Bondi
Training log: 9 September. 16 km Rose Bay- Bondi Circuit
Good run across 16 km tonight with some good undulating ground. Headed out just after a sprinkling of rain so the air was fresh and cool, and about 20 minutes before ending some welcome light, cold rain started falling.
The course departed Hyde Park to Rose Bay via New South Head Road, then heading south to Bondi via Curlewis St and returning to Hyde Park via Bondi Road and rejoining New South Head Road through Ocean St.
This is a good course- good views and with some good flat stretches mixed with some ups and downs that make for a challenging run.
I felt fresh tonight, and ended strong feeling in good shape. I didn’t time the run by across the three ‘legs’ (Rose Bay, Bondi and finish) but did keep track of total time taken. I as maintaining a reasonable and comfortable pace, but not smashing any land speed records either. I didn’t measure heart rate, but did note weight before and after the run.
For anyone training for the City to Surf next year, this is a good course to keep in mind.
On the homeward leg I bumped into Jamie Chivers and spoke briefly. Jamie has been active supporting causes addressing poverty in India himself over the last two years.
Training log: 6 September. 20 km circuit.
After cutting the run short on Saturday and not completing the 20 km scheduled run, I covered the same distance tonight to build my confidence in training that it was not beyond me.
The course is a great circuit looping Bellevue Hill (Sydney)…great that is if you like a long run. If you don’t like running, I suggest you drive. The start point was Hyde Park, running out along New South Head Road to Rose Bay. Turning south on Newcastle St, into Blair St to reach North Bondi. Running the beach run to Bronte, then I returned via Bronte Road, Bondi Junction and Oxford St finishing at Hyde Park.
I didn’t measure time or heart-rate, and kept a slow pace for most of the run. I measured weight before departing and on my return. My legs felt in good shape all things considered which was a relief following the discomfort experienced on Saturday.
The highlights:
- Running beside the water lapping the sea wall at Rose Bay
- Tuning the bend at North Bondi and seeing the black expanse of Bondi Beach at night; peering out into the distant darkness
- Running along the Bondi- Bronte path in the moonlight, hearing the waves pound the cliffs
- Returning from Bronte knowing the long part is behind
I encountered four people I knew. Retiring MP and fellow runner Pat Farmer, a champion of ultra-marathon distances and now planning a run between ‘Pole to Pole’. Gordon Fell of Rubicon fame- good to talk with him, but also the oblique ‘bridge’ reference (crossing the Rubicon…).
Looking ahead to the first run on 24 September, and preparing for some sprint training tomorrow.
Building Bridges 