This blog is closed

I've struggled with blogs over the last few years - do they capture all your thoughts, do you present your professional views, do you Twitter the smallest details about your job.

This one was supposed to separate serious from leisure - but it's becoming a bit tedious. So, I'm closing it and will continue to record on julian.hucker the total miles run towards my 2009 target of 1,000 miles.

Good night

Clapham Common

Snowy, cold, icy, dark, muddy, dark - who says running in the British winter isn't fun

Run: 3 miles

Early Morning Swim

7:00am Balham - harder than it should be

Panic Ride

Having committed to Riding to Work in Nottingham (103 miles total) in 8 days time I’m suddenly panicking about my bike fitness (do you see the pattern here).

Feet got too cold to do more than once round Richmond Park in the swirling snow.

Either I am reacting badly to the cold after my warm weather break or Rob, my next door neighbour, has been practicing on those hills over Christmas – either way I think I need to spend some more money on my bike to speed me up (and get some new overshoes!)

Why oh why did I let Adam convince me to not factor in cycling and swimming into my 1,000 mile calculation

Bike: 20 Miles

Panic Swim

Having committed to Escape from Alcatraz I’m suddenly panicking about my swim fitness (jump off a boat just by Alcatraz Island, swim 1.5 miles in 55 degree, shark-invested waters and then try to avoid the Sea Lions at the beach – or at least that’s what it says in the brochure)

Lunchtime 1.25K

First run for ages

Clapham Common in the mud and rain! Oh Joy!

I have that sense that you get when you watch England follow-on in a one-day international: the run rate started as challenging but possible but is edging towards the mathmatically possible. As long as it doesn't slip into infeasible then I'm still in with a chance.

3.4 (3) miles

Last Ride of the Trip

Mount Martha > St Kilda via Office

Bike: 37 miles

And Back

A head wind and strong sun made the ride back seem much harder. Still, a good start and end to the day

Bike: 28 miles

Ride to Work

Suprisingly chilly @ 6.30! Still, a great ride in to work,. Even when the roads didn't have dedicated cycle lanes, Australian drivers left far more space than UK drivers.

Apart from one big hill the route was pretty flat and fast.

I had to get to the far left of this picture.



Now I have to get back again tonight! Forecast is for sunshine which may not be very helpful

Bike: 28 miles.

Test Run on my Trusty Steed

Holiday and work commitments mean that I'm already behind with my run requirements for the year.

However, I finally managed to pick up my hire bike from St Kilda Cycles at the weekend. Not exactly hi-tech (note the amusement of my mechanics below) but really well maintained



A quick early morning run up the coast to Mornington and back got me ready for the ride to work tomorrow.

Bike: 10 miles

4 Miles - Sea & Back

Mount Martha to the beach and back, and - as they say on shampoo bottles - repeat.

Run: 4 miles

Sea Swim

Nice swim up the beach - first of the year. Cold but crystal clear water

500m = 0.3miles x 4 = 1.2 Miles [ Rounded down to 1 Mile ]!

28C - Too Hot for Running

Mount Martha, VIC. Down to the beach via the Boardwalk and back home for a swim.

Run: 2 Miles

Sandringham Again

2nd run in 3 days - consistency will be the key. Warmer but wind had dropped so easier.

Run: 3 miles

First of the Year

Lunchtime work-off of New Year's Eve's excess along the cliff path in Sandringham, VIC. Harder than it should be but I guess it can only get easier.

Only 997 miles left to go!

Run: 3 miles