and so was the willingness of too many people to jump to conclusions about them in the absence of any evidence, or to use the tragedy as an opportunity to push their political barrow - whether it related to guns (Leyonhjelm), law and order (Hinch) or Muslims (too many to mention).

Morning hit-out on the Yarra Boulevard, feeling as inadequate as I often do at this venue. Felt very sleepy to start with (wouldn't have been the easiest of runs, I suspect, despite the excellent conditions), but gradually picked up.

Still not ready to take to the trails or the pavements; in the water again, a bit later than usual after a late night at the cricket last night. Some goggles-related annoyance (as well as one coming together with a somewhat disoriented backstroker), but a decent second half.

I suspect the pool would have been somewhat more crowded had it been in Sydney, where it was 36.5 degrees at 9am - easily a record (by 2.8 degrees if you only consider the daylight savings era).

There was also the news that the renovations to the Fitzroy changerooms (which we've been expecting for a while) are starting in a couple of weeks. This might mean I visit here a bit less often while the works are on - if the temporary facilities during the Ivanhoe renovations are anything to go by, they won't be up to much. Should be good once it's done, though.

Read a story in the Economist today, about China's relationship with Sri Lanka, which made reference to the Sri Lankan Minister for Ports, one Arjuna Ranatunga. One wonders if any of the sledging he gets in the political arena matches up to what he got on the cricket field (those of a certain vintage will remember Ian Healy's "you don't get a runner for being a fat c**t").

C • What's the difference... 8

Thought after yesterday's discussion that it was worth trying a flat run. The hamstring was OK on completely flat ground (although I didn't feel brilliant otherwise) but hurt on the first small bump it hit. I want to get this right so think it best to give it a bit more time to settle down.

I may be feeling somewhat frustrated at the moment on the injury front, but some correspondence I got today placed such #firstworldproblems in perspective - in the form of a report from the direction of the national climate service of a small African country. She apologised that the report only covered January-November and that she didn't have December information because she'd fled the country, in fear that civil war will soon erupt. (The should-be-former President was defeated in an election a few weeks ago but has refused to accept the result, and the winner has said he's going to go ahead with the inauguration next week anyway. Could get ugly, depending on which horse the people with the guns back).

Hamstring somewhat improved today but still a bit sore. Didn't consider running pending a date with the physio, instead taking to the pool. It was a little sore there initially, too, but improved once going. Brilliantly sunny morning with lots of glare.

The physio thinks that the hills on the weekend were what set it off (I'm guessing the increase in speed at the end of Saturday may also have contributed). Should be OK to do at least something on the flat. It's a bit frustrating to have a string of injuries like this, but looking at Shep's log reminds me that things could be worse.

It is going to be a big week on the climate front - the official global temperature figures for 2016 are coming out on Wednesday night. No idea why NOAA and NASA might be so keen to get their numbers into the public arena before Friday.

C • Black Friday 3