70 replies to this topic

[sook54]

Cliffold and I are planning a leisurely jog over one lap of the SMH half course next Sunday if anyone would like to join us - we are both newbies on the course and wonder how scared we should be of these famous hills! I'll be aiming to get there by 7am (it's the end of daylight saving that day so = 8am now).

I guess we'll meet at the start line and see how we go. Cliffold is bringing his map! No idea what the traffic will be like at that hour.

[PlodBod]

sook54, on Mar 29 2008, 12:57 PM, said:

Cliffold and I are planning a leisurely jog over one lap of the SMH half course next Sunday if anyone would like to join us - we are both newbies on the course and wonder how scared we should be of these famous hills! I'll be aiming to get there by 7am (it's the end of daylight saving that day so = 8am now).

I guess we'll meet at the start line and see how we go. Cliffold is bringing his map! No idea what the traffic will be like at that hour.

Can I gatecrash please?

I might go round twice to get my daily quota!

Edited by PlodBod, 29 March 2008 - 12:23 PM.

[Running Angel]

I'll be tapering for Canberra so one lap will be perfect for me. Let me know where you are meeting?

[HouseDad]

Hey Sook,

I'm tapering too for Canberra, so might come along as well, as a nice paced jog around the CBD will be perfect.

Spot you then,

Lee

[Joggernaught]

sook54, on Mar 29 2008, 12:57 PM, said:

Cliffold and I are planning a leisurely jog over one lap of the SMH half course next Sunday if anyone would like to join us - we are both newbies on the course and wonder how scared we should be of these famous hills! I'll be aiming to get there by 7am (it's the end of daylight saving that day so = 8am now).

I guess we'll meet at the start line and see how we go. Cliffold is bringing his map! No idea what the traffic will be like at that hour.

DST does not start until next week (1st Sunday of April) and then changes back 3 weeks earlier than normal.... I only heard of this the other day (http://www.smh.com.a...6207268565.html).

Hope you still made the run!!

[BoneyChic]

Joggernaught, on Mar 30 2008, 09:06 AM, said:

DST does not start until next week (1st Sunday of April) and then changes back 3 weeks earlier than normal.... I only heard of this the other day (http://www.smh.com.a...6207268565.html).

Hope you still made the run!!

They're not running/jogging it until next sunday which is 6th April (and co-incidently the first Sunday in April)

[sook54]

Sorry yes I did put 6 april in the message title, should have repeated it in the message body though.

I was planning to start at the course start point: "College St North approx 120 metres north of William St. heading north"
(see http://halfmarathon.....au/course.php)

This is quite close to St James or Museum rail stops. Not sure about parking in the vicinity, probably down in the Surry Hills area?

I'll probably only do one lap myself because I have a wedding to attend later that day.

[Running Angel]

sook54, on Mar 30 2008, 11:03 AM, said:

Sorry yes I did put 6 april in the message title, should have repeated it in the message body though.

I was planning to start at the course start point: "College St North approx 120 metres north of William St. heading north"
(see http://halfmarathon.....au/course.php)

This is quite close to St James or Museum rail stops. Not sure about parking in the vicinity, probably down in the Surry Hills area?

I'll probably only do one lap myself because I have a wedding to attend later that day.

Thanks Sook, I'm up for one lap assuming the shin is playing nicely. Need to get back by 9.30 for my pump class though. Town Hall station is prob not that far away either

[sook54]

Bum bum bum. It turns out the wedding I have to go to is further away than I thought, so I have to leave home by 8am, meaning I'll be switching my long run to the evening or Monday morning.

I will try to do the course reconnaissance another Sunday (maybe April 20) but don't let me stop you guys.

[HouseDad]

No worries Sook, we've plenty of time. Let me know when you plan to do it and I'll try and come along.

Lee

[Bert]

I drove over the course last week. Watch out for the new speed humps and various other obstructions in Hickson Road, not far past the old start line. There is also a pinch-point under the harbour bridge, but that won't affect you when you're running. Otherwise the course is pretty much unchanged.
Have fun.

Bert.

Edited by Bert, 02 April 2008 - 07:45 PM.

[Running Angel]

sook54, on Apr 2 2008, 06:54 PM, said:

Bum bum bum. It turns out the wedding I have to go to is further away than I thought, so I have to leave home by 8am, meaning I'll be switching my long run to the evening or Monday morning.

I will try to do the course reconnaissance another Sunday (maybe April 20) but don't let me stop you guys.

Sook

Let me know when you plan to do it, although the 20th is no good for me (week after Canberra, will be recovering)

[cliffold]

Sook, thanks for getting this thread started - sorry you can't make it

I still plan on running one gentle circuit this Sunday
Starting around the corner of William & College St
Prefer to be starting around 7am (standard time) to keep ahead of traffic but amenable to change
Would welcome any company (even marathoners in taper)

Anyone still up for it?  

Cliffold

[emjay]

i could be up for this one, if your going slow

[cliffold]

I'm still on for tomorrow morning at 7am
Don't forget to put the clock back tonight

A gentle Sunday morning jog sounds about right

[PlodBod]

After thinking this run had been abandoned due to Sook's absence, I glanced at the thread at 6.20 this morning to see that it was still on!! Drove into the City and parked up, but was only vaguely aware of where the new start was, and being a little late, just started running by myself from Hickson Road and hoped I would bump into a group of CR's.  As it turned out, I happened upon Cliffold all by himself at the Domain!  We ran through the gardens and back up to College Street (the Gravesend Warriors unite   )! but I still had another hour to do.  We parted company and I carried on by myself, finishing up with 18.60km for the morning.  The "hills" are fine.  Maybe I am getting a bit fitter after all!  

Edited by PlodBod, 06 April 2008 - 01:58 PM.

[sook54]

Soooo Cliffold, where's the course report???

[Running Angel]

You can hardly call them hills, well on the first time round anyway. By the time you get to Hunter St on the second lap they may be a bit more challenging, especially with the new start/finish. At least they aren't too long, more short and sharp from memory.

Sook let me know if you are planning another date and I'll try and make it.

[cliffold]

sook54, on Apr 7 2008, 08:00 AM, said:

Soooo Cliffold, where's the course report???

As instructed

Sunday morning course run through
Plenty of parking in College St opposite the pool, metered parking but free until 8:00am on Sunday mornings so you have an incentive to get back before the rangers start patrolling

Within a few minutes of starting you drop into Hunter St – fairly steep downhill all the way to Pitt. Would be tempting to go too fast at this early stage.  Watch out for nightclub patrons spilling onto the street - I was once able to party like that all night (seems a long time ago)
Very gentle downhill to the quay
Left into Argyle St – fairly gentle uphill, a little longer than it first looks,  imagine this is where the crowd will start to string out a little. There is a working bubbler at the top of the hill just by a bus layby

Left along Kent where you can settle in to a regular pace for a few minutes before the hard right at Napoleon and short steep downhill into Hickson Rd.  A completely flat part of the course.  
If not actually racing turn left into the renovated wharf area where there is a more scenic waterfront option. You can get back out to Hickson at any time.  Do not be tempted by the smell of toast & coffee   
Nice & scenic around the harbour bridge. A few more minutes and you are in front of the quay and heading gently uphill along Pitt.  Yes, it is uphill at Hunter all the way to Macquarie but really not too bad or too long (at least on the first lap!)

Nice surprise meeting up with Plod Bod for the park section, makes the distance seem so much shorter.  Very scenic again out to Mrs Macquaries Chair. The spectacular vistas reminded me so much of Gravesend & the Thames      This is slightly hilly with one short steeper bit toward the end.

Didn't notice any other bubblers actually on the route but there are some in Hyde park if you look
Traffic wasn't too bad early in the morning although I did need to sprint a couple of times to cross roads.  Happy to do it again some time.

[PlodBod]

Running Angel, on Apr 7 2008, 09:48 AM, said:

You can hardly call them hills,

hence inverted commas

[Running Angel]

PlodBod, on Apr 7 2008, 05:59 PM, said:

hence inverted commas

[sook54]

Excellent course report, thanks Cliffold! I am definitely up for this another day - when will you be starting to rev up again RA? I have a crosscountry on 26th but it will be short so I should be ok for the 27th I think.

[Running Angel]

sook54, on Apr 8 2008, 06:00 PM, said:

Excellent course report, thanks Cliffold! I am definitely up for this another day - when will you be starting to rev up again RA? I have a crosscountry on 26th but it will be short so I should be ok for the 27th I think.

Hi Sook
Is that Anzac long weekend? If it is then I am away, but would be up for the weekend after?

[sook54]

Yes that's Anzac long weekend. I was thinking of having a sneak peek on Anzac day itself but that would involve battling the crowds and road closures around Martin Place so I think it will have to be Sunday 4 May at 7am. OK?

So let's make it the Sunday of the following weekend, 4 May (I will have done the Striders at Homebush the previous day, so be gentle with me).

[PlodBod]

Great, thanks Sook.  4th May is good for me too.  See you there.

ps
Might also do Striders at Homebush... gotta get this sub 60min 10k monkey off my back

Edited by PlodBod, 17 April 2008 - 11:30 AM.

[blkbox]

I noticed some interesting road works at the junction of George and Argyle streets when cycling through the Rocks the other morning.

They have half of the street fenced off and some serious looking holes - hopefully it will all the fixed by the 18th. Mind you if the debacle at  Botany Road is anything to go by perhaps not!!!

[Running Angel]

4th is good for me too, and I'm also hoping to do Striders if I can arrange a lift, so I will definitely be slow!

[Pasc]

Hi guys,

RA let me know about this one, and I am keen to join.... although may only do one lap. Wont be running SMH this year, but love that course!

see you then
P

[Running Angel]

Pasc, on Apr 23 2008, 10:03 AM, said:

Hi guys,

RA let me know about this one, and I am keen to join.... although may only do one lap. Wont be running SMH this year, but love that course!

see you then
P

Will do. I am only planning to do one lap also, the need for coffee will be too great to do another. And it's the day after Striders 10k so don't want to overdo it!

[sook54]

Yep one lap it is for me too since I'll be running 10k to get there! See you at the corner of William and College Sts on Sunday 4 May at 7am. Any other takers? Cliffold, you up for a repeat performance, with company all the way this time?

[blkbox]

Had lunch in the City with Beki yesterday, wandered past the bottom of Argyle Street - there is no way that those roadworks are going to be finished.

The usable width of the intersection with George Street is less than one lane - it could (will) be a disaster.

[PlodBod]

sook54, on Apr 28 2008, 08:49 AM, said:

Yep one lap it is for me too since I'll be running 10k to get there! See you at the corner of William and College Sts on Sunday 4 May at 7am. Any other takers? Cliffold, you up for a repeat performance, with company all the way this time?

Yip, count me in for a lap.  I'll also be running to and from the city as well.  See you there.

[TFive]

I'm in too  

[sook54]

TOH, on Apr 28 2008, 08:56 AM, said:

Had lunch in the City with Beki yesterday, wandered past the bottom of Argyle Street - there is no way that those roadworks are going to be finished.

The usable width of the intersection with George Street is less than one lane - it could (will) be a disaster.

I wonder if they'll tweak the route? Or will the field be strung out by then?

[cliffold]

sook54, on Apr 28 2008, 08:49 AM, said:

Yep one lap it is for me too since I'll be running 10k to get there! See you at the corner of William and College Sts on Sunday 4 May at 7am. Any other takers? Cliffold, you up for a repeat performance, with company all the way this time?

Sook
Taking my better half to the airport Sunday so will be a no show for this
Disappointed that I also missed the 5k breakfast on Sat
I love that you and at least one other ultra runner (PlodBod) are first doing a run to town then a lap of this course then running home!
Have fun and enjoy a coffee at the end

Cliffold

[Running Angel]

cliffold, on Apr 28 2008, 04:00 PM, said:

Sook
Taking my better half to the airport Sunday so will be a no show for this
Disappointed that I also missed the 5k breakfast on Sat
I love that you and at least one other ultra runner (PlodBod) are first doing a run to town then a lap of this course then running home!
Have fun and enjoy a coffee at the end

Cliffold

I too will be running to/from the city for a total of around 20k hopefully. Sorry you can't make it Cliffold. I think Pasc may be accompanying me also

See you there

[crabby]

Would it be OK if I gatecrash please? Provided I can get myself out of bed and into the city by 7am
It would be good to get an idea of what I'm in for, and lovely to meet some CR's.  

[sook54]

Of course crabby - the more the merrier! I think we are now up to six of us - will be good to meet you. I am sure you won't be able to miss the group... I will be wearing a CR visor, don't know about the rest of them. I guess I'd better dig out the course map since cliffold isn't running with us.

Here is the link to the course info on their site.

[crabby]

Thanks Sook. Now I just have to stay away from the wine tonight, and drag myself out of bed at 5.30 tomorrow! By the way, I notice you ticked of one of your goals today- sub 53 10k. Congratulations!!

[PlodBod]

Man, that felt good today.  Sekrit hill training is paying off  

Good to meet you Crabby, and nice work emjay and Sook post-pb's.

[sook54]

Twas a good start to the day and to my taper - v. impressed with Ploddy's steady pace improvement and great to meet crabby. Was surprised to see emjay there since she had a big day yesterday and is still recovering from illness - I'd just run past her front door on my way into town!

Hills schmills - most of this route is flat or just a slight incline. The only things to worry about are the short sharp Argyle St and Hunter St hills but anyone who's done sekrit hill training    is going to eat them for breakfast.

[crabby]

Lovely to meet you Sook, Emjay and Plod. Thanks for making me feel welcome. Felt pretty good and the hills weren't too bad. Congrats again to Sook and Emjay for PB's yesterday! Hope to catch up with you in 2 weeks!

[Running Angel]

Sorry I had to bail last minute guys, pesky leg has decided to play up again, in fact I am sitting here with an ice pack on my post tib as we speak. Oh well better this weekend than in 2 weeks when it's the real thing.

See you all then

[sook54]

Oh no RA, look after it! Still with your recent record you will have nothing to worry about - you can pull it together for the big occasion.

[HouseDad]

Thanks for info re: roadworks on the course Sook. I'm going into the city this week to walk some of the course with my 9-month old in the pram, so will check it out. Also a MASSIVE WELL DONE Sook on going sub 53 on Saturday. It was a great event aye.

Lee  

[Running Angel]

sook54, on May 4 2008, 01:57 PM, said:

Oh no RA, look after it! Still with your recent record you will have nothing to worry about - you can pull it together for the big occasion.

Lets hope so Sook! Congrats on the PB at the weekend, you are getting super quick now, I'll be nowhere close to you at SMH!

[MissPinkyInSydney]

Thanks for the report on the course!!
A big weight has lifted from my shoulders hearing that the hills are not too bad....PHEW!!!!

Tonight is 19K's for me.  This will be my longest run before next Sunday.  I am guessing my new CR cap will carry me for the last 2K's.....I am hoping so anyway!!!  

Miss Pinky

[Running Angel]

MissPinkyInSydney, on May 5 2008, 12:47 PM, said:

Thanks for the report on the course!!
A big weight has lifted from my shoulders hearing that the hills are not too bad....PHEW!!!!

Tonight is 19K's for me.  This will be my longest run before next Sunday.  I am guessing my new CR cap will carry me for the last 2K's.....I am hoping so anyway!!!  

Miss Pinky

Don't worry Miss Pinky, when I did my first half I had only ever done 16k in training, and I survived. And the course was a lot hillier than SMH!

See you there

[langswm]

sook54, on May 4 2008, 10:59 AM, said:

Hills schmills - most of this route is flat or just a slight incline. The only things to worry about are the short sharp Argyle St and Hunter St hills but anyone who's done sekrit hill training    is going to eat them for breakfast.

Love your work Sook, and great Sub53 on Saturday! I suspect, however, this "new" course is going to sneak up on a few people and that the up-hill finish up Art Gallery Rd and then College St will sort us out.  You'll want to be well ahead of your k splits before tackling those last few k's.

[emjay]

I ran one lap of the course yesterday with Sook, Plod and Crabby.  I felt a bit slow to say the least - after doing Homebush the day before, my feet felt like they were encased in concrete!  Thanks to Sook for staying with me and keeping me going!!

Hunter Street was pretty tough going, but otherwise the course is good.  But those roadworks are definitely not going to be cleared out of the way in time, luckily their far enough along the route that the crowds should have thinned out.

RA, we missed you yesterday, hope your fit and well in time for the race.