Sparkie's rundiary

A busy few weeks, with little (OK no) running, so lack of time and interesting running stuff has seen me absent. Fortunately, dedicated souls like Austin Danger Powers used this downtime to persue my back-catalouge - guilty as charged on the nerd alert front.

Personal crap to follow, but so the next little bit makes sense, just know that we moved to a brilliant terrace in down-town Paddington 11 days ago.

Today was a big one for me activity wise. Although I ran on Monday (20 minutes going round in circles at Trumper Park), this was my first run in about 3 weeks, and highlighted the biomechanical dramas that have kept me away. However, a trip to my podiatrist (the very cool PodRunner - disappointed there are no photos of Marnie and Jo on the WEB site) last week saw a new set of orthotics on order, which arrived today - apparantly made of materials the astronauts used (which makes them about 45 years old!).

Two things prevented me heading straight out the door as soon as I got home - firstly the slight matter of a 4 hour client meeting, and secondly, the lack of shoes that haven't had the life run out of them. Once aforementioned client had departed (leaving a request list that will easily finance my inner-city lifestyle for a few more months yet), I WALKED (gotta love this place) to the Sydney Running Centre in Edgecliff, and bought a new pair of shoes. Looking for light-weight trainers, I grabbed a pair of Asics Speedstars (yes they are that yellow - although quite subdued next to my Nike Frees), which were some of the most comfortable shoes I have ever tried on - even with orthotics that still literally smelt like a shoe repair shop. As a plus, they were about 50 bucks cheaper than the Asics DS Trainers I had my eye on (and 23 grams lighter), and being served by fellow Strider Damian Tancred was a bonus (as was the pair of racing socks he threw in).

Some minor assistance at home with the finishing touches to some Scandivnavian modular furniture, then it was out the door and across to Centennial Park. This was my first run through the park - a mere 900m from my door to its front gate (all uphll however), and it was absolutely fantastic - I equate running with boring laps of an oval, but this was something else altogether. Only did the grass main loop, but know there is a lot more of the park I can explore (not to mention Queens Park next door, if I am yearning to run around a sports oval). Look forward to doing the bulk of my training there, and hopefully running into a few CoolRunners.

The run itself was a typical first run back - too fast, and a reminder of lost fitness. After easing into the first km in 4:50 (my target pace), exhilaration kicked in, and 3 quicker kms followed (4:19, 4:14, 4:17), before finishing an uphill km in 4:37 and a downhill one in 4:17. All up, 6km in 27 minutes (4:30/km), with an average heart-rate of 158 (found my HR strap today after mislocating it 3 months ago). Much slower for the next few runs as I build up to 12km or so at a time.

But wait, there's more. Having finally dumped the Alfa, and having not driven since the move, it was time to take the next step to car independance and join the bicycle brigade. I have not owned a bike in probably 20 years, and my cycle savy was on full-display as I asked the salesman for a recommendation. Although suffering a bit of sticker shock ($790 - although a third of that was things for Louis - seat and helmet), some consultation with a number of CoolRunners convinced me that doing things properly was the way to go, so a shiny red Giant Elwood will be mine and Louie's tomorrow afternoon - which coincides with a babysitting shift, so it's off the Centennial again.

And just when you thought it wasn't possible to spend any more money (I can see the triathletes laughing now), I have arranged an appointment with CoolRunning's EasyTiger for a massage and general evaluation of my tight bits this Friday, along with a complementary stretching and strength training program. Even had an email discussion with the infamous Rudolf about training philosophies, so with the Double Decathlon 193 days away, today was definitely day one.

OK - that's enough for a first post back. But the really big news of the day was Louis's first trip to Day Care today. Although I was dying to take him, I'm kinda glad I didn't as it took Amelia 40 minutes to build up to leave, and I'd probably still be there. Some tears and trauma on departure, but no phone calls during the day, and a glowing report when we went to pick him up (although he started crying as soon as he saw us). As well as a break for Amelia, it will be good socialisation for him (one day a week at this stage), particularly as his mother's group friends are now on the other side of town.

The little man turned two last week, so here are some shots of daddy's favourite boy:


Never too full for cake...


Nationalistic ferver kicks in...


You weren't thinking of putting books on these were you?


Louis and Sally make themselves at home...


Our new place...