Just to get things started for the new month I did some speedwork this week, ran a 5k tempo in 23:28 so I was quite pleased.

Got to work on my long runs though, I have done low mileage the last couple of weeks, minor injury, funeral of a close friend, and this week some Christmas shopping.

Hope to get back on track this week!

How is everyone else doing?

My mileage has been very low recently, too, for a couple of reasons.

Planning to pick things up this week, Christmas shopping all done, only problem now is lots of snow.

I did 17.2kms, just under 11 miles, on Sunday, with 4 inches of snow down and more falling. The main roads were ploughed but when there were cars I had to use the shoulder.

Low mileage here, too, recently.  Been averaging in the high teens (miles) per week...........maybe 3 runs at 5 to 7 miles each.  I have been busy and stressed at work, so long hours are keeping me away and my attitude poor.  Oh, well.  I hope everyone else is doing well.  Tomorrow I plan on a 7 mile trail run in one of my favorite spots......

Cheers!

Merry Xmas all

I have changed tack a lot and now doing a lot of hills and stair running/ walking to build strength for the big hikes I have planned.  Unfortunately after a couple of months of dry weather we have been hit with a good 2 weeks of hot steamy, wet tropical weather with wind.  Not a good combo for hikes that involve exposed tops and river crossings.

So damn it, its a weather waiting game for me now and trying to keep some sort of fitness!!

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to everyone!

I think you should regain your fitness quite quickly, Larry, because you are keeping things `ticking over`. Probably good to do some swimming if you have access to a pool.

Vino, hiking up mountains does sound tough, but more of an endurance activity- I don`t think that would suit me- I like to go fast (well fast for me....)

We have quite a bit of snow in my part of Canada, so running conditions have not been good. If I had spare money I would join a gymfor the treadmills.

Keep running, everyone!

Hi Simon

Yes it's endurance alright!

Well had a shot on xmas day on day 1 of tagging my summit goal but failed.  Had to pull out after the first ascent as was sick/ too unfit/ exhausted.  I just am not myself at the moment..running on a cylinder or two less.  My partner managed the awesome feat of up and down in a day. Get this:  57km hiking, 4400 vertical metres ascent in 19.5 hours leaving at 3:15am in the morning and back at 10:45pm.  That is just crazy stuff and outside my ability even on my best day i think!!.  2 days on i set out to run 10km on the flat and blew up after 6km. 

However I have the holidays now to think about things and come up with a plan to get back into some sort of competitive shape.

Merry Xmas all

So I finish the year with 2/5 goals achieved.  not such a great pass mark but i gave them all a good shot except for the 10km thing (only entered one race)

Ran a ratshit 5km this morning.  Still not that well!  Will run again tomorrow 5km to clock over 1700km for the year, but I expect I will not enjoy it.  Then it will be a few cold beers for new years eve (but not too many!!).

New Years Day off to get my kids to the top of Mt Ngarauhoe or as you people in other countries would know it "Mt Doom" from Lord of the Rings :-)  There are some good stair sections to get to the base of the cone itself so maybe some stair running?? Hopefully they are not too confident or I may be a pool of sick on the slopes in their dust. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Good job onsurpassing your goals, Sean!

Vino, that thing looks intimidating, I think I`ll stick to running.

Well done, Pablo! Weight loss before and after pics are quite impressive.

I tried something fun today, ran some flat out striders on my run. Not very accurate results necessarily but it seems I can run 100meters in about 18 seconds, though with a rolling start! Pretty sad effort, really. Better stick to the longer distances I think...

Happy New Year!