Hello

Yes I am still here. Things have been pretty hectic around here and I have spent three nights away for work (one in Coffs and two in Sydney) since my last post.

I have run a few times, not as much as I would like, but ten ks on Sunday afternoon made up for it. It felt good to get out there again and the beauty of not running much lately is that I felt no pressue to run fast. Slow and steady felt good.

This week should be more normal workwise and the plan is to get in the three runs of normality.

I notice that some of my favourite bloggers seem to be having a break (from blogging at least ) too. Is everyone hanging out elsewhere in cyber space or sticking to the real world? I have to admit that when I get busy I find it is much easier to read blogs than write them.

When I was in Sydney last week I had a little walk across the bridge as I got to Kirrabili too early ( no I don't work in politics). It brought back memories of my last visit there and those three little seconds. See, I have still have some fire somewhere, now I just need to rekindle it a little more.

Monday Monday

The last week has flown by in a blur of driving and working. Some very intense days, so it will be nice to settle back into the routine, for a few days at least. I get to go away for a couple of days at the end of the week but this time it will be much more relaxing (ah, I can siwtch off for a while - a conference).

I managed to get in one run last week on Thursday but was way too tired for more. Plus the rain gave me a really good excuse. Then yesterday I had my longest one in a while. Ten ks including revisitng 'Killer Hill' which I hadn't run since September. It was nice to get out there again, but I felt a bit nauseous for the last 2 ks. Not sure why, could have been hunger or dehydration. Had to walk one steep section.

Plan on getting back some consistency this week. The leg pain was still there as a dull ache yesterday, but it didn't get any worse which was good.

I have to share J's dream with you as I found it quite amusing and it probably reflects the media saturation of the moment. It was the day after the election and apparently John Howard had turned into a green alien and Kevin Rudd had turned into a weird thing. the weird thing one.

A Typical Sunday

The day started with a relaxing morning. G and D went fishing so J and I hung out at home. When G got home he had to go down the creek which is immeadiately below our house. A few minutes later he appeared telling us all to come straight down to look at 2 platypus. I was skeptical - I've never even seen one platypus in the wild before. Well, there certainly were two and we think that they were mating. I got to watch them roll around and bite and wrestle with each other for about 20 minutes (from about 5 -10 metres away). I got some photos and video - bugger, I wish I had a better zoom lense, I would have had some fantastic photos. This was certainly a once in a lifetime! Will post a photo when I have time.

Then off to the in laws for lunch and french champagne. It was MIL's special b'day.

Then an 8k run. Not the best ever but the longest for a while and the leg pain wasn't too bad.

BTW 2P if you read this can you explain the stretching advice you gave me again. Do I push the knee straight down or toward the ground? Didn't notice any clicking and I love a good click!

TV

Blogging in front of the TV.

I've had a couple of runs since my last post. Last Sunday I ran around Wahroonga in my new shoes: Asics Gel Nimbus. It was okay running around the burbs and the shoes were good.

Then this morning I had a 5k run at about 5.30. The pace was pretty slow but the shoes feel good.

My foot problems seem to have disappeared for the time being but I'm still getting pain down the back of my leg. I have revised my diagnosis of sciatica as I don't really have all the symptoms. 2P suggested that my hip might be out and that could be right. Maybe I should see a physio - although I'm not sure just when as the schedule is pretty tight for the next little while.

I will be happy just to get out in the next week as I will be putting in some long hours (including 2 hours of driving each day). Will try to blog and to find some motivation.