Katandra lookout

Got up early-for a change and jogged up to the lookout return in about 57 mins.
Took 31 mins on the uphill climb compared with about 27 mins when fully fit-so a good indicator of present recovery/fitness levels.Still, enjoyed the run and hopefully when toes are fully healed will run faster.

Improvised speed session

Arriving home late from beach/shopping,changed plan to:- jog from home along normal course and-
use a flat section of quiet roadway to do a couple of speed laps.
The fish&chips washed down with VB I'd had a couple of hours earlier didn't seem to have much
detrimental affect nor did the heat as the 6 X 550/600mts reps went well.
Reps being 2:07, 2:01, 2:01, 2:01, 2:00, 2:00.

Fountains road

Another plod around the same old course in 45:53.Right knee still sore and Right toes painful after 36 mins-the usual Right probs/Left no probs.

Horrie's Quarry rd Xmas Bash

Drove down to Hornsby for this run along firetrails through Galston Gorge.
Managed 2 laps of 12km in 2:23.The toes hurt a real lot at the 1:35 mark but I was midway through the 2nd lap so no possibility of stopping.Fortunately the pain subsided enough to allow me to finish the lap albeit slowly.
The beer afterward went down well and nice to put some names to some coolrunner I.D.s and to catch up with a few friends as well.

Brooks Hill time trial

10km Trotters run this morning and set out with the only intention being to run 40 mins.
Ran 39:37,(a minute slower than last time 3 months ago pre op),but considering the conditions,(hot/humid),was pleased to have ran the best race I could with my present fitness.
Wasn't phased at being left,(as usual), on the hill climb,knowing that my strength would be the 3km mostly downhill finish.

Narara station

Another slow,(morning),jog to Narara station return in 26:21.

Narara station

Slow short jog to Narara station return in 26:28.Iced ongoing Right knee problem.

6@6

Only 2 die hards turned up for tonights unofficial 6@6.
Was satisfied with my 23:48 suffering from heartburn and feeling a bit tired in the humidity.
Other participant ran 22:27 which was a good effort 1 1/2 weeks out from Hobart marathon.

Adcocks park

Went down for the normal Tuesday track session even if alone due to Christmas break.
Did 5 x 800 mts in 2:52,2:53,2:53,2:54,2:52 plus warm ups/downs/last minute Christmas shopping.

Dog Trap Loop

Totally overdid it tonight,(for a change),making a wrong turn at the station taking the hard and not easy option.
Paid for it big time with sore toes from 40 mins to the end 1hr21mins.
All this and nearly being wiped out by a drunk driver on Mangrove road who had his 2 inside wheels completely off the bitumen.

Somersby to Staples lookout

After last weeks disappointing foray,("Round the Bay"attempt),I was pleased to be invited on this section run of the G.N.W.
It turned out to be a great run in a group of 8.Running for about 5km then waiting for the regroup,gave me time to massage the toes and ultimately allowed me to spend 3hrs30 mins on my feet-a great part of it running thus really pleased with the weekends efforts.

Erina Bush Run

Terrigal Trotters this morning for about 12.8km run in about an hour.
Nice cooler running conditions and felt in better form after yesterdays rest.

Rest

Didn't get out today as running early tomorrow and was gardening late today.

Fountains road

Slow going tonight in 47:02 - but it was very hot and I'd had a few beers this arvo at a work Bar-B-Que.

6@6

23:24 Tonight in another slight improvement.
Hot weather again 27C so quite pleased with time.

Garnet Adcock park

Speed work-with a difference tonight.
3 teams of 2 "raced"each other.
Did 4 X 800m at a reasonable pace.
Right knee again sore during session but soon felt OK afterwards.

Fountains road

46:03.
Slow jog.

East Gosford-Woy Woy

Took 2 Advil and a $5 note-all of which proved necessary.
Got to 1 hour Right toe started hurting-1st Advil.Got to 1:45- 2nd Advil toe very painful still.
Limped to Woy Woy station for train back to Gosford.
Bit of a disheartening day as it appears pre op problem still exists with 2nd toe on Right foot.

Fountains road

Didn't manage to get up early today so only set off around 10am for run.
Was even slower 48:19 in the very humid conditions.Was also protecting the Right knee as best as I could and this seemed slightly better.

Fountains road

Even slower tonight-46:09.
Set off determined to protect Right knee as much as possible which I did by slowing and changing shoes.Knee did give some problems early on but stabilised once warmed up.
Right toes were worryngly sore after 30 mins.

Fountains road

Another slowish run (44:41)highlighted by the twin niggles of Right -under knee/cap and Left lower calf.
Just about given up with the New Balance 560 and 644 shoes that looked so perfect on paper but have been a real problem in practice to run in.I really do need to find a shoe that I feel comfortable running in-it's really difficult as Left leg seems to be perfect but Right leg is a mess at every junction-ie hip/knee/ankle all due to childhood break of Tibia.I require a really low neutral shoe that will work AND will be available when I need more.

6@6

6@6 tonight in 23:32.
Was an unusual but enjoyable run.First lap was very slow-couldn't seem to get going although I didn't feel particularly bad.I did pick it up each lap and even managed to outsprint the 4th placed runner in the home straight.Time was an improvement on last week so can't complain.Conditions a lot better-cooler,(22C),and even slight rain.

Speed work

5 x 800 mts at Adcocks park tonight after a warm up jog around park.
About 2:56 per 800.

Fountains road

Slight increase in distance tonight -only slight as suffering same niggles of Right under knee area and Left lower calf.Took 45:43 and was a pretty slow pace.

Central Coast half marathon

Can't be too displeased with this result-1:26:46 as I at best hoped to dip under 1:30.

I sensibly set off easy knowing my lack of a training base of late and by 10km point that was paying off as I started to pass quite a few.After the hour mark my Right toes began to hurt and it was a case of maintain form and protect the toes.

Pleased overall with progress but I was hoping for no toe problems enabling me to train for the Round the Bay on the 4th Jan.

Bobs Hill

Ran with The Trotters this morning-Bobs Hill- the hill itself being walked.
Got an hours run/walk in and a good warm for tomorrows half marathon should I make it.

Narara High school Friday 5th December

A 3 second improvement over last night-40:43.It was pretty hot though.

Narara High school Thursday 4th December

Bit slow tonight @ 40:46 but had a couple of niggles to contend with.
Slightly sore knee being iced as writing.Maybe time the old Asics went to the bin.Also Left calf now a real old injury that seems to return as soon as I run on the hills,(Palmdale).

6@6

Hot day for running so not too dissapointed with 24:22.

Narara High school

39:27 Tonight-A lot better-even if still quite warm.Shoulder and toes better.

Narara High School

Very slow tonight-42:20 due mainly to very hot weather and a sore shoulder.

Palmdale

Very pleasing day running wise.Managed to run for 1 hr:36 mins.Ran easy with fellow Trotter but was still struggling to keep up on the steep hills.Big step forward today.

Trotters 10km time trial

Was hoping for 40 mins but had to be content with 40:32.Set off pretty pedestrian as aware of lack of any serious training and it was quite humid.Toes felt OK so all things considered was reasonably pleased.

Narara station

Just a short 26 min jog tonight.
Right knee a bit sore so iced it for 15.

Narara High School

36:47 tonight.Really pushed on as hard as possible throughout.Conditions were still quite warm.
Quite pleased to have run second best time over this course.

6@6

Didn't blog yesterday due to workmen chopping telephone line-but did jog for 35 mins.
Did 6@6 tonight and have got to be pleased with 23:38 a 29 sec improvement over last week.
Toes felt fine too.

Narara High School

Felt pretty ordinary tonight as did the legs/toes.Reaction was to push harder and was pleased to finish the run in 37:51.

Narara High School

Just a slowish 38:56 jog tonight.Felt a bit tired and couldn't take advantage of the cool conditions.

Fat Mans Run

Ran with the Trotters this morning and took about 56 mins to run,(and walk some of the hills).
Toes held up really well.

Narara High School

Legs far better tonight and slightly cooler conditions made for a better run in 38:21.

Narara High school

Tough going in the humidity tonight.40:16 and sore toes and ankle tendons.At least quads were OK.Slowed a lot from 25mins.

Six at Six

6@6 tonight in 24:07 Pleasing to be able to finish even if a little slow.Toes were a bit sore afterwards but nothing too worrying.

Narara High school

Very slow tonight.44:01-needed a rest as feeling tired and knees were sore.
Cool conditions in light rain.

Narara High school

35:32 tonight.Again cool conditions but very pleased with this effort.Really feel fitness is coming back now.

Narara High school

36:59.6 - Felt good tonight in cooler conditions.
Finally feeling like some fitness is slowly returning.

Narara High school

Same 8km course but an improvement to 38:14.
Mainly due to cooler conditions and ran in old worn out Asics as new New Balance shoes,(2 pairs),are not working out too good.

Narara High school

40:08 Tonight even though I took a slightly shorter course.
Found it very hard going in the heat-about 8km according to Map My Run.

Narara High school

Increased the distance tonight slightly and ran for 39:38.
Was still quite warm at 6PM but felt quite good toes were a bit sore towards the end.

Narara station

23:19 tonight.

Narara station

23:15 tonight.
Slow progress.

Narara station

Right knee a bit sore again and iced after this 23:59 jog.
Patience needed.

Narara station

Still no increase in distance as toes again sore with taping.
24:57 struggled to jog in quite warm conditions.

Narara station

No increase in distance yet although most of niggles seem to be coming right and toes definitely feel stronger.Tonights jog was 24:45.

Narara station

Jog Narara station via cycle way 23:24.
Felt better apart from Left calf being sore.

Narara station

Jogged Narara station via cycleway 24:35

Narara station

Back to basics tonight-very slow -protecting the sore Right toes in 25:48 .
Will be a slow recovery.Right knee also bad and iced it after run.

Rest day

After overdoing it yesterday resting.
Had Right toe pains today and general weakness.Will have to ensure I don't overdo it again.

Carrington Loop

Bit off more then I could chew today.
Went off really slow as I'd decided to do a longer run.Today was really hot and after 30 mins I suffered badly.Finished the run in 1:02:59 with very sore toes and a quick lesson to take up longer distance a lot slower.The toes really will need a lot more healing time.
May even take a day off tomorrow.

Short and sweet.

I was really amazed that I managed to improve again on yesterdays time but did the same run in 21:33.Yesterday being cooler and the wet weather keeping the pollen at bay.Also I worked 9 hours today so was convinced that I'd fail to improve but surprised myself.
The run is getting so short that I'll have to try and up the distance a little next week.

Narara station

Got up late and had slightly sore Right toes during the day.Decided to keep to the short run and in cool conditions ran 22:27 a couple of mins quicker then yesterday and quite a bit faster then my first run back.I don't feel hurried to get into shape as it's summer and will try to build slowly as the toes still have a lot of healing to do.

Narara station again

Was really hot tonight after a 36C day but managed to improve the time again to 24:30.
Still very slow and quite unfit/overweight.Also usual weak spots giving grief-this being mainly the Right knee ITB area due to a childhood leg fracture where the leg set splayed leading to a constant weakness on that leg.Glad to be running though and can't wait to get to the level that will allow me to run for an hour + and test the toes properly.I'm quite confident that this major problem has been solved and also that I'll soon be back to running distance.

Narara station

Same route again but improved to 24:48 tonight even if it was warmer and more humid.
Quads felt better tonight and toes were holding up well.

Narara station

3rd day back and quite sore quads mainly Left.Ran same route though and improved time to 25:07.

Narara Station

Felt a lot better tonight in cooler weather despite being bitten by an ant the size of a small rhinoceros whilst gardening just prior to run and lugging the Green bin up the driveway.Did the same jog to Narara station via the cycleway in 28:49.Toes felt better still tonight and you can see from latest image of toes the amount of healing that has occured from 3rd image 2 weeks after the op' and the 2nd, 3 weeks after.

First run post op

Eight weeks with no exercise have not been not been good for the waistline.

Finally tried a slow jog to Narara station via the cycleway in 31:17.

Toes were a bit painful as still have a lot of healing to do but great to have began jogging again and look forward to some good training soon.