Yah-hoo!!!!!!! I did it at last. 5K 19:28. Broken that 20 min barrier at last. Did it at the Brisbane Road Runners 5K Championship this morning. Only managed 2nd in my age category though. Fortunately the weather this morning was great for running. I couldn't have done it in the heat.
Thanks for your encouragement Tesso.
28 November, 2004
26 November, 2004
26/11/2004
Addicted I may be but I'm still willing to let a tired body recuperate. This week I have taken it pretty easy and I think it is paying off. I am feeling so much better and looking forward to the 5K championship at Brisbane Road Runners on Sunday which I hope to somehow combine with my Sunday long run. Maybe this Sunday will be the day I finally crack 20 minutes. Either way you will hear about it.
Today day I am nursing a sore left calf after suffering a very painful cramp during the night. It woke me with a bit of a jolt. I don't know what causes that - probably need to replace some salt after recent intense running.
Today day I am nursing a sore left calf after suffering a very painful cramp during the night. It woke me with a bit of a jolt. I don't know what causes that - probably need to replace some salt after recent intense running.
23 November, 2004
Tuesday 23/11/2004
Here I am at last. I have been too tired to bother untill now. This morning I did 8x500m reps with Pat Carroll's Group then went to work and reckon I hit the wall. I was totally stuffed. What! you say - after a bit of a speed session.
The speed session came after a big weekend - the Endeavour 500K Relay. Whow! what a fantastic weekend. This was my second year and it was even better than the first. Our team, Brisbane Road Runners, came 4th out of 16. The best result ever for us. Unlike the Team Victory, the winners, our team members range from 68 to 21 years of age and with running speeds ranging from 3 min K's to 7 min K's. Everyone put in incredible efforts as indicated by the result. When your team mate has just tagged you after running his/her guts out what choice do you have other than doing the same.
I have never in my life pushed myself to the physical limits I managed in this relay. The event and my team mates have taught me so much about what it takes to work and cooperate together as a team to achieve and still have a great time. The encouragement and support given to and by each other is so good to experience.
It's not only runners that make up the team either. Each team has to have a bus and three vehicles - a follow vehicle, a drop-off vehicle, and a water vehicle. Some teams have people who just drive the bus. Our team captain and one other runner, shared the bus driving. The follow vehicle has a driver and a person to record the times. The recorder was our team manager and the driver another club member who elects not to run but to drive this vehicle at the pace of what ever runner they are following at the time. He does this for the three days of the event - I'd go crazy. Our drop-off vehicle also has a designated driver who is kept extremely busy ensuring runners are ready and waiting at their change over points. Our water vehicle is manned by a designated driver and assisted by runners from the team. Keeping up the water to the runners takes a considerable amount of organisation, energy and endurance. The lady who looks after our water has a great sense of humour and goes to great lenghts to be outfitte in adifferent costume each day and is always so supportive. Being an experienced runner herself she is able to offer good advice to runners along the way.
We were very fortunate this year in that a Toowoomba company, Southern Cross Automotive, loaned us the Drop-off vehicle, a Ford Territory, and a ute for the water.
The event raised over $60,000 for the Endeavour Foundation this year.
A highlight of the event for me took place late Saturday afternoon. The relay stopped at the Wheatsheafs Hotel just west of Toowoomba. From there, instead of a staggered start we had a mass start. To save congestion at the first change-over point all the runners (16) who were to run the second leg were taken on one bus to the change-over. I was one of them. As I looked around me I felt a bit out of my league. I was surronded by some top class people from teams like Victory, InTraining, Russell's Bushies, etc.
While we were waiting a storm broke. There was streaks of lightning, it was pouring rain and visibility wasn't the best. Eventually, in the distance we could see the flashing light of the first follow vehicle. Out into the cold rain we went to await our respective runners. First came the Team Victory runner, as expected. The InTraining runner stood by, with good reason, thinking he might be next to be tagged. Instead, peering up the road, he asked "who's team wears green?" I looked down at my fluroescent yellow and said I don't know. Then he pointed at me and said "It's you! I's your runner coming" So I peered hard and sure enough it was our team's fastest runner, Hintsa, barrelling down the road like you wouldn't believe. Oh God! How could I do justice to his super effort. He has just run 6.9K at an astounding pace and now it's up to me for the next 3.8K. I had no choice but to run like hell and do the best I could. Some of you will understand the pressure I felt at that point. I run slightly over 4 min K's over these short distances. How was I going to maintain our position? As I said, all I could do was run like hell. I was expecting to be overtaken at any moment. Our follow car driver beeps the horn after each K. 1 beep 1 k, 2 beeps 2 k etc. At last first beep - not been passed yet. Eternity later, 2 beeps -not been passed yet. A gasping agonising further eternity, 3 beeps - no one yet - must be any moment now. Keep running, lights, witches hats ahead, at last the change-over. Gasping, God this is hard, 3.8K, made it. Not one single runner passed me - unbelieveable. Of course thanks to Hintsa's enormous effort but I felt so good that I had at least not lost our position- ground yes but not the position.
Will I put my hand up to be part of this team again - YOU BET.
The speed session came after a big weekend - the Endeavour 500K Relay. Whow! what a fantastic weekend. This was my second year and it was even better than the first. Our team, Brisbane Road Runners, came 4th out of 16. The best result ever for us. Unlike the Team Victory, the winners, our team members range from 68 to 21 years of age and with running speeds ranging from 3 min K's to 7 min K's. Everyone put in incredible efforts as indicated by the result. When your team mate has just tagged you after running his/her guts out what choice do you have other than doing the same.
I have never in my life pushed myself to the physical limits I managed in this relay. The event and my team mates have taught me so much about what it takes to work and cooperate together as a team to achieve and still have a great time. The encouragement and support given to and by each other is so good to experience.
It's not only runners that make up the team either. Each team has to have a bus and three vehicles - a follow vehicle, a drop-off vehicle, and a water vehicle. Some teams have people who just drive the bus. Our team captain and one other runner, shared the bus driving. The follow vehicle has a driver and a person to record the times. The recorder was our team manager and the driver another club member who elects not to run but to drive this vehicle at the pace of what ever runner they are following at the time. He does this for the three days of the event - I'd go crazy. Our drop-off vehicle also has a designated driver who is kept extremely busy ensuring runners are ready and waiting at their change over points. Our water vehicle is manned by a designated driver and assisted by runners from the team. Keeping up the water to the runners takes a considerable amount of organisation, energy and endurance. The lady who looks after our water has a great sense of humour and goes to great lenghts to be outfitte in adifferent costume each day and is always so supportive. Being an experienced runner herself she is able to offer good advice to runners along the way.
We were very fortunate this year in that a Toowoomba company, Southern Cross Automotive, loaned us the Drop-off vehicle, a Ford Territory, and a ute for the water.
The event raised over $60,000 for the Endeavour Foundation this year.
A highlight of the event for me took place late Saturday afternoon. The relay stopped at the Wheatsheafs Hotel just west of Toowoomba. From there, instead of a staggered start we had a mass start. To save congestion at the first change-over point all the runners (16) who were to run the second leg were taken on one bus to the change-over. I was one of them. As I looked around me I felt a bit out of my league. I was surronded by some top class people from teams like Victory, InTraining, Russell's Bushies, etc.
While we were waiting a storm broke. There was streaks of lightning, it was pouring rain and visibility wasn't the best. Eventually, in the distance we could see the flashing light of the first follow vehicle. Out into the cold rain we went to await our respective runners. First came the Team Victory runner, as expected. The InTraining runner stood by, with good reason, thinking he might be next to be tagged. Instead, peering up the road, he asked "who's team wears green?" I looked down at my fluroescent yellow and said I don't know. Then he pointed at me and said "It's you! I's your runner coming" So I peered hard and sure enough it was our team's fastest runner, Hintsa, barrelling down the road like you wouldn't believe. Oh God! How could I do justice to his super effort. He has just run 6.9K at an astounding pace and now it's up to me for the next 3.8K. I had no choice but to run like hell and do the best I could. Some of you will understand the pressure I felt at that point. I run slightly over 4 min K's over these short distances. How was I going to maintain our position? As I said, all I could do was run like hell. I was expecting to be overtaken at any moment. Our follow car driver beeps the horn after each K. 1 beep 1 k, 2 beeps 2 k etc. At last first beep - not been passed yet. Eternity later, 2 beeps -not been passed yet. A gasping agonising further eternity, 3 beeps - no one yet - must be any moment now. Keep running, lights, witches hats ahead, at last the change-over. Gasping, God this is hard, 3.8K, made it. Not one single runner passed me - unbelieveable. Of course thanks to Hintsa's enormous effort but I felt so good that I had at least not lost our position- ground yes but not the position.
Will I put my hand up to be part of this team again - YOU BET.
18 November, 2004
Thursday 18/11/2004
Took a rest day to day. Big weekend starting tomorrow (Friday) at about 3:00 AM. The 500K Relay adventure starts. So I will be off line for three days.
I'm feeling a bit aphrehensive about running my hardest in the heat but I will give it my best shot. I'm running with the Brisbane Road Runners team. We have a team of about 18 and each member will run about three legs of 4-6 K each day plus each member has to take part in one of three 3K criterions. We start at Garden City Shoppong Centre Mt Gravatt and proceed via Coomera, Beaudesert, Boonah (end day 1), Cunninghams Gap, Warwick, Toowoomba (end day 2), Gatton, Laidley, Ipswich ( end Relay).
I'm feeling a bit aphrehensive about running my hardest in the heat but I will give it my best shot. I'm running with the Brisbane Road Runners team. We have a team of about 18 and each member will run about three legs of 4-6 K each day plus each member has to take part in one of three 3K criterions. We start at Garden City Shoppong Centre Mt Gravatt and proceed via Coomera, Beaudesert, Boonah (end day 1), Cunninghams Gap, Warwick, Toowoomba (end day 2), Gatton, Laidley, Ipswich ( end Relay).
17 November, 2004
Wednesday 17/11/2004
The humidity this morning is incredible. It took 15 minutes before the sweat stopped pouring out of me after my 50 minute run which I started at 5:00 AM. What on earth is the 500K Relay going to be like on the weekend. Best not to think about it.
I enjoyed today's run though. Out and back from home. Got to the Brookwater roundabout on the Augusta Parkway in 25 mins. Managed a negative split so kept running past home to make up the 50 mins. Well my training program says 50 mins so 50 mins it is. Sad isn't it.
I enjoyed today's run though. Out and back from home. Got to the Brookwater roundabout on the Augusta Parkway in 25 mins. Managed a negative split so kept running past home to make up the 50 mins. Well my training program says 50 mins so 50 mins it is. Sad isn't it.
16 November, 2004
Tuesday 16/11/2004
Well today was supposed to be a training day with Pat Carroll's group. Last night I got all my gear ready as usual, set the alarm for 4:20 am and was looking forward to another torturous speed session. The alarm worked fine, I woke, turned it off, and I swear I only shut my eyes for two seconds but the clock said it was 40 minutes. I didn,t even have time to drive to the railway station let alone shave and dress. I know it's a shocking excuse.
Now I know I could have done the speed training on my own from home, BUT, as I set out slowly I realised that after my big effort on Sunday (10K PB) I really wasn't up to any speeding.
Instead I did an easy 8K which took me 40 minutes.
With the 3 day 500K Relay looming (Fri 19 to Sun 21 Nov) I need to conserve some energy anyway.
Now I know I could have done the speed training on my own from home, BUT, as I set out slowly I realised that after my big effort on Sunday (10K PB) I really wasn't up to any speeding.
Instead I did an easy 8K which took me 40 minutes.
With the 3 day 500K Relay looming (Fri 19 to Sun 21 Nov) I need to conserve some energy anyway.
14 November, 2004
Sunday 14/11/2004
Fantastic run today! Brisbane Road Runners 10K championships. Won the 50 - 54 category with a PB of 40:55. I'm stoked. 1:17 better than my previous PB.
All I have to do now is shave at least another 5 seconds off per K and I'll crack that elusive 40:00 10K.
I was also elected as the Club treasurer at our AGM today.
All I have to do now is shave at least another 5 seconds off per K and I'll crack that elusive 40:00 10K.
I was also elected as the Club treasurer at our AGM today.
13 November, 2004
Wednesday 10/11/2004
PWC Cool Night Classic charity fun run. 5.13k 21:04. This was the 4th time I have run in this event. This was my first ever fun run in 2001 so is of special signifigance to me. It is run in the environs of the City reaches of the Brisbane River. Over 3000 runners and walkers took part this year.
Sunday 7/11/2004
Noosa Triathlon
Ran in a team which achieved 13th of 101 teams in category.
My run - 10k in 42:37 (8th)
Ran in a team which achieved 13th of 101 teams in category.
My run - 10k in 42:37 (8th)
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