SYDNEY STRIDERS ROAD RUNNERS’ CLUB AUSTRALIA

EDITION No 109

S E P T E M B E R - DECEMBER 2009 2009

Crack cruiser, Crasti can crest

om Crasti may be interval sessions (10x400s, unusually tall for a 5x1200, 6km fartlek, T runner at 6’3” but he 6x1000). Saturday is usually cuts a lean figure, weighing a threshold run of approx- in at just 70kg. He imately 10km followed by performed well as a runner hills. Sunday and Wednes- at primary school but at age days are long runs from 1.30 11 suffered from Sever's min to 2 hours and Monday disease which put a halt to and Friday comprises a the running until the end of 30min recovery run. Total High School and he has been 100-120km per week. improving ever since. With the benefit of Sean During 2004 and 2005 he Williams’ training, Tom gave Triathlons and Cycling hopes to go under 30 a go which he found minutes for 10k, realising enjoyable and was that it will require all of his competitive in his age group, currently held motivation to especially during the run remain. His best and legs of triathlons. But he preferred distances are 10k returned to running, and half Marathon. realising it was his real passion although he still His PB’s: enjoys cycling now and then 3km 8.30 and even being a cycling 5km 15.15 spectator! 10km 31.00 C2S 43.35 He currently lives in Pymble, 21.1km 68.14 but is looking to move over Tom was plucked from the to the eastern suburbs to be ‘preferred’ starters to join near Centennial Park where the ranks of the elite in 2008 he trains 4 times a week. for the first time. Standing at You could probably guess the start of a race with his that he is coached by Sean name and not just a number Williams. He joined Sean’s on his chest, he says, training squad a year ago provides an extra sense of and has seen considerable exhilaration. He says he improvements after pre- “enjoys warming up and viousy being self coached. jostling with the true seeded runners some of whom will be place getters.” He thinks Tom trains every day of the it is something for all week. Tuesdays and preferred runners to strive Thursdays are speed/ for. ,,, cont p.3 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 Club Phone Contacts

President Jim Moody 0411 258 589 Vice President Brian Ogilvy 0410 694 875 Secretary Blister Printing Blister Contributions to: Ross McCarty 0403 557 127 Paper Tiger Printing [email protected] At Chippendale Or Striders PO Box Treasurer Charles King 9816 5593 Website manager Acknowledgements Linda Barwick 0409 712 722 James Cryer (Illustrations) Amanda Underwood (Proofreading, Puzzle) Gerry Arthur (Photography) Karen Canfell (Auntie Joan) Jess Baker (Puzzle) Vania and Database Manager Peter Boorer 0417 684 951 Nick Dauner (Proofreading) Brian Ogilvy, Lee Baker, Paul Bruning (Photographs) Barbara Becker (Photo’s, story, other general help) Results Manager Chris Graham 0419 162 538 About the Blister Blister Editor Quarterly journal of Sydney striders Road Runner’s Club, Inc. (Founded 1980). PO Dennis Wylie 0404 898 661 Box R1227, Royal Exchange, Sydney NSW 1225, Australia. 10k Series Director Opinions published in this journal, whether expressed by members or non-member, Barbara Becker 0402 967 697 do not neccessarily represent the official policy of the club. Advertising rate: $100 per edition, per page ½ page $50, ¼ page $25. Preferred 10k Timing & Results Suppliers $45 for a full year. Circulation approx 700 James Moody 0411 258 589 Adam Moody 0410 766 5866 Paul Hannell 0412 042 950 Copy Preferences How many words? As a guide, 1300 words and a picture makes 2 pages. Smaller 6 Foot Track Manager Colin Jeftha 0466 110 136 items and letters are most welcome How to send? Email to [email protected] Super Series Write in a Word document and send as an attachment to your email John Van Yzendoorn 9874 6927 Font: Cambria 10pt ANSW Liaison Photos: If posting, it’s best not to send your only copy. Send as a separate jpg file Glenn Guzzo 0407 453 649 when emailing your stories Dale Thompson 0418 114 067 MTG Co-ordinator Phil Skurrie 0411 066 348 STaR Maps Rumour has it... Tony Kellner 0409 463 861 As part of the NASA space programme Scientists have been looking into how Uniforms Managers humans can exist for extended periods in a dry atmosphere. The filtered air that Samantha Isbell 0404 913 800 Astronauts breathe has a very drying effect on lungs necessitating consumption Social Functions of large quantities of water but, in the future, when planetary exploration takes Chris Truscott 0402 464 047 place and possibly, interplanetary mining operations, the transport and recycling Jo Cowan 0410 594 189 of water will have to be rationalised. NASA is interested in anything that will Internal Events enable water retention in human beings. Fran Boorer 0421 985 328 Cash strapped medical students are often keen to undertake experimental surgery to advance science and earn a bit of pocket money at the same time. Volunteer Co-ordinator Hence, the water retention experiments that NASA is interested in no longer Liz Woodhams 0412 396 881 need include animals. Human Guinea Pigs are being operated on to attach New Members’ Liaison bladders to their backs (remember the mouse with a human ear on its back?). Pauline Evans 0400 392 976 Hence, in a somewhat Camel-like fashion, water can be conveniently carried Calendar about in hostile environments. Rob Chalmers 0410 933 140 Hearing about the NASA experiments, Athletics America became interested in Mailout Manager using the principle of the ‘Back Bladder’ to save long distance runners from Tina Campbell 0488 774 744 delays when taking drinks at water stations, thereby giving their own athletes an advantage over other nationals. Sergeant-at-arms Denise Wilson 0417 693 350 Striders is now looking for volunteers to assist our own Surgeons to achieve the same end rather than sit back and watch the Americans have all the glory. Let your committee know if you can assist.

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Cont from cover… One of his biggest and best races was the Brisbane Bridge to Brisbane where he came 3rd out of a 45000 field of 10km runners. He said it was a fantastic feeling ending up on the podium. The race was taken out by Michael Shelley. INSIDE BLISTER 109 Finding himself competing in a number of the 10km series races and seeing them as very competitive and a good way Alf’s alarming Antarctic adventure to gauge current form, he decided Striders was a good fit. A bit o’ buddy is bloody beaut Since becoming a member he has met some great runners and feels that the 10km series has helped him improve his Phantom finds ‘fricans ferocious running times. He believes we do a fabulous job of putting foes in foreign foray on a race. He tries to think positively, believing that your level of Climbers leave Oskar cold mental preparation can dictate how you perform. He Coville’s Kona caper believes that you can mentally psyche yourself out of a race. He sometimes questions whether performance is W G does GOW driven 50:50 by mental and physical or if there is more of a skew towards physical. He strives for success and Many Masters matters manifested perfection and tries not to let poor performances get him down, instead using them to drive him to train harder. Running right around Australia Since joining Sean’s squad, Tom has been doing less races ‘nlotsa uthastuff but he looks forward to them as they are great for motivation and he needs them to keep motivated.

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FATHER’S DAY LETTER 2009

WHY I DON’T RUN ANY MORE

By ALF FIELD

This is part of a series of articles written mainly for my family and close friends on Father’s Day each year. Each article contains some information about my life that they have not been aware of. This article is more general and not as deeply personal as some previous articles, hence it is being sent to a wider list of friends and acquaintances.

The date – 16 December gorgeous day and a 2001 – is firmly magical final run for me. I emblazoned in my was chatting with friends memory. That was the last and enjoying a warm time that I was able to run, drink after the run when I or at least run freely and stepped backwards to without pain. We never allow someone to pass by. know when it will be “the My ankle slipped on the last time”, so we should kerb and I went over appreciate and do those sideways, ripping things that we enjoy and something in my left knee love while we still can. as I fell.

When people hear that I The pain was have a knee problem and instantaneous and then discover that I have excruciating. It was run 110 marathons, they obvious that I had done shake their heads sadly some serious damage to and say something like: my knee. I hobbled across “You got what you the street to the Yacht deserved”. This attitude is Club where the brunch accentuated when they was held. Despite getting discover that I ran 53 an ice pack on the knee marathons between the quickly, it kept swelling. ages of 55 and 60, an average of 10 a year, so The week before that I could run my 100th Christmas is an impossible marathon on my 60th time to get specialist birthday. medical attention. It was mid January 2002 before My general response is to brush it off with a comment the necessary scans and X-Rays were done and I was like, “Yes it was self-inflicted and I have no regrets,” able to see a knee specialist. The news was not good. It and leave it at that. This avoids the true situation, was a torn meniscus requiring an arthroscopic which requires a longer and more complicated operation, preferably right away. explanation. This letter is that explanation. When I told the doctor that I had booked and paid for The basic question that needs to be asked is: “If a major trip through South America with Mom, running 110 marathons caused my knee problems, Richard and Rebecca, to be followed by a trip to why do I have one good knee and one dodgy one?” Antarctica on my own to run the Antarctica Marathon, Surely both knees would have been afflicted equally by he just shrugged his shoulders. He said that there was all that running? no way that I could go on the South America and Antarctica trips, for which the departure date was 2 The day in question was the Sydney Strider’s annual weeks hence, if I had the operation immediately. brunch and awards presentation. It was preceded by a run from the Spit Bridge in Sydney along the harbour My knee had settled down a little, sufficient to allow foreshore to Manly, returning via the road. It was a me to walk but not run. I asked the doctor: “If I don’t 4

BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 have the operation now and go on the trip, doing huge difference to the enjoyment of the trip. whatever walking is required in South America The group flew to the port of Ushuaia at the southern followed by the Antarctica Marathon, will I cause tip of Argentina and embarked on a Russian research further damage to my knee?” vessel called the “Akademik Ioffe”, which was to be home for the next two weeks. The ship had been What do you think?” was his rhetorical response. After chartered by the marathon tour company and all the further discussion, he could see that I was determined 120 passengers were either runners or officials of the to go despite the potential for further injury to the tour company. knee. He just advised taking a lot of pain killers with me, particularly on the marathon. The operation was The first two days across the notorious Drake’s scheduled for our return to the UK in April. Passage, including the infamous trip around Cape Horn, was a major anti-climax. We were lucky, the first One thing that worried me (was it a bad omen?) was two days were like a mill pond and we arrived at the that the Antarctica Marathon was dubbed “The Last Antarctica Peninsula ahead of schedule and without Marathon”. This probably relates to the fact that any sea sickness. Nobody complained! This enabled us people who want to run a marathon on all seven to make a few jaunts to nearby islands to view the wild continents often have Antarctica as the last marathon life, mainly penguin and seal colonies. that they need to do to achieve this goal. The marathon was to be held on King George Island, Of more concern was that I could not train properly. In which was our next port of call. We dropped off a fact, I couldn’t run without pain, so how was I going to couple of officials who had the job of measuring and maintain my level of running fitness? The good news marking out the course while we set sail for Deception was that I Island where could walk we spent the without too next day. We much sailed back to discomfort. King George That made the Island that South night with the American trip marathon more practical. scheduled to I decided that be run the next walking and day, 2 March climbing stairs 2002. was about all that I could do The Russian to keep up Base, which is some level of marked as fitness. I didn’t Bellingshausen want to risk on the map further problems with the knee by training prior to below, was race headquarters where the start and the Marathon. finish were located. The course went eastwards to the I had one run on a beach in the Galapagos Islands to Uruguay base called Artigas, across a rounded stone satisfy myself that I could still run, even if it was with a beach and then up the glacier beyond, returning via lot of pain. That was the only training run that I had in the same route to HQ, then out to the south to the the 2 months prior to the Marathon. Was this really Chinese base called Great Wall on the map, returning going to be my “Last Marathon?” by the same route to the Russian base HQ – and that was half way! The second half of the marathon was a At the end of the South American trip Mom, Rich and repeat of the first. Beck took off for a jaunt into the Amazon jungles while I flew to Buenos Aires to join up with the marathon The weather forecast was alarming. Gale force winds group. Another concern was what my room mate and blizzards were expected in the morning, but would be like. A two week journey to Antarctica with conditions were forecast to improve later in the day. someone that I couldn’t get on with was not an inviting Yuk, just what we didn’t need. We were going to prospect. experience Antarctic weather at its worst.

Marathon morning dawned with the temperature I didn’t need to worry. My room mate was Dennis hovering around a modest 0C but the winds were Martin, a New York City policeman, about 6 years gusting up to 45 knots. There was a question whether younger than me. I couldn’t have found a nicer guy to we could actually board the inflatable rubber boats share my cabin with. He was one of the kindest, most that were to transport the runners to the shore. unselfish people that I have come across and it made a Fortunately the captain found a sheltered spot behind 5 MAP EX WIKIPEDIA BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 a cliff and, using the transverse prop in the front of the Each new pink flag brought a huge sigh of relief. boat, managed to hold the ship broadside to the wind, Fortunately the white-out did not last too long. After enabling us to get down the gangway and into the about 1.5km there was the welcome sight of the race “rubber duckies”. official noting runners’ race numbers at the turn around point. Downhill never felt quite so good, Runners had to provide everything that they needed despite the increase in knee pain that the declining during the marathon, including water and energy bars. section engendered. I had 3 large bottles of water, two of which I left at HQ while the other I carried with me, intending to As soon as the wind was behind us on the return position it somewhere out on the course. In addition, I journey, the wind started to diminish. Sod’s Law. Back had a number of energy gel sachets tucked into my to HQ and then out to the Great Wall China Base and running singlet. back again.

Start of the 2002 Antarctica Marathon at the Russian Base There was a cut off time at half way, an important requirement if everyone was to get back on board by nightfall. The cut-off time (from memory) was 3.5 hours. Most of my full marathons had been completed in times less than this, so a half marathon in that time did not seem like a major challenge. That The initial section to the Uruguay Base was directly did not take into account running in 5 layers of into the teeth of the gale that was blowing out of the clothing (2 layers of thermal underwear, a layer of east. My 2 litre bottle of water felt three times its polypropylene for warmth, my Sydney Strider’s normal weight. At the Uruguay Base there was the singlet, all of this covered by a waterproof outer layer. welcome sight of the 3 permanent residents cheering us on. Crossing the rounded stone beach I found a It also did not take into account the conditions. large piece of driftwood that could shelter my water Running into an Antarctic gale is a sure fire way of bottle out of the wind so that it would not freeze up. stopping most runners in their tracks.

Then it was on to the glacier. As luck would have it, we were hit by a snow storm just as I started my ascent. Runners on the way to the Uruguay Base in a light snow flurry. The wind was blowing the snow horizontally from the right. It was a complete white-out. The officials had marked the course with little pink flags on top of small metal spikes, generally about 100m to 150m apart. These flags simply disappeared from view, unless one was right on top of one, during the snow storm.

Unbidden, the thought: “I could die here” flashed across my brain. If I didn’t find the next pink flag I could have wandered off course, my frozen remains to be found 1,000 years hence when people would have marvelled at the clothes that I was wearing and puzzled over my stomach contents of pain killers and energy gels.

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I was determined not to be Amazingly I beat one third of the eliminated by exceeding the cut- finishers despite knee problems off time, but it required a bigger and lack of training. There were (and more painful) effort than I 13 runners in the over 60 year old anticipated. I made it with about category and I think that I was 30 minutes to spare. This was a about halfway down great relief as it allowed me to do That night it was champagne and a lot more walking in the second celebrations. Reality surfaced in a half of the marathon. big way the next morning. I have seldom experienced such stiffness and pain after a marathon. Dennis Martin (my room mate), happy Possibly a fall on the second and relaxed at half way realising that glacier descent added to the an ice bath will be no problem, should bumps and bruises. Perhaps it was he need one. the lack of training. Whatever the cause, walking up and down stairs The weather was improving was an agony. almost by the minute. The wind had dropped to a very gentle Nevertheless, as Dora the Explorer breeze and the clouds cleared likes to say: “We did it, we did it, away. On my way down the glacier we did it!” for the second time, the sun was shining and the view of the bay was stunning. The marathon tour group Questions: web site: http://www.marathontours.com/ has a great photo of this view from the top of the glacier in Would I have done anything differently, knowing what snowy weather. It was even better in bright sunlight. I know now?

Absolutely not. I would not change a single thing. It was my only shot at doing the Antarctica Marathon. For various reasons, mainly lack of available vessels, there was not another Antarctica Marathon until 2005 and then not until 2007. It has been an annual event since 2007, but it is now so popular that the 2010 and 2011 events are sold out and fully wait listed.

Advancing age and the looming knee operation suggested that my running career was coming to an end. The surgeon in the UK was quite frank, saying that he thought that my knee would never be the same again, but he was hopeful that I might be able to possibly run a marathon again. I latched on to that piece of information and started running again 5 Me at half way showing signs of stress. Shoes were warm, months after the operation. waterproof Nikes with zips

Antarctica was my marathon number 107 and I still Our white ship looked spectacular in the bay. Despite had some unfinished business. I wanted to run my knee problems, I was now enjoying the marathon. I another Comrades Marathon (number 12) in my green was walking a great deal and taking in the scenery. number and another Six Foot Track ultra marathon, Time no longer mattered and I knew that I would which was also to be number 12. The Hobart complete the course. Marathon in January qualified me for Comrades and I

also entered the 6Ft Track. Sadly that was a serious I finished the Antarctica Marathon in 6 hours 24 error. minutes. That put me in 56th place out of the 84 marathon finishers. My smile in the photo alongside Someone once said of me: “For an intelligent person, was one of relief that the finish was at hand. you are not very smart.” That may be so, but I did

listen to my better judgment after 3 hours slogging The winner’s time was 4.09 and only 16 runners out of through the Blue Mountains on the 6Ft Track. The 84 finishers managed it in less than 5 hours. An knee pain defeated the pain killers and I was indication of the severity of the conditions in 2002 is concerned that if I finished that event, I might not be the fact that the 2009 winner finished in 3.05 and the able to walk again. For the first time in any event, I first 10 runners were under 4 hours. The 2008 winner took the “bail out bus” to the finish. The Comrades did it in 3.09. number 12 dream was dead.

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I managed to complete two Bordeaux Marathons in all over the world to spend thousands of dollars each 2003 and 2004 in very slow times, mainly walking. and spend two weeks of their lives just to run a This is a good idea in Bordeaux Marathon, a fancy marathon in Antarctica? Especially one with a dress fun event which boasts 21 wine stops as the reputation as the toughest marathon on Earth?” marathon course winds through the famous wine “The Coolest Race on Earth” is both Hanc’s story and producing Chateaux. the story of the Antarctica Marathon, first held in 1995 and now an annual event that sells out years in advance. Conclusion: It’s full of humour, adventure and inspiring characters – That is the long-winded story of how I came to hang including a wheelchair-bound competitor, three record up my running shoes. Self-inflicted certainly, but one breaking grandmothers, and an ex-Marine who cannot blame the 110 marathons after age 40. The described the race as ‘the hardest thing I ever did in my blame lies in an unfortunate accident that could have life, next to Vietnam.’” happened at any time to anyone. Alf Field A book called “The Coolest Race on Earth” by John Sydney, Australia Hanc, published a few months ago by Chicago Review [email protected] Press, contains some history of the Antarctica 22 August 2009. Marathon and includes a led account of the 2005 event in which John Hanc Search Results - 1 Result(s) Found participated. The following is a quotation Race Last Name, First Name Time Overall Sex Place Country from the dust cover of (Sex/Age) Place his book: “What would induce Antarctica Marathon Field, Alfred (M61) 6:24:23 56 48 U.K. hundreds of people from 3/2/02

Presidents Report

During the recent months since my last report the club has been a hive of activity and while not as visible to everybody, we have still been in the public eye so to speak.

We have reached a milestone recently that bears 10 k races. If you are still in possession of one of the recording. Our membership has reached the 800 mark, old bib numbers (white with black numbers) it will which is a remarkable feat considering that many not register on the timing system and needs to be athletics clubs are struggling to maintain their replaced. membership much less have a regular annual growth. The growth of the club can be attributed to many FUTURE CONTACT things however one of the regular comments that I There are two important areas where you, the hear from new members refers to the way that the members of the club, can assist us and at the same members of the club support not only each other but time help us reduce our overhead costs. The first is the also the running community in general. Evidence of use of our website to download copies of the Blister. that can be seen by the number of Strider volunteers Currently we are posting out approximately 400 that are seen at events such as the Sydney Marathon, copies of the club magazine to those of you who have Oxfam Trailwalker, our own 10 K series and also club elected to receive a hard copy. The hard copy is in participation in just about any event being run around black and white and at each publication the cost of Australia. The face of the club is seen everywhere and posting a 50 page plus magazine is becoming the reputation we have generated is a result of the somewhat high. You can choose to download a full way in which you all conduct yourselves when in the colour copy of the magazine from the website which public eye so congratulations are in order to all of you. will not only save the club money but will provide you with a much better magazine. If you are interested in RACE TIMING SYSTEM UPDATE taking this option and would like to change the way As I mentioned in my previous report we have you receive the Blister please contact the club updated our bibs for the timing system, however we information email at [email protected] and are still finding the odd old style bib turning up at the we will change your records. 8 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

VOLUNTEERS The growth of the club into its current size means that I would like make a special mention of Liz Woodhams the management has grown accordingly and as such and the Pacers for the Sydney Marathon and Half we need the assistance of our members on the Marathon. As I mentioned above the face that the club committee, if you are interested in assisting on the exhibits to the community, both athletic and public, is committee or have any queries about what is entailed enhanced by the generosity of those of you who please let us know. The committee meets every 6 volunteer. We have had a number of new members as weeks at Crows Nest starting at 7:30 and finishing at a result of the image that you have displayed in giving 9:30 PM, if you have some time available it would be up your own time and races to provide this type of greatly appreciated. Any questions about what roles support to all runners in the event. are available and what commitments they entail please contact me and I will organise the current office RECENT RACE SUCCESSES holder to contact you to discuss what is entailed. We have again had a number our members who deserve a special mention, Melinda Vernon placed first Any queries or questions can be forwarded to woman in the City to Surf, Dave Criniti won the [email protected] or Townsville Marathon and Jeremy Horne ran 3rd in the [email protected] Sydney Marathon. Congratulations from all of us. We should also not forget our ladies Trailwalker team, the As this will be the last opportunity prior to Christmas Sydney Striders Green Goddesses, who managed to on behalf of the Committee we wish all of you and win the teams event at the Sydney Oxfam Trailwalker your families the very best for Christmas and the New in 16 hours 57 minutes, congratulations to Clare Year, this has been an extraordinary year for the club Holland, Sharon Callister, Mellissa Selby and Samantha and the future appears to be even brighter. Isbell. On behalf of Rob and myself many thanks for your NEXT YEAR support during the year and we wish you a very Merry The club’s AGM will be on the 28th February following Christmas and Happy New Year the running of the first Super Series event, The Equaliser. At the AGM there will be a number of committee members who will be retiring after Jim Moody supporting the club for a number of years, the President committee consists of 28 members currently and we Sydney Striders Road Runners Club try to lighten the load for each of them by making each role specific.

WHO AM I?

1. Being horse mad, at my first ever school carnival I decided to gallop my race (to my mother’s embarrassment) 2. I became a personal trainer at the age of 18 By Amanda 3. I bought a health club in Pitt St at the age of 25 Underwood 4. My biggest fear is leeches (hence my disdain for bush running)

5. I run a popular health and fitness blog (with a heavy slant towards running!) 6. I joined the Striders in 2008 and have run three marathons and three half marathons. 7. I would never have completed my first marathon without the STaRs 8. I have a tendency to talk too much on the STaRs 9. I have just returned from 10 months touring with Barry Humphries as his personal trainer and chef 10. This year I completed the Boston Marathon in 3:26min and just completed Melbourne Marathon in 3:16min, a PB for me. 11. I bet my mate Michelle Bridges (Biggest Loser trainer) that she couldn’t run Melbourne Marathon. We trained hard and I lost the bet! 12. Each week I get more inspired by the Strider members (especially the ‘Striders of a certain age’) than any athletes out there 13. My secret girl crush is Lisa-Anne Carey (who got me into this in the first place) 14. My secret weapon is my Garmin 405 GPS (and Phil Sharp’s training tips!) 15. I have the same first name as a famous female aviator...

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JULIA RUSSELL MASSAGE SERVICES – Specialising in Athletes

Julia Russell is a qualified physiotherapist who specialises in the area of sports massage. In 2001 Julia started Julia Russell Massage Services, a business specifically designed to cater to the needs of elite teams and athletes. JRMS has a team of excellent therapists and currently looks after the bulk of NRL, Super 14 Rugby, State Cricket, Australia Cricket, QLD and NSW State of Origin and Soccer. JRMS is based throughout Sydney. Visit the web site: www.juliarussellmassage.com.au Phone Julia: 0419129483 or Email: [email protected]

THE POWER OF A Training Buddy

By AMELIA BURTON

Do you sometimes feel uninspired to train? Even with a goal or event in mind, you still find yourself training without gusto or skipping sessions. One way to snap you out of this very vanilla phase is to land yourself a training buddy. Like any healthy relationship there can be ups and downs, but the journey is always much more fulfilling when you are sharing it with someone.

ecently I ran the Melbourne Marathon. I had the journey to the same degree (sometimes even greater) most incredible weekend, not just because I scored a that you are. This could be a running partner but it could R PB of 3:16 but because I shared the experience with also be a family member, a trainer, your Twitter my Strider buddies and my new training buddy, Michelle followers, or a Coolrunning forum buddy. Many people Bridges. Although we’ve been friends of many years, think their training buddy should be fitter or more becoming training buddies was quite left field. experienced than them, but I argue that it can be even Mish and I had a long lunch one day, and after a few more fulfilling to mentor a newbie who will gain so much cheeky wines, she started heckling me about running from your experience. marathons. “Put your money where your mouth is girlfriend!” I said. “You think you’re pretty fit? Let’s see you run 42km..! In fact come and run 22km on Sunday with me The best training buddies: at a STaR. That’ll sort you out!” The conversation  Need you just as much as you need them continued along that path for quite some time until other  Are reliable patrons were clearly disturbed by our rowdy behaviour.  Always encouraging I got a sheepish phone call the next day asking if she  There for support when you need it really had to come running at 6am on Sunday? I insisted  Tell you to harden up when you are wimping out (in that she join us and thank God she did! a caring way of course!)  Assist you with programming and advice What is a training buddy?  Competitive but in a healthy, sportsman-like way Most people think of a training buddy as someone that  Hold you accountable for your sessions you actually train with, but this isn’t always the case. A true training buddy is anyone who is committed to your  Make workouts much more enjoyable

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How to get the most out of each other: other tempo sessions. Usually my marathon programs start 16 weeks out so it was pretty heavy going on both Woody Allen once summed it up saying “eighty percent of us at first. of success is showing up.” For distance running this is also true. One of the biggest benefits of your training The only time we trained together was the Sunday runs, buddy is committing to your training sessions. If you tell the rest of the time we trained alone but would be calling someone you are going to do it, then you really have to or texting most days. I remember one morning when I do it. Whether they are physically with you or not, if was seriously thinking of ditching my sprint session, then you’ve committed to your sessions that week, you don’t I received a funny text from Mish, something along the want to let them down. Besides commitment, training lines of “Faaarrrrk those sprints. I’ve coughed up a lung! I buddies should also; can’t believe you’ve made me do this – but I love it!” How  Hold each other accountable for training sessions could I have slept in? So off I went to cough up the other  Phone/email/text after each training session. Not lung and hold up my end of the bargain! only will you try harder knowing you are relaying We had our moments, never with each other but your workout, but it will inspire them to get up and certainly with training. Mish missed an all important Half do the same Marathon one day, miscalculating the traffic. I completely  Send motivating/educational material over when forgot about daylight saving and left her high and dry on you stumble across it our last (rainy) 30ks before Melbourne. We had dust storms and bad weather, Celebrity Masterchef and all  Don’t let injuries/illnesses affect the relationship, sorts of distractions but with the support of each other, you can still we remained assist each focussed on the other, even on race. The beauty of the bench the Striders is that  Be training for when one buddy the same or a can’t be around, there are others to similar event lean on. Phil Sharp helped Mish and I How to find your immensely, and training buddy was invaluable Being a Strider, when I trained for you are already my first marathon halfway there. I am last year. Always sure many of the up for a chat and a people you chat to fabulous at the various researcher. Thanks events would Phil! make perfect training buddies. Start by swapping email addresses or phone numbers, drop them a line a few days before a Above: A smile from ‘the biggest winners’ session to see if they are coming, send them some interesting running info such as websites or articles. If When it comes to marathon weekend that’s when a you both sign up for a similar event, get busy getting buddy really comes in handy. From carb-loading to laying involved in each other’s training. Before you know it, you out clothes. From bib collection to bag drop off, having a have ‘buddied-up’ and are well on the way to receiving buddy to help navigate the complexities of race day is the benefits that follow. Fitness level, age, gender, all that very comforting. The only thing we weren’t able to help jazz can be thrown out the window. Are you both keen? each other with was attempting to walk down stairs after Do you get on well? Who cares if you aren’t actually the race. There were no pillars of strength when it came running together, you can still support each other! to tackling those stairs! Before the race, Mish said she only ever wanted to do one marathon, but since then she Michelle and I buddy up for Melbourne Marathon tells me she has actually been missing her Sunday runs and all the great (she may have said insane) people who After two Sunday’s with the STaRs, one 22km and one make up the Striders. 30km, Mish had been bitten by the Striders bug. I double checked she wanted to run the marathon. Yes. We shook So for anyone out there who suffers from the dreaded de- on it. Melbourne here we come! With only 6 weeks to motivation virus, inject some fun back into your prepare, it was straight into the heavy stuff. I set Mish a workouts by finding yourself a training buddy. Who training program of 80kms per week broken up into one knows what they’ll inspire you to do or could it be the sprint session at the oval, one 30km run, and various other way around! 11 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 O U T O F Africa By PHANTOM STRIDER

Mighty Kilimanjaro … if you can’t climb it you can always drink it* (old Tanzanian saying)

You could have knocked me down with the proverbial when the Editor offered me an all expenses paid assignment to report on the 2009 running of the Kilimanjaro marathon. “Why not run it yourself while you are there and show those East Africans?” he added casually.

had barely enough time to get my Striders hand, was precision both in name and in nature. It not singlet out of the dryer when I was en route to only avoided flying into the mighty mountain but I Tanzania. Qantas to Bangkok, Kenyan Airways to delivered me safely and on time at the eponymous Nairobi and then on to Mt Kilimanjaro’s own little airport at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro. international airport by Precision Air. Precision Air …. you must be kidding. But it was a defective Qantas During the flight I was excitedly picturing myself airplane that proved the weak link, costing me a whole racing against the elites of Kenya, Tanzania and other day of badly needed acclimatisation. PA, on the other East African nations up the lower slopes of ‘Kili’ until I 12 *Kilimanjaro Premium Lager BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 remembered my dodgy knee that had stopped me instead concentrate on cementing a place at the back. from doing any decent training in the previous few My main worries are that my knee won’t last the weeks. distance or that it will slow me down so much that I’ll miss the 5:30 hours cut-off time for the finishers To prevent any misconceptions arising at this point I medal, the incontrovertible proof I need to show want everybody to get this straight. I don’t run in long Dennis that I have mixed it with the best. I have purple underwear. Much too hot, especially in decided that my main tactic will be to alternate 9 equatorial Africa, but I do admit to pantyhose over my minutes of steady jogging with 1 minute walk breaks, face for privacy reasons. an algorithm I am confident I can remember during the latter stages when juggling time, distance and pace The start/finish of the marathon is in the township of in your heated brain becomes difficult. I set my Moshi; hot, dusty, colourful and chaotic Moshi, with Garmin Forerunner to a 5:20 finish; giving me a 10 snow-capped Kili providing a cool serene backdrop. minute safety margin.

On the day before, you can pay for a tour of the After some artful but time-consuming taping of my marathon course in a minibus. In a nutshell, the first knee during which I miss the starter’s gun, I have to part is exactly the length of a half-marathon, running rush to catch up with the backmarkers. The East from the start in the stadium out of Moshi on the busy Africans, i.e. the bulk of the field, have already road towards the coast and with a couple of big dips in disappeared into the gloom of the early morning as the it, turning around after a few kms, retracing your steps stragglers are off into the all-embracing humidity. But to Moshi and then running along the less salubrious the real heat is yet to come. outskirts of the town back to the stadium. The second part of the marathon is the same course as the official The jog-walk tactic pays off almost immediately. At the half-marathon; out of the stadium, up the lower slopes first break I am able to walk behind a bush with a clear of Kili and back to the stadium. Piece of cake from the conscience and few witnesses. Even with the breaks comfort of an air-conditioned bus. and my sedate pace, there are soon people behind me

Marathon eve sees the obligatory pasta party at the The sun is not fully up yet and there are some roadside colonial Keys Hotel (marathon HQ) which is followed trees providing shade if wanted. I’m relaxed and by an all-night noisy party by the local hotel staff. The beginning to enjoy this. We’re on the road out of town grumpiness of runners at the early morning breakfast and negotiating the beginning of a steep uphill. is palpable. Suddenly there is the amazing sight of a herd of graceful gazelles bounding over the rise and leaping But the adrenalin soon kicks in at the nearby venue as towards us. As they come rapidly closer I realise they anxious athletes bump into each other in the gloom of have dark skins and two legs. Their pencil-slim figures the badly lit stadium in search of scarce opportunities are gone in a flash. We see the same spectacle once for last minute evacuations. more as we later struggle up the slopes of Kili and the same gazelle-like figures, still closely bunched, pass us My racing strategy has crystallised during my sleep- on the way down. One of these figures I discover later deprived night. I will let the East Africans go and is young Patrick Nyangelo, three-times City to Surf

Too quick for the camera, just out of shot, Phantom Strider is chased by Tanzania’s best

13 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 winner, who dead heats for second place with a fellow does the imposing peak of Kilimanjaro and of course, Tanzanian just ten seconds behind the winner Emily so does that fireball in the sky. The distances from one “I’m a boy” Chepuiya of Kenya. drink station to the next seem to get longer even though they are actually placed closer together on this The course now takes us back along the outskirts of part of the course. Moshi and past the markets already swarming with buyers and sellers. Everybody seems to know what’s There is a remarkable contrast between several tightly happening as the town is festooned with banners bunched packs of East Africans flying down the advertising the race. opposite side of the road towards the finish and the lonely widely strung out figures on my side struggling towards the turn around. I overtake a woman from The course turns back towards the stadium along Willoughby and then a bloke from Brisbane. some flat, well-shaded roads. Just as well because the sun is now up, and running without shade is going to Finally, the turnaround. My entourage of kiddies clap be, well.. bloody hot. I congratulate myself that I had enthusiastically, pat me on the back and yell “Hongera, the foresight to bring that big tube of sunscreen from Babu!” (Well done, Grandpa!). I’ll show them grandpa. Oz. The guy in front of me must have had the same I realise that the uphill has cost me dearly. My idea. He’s not only white, he literally oozes white. He’s calculating skills are no longer razor sharp but 4:30 sunscreened from head to toe. I hope I don’t look like now looks a bit unrealistic. What the heck, downhill this. But there is no fear of that when I suddenly has always been my forte and bugger the knee. So I realise with horror that I’ve forgotten to put on any run free as the wind, rip off the pantyhose and feel a sunscreen at all and that with the knee taping and bit of fresh air around the gills. other people borrowing my supply I have completely missed out protecting myself. Luckily I’m wearing that pantyhose over my head and I don’t burn easily. Says he.

Anyway, we have arrived back at the stadium, so far so good. From now on, it’s up and at them. Kili is rising majestically in front of us and so is the sun. There is no shade anymore. It’s either black asphalt or a dusty strip of dirt on the side of the road. The road is flanked by man-sized coffee trees only interrupted from time to time by some roadside villages.

A new feature is the multitude of small Ghost who walks’ 400 years just fell off as he ran. He seemed only 30ish! urchins from those villages who attach Nobody has themselves to individual runners. They This is as good as it gets; the grab your wrists and pull, but it’s not overtaken me downhill home stretch. I overtake clear whether they are trying to coax since the start a youngish Japanese guy and a you to go faster or whether they are wisp of a local woman. I feel smug trying to strip off your GPS. which is not so and they look surprised as I streak remarkable since past them with a dozen kids in The Forerunner tells me that I’m well tow. I can’t shake the kids, but I ahead of my minimalist goal of 5:20. I started at the notice with satisfaction that they My knee feels neither good nor bad so I now breathe a little harder. We decide to go for glory. My already back anyway invent a little game. The drink sightly impaired brain persuades me stations now dispense coke but that I could make it in 4:30 if I forget the walking only to runners. I ask for two cups and graciously breaks, maintain my current pace up the mountain dispense them to my followers before I get more for and then make a dash downhill to the finish. myself. Everybody laughs.

The trouble is with maintaining the pace uphill. I give The last drink station is about 3k out. I decide to walk it my best shot and now regularly overtake people through and get that final decisive sugar/caffeine hit. who are feeling the pinch. Nobody has overtaken me As I come to a stop, I start swaying like a drunk. since the start which is not so remarkable since I Swaying like a drunk does not look right to me. I pull started at the back anyway. The scenery doesn’t myself together and try to run in a straight line. change very much. The road rises in front of you, so Suddenly, the youngish Japanese guy and the wisp of 14 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 an East African woman streak past me. They look My only thought now is to not fall flat on my face on smug, I look surprised. I try to pick up the pace and the finishing straight in front of the packed although my legs are going up and down OK, it seems grandstand. Despite the by now 35 degree like I’m running on the spot and I have to let them go. temperature, I try to look cool as I ‘sprint’ the last few meters to the line. I wave to the crowd and they Mercifully, the turn off to the stadium is not far now respond with generous applause. The clock says but it’s packed with vehicles and onlookers milling 4:54:27. A PW by a few miles; but I tell myself it could about and you have to keep your wits about you while have been worse. I just hope Dennis will be happy, too. picking your way through the mêlée to the stadium I learnt that I’m the oldest finisher and that is also a entrance. This is thankfully kept clear by armed small victory by Australia over Tanzania. Hengoro military and that makes for a stirring entrance into the Babu! crowded stadium. Alas, the crowd haven’t stayed to see my heroic finish but are there for the free musical *http://www.kilimanjaromarathon.com/resultsfrm.ht entertainment that is provided. m

Kilimanjaro 42.2km Results 2009* Notes Place Surname First A Country Time Apart from the Kilimanjaro marathon and the Name ge premium lager, Moshi also provides the take off point 1 Chepuiya Emily 29 Kenya 2:15:25 for safaris into the nearby wildlife parks of Serengeti, 2 Nyangelo Patrick 24 Tanzania 2:15:35 Ngorongoro Crater etc and of course guided climbs up 3 Senya John 28 Tanzania 2:15:35 Kili itself. All unforgettable and highly recommended.

… For more information, anybody seriously interested 199 Strider Phanto 69 Australia 4:54:27 can contact the Phantom through the editor. A DVD of m the 2009 marathon is also available. … 243 Mako Buenav 69 Tanzania 6:03:05 enturo Heiko, those receipts appear to be in your handwriting. … Please explain. Ed

Recipe for TINNED SARDINES!! Ingredients: You won’t believe it but you can make a tasty dish with 1 can of Sardines (in oil - no other flavours!) these canned forgettables. Sardines are high in Omega-3 1 small handful of Rocket fatty acids. These food acids are the reason why Eskimo’s 1 tomato, sliced don’t get cholesterol problems despite a high fat diet. Lemon juice They are also really cheap. Supermarket branded ones Salt may be only 70 cents so you can make an entree for 2-4 Butter people for less than a dollar, if you are sufficiently budget 2 slices Toast minded. Assembly: Entree for 2-4 Butter your toast Place rocket on top Sliced tomato on that Sardines on top (1-2 per toast slice) Sprinkle with olive oil, lemon juice and salt

Hints: If you only have ‘sardines in spring water’ you will have to add more olive oil to the above ingredients. If it tastes overpoweringly of sardine then you need more oil, salt or lemon juice. It should be balanced. You can buy bottles of lemon juice rather than cut up a whole lemon.

15 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 The road to Alice By SHARYN HILL

In January 2009 my husband and I, along with wake my attached 3 year old. I have run pre dawn and our four children, set off on our big adventure; returned to camp to plates of pancakes cooked on the camp stove by my 10 year old daughter. I have run one lap of Australia over the year. Aussie 09 with my 9 year old son beside me chatting away on his had begun. bike. I have had my 6 year old look out the car window and suggest “that looks like a nice run for you mum”. efore leaving I scrutinized the 2009 running Most importantly, I have had my husband continually calendar and picked out the Alice Springs reassure me that I could do it. B Marathon on August 16 as a run to aim for. Over the page is a list of my favourite runs. We thought we might be in that part of the country at the right time of year. Over the last few STaR runs of the year my regular running friends and I discussed The Alice Springs Marathon how we could be “virtual running pals” sharing our It was exciting to drive into Alice late Friday afternoon. successes, trials and training ideas over the internet. I rushed off to the Pasta Party to meet the locals but, Some even suggested the possibility of joining me in more importantly, to catch up with Bruce Smith and Alice for the event. I was sent off with best wishes and Barbara Becker who had come up to run. Go Strider! It a voucher for a massage in Perth. They thought I might was nice to chat to all the other runners and I was need it by then after 5 months on the road. surprised when asked to be a guest the following The journey to Alice has almost superseded the run in morning on the local ABC Radio sports show. I think terms of highlights. To be able to put on your runners they thought a mother of four who slept in a tent and and explore a new part of this fantastic country all had no fixed address was crazy to be running the year has been a privilege. I have run in some amazing marathon. Anyway, it was fun. places. Solitary early morning runs in unexplored territories. I have made a fine art of sleeping in my Marathon day was the hottest August day on record. running gear and sneaking out of the tent so as not to Overnight min. 23 degrees. Well into the 30’s by 9am.

At last Sharyn could run free having ditched the enormous weight of the 10 foot Camelback

16 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

Run State Comments Mystery Bay NSW Through the gum trees and dairy farms to the historic cheese town of Tilba. Back via bush tracks and the beach. Kosciuszko NSW Charlottes Pass to summit. Return. The easiest negative split you’ll ever do. Geehi NSW Out the back of Kosciuszko. Through the grassy plains of kangaroos. Past the old squatters huts. Man from Snowy River country. Bright VIC Day after fierce lightening storm. Trees down everywhere. Hurdling skills needed. Wilsons Prom VIC Stunning squeaky white beaches and granite cliffs. Murrindindi VIC Hot hot hot. Ran through forest roads then sat in river on deck chair all day. 2 days later the horrific bushfires struck. Launceston Gorge TAS As a base for several weeks it became a favourite with choice of flat or hilly side paths. Combined well with a flat run alongside the Tamar River. Cradle Mountain TAS Early morning lap of Dove Lake circuit before the tourists arrived. Unforgettable. Trip to the raspberry farm for an afternoon treat. Freycinet NP TAS A windy run under clear skies up to wineglass bay lookout. Spectacular sunset on the hazards on return. The Nut (Stanley) TAS **!! Steep. **!! Windy. Nearly got blown off. Worth it for the view. Great Ocean Rd VIC An Easter Sunday run out to 12 apostles. Lots of cars. Got one of the last photos of one before it collapsed a week later. Warrnambool VIC Run on beach alongside all the race horses training. Kept left and did not overtake. Glenelg SA Cycle path along beach. Kids on bikes for company. Nullarbor SA/WA I just had to do it. Only a couple of kms as the family did not want to wait too long. Kalgoorlie WA Up the hill to the super pit blast viewing sight. Arrived in time for daily explosion of rock for next mining area. Fremantle to Cottesloe WA My stock run for 8 weeks. Through the Port (viewing the new arrivals and livestock about to be exported). Along the beaches, past the tempting smell of coffee on the cappuccino strip. Fremantle to Perth via WA Alongside the dolphins and boats. My biggest smile came when a cyclist rode past, Swan River stopped, looked back and yelled “Go Strider”. Then took off again with a wave. I was wearing my singlet! Rottnest Island WA Dodging the quokkas all the way to the top of Oliver Hill Battery (same name as my son) for panoramic views. Car free island! Margaret River WA Along Busselton Jetty, the longest in Australia. The Pinnacles WA A sunset run. It was like being on a strange alien planet. Monkey Mia WA Early morning run finished by helping feed the dolphins. Warrora Station WA Absolute highlight. Ran 25km with the sheep and kangaroos. Was kept company by an (Ningaloo Reef) emu for 5km who kept running ahead and waiting for me to catch up. Finished with a cool dip at a deserted beach alongside giant sea turtles. Broome WA Kept company with the camels on Cable Beach. My daughter rode her bike alongside on ‘croc watch’ as 2 Salties had kept the beach closed for a few days. Winjana Gorge WA Into the Kimberley and real croc territory. Easy 20km on dirt road as sun came up over the rocky mountains. Almost suffocated as the first car of the morning raised the dust which hung in the still air for ages. Ellenbrae Station WA Trailer breakdown. Stuck here for a few days while we sent to Kununurra for spare parts. Lovely 10km run out to the Gibb River Road and back. Home Valley Station WA A lot of the movie “Australia” filmed here. Ran alongside the Cockburn Ranges out to the mighty Pentecost River and back. Big saltwater crocodiles on the banks. Although I was 50m away from them, it was a good way to inject some speed work in, mid run Lake Argyle WA Hilly run up to the dam wall. The lake is 18 times the size of Sydney Harbour. All freshwater. When are we going to build a pipe? Katherine NT Lovely run by the river. Waved to the passengers on the Ghan. Litchfield NP NT Spent all day swimming at Wangi Falls after early morning run. Kakadu (Jabiru) NT Hot, flat savannah. Great birdlife. Darwin NT Along the foreshore, through the botanical gardens and out to Mindil Beach. Finished with a fun swim in the new foreshore wave pool. Alice Springs NT Scenic run out along part of the Larapinta Trail. Ayres Rock NT Recovery walk around Uluru and the Olgas Campground

Needless to say, no records were broken. Despite a was when Bruce, Barb and my sister ran the last 5km niggling knee pain, the training held firm and I made with me (having finished their runs) and my husband it! The race was memorable for the volunteers who drove alongside in the car with the kids yelling could not do enough to encourage and support every encouragement out the window. You couldn’t do that runner. However, the most touching moment for me in a big city! 17 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

18 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

SSSSSSStreakingggggPart 2

By ROB PARTRIDGE

As you left me last episode, I was that intrepid foot sore plodder who’d managed to get roughly half way through the challenge with no major ill effects. To recap, I’d heard about a new year’s challenge to build mileage for the coming racing season and regain fitness after the celebrations of Christmas. The idea was to run for at least 30mins each day for the first 100 days of the year. By day 46 I’d run almost 310km in 1890mins, and at the same time lost over 3kg.

can see you’re anxious to learn how I managed The other unexpected thing to happen was I with the second half of the challenge. Did I get a discovered pace. When I started this I imagined that I chronic injury, putting me on the sidelines for my untrained legs would rebel and I’d either get weeks? Did I slip over on one of the many cane toads progressively slower the more I demanded of them, or on one of my late night runs and break something I’d maintain the same plodding pace. Then one day, worse than my pride? literally out of the blue, I found I was running more smoothly and faster than I had been the day before. I By the middle of the challenge I was definitely in the glanced at my Garmin and saw I was cruising at about swing of things. My regular junk miles runs were 5mins/km. I thought it very strange, but carried on coming in at about 6k, and I was mixing in one or two and finished the run, which turned out to be a longer longer runs in the week to keep things interesting. than expected 15k hilly run (due to a wrong turn and a Remember, this was for me part of a campaign to build long dead end). On average this was at least 30secs distance in preparation for the Gold Coast Marathon in faster per km than previous long runs. The next day July. At the same time the other runs varied in pace was the same. And since then, I’ve pretty much and included easy, pace and tempo runs. None of these increased the pace I run at. It’s most obvious when I were to any particular plan. I pencilled in a rough run on a treadmill. Instead of setting the machine to Higdon-esque schedule so I had a guide as to where I running at 10 or 10.5kph (6 to 5:42min/km) for a should be, but then opted to run each day as I found it. standard junk miles run, I was now setting it at 11.5 or This was much better than having hard and fast rules 12kph (5:15 to 5min/km), with pace running at as some days I felt just tired from the build-up and around 14kph (4:30). Now I know that treadmills are needed to take it easy, and others I felt hugely better notoriously unlike road running and calibration is a than expected and extended my run to make the most major issue, but I was able to run comfortably at paces of it. Sometimes you start off a run feeling tired and which would previously have had me gasping within a after a km or so perk right up, and sometimes you minute. Effort as measured by heart rate and start off feeling great, but lose the energy quickly. breathing was easier.

By the three quarter mark I’d notched up 536km and What was the cause of the sudden boost in speed? something weird was happening. I looked forward to Mostly leg speed and switching from being a heel the daily routine and got quite irritable when I didn’t striker to a midfoot runner. I think I’d read advice on get my run in at the usual time. Before I started this this before but never really tried to change anything. challenge, I was used to a more normal training Keep your body tall, hips forward, land midfoot and pattern with a day or two off per week. My body knew push off more with your toes, head up, arms lower and its fix was coming at least every other day, so I wasn’t not crossing the body. You’ve heard it all before and I too affected by the fluctuations of endorphins that imagine a lot of you have been running like that for running brings. With a regular dose coming every years. All that seemed beyond me until my body just lunchtime, I found that just missing this by a few hours seemed to get it. And from time to time it feels great. had me feeling the withdrawal symptoms. Not that it feels bad the rest of the time you

19 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

Totals Km Mins Avg Pace in the half marathon. I finished the 42.2km distance in around 3hrs 41mins. wk1 4-Jan 38.7 233.4 6:02

wk2 11-Jan 41.8 263.9 6:19 And how did I do in the GC marathon? Well I got a wk3 18-Jan 38.5 239.0 6:12 22minute PB and ran it in 3:51:07. Smashing my 4hr wk4 25-Jan 36.0 215.8 6:00 goal time and feeling great all the way. A month after wk5 1-Feb 55.3 341.8 6:11 that I got a PB in the Noosa half marathon, getting wk6 8-Feb 45.2 277.2 6:08 under 100mins and finishing in 1:37:02. I ran the wk7 15-Feb 53.7 320.0 5:57 Brisbane marathon too and got another 3:51 finish, wk8 22-Feb 61.3 360.1 5:52 two weeks later ran a 3 min PB in a 10k race with wk9 1-Mar 53.7 323.6 6:02 44mins, and the week after that ground my way wk10 8-Mar 52.2 299.8 5:44 through the Glasshouse 50k trail run in 6:25. If it wk11 15-Mar 60.0 338.2 5:38 wasn’t for the blisters I got in that last race I’d have wk12 22-Mar 57.9 319.7 5:32 done even better. And despite running further and wk13 29-Mar 57.7 313.3 5:26 longer than before, my legs shaped up OK for the next wk14 5-Apr 58.3 321.9 5:30 day’s hobble-y run. I’m thinking that next year I might wk15 12-Apr 59.3 331.3 5:31 tackle the 50mile or maybe the 100km… understand. Indeed I’m enjoying running more each The streak goes on. The streak has become more day. No, I mean that sometimes, when my brain isn’t important than the races and I’m enjoying my running trying to control my legs and lungs and getting in the much more than before. Every guide tells you that way of everything, I flow down the road with a big grin miles are good, the more the merrier, and the better on my face. Until, that is, I look down, notice I’m doing quality miles, the better the outcome. I’m happy to 4:30 pace, and the brain starts to get in the way again. have returned to running in such strong form and over My legs seem to click over better at a faster tempo of the moon that I’ve dropped some excess weight (about 180bpm or faster. The leg speed thing wasn’t too 12kg in all). I think that maybe, just maybe, I might be surprising to me. I used to cycle back at University and starting to get what it’s all about. It certainly took me had high cadence drummed into me on training long enough! sessions. Even now I’ll prefer to pedal at 90bpm or higher.

I got to 400km by day 59, 500k by day 72, 600k by day 85, and 700k on day 96. Day 95 featured the Twilight half marathon in Brisbane. I didn’t expect to run this fast, preferring to treat it more like a pacy long run. In the end I managed it in 1:58:11, better than expected.

And that was it, before I knew it, 100 days were up. I had planned on running for 100mins on the last day as a celebration, but it just wasn’t to be. I had to spend a few days hauling timber around and was knackered on the day, so ran a local 8k course and chucked in a fast finish. By the end of the challenge I logged 730km in 4265mins at an average 5:51 pace. I’d managed to run many more than 30 mins each day for 100 days straight.

Others doing the challenge had been chatting about what we should do when we finished the streak. Most wanted to continue the streak after April 10, and I was one of them. Perhaps modifying the ‘rules’ if need be to get in perhaps 30 mins of exercise of any type on a particular day.

As I write this, it’s been 165 days since the challenge officially ended. And yes, I’m still streaking. I’ve run well over 2400km since the New Year, more than I ran for the whole of 2008. Another 500km and I’ll have run further than the previous two years combined. I ran the Warwick Pentath-run in May – a marathon distance event spread out over five runs – and got a PB

20 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

TRAVEL RUNNING: Marathon du Mont Blanc 2009 CHAMONIX, FRANCE

By OSKAR BOOTH

he gestation of my trip to Mont Blanc began The entire on one of the 6 Foot Track training runs roll of film T (thanks Jim), nearing the 30km mark. By this was nearly point the endorphins were flowing nicely and ruined when rational/logical thought had long gone out the some guy window. Nearing the end of February, it was now kept popping close enough to the 6ft that some runners dared to ask into frame the question “what will the next challenge be after 6 each time foot?” Someone muttered a few words about ‘having a the shutter crack’ at the Mont Blanc ultra one day, which triggered clicked. a particular train of thought for the next few kms of single-trail. I wasn’t up for the ultra distance stuff yet, but I had heard of a marathon distance trail run near sight. Chamonix looked wonderful with the streets full Mont Blanc. The idea seemed to rapidly infect my of runners and the mountain backdrop. The gun went thoughts for the remainder of the run and for the next and everyone cheered as they ran under the start few days. banner. The first few km were up the valley floor, Working until 10pm one night, and looking for any criss-crossing from forest to open pastures. The escape led me to browse for some flights. Ten minutes runners formed a long string early before we came to later I had booked return flights to Paris in a any single track. The morning air was icy and we were spontaneous over-worked delirium, and I got quite an all breathing fog. I glanced back down the valley – a adrenalin rush out of it. Europe here I come. wonderful sight to see all the runners in scenery like Skip forward 3months (and lots of training) and I find this. myself in Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc. Six days After 10km we had already started to climb. Having of acclimatisation before the Mont Blanc marathon studied the profile religiously for months I knew this included some “not really tapering” trail runs and even was just a warm up. In reality though, these early an overnight bushwalk. The scenery was simply climbs were tough and a little worry and doubt was intoxicating to say the least. After some excellent creeping into my mind over the severity of the course. carbo-loading on massive baguettes I was fired up for Could I really run 2500m of vertical ascent and 1500m the race! of descent in 42k? No use dwelling on that thought Race morning started with perfect cool conditions at though, I had running to do. around 12 degrees in the valley and few clouds in By this stage I was still in about tenth position but 20 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 knowing I had an enormous climb coming up at the I was in the Tour de France. This really did spur me on 15k mark, I wasn’t concerned about position. The (more than in any other race). climb at 15km was a monster with approx 900m It wasn’t long until the race started to climb again. climbing in some 5km. When I hit the base of the climb This was just past the halfway point, but this time the I realised what figures like that translate to in the ‘real climbing was run-able (mostly) but the challenge now world’. The climb was too steep to run, even for the was the temperature. The sun was hot and the tree best runners. This is when I witnessed some amazing cover was spasmodic. It is not surprising then that I race walking (not something I usually train for). All of have less distinct memories of the second half of the a sudden I was being overtaken by everyone...walking. course. One of the hardest things was to maintain Some had hiking poles and were striding up the >10% momentum, with the constant uphill and no idea of gradient faster than a lot of people can run. This is how far to go (no Garmin GPS), things were getting definitely something we don’t get much practice at in mentally tough. I had reduced my tempo as a survival Australia. measure and was no longer concerned about placing The gradient eventually relaxed (a little) and I was or time for that matter. The energy gels didn’t seem to happy to run again. All of this climbing was leading us help anymore, and the water in my hydration pack to the high point of the race, the Aiguillette des Posettes was hot. at 2200m. The reward for this brutal climb was worth At one point I even resorted to splashing around in a every step – a crystal clear view back down the creek for a few seconds in an effort to combat the Chamonix valley of the entire Mont Blanc Massif. This temperature. Two other runners saw me doing this, must have brought a big smile to every competitor and decided that it looked like a good idea and joined me. it certainly gave me a strong boost of morale. It was no There is a great sense of comradery in this race, and a longer a race but an adventure and the immense scale very friendly non-competitive attitude, not dissimilar of the mountains seemed to humble everyone. A to the atmosphere of the 6FT. helicopter buzzed around and at one point, running The course wound its way upwards along the side of along the narrow ‘razorback’ ridgeline, it came so the valley back towards Chamonix. The trail was close that it nearly blew me right off the track (more superb with technical parts, mostly single- track, some adrenaline was beneficial though). The course then bits of dirt road and a view in every direction. proceeded to descend, losing all the hard work of the It seemed like an eternity but I finally saw a sign that climb, but boy did it feel good to run downhill fast. The said 3km to go. What relief. The only problem I knew trail became incredibly technical in this part and I was the finish was steeply uphill. At this stage I felt found myself catching others (that had walked past me like I was merely hanging on, but as the PA system at uphill) that were less sure-footed. It was now warming the finish came into earshot I got a second wind. I was up as the sun was high in the sky. fuelled by the looming finish line, and looking at my The course passed through a cute little village and as watch I was determined to finish in less than 5 hours. I we approached the spectators grew in numbers. The had 15mins to go and approx 3km – which should be crowd support was amazing, and because each runner easy normally, but uphill at the end of a race may be had his/her name on the race number I continued to another story. The finish of this race is cruel. No more get personalised cheers of encouragement as the single trail, no more tree cover, just a dirt road going spectators read your name. Allez, Allez, Allez. I felt like UP in the hot sun. Every competitor I saw was walking up this last hill, so I decided I would try to run. I didn’t run the entire way but the last 200m, Match the Facts By Jess Baker possibly the steepest part I was How well do you know your fellow Striders? The NAMES on the left do NOT insistent on not walking. The match the FACTS in the right. Can you match them correctly? crowd support, when they noticed that I was the one of the few NAME FACT attempting to run the final Paul Hannell When asked to jump as a youngster, the response stretches, was immense. It was "how high?", earned significant awards. Nowadays, enough encouragement to make when asked to run, the response is, "how far?" me accelerate, not quite what I would call a sprint, but a surge to Clare Holland Cross-trains with a bit of Bollywood Dance and is the finish line. 4 hours and 57 soon commencing a charity cycling caper in Cambodia minutes. I was happy albeit completely Melanie Hodgson Surprised their parents by arriving 11 weeks early, and gained themselves a British Passport. delirious. After staggering around for a minute I sought out the drinks Mellissa Selby Was pretty much blind for the first 6 months or so of life; and they had beer at the finish tent, Even attending a deaf and blind school. These days it is which made my big smile even the spectators who are blinded - by their speed! bigger. My stomach had other ideas about the beer though and I Dave Criniti Likes to Carbo-load before runs with their special could barely stomach a mouthful. passion for brewing home-made beer! The finish was at Planpraz chairlift, 22

BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 altitude 2000m and directly above our starting point Australian doing the marathon this year (others did in Chamonix. The chairlift was a welcome method of the 21km cross). The winner Christophe Assailly did 4 descent. Back in Chamonix, the post race buffet was hours and 3 minutes. fantastic even by Sydney Striders’ standards. After a The whole experience described above was only the massage and some refuelling I made a hasty retreat to first week of my trip to Europe. What a way to start a the swimming pool and collapsed for the rest of the trip! Far from fatigued, I was energised by the day. What a day! experience and in the anticipation of what was to I would recommend this race to anyone who loves unfold in the next 4 weeks. The rough plan was to running on trails and is up for a challenge. It does not travel as a runner, seeking out the nicest trails in the matter if you walk some or most of the race, it would French and Swiss Alps. I did eventually venture to still be a fantastic experience. some famous mountains such as the Eiger and the Surprisingly the next day I felt fine, much better than Matterhorn in my travels, but those are stories to be after a road marathon. The ascent far outweighs the told another time. descent, which is kind on the legs and at 4:57:27 I If anybody would like further information or to hear wasn’t moving at the intensity of a road marathon. some of the rest of the story, please email me. My final results were 53rd place overall and 31st in my Oskar Booth age group out of a total of 1415 finishers in the [email protected] marathon and I was happy with that. I was the only Event website: www.montblancmarathon.net

Knee-Cap Pain

There are many different types of knee injuries that can occur in runners. Such injuries are related to the different structures around and in the knee

short anatomy lesson first. The main thick strong patellar tendon. There are joint of the knee is between the femur Author of this different parts to the quadriceps muscle, A (thigh-bone) and the tibia (shin article, and these parts need to work in a co- bone), and it takes the full body weight. Timothy Austin, ordinated manner to ensure that the As occurs at almost all joints, both the patella glides smoothly and in the right femur and tibia are lined with cartilage, is a long time pathway. In many circumstances, poorly which enables friction-free surfaces for Sydney Strider, co-ordinated contractions of the different smooth movement, and also some degree and parts of the quadriceps are the reason for of cushioning. When someone talks Principal the pain. about a “torn cartilage” (or meniscus), it almost always refers to this joint. Physiotherapist at It is the pressure that occurs through the Camperdown patella as it acts as a lever that is the The other significant joint of the knee is Physiotherapy reason for most of its painful conditions. called the patello-femoral joint, between Studies have shown that as we squat, the knee-cap and the femur. The patella even only a small amount, hundreds of (or knee-cap) is a triangular shaped bone kilograms of force “squashes” the patella that most runners can easily feel and see (because against the femur. So, for runners, if you rapidly they are usually skinny!!) at the front of the knee. The increase your proportion of hill training (especially patella’s main job is to work as a lever. That is, to running downhill), you are at greater risk of increase the mechanical advantage of the quadriceps developing patello-femoral pain due to the increased muscle that runs down the front of the thigh. The compressive force. quadriceps muscle is one of the main weight-bearing muscles of the body (together with the calf muscle), Like most injuries that occur in runners, patello- and it attaches to the top edge of the patella. On the femoral pain is generally an overuse problem. If the lower side, the patella is attached to the tibia by the patella is not gliding in the right way (called mal- 23 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

PREFERRED SUPPLIERS patella is not gliding in the right way (called mal- tracking of the patella), then the underneath surface of

the patella can be a source of pain. Even slightly poor Want a quick, cheap ad for your business in this alignments can lead to pain because of the great magazine? We have over 700 members. Reaching number of impacting strides that occur in long them may reach their friends and family too. Many distance running. Striders keep back-issues for years. To join this list, provide your business name and no more than 30 There are numerous contributing factors to potential words description. $45 for a year. Include telephone patella mal-tracking, any of which can lead to the number or email. quadriceps having an uneven pull on the patella. In particular, poor control of the gluteal muscles of the ABILITY HEALTHCARE buttock, flat feet and weakness of the inside part of the Aged care, Mobility & Disabled equipment specialists quadriceps (called the vastus medialis obliquus or Mobility Scooters, Wheelchairs, Walkers VMO). All of these factors should form part of any Grab rails, Crutches, Lift Chairs assessment by a physiotherapist. Hospital beds & Mattresses, Shower chairs www.abilityhealthcare.net Wear and tear of the cartilage that lines the joint (both 115 Silverwater Rd Silverwater Ph 9648 1888 on the femur and the patella) is another obvious cause Collie Kinsela 107 of pain around the patella.

FEET ON THE MOVE Studies into the treatment of patello-femoral pain Heidi Jones Podiatrist show that physiotherapy that addresses the above 248 Bondi Rd, Bondi 2026. factors is likely to be beneficial. Sometimes, simply 9389 8525 learning how to tape the patella so that it maintains 0417663187 correct alignment is sufficient. More involved Mondays and Fridays. 107 treatment will involve identifying which muscles are short, and then releasing and stretching them. Also, BABYGOODS DISTRIBUTORS - BABYLAND performing a simple exercise regime to correct the Showroom 53, Hume H’way, Chullora. New baby quadriceps muscle balance and/or the gluteal muscle goods & a good clean range of used baby goods. Price strength may be involved. check & ask for the Striders special price. Delivery service, major credit cards. So, here are a few helpful ideas. Mon to Fri 9.15 to 5.30 Tel 9642 7788 107 Firstly, as with all potential injuries, build up your distance slowly (especially after a lay-off). If you are SYDNEY SPORTS PODIATRY adding hill running to your training, take time. Andrew Bull- Podiatrist & Sydney Strider www.sydneysportspodiatry.com.au Secondly, if you experience pain, stretch your Running assessments/shoe selection/running quadriceps. There are a number of ways to do this, orthotics but the simplest is to stand up and bend your leg up Shop2/9-13 Young St behind your buttock. You should feel the front of the Sydney 2000 thigh stretching (if in doubt, google “how to stretch the 92510822 108 quadriceps muscle”). Stretching the ITB (iliotibial band) may also help. Remember, stretch gently and MYSYDNEYPHYSIO / MYMASSAGECLINIC hold it for 30-60 seconds. Physiotherapy and Massage for all injuries Suite 13-14, Level 9, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, Thirdly, when you first start to experience knee-cap 2000 pain, try putting ice on it. Together with a reduction in www.mysydneyphysio.com.au/striders (02) 9223 hill training and possibly a short course of anti- 3923 inflammatory medications, these might be enough for www.mymassageclinic.com.au/striders (02) 9223 you to keep running. Whilst running with a little (!) patello-femoral pain is unlikely to lead to further 3995 109 significant damage in any of your joints, it may lead REACH HEALTH & FITNESS your running biomechanics to deteriorate. Remedial Massage, Strength & Conditioning, Running Fourthly, if pain persists, see your favourite physio. Fitness Servicing Sydney’s Northern Districts & North Shore Chad Fowler: 0433 632 169 Useful information could be contained in this box but [email protected] unfortunately, isn’t. Ed. www.reachhealthfitness.com.au 109

24 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

A MOUNTAIN-BIKE LEAD RECOVERY IN August, 2009 EAST TIMOR By JAMES CRYER

We all have our own ideas of what constitutes the "perfect" holiday

came pretty close to my ideal recently when I, and Day 1 - After being farewelled in front of Dili's about 300 other social misfits and urban guerillas, Presidential Palace (built by the Chinese), by President I converged on the gently undulating island of East Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Gusmao, the gallant Timor for a relaxing pedal around it, to help celebrate "300" headed off along the barren north coast, heading their 10th Anniversary of Independence, at the end of east towards East Timor's second largest town, Baucau. August this year. This leg was the longest of the ride, at 130 kms (although I only got 85 kms - giving up after 4 punctures, and being So as not to make it too stressful, they kept it to a picked-up by the UN 60-vehicle convoy trailling us, and manageable 450 kms over 5 days, and put a limit on hills; "thrown" in the back of an army truck for the rest of the not to exceed 1,800 metres above sea level. trip.) Baucau is a sad, decaying relic of the Portuguese "occupation" which, over three centuries added very This, of course, was the inaugural "Tour de Timor" little of substance - and what it did build is now decaying (www.tourdetimor.com) designed with one thing in in the tropical air. mind, to reinforce President Jose Ramos-Horta's position as undisputed "king" of Timor. He based this concept Our "tent city" and "soup kitchen" was in the extensive loosely on the Marie Antoinette model of "let them eat grounds of a local church. cake" - while the rest of the country descends into even more unutterable poverty and malnutrition, what better Day 2 - The tropical air filled our tyres, as we set off (at distraction than to stage - not a medical or educational 8.30 each morning), to the sound of a gun - the starter's blitz - but a bike ride! This could be the new economic- gun, fired "in peace" not in anger at maurauding recovery model the third world's been waiting for - a invaders). This leg was only about 65 kms, but with some "mountain-bike lead" recovery program. It couldn't be hills and treacherous downhill rides. This was through any worse than whatever "aid" they're currently getting, quite picturesque country, steeply-wooded valleys and as after 10 years East Timor exists as a forlorn, rock- remote jungles - and the village we stayed at, Lui-huno, strewn island - a "nation" more in their mind's eye, than (we camped on an adjacent playing field) played a role in any real sense of the word, 700 kms away across the during the violent insurrection against the Indonesians. sea, but a million miles away in time and space.. There was no hint of hostility as colourfully-clad native Anyway, I was happy to be a willing participant in this women plied us with boiled rice and noodles (this giant experiment in applied economics. There is, became the regular fare - breakfast, lunch and tea). however, an obvious flaw in this model: mountain-bikers are not culturally sensitive (a bit like runners, really) and Day 3 - Heading towards the south coast (slightly more I don't think any of the 300-odd participants spent a tropical), it was just over 100 kms, pedalling across wide single centavo during our stay. None the less, we all floodplains of gravel and dust - not particularly pleasant rationalised that we weren't there to have fun, but to country, flat, dry and barren. We camped that night on help an impoverished third-world society pull itself up the beach at Betano - again, having been the scene of by the bootstraps. hostilities, this time the evacuation by the RAN of Aussie soldiers who were escaping from the occupying Japanese The event was heavily subsidised by the Government, forces, in 1942. with no entry fee, free accommodation, mobile phones and swags provided to all. A cynic may reasonably Day 4 - This was "the big day out" - only 65 kms, but suspect some UN fund somewhere may have been stretching from sea-level to a height just 400ms lower ransacked? than our snow-capped Mt Kosciusko. This was a non-stop climb into the clouds, and we arrived at the old Anyway, after landing at Dili, we were formed into teams Portuguese hill-town of Maubisse, totally exhausted. As I of four - our team was the evocatively-named said at the time - "I finished the uphills a physical wreck - "Thrillnecks". and the downhills a nervous wreck". And there were 25 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 plenty of fast, swooping downhill rides as we sped down profusely. For what, I'm not sure, as I only came away the long, winding, never-ending mountain passes - the with a heightened sense of foreboding for the future of shocking, pot-hole riddled roads adding to the adrenalin that tiny island. rush. This was skiing on wheels! So there you have it, how to put a third-world country Our "tent city" was the grounds of a once-proud back on the map - ride around it on a flashy bike, cheered Portuguese resort, built high up in the mountains - and on by the locals who can't afford electricity, sanitation, now seemingly only accessible to Western mountain-bike education, or anything else. And while it may have been riders. an enjoyable experience for us "Westerners" one can't help feeling a sense of despair for the 100's of thousands of young East Timorese who lined the streets to cheer us Day 5 - Our final day, 95 kms, mainly downhill, heading on, with their incessant incantation of "Viva - Timor - back to the arid north coast, and back to Dili. We passed Leste!" through a mosaic of farming lands - a mixture of rice- paddies, tobacco and banana plantations - all looking Never was there a greater disconnect between hope and somewhat impoverished and stressed due to the thin, reality, as their country has no chance of pulling itself up rocky top-soils. by the bootstraps. Three-hundred years of neglect by the Portuguese, nearly 30 years of abuse (and then wanton Arriving back in Dili - hot, dirty, sweaty (you get the destruction) by the Indonesians, and decades of message) we were delighted to discover the Aussie Army indifference from us, have virtually left this island with barracks (directly behind the Presidential Palace) nothing which with to re-build itself. provided us with cold showers and pizzas - is there no limit to the tax-payers' largesse! Later that afternoon And now they face another even more malevolent President Ramos-Horta gloated … sorry, remarked, what "invisible" enemy, the corruption of officials hell-bent on a success the event had been and thanked the riders bleeding the country dry.

Running in FRANCE

When on holiday, I like to keep up my training as best I can – to offset the luxuries of the holiday diet. It is also a great way to enjoy the local scenery and taking part in races is a good way to meet local runners and get involved in local activities. This year was no exception so with 4 weeks in France planned, I searched out 2 races on our route.

By KEITH BATEMAN

Foulées bannalécoises dodgems, candy floss) and the main road was closed – a party atmosphere. The race was 7 x 1.4km laps of the Saturday 12 September 2009 town, starting at 8:30pm and so finished in darkness, by On the day we arrived in Quimper in Brittany there was the light of the street lamps. an evening race in the small town of Bannalec, about 40 minutes’ drive from our hotel. During the day we visited Bannalec briefly to check out the route My French is almost non-existent so I was fortunate that for that evening and get some idea of the parking etc my partner Susan speaks good French and helped me before continuing to Quimper. register. First they asked for my medical certificate – this is required in France unless you belong to a registered As we were absolutely shattered from driving, we French club (you’ll get a suitable form at managed a few hours rest at our hotel and then went http://www.serpentine.org.uk/pages/advice_health_me straight back to Bannalec for the evening race. There was dcert.html). That in order, I went to pay – “C’est a fair in the main street (carousel, shooting gallery, combien?” – Free! Wonderful, and have you any pins for 26 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 my dossard (race bib)? “Non!” I tried fixing the race bib delighted to see 4th place paid 60 euros! And delighted with old bits of wire without success and then we saw a again to receive a trophy for first vet plus ANOTHER newsagent just closing. He didn’t have any safety pins but envelope with 30 euros inside – ($180 – not a bad night’s we saw a stapler on the desk and the newsagent was very work and more than 3 times what I have ever won pleased to help and let us use it to fix my race bib. before!). The race was written up in the local newspapers and online here I went for a warm-up lap and found most of the route; http://www.letelegramme.com/sports/course-sur- through little streets and with lots of tight turns and a route/foulees-bannalecoises-guilcher-et-ponza-s- few hills and a fair breeze blowing. Already the locals imposent-13-09-2009-549063.php were outside their houses offering support. It seemed like the whole town came out on this evening. I met a few I was welcomed by the officials, the runners and the other runners but with little common language, not much spectators and we had a long conversation in information passed between us. There were about 130 “franglais”after the race before the drive home and runners (80 men) at the start and there was the usual preparations for the following week’s race – le Défi du looking around to see who looked like a good runner; Jerzual in Dinan. and there seemed to be quite a few. But on holiday where you are unknown there is no expectation that you’ll run LES CLASSEMENTS Hommes (9,800km): 1. David Guilcher well – it’s a win-win situation and everyone seemed to (Courir à Châteaulin), 32’48’’; 2. C.Tanné (Melgven) 33’58; ignore the oldie with the white hair ... until the first lap :-) 3. G.Le Boulch (Tri Running Lorient), 34’03; 4. K.Bateman (Australie, 1er V2), 34’35; 5. M.Le Théon (Tri Running They were so thrilled to have a “foreigner” there they Quimper), 34’49; 6. B.Kerfendal (Ulacq, 1er V1), 35’04; 7. made a special announcement – “Our little race has been J.Jourden (Bégard), 35’34; 8. M.El Baoune (Quimperlé), given an international flavour with Kith Bett-Man from 35’52.; 9. A.Le Coq (CA Bigouden), 35’57; 10. L.Jégou Australia ...” and then after each lap the commentator (Quimperlé Triathlon), 36’11. would bellow out “Kith Bett-Man” very excitedly as I was well up the front. And all around the course the support from the locals was tremendous.

I set out intending to stick with the front pack but it seemed a bit slow and after about 800m I gently took the lead, level with another runner. I was marginally in the lead after the first lap but soon after, the staples failed and as I caught my race bib with my hand it blew away! I retrieved it straight away but went back to about 8th place. Perhaps I could have left it as they knew who I was but the reaction was instant; I didn’t have the luxury of time to think about it. However I put in some extra effort and quickly made up the lost ground (perhaps too quickly with hindsight) with my number in my hand. At lap 2 I was just a couple of metres behind the leader and he was worried as he always wins this race and wasn’t expecting anyone to stay with him. However, he was looking very strong and pushed very hard, possibly about 3:10 pace and after a short spell of that, and with the rest of the field seemingly too far behind to catch up, I slowed my pace and The practise of throwing fruit to make the runners go faster had been let him go. I knew he was a quality runner and I banned this year leaving the streets a lot cleaner was wondering if I would be able to finish if I kept up that pace much longer!

By the fourth lap the positions were the same, except that David Guilcher (the leader) had widened the gap and and Le Défi du Jerzual I was paying for the earlier speed and was being slowly Saturday 19 September 2009 chased down. In the sixth lap I was suffering quite badly Our next stop was Dinan, a medieval town in western and was overtaken, and again in the last 500 metres of Brittany. It has very narrow, cobbled streets and the the 7th lap. It was my slowest 10km of the year but I was street after which the race is named (Jerzual) is around happy with the result and delighted to be given a T-shirt 22 degrees and cobbled – hence the name of the race (le and a plain envelope when I crossed the line – even more Défi du Jerzual – the Jerzual Challenge). 27 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

From an article in Le Telegramme

"With an 8.30pm start, 80 competitors signed up for the evening ‘Foulees Bannalecoises’. By the second lap the men's field had started to spread out with one of the favourites, David Guilcher, leading Australian Keith Bateman, who during the previous lap had made a commendable effort to not drop back. Going over the line for the 4th time, positions were the same, with Guilcher widening the gap and Gwenael Le Boulch starting to put the pressure on Bateman. Over the next lap, the contest was on for second place, since Bruno Kerfendal had gained ground. At the beginning of the last lap, what had seemed likely became reality, with Le Boulch leading the pack chasing the untouchable Guilcher, who went on to claim victory. Following a breathtaking final stage of the race, Corentin Tanne went on to steal second place from Le Boulch. Bateman missed out on a place on the podium finishing 4th." Translated by Margaret Krempff

I had entered this race in advance so only had to collect medieval city but we luckily found a perfect spot in the my dossard (bib). Practically no-one else had done so, as main street just above the start. there were piles and piles to be collected about an hour before the start. A young man spoke to us and said “Are We collected the participant’s tee-shirt and I did some you the Australian I enrolled?”. He was one of the drills. I got the usual very strange looks from some of the organisers and was very friendly and I ended up training less-experienced runners but I don’t mind as long as they with him at his club’s track the following week (a 30- are behind me at the finish! Then to the very busy start year-old tarmac track that is actually worse than ES area for some strides while I looked around at the Marks!). opposition – I don’t think anybody noticed me until the race. Susan said afterwards that I looked much better after the warm-up – very confident and strong. She thought I’d miss the start as everyone started lining up about 15 mins before. However I told her later that the good experienced runners wait until the last minute then get in at the front!

After the start Susan rushed up into the town to get some photographs at the 4-4.5km mark – meanwhile we ran beside the castle walls and turned sharply out of town and down to the next village. I sat in a group of 5 or 6 runners, in about 20th place for a Lost and without French language skills, pleas to quench his thirst by asking for water while and then thought it was a had led him here. What if he were to ask for food? He wondered. little slow so pushed on, downhill to the beautiful village of Léhon, onto its cobbled streets, past the I felt a lot of pressure for this race, because the owner of old abbey and onto a woodland track by the canal. At this the cottage we were to stay in for the next 2 weeks knew point I was probably in about 14th place and in a small the principal organiser and had organised my race entry group of 3 or 4 runners. The track seemed to go on for for me; it was a big festival with 3 races – juniors, a hours but was perhaps only just over 1km – then I saw 5.4km for ‘everyone’ and then the 10.8Km for the the massive viaduct and we were approaching the old ‘professionals’ with around 1000 runners. Port of Dinan, the lowest point. We climbed from the track onto road again (this beautiful spot is apparently We found our accommodation (10 minutes outside going to be one of the stock photos for Windows 7) and Dinan, and actually on the race route) and I tried to have then fast down to the port. a sleep. I’m not sure who was the more nervous, Susan or me – I still had a cold and was very tired. The sensible That’s where the work really started! From there it was thing would be not to run but I was sure I was strong up-up-up, on cobbles and with both sides of the beautiful enough to go out cautiously and see if a good race narrow street lined with spectators “Allez, allez” was one developed. Susan had bought a newspaper and luckily call I understood! It was a great experience and looked noticed that the main race wasn’t until 6pm, not 4pm as just like the Tour de France on feet! we had previously believed. That meant two more hours’ rest before we drove in to Dinan. The traffic was very, At the top of the town, it was a few sharp turns, still on very hectic in the narrow streets of the walled part of this cobbles and then gradually down to the start at 5.4km, 28 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 then the whole thing again. (I clocked about 16:45 at Course “Défi du Jerzual”de 10,9 km mesurée approx 5km so it was a good pace.) I felt my legs getting pretty tired on the woodland track and let 2 runners 1 YRIS Christopher - 1 Se h. - PACE EN COURANT 00:35:24 pass. I walked a little on the big hill and 2 more passed, 2 GUEGUEN Stéphane - 2 Se h. - UACA 00:35:49 putting me in 19th place according to the crowd. At the 3 ROCABOY Matthieu - 3 Se h. - ATHLE SUD 00:36:08 top I was in no shape to do anything but try to finish but 4 FAUCHEUX Vincent - 4 Se h. - CS GARNISON 00:36:19 no-one caught me and in the final 200 metres I managed 5 DESCORMIERS Sébastien - 1 V1 h. - CS GARNISON 00:37:03 6 PIEDERRIERE Yves - 5 Se h. - ATHLE SUD 00:37:25 a tremendous sprint and clawed back one more place. 7 SAUDRAIS Anthony - 6 Se h. - RANCE JOG 00:37:33 18th overall and first V2 vet – very happy. 8 LE CORGUILLE Yohann - 7 Se h. - AS POMMERET 00:37:38 9 LE SAINT Bertrand - 8 Se h. - TROT LA PENZE 00:37:39 The race just went on and on, with everyone cheering 10 LEGAY Didier - 2 V1 h. - JANZE ATHLE 00:37:43 and shouting – it was a great atmosphere – I thoroughly 11 ROINSON Jean Luc - 3 V1 h. - HBA ACHV 00:38:06 recommend this race! Race details (route and gradient 12 DESRONDIERS Christophe - 9 Se h. - USVEO VEOLIA 00:38:08 map) is here 13 DAUGAN Olivier - 10 Se h. - AC RANCE 00:38:15 http://www.1-2- 14 LA BEE Emmanuel - 11 Se h. - BRUZ ATHLE 00:38:26 sports.fr/tr_25163/parcour/defi_du_jerzual/ 15 HERCOUET Mickaël - 12 Se h. - ATHLE SUD 00:38:36 and some video of the course is here 16 MASSART David - 13 Se h. - RANCE JOG 00:38:40 http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xajt6y_le-defi-du- 17 BALLOUARD Cyrille - 14 Se h. - CS GARNISON 00:38:43 jerzual-a-dinan-1e- 18 BATEMAN Keith - 1 V2 h. - SYDNEY STRIDERS 00:38:49 parti_sport&ct=ga&cd=O6038M9mu60&usg=AFQjCNGCE 19 HAMON Frédéric - 15 Se h. - RANCE JOG 00:38:50 mUog0T77QZVTifEbeaSu-O18Q 20 CHEVALIER Julien - 16 Se h. - CJF ST MALO 00:38:52

Internal Half Marathon

Sunday the 25th of October 2009, marked a very 1st female – Cherry Wang important event, 6 000 people sat on the harbour bridge 2nd female – Annabel Hepworth (pictured) and ate Brekkie, however it was also the Sydney Striders 3rd female – Mercy Samia annual Internal Half Marathon. 1st male – Tim Henderson After weeks of organising, begging and sleepless nights, 2nd male – Dave King the event finally came. Although the day was overcast, we rd 3 male – Alves Lim were lucky that the rain held out.

Now the good thing about this Super Series event, is that We were fortunate that Adidas for the first time provided the fastest runners in the club don't always win. John van us with direct sponsorship in donating over $1000 worth Yzendoorn had the hardest job of calculating the of prizes. Thank you also to our long term sponsor The handicaps for all the runners and let me say that not Sydney Running Centre. everyone was happy. But if you weren't happy with your Many thanks to our volunteers who helped make the day handicap then don't run so fast in the 10k series. a great success. Our club is lucky enough to have people Our official timekeepers and starters Robyn Moody and who turn up time and time again. So in addition to the Lisa Burns ensured that the first runner Frank Dearn ones mentioned thank you to: took off at 6.00am without a hitch and the last runner Iain Martin (course marker), Stefica Key and Belinda taking off at 7.16am with about 90 runners in between. Jones (registrations), Alice Priest (Badger), Ross McCarty Our Marshalls Terry (results and prizes), McIver, Iain Whitfield, Ken Lorraine Spanton, Allson Smith ensured that no one Lilley, Clare Holland and got lost and those manning Sue (catering), Jim Moody, the drink stops: Arthur Paul Hannell, Adam Moody Huxtable, Darren Moyle, and Sam Isbell (Timing Jim Barrett and George Equipment), Peter Woods Lisson made sure no one (all the 10k gear) and got thirsty. Barbara Becker (for all her assistance with keys, Completing 2 laps of the paperwork, prizes, PA) 10k course was tough in the humdity, but our Signing off for another year, winners were as follows: Marathon coordinator, Fran Boorer

29 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

Leg Cramps By GEORGINA MOORE (APD)

You are just over half way through the marathon, at 22km. Despite it being warmer than you are used to, you are feeling really comfortable and your splits are on track for a new P.B. The next thing you know, you can barely move your legs. The excruciating pain of cramps has taken you by surprise. As you continue to struggle, you realise that achieving your P.B. will have to wait for another day. You have gone from feeling on top of the world, to dreading what will be a very long and painful 20km to the finish line.

ramps in the legs can stop everyone in their sports drink to ensure maximum hydration and tracks, but hopefully the following hints & tips electrolyte loading. Preferably don’t drink alcohol the C from a Dietitians perspective will help you avoid day prior to your race but if you do choose to drink, this kind of pain in future events. Please note that ensure you limit your intake and alternate drinks with throughout the article I am referring to race day but the water to maintain hydration. advice is just as relevant for a training session. Breakfast on race day... Pre-race day... Something not too heavy, not too high in fibre that It is very easy to go out the day prior to a race and eat contains plenty of carbohydrates is ideal pre-race. Toast, and drink to your heart’s content. I’d be the first person yoghurt and a banana makes up a pretty good pre-race to acknowledge that I have not given up my social life for meal and sip on sports drink (loaded with electrolytes running. In saying that however, it is definitely worth and designed to be absorbed at a maximum rate) to making some ‘better’ food and drink choices to ensure an ensure optimal hydration and electrolyte loading. enjoyable and successful race the following day. The day prior to an event, ensure that each meal contains some During the event... carbohydrates. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Use sports drinks, water and There are three main energy providers in our diets- gels to ensure you maintain your hydration and protein, carbohydrates and fat. Protein is used to build & electrolyte levels. The hotter the weather, the more you repair muscles and organs. Fat is used as a very efficient sweat, the more likely you are to cramp up. You are energy storage unit, carrying a whopping 38kJ/g. better off spending more time at the drink stations than Carbohydrates are instant fuel for your body. All three blowing out in a race due to cramps that could have been energy types can be used by your muscle, however fat & prevented. protein need to go through quite complex processes to be able to be used, carbohydrates are already in the perfect state. Post-race... The main causes of leg cramps are dehydration, Contrary to popular belief, this is not the best time to hit electrolyte imbalance, fatigue and lack of fuel. By fuelling the pub with your mates to celebrate another awesome up correctly the day prior to an event can ensure a achievement. Within 30mins of completing the event, quality run. Providing as much instant energy aka consume a combination of carbohydrates and protein, to carbohydrates, to your muscles pre-race as possible, is an start refuelling and repairing your muscles. A few great ideal way to avoid nasty pains. Also try for lower fat and post-race snack options include baked beans on toast, fibre food options, to help ensure a happy tummy. fruit & yoghurt or a ham & cheese sandwich. Take in Carbohydrates are found in breads and cereals, rice, plenty of fluids- ideally water and sports drinks. Make pasta, noodles, yoghurt, milk, fruit and sports drinks. A sure your next meal is rich in carbohydrates and protein pasta based meal with a predominately tomato-based to help your muscles continue the repairing process. sauce is ideal for the night before. The drink of choice Maximise your chances of making your next race day throughout pre-race day is a combination of water and your best by fuelling up appropriately.

You don’t need to write long articles to be published in this magazine. Short articles, pictures and items of interest are most welcome. You can become a regular contributor if you have an idea. See the Editor at a STaR a race or email your suggestions to the address shown on page two. Personal email of Editor: [email protected] 30 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

THE Fraserburgh HALF - MARATHON

By ALISTAIR MCLEAN

Even after growing up and living in the area for the first The highlight of the run for me was the section along the 20 years of my life, the cold at Aberdeen Airport old Formartine and Buchan railway. The railway line contrasted sharply with the warmth of Sydney, my home was axed in the late ‘70s, but in the last ten years has of the last 6 years. Upon leaving the airport I saw a lone been given a new lease of life by being converted into a runner suffering along the road in the rain and decided network of walking and cycle paths. This created the that it was time to buy some waterproofs. After four opportunity to run along an entirely straight 2k gravel years of running, which I’d only taken up since living in track which was raised on both sides giving some great Sydney, this would be the first time that I’d run a half views across the countryside. The route then followed a marathon outside Australia. It was slightly ironic that I number of side roads on tarmac (bitumen) before would do this somewhere where I’d never run more than turning at 12k and retracing the route for home. 5k before and that when I was 8 years old. Whilst I had run well to the turn point, I slowed I had about a significantly in week after the the second half flight to get of the run as I myself prepared was running into for the race and the prevailing it took most of wind. After this time to get being used to over the jet-lag running in and get used to Sydney where running in the only multiple layers significant wind of warm is across ‘the clothing. It also Coat Hanger’, gave me the first this did make taste of the the course much strong local more winds which I challenging than was to I was expecting, encounter All along the way mean, nasty locals handed out free Haggis bags particularly as during the race. the wind had Fraserburgh (known locally as the Broch) is located at been less noticeable on the way out. The course itself the top of the north east coast of Scotland, almost was relatively flat and whilst around 6k was on gravel 17,000kms and a thirty hour flight from Sydney. The paths, had a good surface for running. town is built around the local fishing industry and is now My time of 1.36.56 wasn’t near my PB however it was the home of the Scottish Lighthouse Museum as well a good to finish my first half marathon outside Australia great half marathon organised by the Fraserburgh and also having survived the challenge of the cold and Running Club. windy conditions. The highlight of the day, however, was The course starts and finishes at James Ramsay Park on the food afterwards. I have never seen such a great the outskirts of Fraserburgh. The first three kilometres selection of home-made cakes and home-made soups used the park and then followed a loop through local after a race (even the best catered STaR didn’t come houses. Whilst the field of 133 spread out relatively close). If you find yourself travelling through the north quickly after the start there were times in the early east of Scotland in mid November in the future, it is stages that the pavement was slightly crowded with worth running this race for the Cullen Skink (a creamy, runners going in both directions. The route then headed thick Scottish soup of smoked haddock and potatoes) out of town and whilst not busy at that time of the alone. morning, did require runners to negotiate a main road (not closed off) and a roundabout. However just after the 5k mark the course turns into the grounds of a large farm A map of the course is at and from this point onwards until around 19k the route http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united- was virtually traffic free. kingdom/fraserburgh/225124548114515751

31 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

T H E INAUGURAL GREAT OCEAN WALK By WAYNE GREGORY

Thursday, two days before the GOW100, I caught an early flight out of Sydney, touching down about 90 minutes later at Melbourne Airport. I grabbed a hire car and headed for the east-side suburb of Mount Waverley where I had a pre-arranged session with a massage therapist.

our weeks prior I’d been running in the Glasshouse A brief phone call to the massage therapy centre left me Mountains 100-miler in Queensland, and was with an appointment and some raised hopes; in principle F nicely positioned at the pointy end of the field they seemed to agree with some of my thoughts on the approaching the 100-kilometre point. I’d run 97 km, subject. Still, I was warily sceptical of how beneficial their average pace 6:53 per km, then BAM !!! - totally seized massage techniques would be. Testimonials on the up, scarcely able to walk or even talk. The next km took website suggested some good results, but also warned me 19 minutes to complete, and the one after that 23 that the process itself was ‘not a pleasant experience.’ minutes. I hobbled into the next aid station, took a handful of panadeine and crawled into a sleeping bag, Entering the premises at Mount Waverley I met Darren, laying flat on my back on the side of the dirt road and my massage-therapist-de-jour. He was genuinely waiting for the pain to subside and some muscle mobility interested about ultra-running and asked me many to return. It took just over an hour, after which I got up questions about the upcoming race. As he commenced and ran the last 60-odd km surprisingly well, finishing in the massage he kindly suggested that I remember to keep seventh place in the time of 20:47, which gave me a 100- breathing, explaining quite matter-of-factly that with this mile PB by more than 30 minutes Happy? Yeah, but still it particular treatment he’d had a few patients ‘pass out’ on was yet another case, another race, of ‘what if’ …. ? the massage table due to holding their breath.

That’s been my ultra-running world for the last three There are no words to describe that next hour. years, and that’s the way in which my particular injury, a Unconsciousness would have been a merciful relief; unique type of ‘OP’ (osteitis pubis) affects me; a sort of rubbing crushed glass into my eyeballs laughingly ‘all or nothing’. It would appear completely unannounced enjoyable by comparison. I left Mount Waverley very and had reduced many of my races to a simple battle of tender to touch in ‘that’ area, yet feeling somehow just making the finish-line. On a really bad day even that ‘looser’, with Darren’s final words ringing in my ears was out of the question. So as I had done before, a few …”You’ll be right for the race mate, and let me know how days after the Glasshouse race I Googled ‘cure for osteitis you go”. pubis’ in the hope that maybe some miraculous medical breakthrough had recently occurred. I found nothing to THE RACE get excited about, but what I did find was the ‘Miritis Massage Therapy Centre’ at Mount Waverley, who OP aside, I knew I was in excellent shape. I’d shared specialise in treatment of OP. dinner with my coach Sean Williams a week ago, and as usual we bounced around a few ideas and tactics. Sean For the record, there’s no known cure for OP. After three has a wonderfully open mind and thus makes a great years of research on the subject, I believe that many sounding-board, and his advice is always honest and different but similar pelvic injuries are labelled ‘OP’ by practical. Within the past two weeks I had finally medical practitioners. As treatment, they’ll recommend achieved some very ultra-specific training goals which I improving core strength, prescribe exercises such as had been working toward for eighteen months. The ‘clams’ until you have buns of steel, get you on a Swiss nature of this training had robbed me of some top-end ball like a performing seal and maybe even throw in a speed, but the indicators all showed my strength, little acupuncture. Now that’s all okay if you have some stamina and aerobic capacity sandwiched within their muscular imbalance due to a weak core, but considering highest parameters to date. that most athletes who suffer this injury are fairly damn fit in the first place, I’m inclined to think that sort of Friday morning, the day before the race, I enjoyed a short treatment is somewhat misguided and often simply 8km out & back on the course; the running was easy and ineffectual. effortless. Right from the start I felt very limber & loose, 32 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 suggesting that the previous day’s massage had been As is customary at ultras we gathered in the pre-dawn quite beneficial. I’d have to wait until the race to put that greyness of race morning for the early start. The runners to the test. were buzzing, the weather was cool without being cold and after the usual mutual exchanges of “best wishes” we It was great to be in Apollo Bay, catching up pre-race set off. I like to be alone early in these races find my own with all the usual suspects and meeting a few new faces. natural rhythm and head-space and soon settled into Of all my running, these ’big’ ultras; ‘100-milers’ or second position. I watched the impressive speed of Tim longer; they’re the ones that really get my juices flowing. Cochrane up ahead carry him away into the gloom, while The whole ultra atmosphere that I enjoy so much was in listening to the early enthusiastic race banter and chatter full swing; lots of very fit people, all about to attempt emanating from the runners behind. something incredibly difficult. About 4km in, after passing the sleepy hamlet of Basically we invade a small town and put in place an Marengo, the trail deposited us onto the first of several undercurrent which is a crazy mixture of excitement, beaches. There was only one set of footprints heading up anticipation and maybe a little impending doom. It’s the beach, and as I struggled to match my foot-strike to quite recognisable and tangible to those involved, yet the those, I could tell that Tim was really striding out early everyday town-folk carry on with their lives blissfully and piling on some pace. Then again, he’s got serious ignorant of the whole affair. Ultra-running doesn’t come running talent by the bucket-load and is one of the few with sport-star fame or big-dollar fortune, but oh baby, runners in the country that can do that stuff over ultra- it’s by far the coolest thing in town. distances.

The race organisers, - Paul, I rate his amazing effort at the 2007 Great North Walk Andrew, Brett, Kathy and ultra, where he banged heads with another ultra-gun Mal had done a fantastic job from Queensland, ‘The Smiling Assassin’ Dave Waugh as to put this new event singularly the best ultra-running trail performance I’ve together. A monster effort witnessed. On that amazing day they scorched the Great had been expended by this North Walk 174 km race in a blistering, astounding crew, and during the pre- course record 23:30, reaching an agreement late in the race briefing with the event to cross the finish line together. To add some inaugural race imminent, perspective, there has only been one other finish under their enthusiasm was 25 hours at GNW, which was Joel Mackay’s noteworthy infectious. 24:57 to finish in third place the same year, and nobody else has got close to going under 26 hours. On examining the ingredients, the race-recipe I was happy to let Tim do his own thing; to try and go they had concocted had with him would be foolish. On the other hand I was success written all over it: running quite well; my hydration & nutrition were good an 80% single-trail course and the stunning scenery on offer provided a welcome traversing an iconic part of Australia renowned for its distraction. Cresting the top of each headland would incredible natural beauty and two synchronised races of provide a whole new and magnificent panorama, with 100km and 191km; this event provided all the necessary the beaches and craggy cliffs of the Shipwreck Coast punch to become something uniquely special. Little stretching away into the distance. Along some of the cliff- wonder that when entries opened on-line the race was tops I looked down at the inaccessible beaches where swamped, filling to its imposed maximum number in rider-less waves were forming perfect 2-3 metre barrels under three hours. breaking both left and right, a sight to take any surfer’s breath away. The Great Ocean Walk is a hiking trail that, pretty much, runs parallel to The Great Ocean Road; an engineering masterpiece I rounded a bend in the trail to find a constructed over 13 years, 1919- 1932. Building the road provided startled black wallaby leap high into the employment for over 3000 air and bound off into the bush, or caused ‘Diggers’: Australian soldiers a koala to scamper up the closest tree. returning from the First World War, and on completion was dedicated as a Memorial to those who were killed in that The water down that way runs clear, deep and blue, with conflict. At the Apollo Bay Hotel where the pre-race strong currents pushed along by the ‘Roaring Forties;’ briefing was conducted are some marvellous old photos those powerful winds that operate around 40 degrees of of the road under construction. Admiring those pictures, latitude and hammer across the South Indian Ocean I found it very motivating that within a few hours I would unchecked by landmass for around 8000 kilometres; all get to pay a personal tribute of my own to those resilient the way from the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip men. of Africa. 33 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

Entering Bass Strait, the current increases as water gets grunt. I wished him luck and took off, but soon stopped squeezed between the substantial island of Tasmania and and went back. I’d never seen Tim like that, and I was a the Australian mainland in Bass Strait, at times causing little worried that maybe he was really low on blood monster ocean swells. It’s famously treacherous for sugar or something. I asked him to engage me in a brief shipping and wild weather is common, hence the name conversation, but he knew what I was doing and after ‘Shipwreck Coast.’ Possibly it’s best left alone as the reassuring me that he was in fact lucid and ‘in control’, I domain of the Humpback, Southern Right and the again ran off along the trail, fully expecting him to come magnificently large Blue whales, plus the fur seal back later in the race, running faster and looking better colonies and huge predatory Great White sharks that than ever. inhabit the area. Over the remaining 13 km to the Twelve Apostles I was experiencing more personable close encounters; checkpoint (96 km) the trail contained long sections of several times I rounded a bend in the trail to find a soft sand, making progress slow until reaching startled black wallaby leap high into the air and bound Princetown, where the trail surface improved and made off into the bush, or caused a koala to scamper up the for good running. I’d been expecting entrants in the 100 closest tree. Less welcome were the occasional Tiger km event to come past me for some time (they had to snakes; ‘Tigers’ are in the play-offs for most lethal snake complete an extra 4 km loop early in the race) so I was on the planet behind a couple of Taipan species and the surprised to find myself running the last kilometre or so King Brown. Fortunately and perhaps due to the cool on sealed road and to be first in to the Twelve Apostles weather they were pretty shy and happy to depart the checkpoint. This is where the 100 km race finishes, but trail as fast as they could slither. Whatever, they still for me it was simply a turn-around point. I spent ten affect the heart-rate and manage to focus one’s attention. minutes refuelling and preparing for the return trip, double-checking all the gear required for night-running. Reaching Aire River, just short of forty kilometres into the race, ‘Amazing Tim’ had opened up a 40-minute lead. Five minutes after leaving the checkpoint I came across Wow, he was flying! I was surprised therefore that by 51 Tim steaming up the road, and shortly behind him was km, at Johanna Beach, the gap had remained constant at Phil ‘Spud’ Murphy, who was about to win the 100 km 40 minutes. At Moonlight Head, 71 km, he’d stretched it race by the big margin of well over an hour. He was to 46 minutes, but the aid station crew informed me he’d obviously in good form after a cracking run in the Ultra- left there walking. Trail du Mont-Blanc in late August. Phil warned me that Tim had found new life; I wasn’t surprised. I figured that I didn’t read too much into their comments; everyone if he took a short break at Twelve Apostles, then maybe I experiences a dark moment or two during an ultra and had a 15-minute lead, which meant very little at this they can come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes. I can halfway stage of the race. Later on I ran into the ex- even get them during a 5000 metre race. I call it ‘the bad Canadian now-Australian representative for the recently- room’, that feeling when you inexplicably struggle for a held Commonwealth 100 km championship, Michael period of time. When in ‘the bad room’ I focus on picking myself up & racing harder, imagining there to be a door that I’ll shortly reach, and once through, I’m out of ‘the bad room’ and the world is all puppy-dogs and rainbows once more.

I was running well and feeling very strong, but constrained by the “hold it back, conserve your effort” voice-of-reason working overtime in my head. Around 80 km, a vehicle came toward me down the country lane I was working away at. It stopped 100 metres or so away and out popped AURA Secretary Brett Saxon, snapping photos as I approached.

Brett’s always very upbeat and told me I was looking good. He also mentioned that Tim was only five minutes ahead, which made me laugh. I Lovric. I noted that it was 42 minutes since I’d left the suggested he reconsider his calculations, but no, he was turn-around, so I had about 90 minutes lead over adamant; so I asked if Tim was walking, to which Brett Michael’s third position. replied ’uh, yeah.’ As night closed in I was holding a good pace and arrived At 84 km I spotted Tim up ahead, disappearing around a at a track junction around 112 km. Not recalling the bend in the trail. After catching him I asked what was intersection, I stopped, considered, and was finally wrong, but didn’t get much of an answer. I then asked if swayed by the ‘Great Ocean Walk’ sign leading to the there was anything he needed, and got the same short right. A separate sign pointing in the same direction also 34 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

said ‘Devil’s Kitchen campsite’. The alternative, straight through a flock of sheep that had taken possession of the ahead, was unmarked. About 1.5 km after turning right I grassy area. As the scary heavy-breathing night-intruder entered the Devil’s Kitchen hike-in camping area, and with the one huge shiny eye scattered them in all after exploring all five off-shoots found that each ended directions, hundreds of pairs of panicky eyes reflected in in a secluded campsite, with no ‘through’ trail. I back- the beam of my headlamp. tracked & yelled for assistance at the only occupied area, the first campsite I had passed. A nice bloke appeared Arriving back at the fork and having carved 44 minutes and after hearing my predicament instructed me to from my lead, I went right. After about 50 metres the trail return to the track junction and take the other option. ended! Huh? I moved closer, and ducking under and around a fallen tree I re-discovered the correct trail. I had Arriving back at the junction I knew I’d cost myself about zero recollection of that fallen tree on the outward 25 minutes, and after setting off along the alternative journey. I suppose things look different coming from the option was very relieved when a few minutes later I saw opposite direction in the dark. I took off, hoping I was headlamps coming the other way. It turned out to be ‘Mr still leading the race. G’- Sean Greenhill, the very man responsible for my transition to The Dark Side (ultra-running). He was Reaching Johanna Beach checkpoint at 140 km I found surprised that underneath the headlamp it was me and not Tim Cochrane. Sean informed me that I was the first runner he’d seen making the return trip; equally I was surprised that during my off-track excursion Tim hadn’t usurped the lead in the race; Irrespective, the only thing I had control of was running the best race I could piece together; and as always that’s simply a ‘work-in-progress’ until you hit the finish line.

Arriving again at Moonlight Head -120 km, I mentioned to the crew that I was surprised Tim hadn’t come racing past. I was stunned when they told me that he’d withdrawn at Twelve Apostles. On his day Tim is the top ultra-runner in the country, and almost any other day he’s well in the top that I was still in front. It was welcome news and I fuelled five; but not today. I take no pleasure in seeing a class up, taking a few minutes longer than normal but wanting athlete like that withdraw from an event, especially a to stick with the nutritional plan that had me feeling friend, and I knew it was a decision he would not have terrific right throughout race. Brother fire-fighter, Kevin reached easily. The news added a whole new outlook to Cassidy from Melbourne, was at the checkpoint, fully my evolving race plan. I reminded myself to try extra recovered from his epic swim across the English Channel. hard to DNS (Do Nothing Stupid) and if I could manage He was providing great service while simultaneously that, was quietly confident that the substantial lead I held keeping a rogue fox from stealing all of the aid-station I would enable me to successfully hold off any food. challengers. Wishing Kev “hasta la vista, baby” I was out of there, I cranked it out solidly for the next 30 minutes or so and commencing the sandy trek several kilometres west arrived at a fork in the trail. There was a ‘GOW’ sign along the beach. Sea spray was floating in the beam of my about ten metres along the trail from where the fork headlamp, creating a mini-white out of sorts. At the end merged. I walked right up to the fork, turned around to of the beach, before taking the trail up into the dark face the sign and considered which of the two trails the coastal forest, I looked back along the beach for the tell- sign mainly faced toward. Right or left? It definitely faced tale glimmer of headlamps. It was all good; nothing but the left. I turned back around and went left. It looked inky blackness under a carnival-canopy of millions of good from memory, even at night. ‘A long gentle uphill stars, with a little phosphorescence occurring in the for a few km, eventually opening onto a wide grassy breaking surf as a sideshow. area,’ yeah that seems right; ‘follow the faint track across the grass. Open the farm gate. Close the farm gate. Start Four kilometres on the trail again dropped onto a beach running on’ ….. bitumen road ??? Doh!!! at Castle Cove. I crossed the little freshwater stream which winds down from the hills and bisects the cove 24 minutes had elapsed since I’d left the fork in the trail. before veering left toward a pair of old run-down It took me 20 minutes to return, including ploughing cottages, looking for the trailhead back into the forest. I 35 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 was certain it was near those old cottages. It wasn’t. I left the checkpoint and headed down onto the beach, retraced my steps and headed to the right, where I found where a short trip along the sand would lead me to the the trailhead. Another extra kilometre, another ten trail-head. minutes burned looking in the wrong place. Finding the trail-head I followed its path which led me The next 5 km to Aire River checkpoint at 153 km straight back to the Blanket Bay checkpoint; I’d run a seemed to take forever. For the first time in the race I completed circle! I yelled for assistance and a guy from was starting to feel the pinch, but persisted in pressing the checkpoint came and kindly accompanied me back hard to the river. Winding down the final slope I passed down onto the beach and pointed out my error. I had beside the popular camping-area; there were no early- taken the first exit off the beach; I should have continued risers sitting around their fires at this hour; they were all further on and found the trail-head at the next exit. I’d enjoying their last hours of sleep. I needed to kick-start also wasted six or seven minutes I couldn’t really afford. my body with a boost of caffeine and carbohydrates, but as it turned out I was disappointed; there was nothing Back on track I followed the trail away from the beach hot available; no coffee, no soup, no hot water. I grabbed and up a demanding climb through the forest. I came to some fruitcake, an orange and a few supplies from my an unmarked intersection and guessed to head to the drop-bag and hit the wooden bridge that leads across the right. A kilometre or so further on I recognised some river. Those things happen in ultras; nothing ever goes fallen saplings that I’d hurdled on the outward journey. perfectly to plan, so you adapt, suck it up, and press on. Praise the Lord, I wasn’t totally devoid of navigational ability. Behind me the race had been taking shape with several runners alternating places. Darryl Robins, a big strong While sparring with a nasty little uphill gradient I quite runner from the NSW Central Coast had emerged from rapidly felt ill; in addition my legs had begun suffering out of the field to be a clear second. Taking into account and were becoming acutely painful. This was far different the extra sight-seeing I’d done, I estimated my lead at from anything I’d experienced during the race; I knew it Aire River had been cut to around 20 minutes. wasn’t good. As the trail began to top out I reached some gentler slopes and tried to run, however even after four Leading away from the river the course travels through or five unsuccessful attempts things weren’t improving. I several kilometres of deep soft sand, so I used the slow was in a very lengthy ‘bad room,’ so made up my mind to pace to refuel and boost my energy levels back up. power-walk as best I could until I reached the far door Minutes later I was able to pack away my headlamp, and could smell the roses. As the race leader I was used reflective vest and other night-time gear as the first rays to feeling hunted, but now for the first time I was of light brightened the sky. beginning to feel vulnerable.

With my energy stores replenished I underwent the I kept walking solidly up the easy slope, feeling like crap. magical mystical transformation that occurs as the new Passing beside the trunk of a big eucalypt, a subtle day awakened my body’s bio-rhythms; I was hyper- movement caught my eye. Turning my head to the left, sensitive to the experience of mind and body coming right there beside me at exactly head height, and turning alive and being reborn. I’d been running for just over his head to face me, was the biggest koala I have ever twenty-four hours, which never fails to heighten the seen. Our eyes locked. We were so close I could have connection between the mental and physical self. As the reached out and tickled his chin. I smiled and said hello. joyful chorus of birdsong built to a crescendo and He remained impassive, unperturbed, and inscrutable; heralded the dawn, I was off and running eastward into his aura was knocking me out. Koalas don’t do rising sun. Behold; Shangri-La, the earthly paradise expression. On the other hand, maybe it’s all true and he exists; I was running through it. was smashed to the eyeballs from the effects of distilled eucalyptus leaves. Whatever, I had to go. Wandering up That harmonious feeling carried me effortlessly over the the trail, I stole a final glance over my shoulder. The next fifteen kilometres to Blanket Bay, which serves as koala’s eyes were still intently fixed upon me and I swear both the first and last checkpoint for runners. At 170 km he broke into a little smile. It was very cool. it leaves only 21 km; a mere half-marathon to the finish at Apollo Bay. Arriving at the checkpoint I was informed It didn’t assist my progress however, and as I continued that at Aire River my lead had been 19 minutes, although to walk I imagined the runners behind me making up I suspected I may have padded it out a little over the last ground. I’d walked about four kilometres before the trail section. Through the Great Otway National Park and finally flattened out, so I broke into a run. It didn’t last hooking round past Cape Otway itself with its wonderful more than a few seconds; I became physically ill and lighthouse, I’d been ‘picking ‘em up and putting ’em started throwing up. It was one of those body-purging down’ in rapid succession. experiences that prohibit forward movement and continue on and on until there is nothing left. I remember Doing the distance/time/energy-requirement equation after the initial upheaval I stumbled to the side of the for the remaining 21km, I fuelled up on some boiled trail to continue vomiting; I didn’t want those behind me potatoes dipped in salt, more fruitcake, and packed to see that I had been sick as it would only encourage enough supplies from my drop-bag to meet demands. I them to chase harder. 36 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

After expelling everything I felt much better but my Physically and figuratively I was at a crossroads. I felt it energy levels were completely sapped. I had two tins of was cruel that with only eight kilometres to go, after baby food and two mini-cans of Coca Cola on me, which I racing well over 180 kilometres previously, I was now had figured was the minimum I would need to get to the forced to throw all my eggs in the one basket and follow finish. I hadn’t planned on using anything this early in the the only trail that I believed led in the correct direction. I final leg, but realised what had to be done and consumed weighed up that if I was wrong, I’d travel 1500 metres a tin of baby food as I walked up the trail. After a minute just to be standing back where I now was, and then have or two I tried to run, but the mojo still wasn’t happening. to travel further back from where I’d come and find the Desperate times call for desperate measures, so I sank correct trail. And while I stood there contemplating, the other can of baby food. I gave it a couple of minutes to runners were coming from behind; hell, for all I knew, settle and broke into a lazy trot, and as the terrain eased one might even be in front of me. I took off toward Three into a long gentle downhill I was again in control and Creeks Beach. began running freely. Three-quarters of a kilometre later the trail delivered me I concentrated on running in the middle of the track, to a beach. It didn’t look all that familiar, but as I through the loose sandy sections and the shallower tentatively trotted along, things became clearer. I had an muddy sections. I wanted those behind to see that I was inkling we’d run this beach in the grey dawn some 30 running strongly. I knew that my Teva trail-running hours ago, heading in the opposite direction. I moved shoes were leaving a very distinctive footprint and that closer to the water where the sand became slightly those prints told a firmer and to my compelling story. great delight During the previous stretching out right few kilometres of there in front of me walking I’d tried to was the irrevocable stay as far as tell-tale evidence; possible to the dozens of running- grassed or leafy shoe footprints in edges of the trail, the sand, not leaving signs of untouched by the my slow progress rise and fall of the as encouragement tide. for those behind. I received two- I also had concerns presents-in-one. about covering the Looking ahead final sixteen along the beach, kilometres on past the small nothing but high-GI expanse of rock sugary cola (totally and further on up forgetting about the the huge green three food-bars I grassy headland, had in my pack as part of the mandatory safety equipment right to the ridgeline about 2.5 kilometres away, nothing all runners must carry!) but the long downhill stretch moved. I picked up the pace, laying the first set of tracks lasted almost uninterrupted to Shelley Beach, from along the beach that pointed back toward Apollo Bay. where I only had eight kilometres left to travel. Yeah, I was smiling.

At best case I thought I may have a 15-minute lead, at As I crested the headland, the handful of houses that worse maybe only 2 or 3 minutes. What I really didn’t comprise the small village of Marengo were laid out need was yet another navigational problem. I reached below me in the foreground, and five kilometres away off Shelley Beach and discovered I was again off-course. I in the distance I could see the town of Apollo Bay nestling raced about 600 metres back up the trail to an the coastline. I stood and looked back; there was still an intersection I’d paused briefly at on the way down. Was I absence of movement down on the beach so I relaxed still in the lead? Had someone just sneaked past while I and let gravity do its thing and pull me down the sloping was down on Shelley Beach? The course directions said path, onto the last short stretch of sand. to go to ’Marengo via Shelley Beach’. It definitely wasn’t via the beach. The intersection I stood at had a sign Exiting that short beach the trail morphs into a man- pointing east that said ‘Three Creeks Beach, 750 metres.’ made boardwalk, and as I rolled along following its flow It didn’t have one of the small blue ‘Great Ocean Walk’ through the coastal heath toward Marengo I snuck a peek plaques attached to the sign which the course followed. back at the headland. There was no sign of life until I However the sign on the trail I had come from, pointing turned back around just in time to avoid the large tiger north, did have one of those plaques. snake that lay across the boardwalk. It was as eager as I to minimise mutual contact and already had its head in 37 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

the long grass as it slid away; meanwhile I clocked up some serious hang-time as I hurdled its striped body To the Race Organisers – thanks for your huge collective Edwin Moses-style, leaving plenty off air between us. As effort. the spike in my heart rate settled, I debated the merit of I am seriously very honoured, appreciative and proud to The Simpson’s ‘Whacking Day’ episode, wondering if it have won the inaugural Great Ocean Walk ultra. would ever catch on in Marengo.

After winding through the Marengo caravan park I joined Without any shadow of doubt, I believe this event will the walkway that runs beside the Great Ocean Road for become a stand-out iconic fixture on the Australian the final three kilometres to Apollo Bay. Following it ultra-running calendar. It’s quite humbling to have so along the coast I breached the last small hill, passing many people express how happy they are to see me houses on the edge of town. Once over the hill the path achieve this result. Runners are the best people, and I kicks left into a pleasantly spacious waterfront park, which sits between the beautiful beach and downtown am blessed to know so many of you.

Apollo Bay. The final few kilometres had been effortless; Huge thanks must go to my wife Bernadette who shares it was nice to run along reflecting on the whole my passion and joy for running. experience and soaking up the atmosphere. Also to:– coach Sean Williams; my regular massage Day-trippers and picnickers in the park shot me a few smiles as I crossed the open space; straight ahead in the therapist Lenny Murphy; all the wonderful aid station middle of the park I could see the huge sea-anchor people especially Mel (xxx) and Kevin Cassidy; Darren mounted on its edge that denotes both start and finish of from Miritis Massage Centre; the supportive people at the race. People were gathered around it and as the BlackHeart Pty. Ltd. for the excellent gear; race sponsors distance closed I could hear their applause. After just 2XU and Athletes Foot and of course parks Victoria for over thirty-one hours of running, I nearly ‘lost it’ right allowing us to run in that wonderland. there and then, but managed to hold it back and put a smile on my face, hoping nobody had noticed. Wow, what Cheers, Blue Dog. a moment.

Alice Priest is out for at least 3 months with two issues Hatches, Matches, Dispatches in her knee - ITB Bursitis and Patellofemeral Syndrome. Camille and Gary Howard had a baby boy born August She had her first DNF at the recent Melbourne Half. We 10th, Akira Flynn Howard. Has the look of another wish her well on a difficult recovery. sprinter (like his Dad) Gary reckons. Fiona and Phil Skurrie had a baby boy on August 19th - Umina Beach Slog Louis Geoffrey Skurrie. A future marathoner, this one! I took part in the Umina Beach Slog 10k race on 27th Janene and Reid Meldrum had their third child on July September. The race is only 2 years young, but is already 3rd, Ella Vickie Meldrum. pretty popular with many local runners and running clubs. Even some Sydney runners (need more Striders Kerryn and Cameron Arnold have a new addition. Iris next year please!). Arnold was born on the 14th September. The race is half on soft sand and half on wet sand. It starts off on the beach in line with the Umina Surf Club, then heads west on the soft sand to 'kiddies corner', then turns and heads east along the full length of the beach to Broken Wing Club Ettalong on the wet sand, then back to the Surf Club on Vikki Quinn fractured a pubic bone by landing badly on the soft sand. Two laps for the 10k, 1 lap for the 5k, and concrete whilst barefoot sprinting. It was a ‘paddle run’ there is also a 2k option for the younger ones (who all got race. She ignored it but it kept her out for 2months a T shirt as a memento). My 7 year old took part in this before she came back and Competed in the 5km Balmain one, and won his age group. fun run, came first in the 40 – 55 category and got a Oh, so you want to know how I did? Well last year I came trophy! In a time of 24.40. second to a runner probably half my age. This year I managed to pick up first place, despite some reasonably Oskar Booth has broken a collar bone in a bicycle tough competetion, and gail force winds when heading accident. He hit a pedestrian and flew through the air, East. All in all a great race and perfect morning out at the Pedestrian was OK, he went to hospital. Now he has a beach (if it were not for that wind!). Some great prizes, steel plate and 6 screws inserted to rejoin the bone. and trophies too for the age groupers and overall place Recovering well but will be off for a few more weeks at getters, plus lucky dips. least. Fantastic coffee shop at the surf club too. Hope to see you there next year. Tim Austin claims ‘an unknown ankle complaint’ that Mark 'Gentry' Wilson ‘might’ be getting better (?) 0404 830870

38 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

From

Melbourne to Boston MELBOURNE MARATHON 2009 REPORT

By ROB COSTELLO

‘YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! – I DID IT’ – my reaction as I crossed the line punching the air in the MCG to finish the 2009 Melbourne marathon in 3:07:46 and qualify for the prestigious Boston marathon in the process. I manage to lift my arms high and wave my miniature Irish flag with joy despite 26.2 miles (42.2kms) of a hard slog and negotiating a raft of half marathoners around the hallowed turf of the G.

he MCG is certainly a sacred sporting arena so I was privileged to finish there. It’s the ground T where Ronnie Delany did Ireland proud to kick home and win the 1,500m final in the 1956 Olympics ahead of local favourite, John Landy. In recent times the I dropped the bottles off, the blonde Australian girl in late, great Kerryn McCann entered the arena neck and charge commented that there were lots of Italian flags neck with Hellen Koskei of Kenya in 2006 (which are similar) already so I may want to mark mine. Commonwealth Games marathon. Buoyed by a capacity crowd, who let out a huge roar as she arrived on the Saturday night was a very early one. After a carbo- track, she went on to a sprint finish gold medal. loading feed of Spaghetti Bolognese and garlic bread it was back to the hotel to get the kit ready and have some Only a few weeks back we had attended a game of AFL shut-eye. Melbourne was my eleventh marathon so, after (or aerial ping-pong for non-Australians) where ten previous ones, you would think that nerves wouldn’t Collingwood came back from 30 points down to beat the come into play. That is never the case and this time, more Adelaide Crows with the last kick of the game. The game than most, I was feeling the butterflies. I had put in more was a cracker and the atmosphere was amazing. That training for this than any other race before and had told match had an attendance of over 80,000 people and the G everyone about my Boston target so I guess there was a has a capacity of 100,000, there were around 2,000 bit more at stake. I lay in bed for nearly an hour (not like watching me cross the line on Sunday but that didn’t me as I’ve been known to sleep through earthquakes!) matter. I had made it. just thinking. Not about running just about everything, family, friends, the future, the past… got a bit SATURDAY philosophical actually. Then I nodded off, around 10pm. The weekend kicked off on Saturday morning with a trip to the Neighbours set. Elaine (my girlfriend) was PREPARATION delighted to visit the famous Ramsay Street and I was The morning kicked off with a muffin and a cup of Lyons shocked to hear that Mrs. Mangle and Helen were no Irish tea at 4.30am… crumbs everywhere. Then a quick longer with us while Jim had moved to the States to work doze until 5.30am when I got up for a number of toilet in Orange County. We ventured over to the Expo on visits (can’t be too careful) and put on the kit. I stuck on Saturday afternoon to drop off my personal refreshments the iPod for some pre race motivation tunes (‘Born to and meet up with my trainer, Dave Eadie. I put two Run’ and ‘Shippin up to Boston’). I called my parents miniature Irish flags on the bottles of Endura mix so I while we were en route to say hello before the start – and could spot them easily at the 25km and 35km stations. As to find out how Ireland were doing v Italy in the World

39 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

Cup qualifiers. My Dad informed me that Glen Whelan on near St. Kilda. I caught up with Powerade guy, thanked had made it 1-0 and I let out a yell of delight. A great start him and went on past him. I think he was a little shocked to the day. ‘Maybe I should look into the Comrades to see me recover so quickly but I was grateful. marathon in South Africa the week before the World Cup?’ I thought. THE BUSINESS END The turn onto St. Kilda road at 30km signalled the real I said my goodbyes to Elaine, gave her my iPod and gear start of the marathon. Up until then it was about getting that I wasn’t running with and made my way to the start. into a rhythm. From now on in it was about enduring. It Elaine went off in the other direction with Lucy to gear was also at this point that we merged with the half up for her first, and very impressive, 10km run. She’s marathoners, a big mistake on behalf of the organisers suffered for so long as a spectator with me on these and a frustration for anyone running the full. I tried to things that she finally gave in and decided to run one – in disregard it and made my way through as many slower a very respectable time of 62 minutes I later found out. paced runners as I could. At one stage I even got a little One more toilet stop and then I was off. worried that I had taken a wrong turn as I was the only one around with a red bib in a sea of half marathon green AND THEY'RE OFF... bibs. I even passed a blonde girl in a BRATs singlet. No I ran the first 3kms with David Eadie who happened to be idea who she was but I said hello and good luck as I went pacing the sub 3:10 group. The group was quite large and by. I almost tripped up another girl wearing an iPod who I was feeling comfortable so I sped up a little and caught slowed suddenly and didn’t hear me trying to pass. She up with Alan Peacock – a friend who ran Canberra and was okay and I went on my merry way. Gold Coast in very similar times to me. We had only met in person, on the day, after having a few close encounters We departed the half marathon joggers at 35km to my in the past. We ran together for the next 13kms chatting delight. I was still feeling strong but wary as in the past about running, living in Australia, the economy and all this has been where I have hit the dreaded wall, sorts of other nonsense. Alan even found some time to sometimes by smashing right up against it in spectacular chat to a couple of girls running at the same pace. They fashion or other times slowly and painfully. But this time weren’t quite as conversational. Time and the kms were it didn’t come. I picked up my personal drink at 35km, passing quickly and I was feeling good. holding onto the flag, and proceeded to continue through the Botanic Gardens where I held I gulped it and within seconds let my pace and started passing people who had possibly found out an almighty burp to which I got a that wall. Now, I did slow down ‘good on ya mate, better out slightly over the last 5kms (about 10 seconds per km) but than in’ from an Aussie lady... nowhere near anything like some of my previous marathons (see Dublin circa October 2006).

We made it to the end of Beaconsfield Parade and the DON'T TICKLE ME ELMO group started to pick up the pace. I was feeling good so I Those damn organisers managed to mess things up for a went with it but held back a bit as the last thing I wanted second time and we were, yet again, merged with the half was to blow up with another half to go. I crossed the half marathoners, this time with people aiming for under 2 way point in 1:32:27, only five seconds off my half hours 15 minutes. I didn’t let this get to me and just kept marathon PB. It was at this stage that I spotted a kid with passing on the outside shouting, “marathoner,” to get a Dublin jersey on. Now, normally I would be less than people’s attention. Most were courteous enough to move polite to somebody in such attire but I needed and some even cheered but there was the odd iPod information. As we looped back by the kid and his family jogger who just didn’t hear. I even found myself passing I shouted ‘Did Ireland beat Italy?’ They shrugged their Elmo, which brought me back to London 2007 where I shoulders and said ‘Dunno’, bloody Dubs. outran a guy dressed in a Borat mankini in the final 385 yards by Buckingham Palace. I picked up my personal refreshment at 25km and gave my miniature flag to a less than appreciative child, who THE HALLOWED TURF probably wondered why some pasty runner just handed We turned the corner into the G with less than 300m to him an Italian flag. At 28km I got the dreaded pain in my go. As I came down the tunnel I heard a voice yell out side. It was the stitch that slowed me to a walk for over from on-high. It was Elaine, the best person to see at this 500m in Gold Coast and made sure I didn’t stay with the point in a race. That supercharged me to put the hammer 3:15 pacer. This time I was ready for it. I stopped, made a down and sprint to the finish (it felt like a sprint but couple of lunges then ran on. As I did I asked a guy beside when I look at the Garmin data it was no more than 10 me for some of his Powerade. He thought I was fading second per km quicker than my pace before that) holding and offered straight away. I gulped it and within seconds an inside line and passing Elmo’s half marathon friends. I let out an almighty burp to which I got a ‘good on ya raised my miniature Irish flag, fist pumping the air as I mate, better out than in’ from an Aussie lady cheering us crossed the line overjoyed that 3 months of training and 40 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 over 700kms of running had paid off in such an while talking to them). Thanks to all the BRATS and inspirational venue. Striders crew who I trained with and will continue to do so. I heard a few cheers of go BRATs as I ran around and IRELAND 2 ITALY 2 it was good to see the Striders out in force too. As a Alan Peacock continued to finish close to me in each Strider I got to pace the Sydney marathon sub 4 hour marathon this year, coming in a minute later. I embraced group which not only helped my training but was a him and thanked him for the early chat as it really fantastic experience and I’ll be back for more next year. helped. I made my way out of the G to meet Elaine with a Thanks to Dave for the legendry training plan and all of warm embrace and a nice sweaty kiss. It didn’t bother the tips that I almost always stuck to. Congrats to Alan her this time as she too had run it out at the G. for an impressive run – you might beat me next time. Thanks to Bazza, Lucy and especially Elaine for being THANKS there on the day. Thanks to all my family and friends for the good wishes and congratulations over the last few days, I really NEXT UP... appreciate it. It was great to call home after the run and So I’m into Boston but not until 2011. I’ll give New York a chat to my Mom and Dad to let them know I survived go in 2010. Next goal? Maybe sub 3 hours. I can’t get another one (the pictures show a big smile on my face enough.

they are in Beijing. I expect that with Beijing it may be a Selection Criteria for Triathlons little harder to make the team than Budapest.

By MARK FIORE The hardest race to qualify for is the Hawaii Ironman. It For small local races such as the Kurnell sprint or the is actually a private race owned by a company called Nepean Triathlon there are no entry criteria, although WTC. They allocate slots to the other Ironman races the organiser may impose a $5 surcharge on those around the world. Those slots are allocated by Age competitors who are not Triathlon Australia members Group. Competition for those slots is very high. It is not and thus do not have insurance via Triathlon Australia. country based so anyone from overseas can come to Australia and win one of the slots. Even though it is For larger races that may be part of the State series or expensive to get to Hawaii, normally people will always the National series, then the requirement is that you are take their qualifying spot. You may get 1-2 who do not a member of Triathlon Australia. take it in an age group and then it will roll down to the next position. For Ironman Australia you must have competed in one of the Half-Ironman races and finished within the cut-off ANSW Rankings time. If you have completed more than 5 Ironman Australia events then you do not have to meet this 2008-2009 requirement. Top athletics performances in For the World Championship events you need to be the State selected by Triathlon Australia. Depending on the prestige and the location of the race this can be easy or Women very, very hard. For example, this year the Olympic 3000m 1 Melinda Vernon 9.14.63 Distance World Championships were on the Gold Coast and there are 30 people selected in each age group. 5000m 2 Melinda Vernon 16.39.99 There were a number of events last summer that were 5000m 6 Marnie Ponton 17.23.11 qualifying races. You scored points in each race and it 5000m mixed race 2 Melinda Vernon 16.18.60 was your best 3 races that counted for total point score.

Men In contrast, for the World Long Course Championships there were 25 selected in each age group. However to 3000m 14 Tim Rowe 8.29.98 qualify was a lot easier as the demand for spots was not 3000m 19 Tom Crasti 8.36.20 there. 3000m 33 Chris Truscott 8.49.99

5000m 5 Tim Rowe 14.07.99 When the World Championships are in Europe, then it is normally pretty easy to make the Australian team as it is 5000m 20 Tom Crasti 15.12.73 quite expensive to fly to Europe for a race. So, demand 5000m 24 Chris Truscott 15.26.71 for places is relatively low. Next year the Olympic 10000m 2 Jeremey Horne 31.09.61 Distance Worlds are in Budapest and then the year after

41 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

ADVICE from Auntie Joan Strider

Send your etiquette questions to Auntie Joan, c/o own. Although it The Blister Editor. We do not guarantee useful must be said answers but we will protect anonymity. that the shower option is not to everyone’s taste. Dear Auntie Joan, Perhaps this is one of those I have been struggling with injury over winter and things it is despite sporadic efforts in the gym I am generally simply better feeling pretty unfit. Given this state of mind, it all seems too hard at the moment to get up at 4:30am on not to Sunday morning to make the STaR. How do I get my think too much running mojo back? about. Yours, A.J.S. Slow and sluggish

Dear Sluggish, Dear Auntie Joan, Remember that your struggles with adversity are a I’ve noticed during bush runs that some runners reflection of the human condition. Your mojo will have an amazing ability to maintain a conversation with the runner ahead or behind them on the track, return one step at a time. The first step is the hardest while at the same time dodging branches and and for you it is to get out of bed on a Sunday negotiating tree roots, rocks and puddles. Sadly, my morning. Practically, Sluggish, if you have a partner, own ability to do this seems severely limited, and I ask them to tip you out of bed at the relevant time. have almost come to grief several times whilst trying Many Striders also recommend laying out all one’s to converse in such a situation. How do I politely tell running gear the night before to decrease the barrier my chatty companions that my ability to multi-task in to successful implementation of the Sunday morning this way is not up to their own? shuffle. One can also try setting several different and Yours, increasingly aggressive and unpredictable alarms so Bush-bashed that staying in bed becomes more painful than Dear Bashed, getting up and going to the STaR.

A.J.S. The best approach to this situation is to apply the principle of the escalating response. Firstly, try simply not replying to your companion’s conversational Dear Auntie Joan, advances. If they fail to take the hint, move to the direct approach. A simple statement should suffice, At a recent post-run brekkie, I overheard two long perhaps along the lines of the following: “Sorry, I’m time Striders (male, of course) discussing how they not able to talk about the ITB stretching exercises wash their running singlets. One was espousing a your physio gave you right now as I need to point of view that in order to save hot water and the concentrate on running through this bog/along this environment, that running singlets should be washed clifftop/through this raging torrent. If all else fails in the shower rather than as part of the normal cycle of laundering. “A bit of soap and it’s good to go!” you can always stop short, clutch your ankle While I appreciate the simplicity of such an dramatically and claim to have rolled it, letting them approach, is this really an appropriate long term go on ahead while you bravely undertake to hobble option? home. Yours, Singlet-washing skeptic GUESS WHO, DON’T SUE Dear Skeptic, . Which male strider better known for his ability with the 10K timing system recently got into Sydney Uni It is important to acknowledge a plurality of med school? approaches to all issues, including singlet-washing. It . Which former MTG member has been bravely struggling with injury and is now considering a Santa is often best to take the high road and let each to his Fun Run for her comeback? 42 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

Juniors’ corner Our Monday night training at Narrabeen has been End of Season Party reverted back to Manly Warringah Little Athletics only Another successful winter season drew to a close with and is officially for athletes registered with the centre. the juniors’ party hosted by the Rasmussens in Open training will commence again at the end of March September. Our special guests for the day were James when the Little Athletics Season ends. Please contact us if and Robyn Moody, Greta and Chris Truscott from the there any juniors that would like to train with us on Senior Club. Chris spoke to the children on his experience [email protected]. as a junior as well as a runner for an hour. There was plenty of interest on his City to Surf Progress from age HOW MUCH TRAINING? 10. He was asked many interesting questions including There had been numerous debates on junior training. one on how he and Greta met. Major awards were then This is our take on the matter. handed out by our guests to the winners. This was 1. Always keep it fun by incorporating games into the followed by the afternoon’s entertainment supplied by training e.g. relays. the Wong Brothers performing the Monty Python ‘Dead 2. Vary the training so they are not doing the same Parrot’ skit. After a few hours of Singstar and a bit of thing week in week out. piñatas bashing, we could safely say a great time was had 3. Use time trials as a guide to fitness and have prizes by all and many thanks to our fantastic hosts, the for those who improve. Rasmussens. 4. Competitive cross country running distances for primary school children and older start at 2km. We MONDAY NIGHT TRAINING try to get everyone to cover at least that in one form or another in our Monday night sessions. 5. For more competitive children up to high school, they should not train more than 3/4 times a week especially if they are already doing other sports. This is to let their bodies recover from the running as well as any injury they pick up from the other sports. Furthermore, as they progress, there needs to be some natural room for them to step up. If a 14 year old girl is already running 5 days a week, moving to the next level will involve running everyday and at some point training twice a day. Most grown ups don’t do that unless they are elite athletes. 6. Make sure they stop training when something is hurting. 7. Be aware of aches and pains from growth spurts. 8. Finally, longevity is a lot more important than a schools medal next week

6 QUESTIONS FOR THE HANNAH (12) AND SALLY RASMUSSEN (10):

1. Which school do you Athletics? attend? Hannah: 800 and 1500 St. Martin’s at Sally: 800 and the Walk Davidson. 5. Why do you like 2. What other sports do running? you do? We both like to keep fit Hannah: Swimming, and meet friends. We also Netball and Tennis enjoy the competition. Sally: Soccer and 6. Does everyone in your Swimming family run? 3. When did you start Everyone (i.e. Hannah, Little Athletics? Sally, brothers Daniel and Hannah: Under 10 Joseph, and mum Cath) Sally: Under 9 except Dad (ed. Who 4. What is your happens to be a martial favourite event in Little arts expert!)

43 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

A tale of one city ( AND TWO AIRPORTS)

By LINDA BARWICK

On my recent work trip to the UK, flight connections meant that I had to stay at airport hotels at Stansted and Gatwick. Having fruitlessly hunted the web for information on running routes around these areas, I thought that other Striders might benefit from my experience.

nlike lots of other places in Europe, the UK doesn't junction with the Prince of Wales pub on your left (about seem to have much of a network of cycle paths, so 8.5km). Turn right and almost immediately left onto the U you do need to be very careful when running along road for Molehill Green. Once you reach Molehill Green, rural roads because most of them are bounded by you turn left back along the main road near the airport. hedgerows in which there is very little space for even the This is fairly busy with no footpath so be very careful. skinniest of runners to take refuge from passing traffic. After about 500m you will see a break in the hedgerow And of course unless the roads are straight you can't on your right, with a beaten path leading off towards the actually see the traffic coming either. Fortunately there airport. Climb over the steel gate here, and follow the are plenty of public footpaths and bridle paths that mean path back to the airport ring road. It comes out just near you can get off the roads if you are prepared for a the roundabout near the carparks you left from. Here is roughish surface and a bit of mud from time to time. the URL on mapmyrun.com http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/gb/stansted%20airp ort/513125708794791501 Stansted Since Stansted airport is smack bang in the middle of the Essex countryside, I managed to improvise a rather Gatwick stunning 12km run that involved only a short stint along After my Stansted experience, I took no notice of the a busy road near the airport. You can get a map of the Gatwick Sofitel hotel concierge saying there was local area from the hotel concierge, but don't take his nowhere safe to run. In fact there is a very pretty public advice that there is nowhere to run near the airport! footpath that starts very close to the hotel, part of the "West Sussex border path" (do a google on that to find Directly opposite the exit booths for the hirecar carparks out more). The path heads along parallel to the road, near the airport hotel, you will see a beaten path that through a pretty wood and crosses the River Mole with a takes you over a hill and through some bushes onto the footbridge (about 1km). From here turn to the left along main road. Take care here! Turn left and soon the banks of the river - you will see the beaten path, afterwards, near some buildings, turn right onto the road which you can follow all the way along to the end near that leads to Bambers Green. You will find yourself on a the runway (about 4km from the start). If like my quiet country road, with very little traffic at the time we husband you are a plane spotter there is a bench were there (a Wednesday afternoon). Follow the road all strategically placed here. It's pretty rough going in spots, the way to Bambers Green (about 2km), a small village with plenty of mud at one point when I was there. I with pretty thatched cottages. Turn left onto Cobbs Lane, needed to do 11 km that day so I tacked on an out and which soon peters out and becomes a public bridleway back to the nearby village of Charlwood. This involves (path used by cyclists and horseriders as well as running on the road or (when there is traffic) the lumpy walkers). From here you just follow the bridleway which grass next to it, but there was not too much traffic the proceeds in a northeasterly direction and soon after day I did it (Tuesday morning). I felt energised and ready passing through a beautiful wood ends up on Brown's for my 24-hour plane trip after this! End Rd (about the 4.5km mark). From here you do a couple of doglegs - turn left on Brown's End Rd here, and then right onto Water Lane, then left at the next intersection, which takes you up to the village of Broxted Here is the URL on mapmyrun.com: (which you reach at about the 7.5km mark). Follow http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/gb/gatwick%20airp through Broxted and keep going until you come to a T- ort/562125708903172842 44 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

Why do we have Masters?

Search me?! Seriously though, for those who have the doesn’t have one. You must run for your first club first, slightest competitive streak, trying to compete with 18 though. year olds when you are past 30 is obviously a bit of a lost Masters NSW also offers other levels of competition such cause. Masters recognizes that performance falls off with as State, Oceania and National Titles and even age and more so with ever-increasing age so after years International if you want to run overseas. Many countries of research and with an aim to equalize results among have a Masters Athletics Tournament that you can also competitors it developed strategies such as age group enter (apart from your own country) and, as a member, results to enable fairer competition. you run for your country. This is different to the World This is all the more relevant in an aging population. Masters Games, where you do not run for your country. Masters membership is strongest in age groups over 45 because it appears that people under that age still think Being a member of Masters allows you to compete for they are too young. Fools! There are records to be medals and trophies. Certificates are also awarded upon broken! All you have to do is admit how old you are and request for certain levels of performance. Sometimes er, well, er, break them. different bodies such as ANSW and Masters use the same Masters NSW is its own club so you could be in a relay races for their own championships so you could medal team, as EJ was at the WM Games, if your own club (us) more than once in the same race!

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MASTERS ATHLETICS AND MASTERS GAMES

Masters NSW has nothing to do with the World Master Games we had recently in Sydney. They are much closer to Athletics Australia in structure. The difference is shown below:

WORLD MASTERS GAMES INTERNATIONAL MASTERS ATHLETICS Profit making organisation Non profit organisation Affiliated to various sporting bodies Affiliated to IAAF (Olympics, World Athletic Champs) Competitors compete for themselves You compete for your country at World Masters Athletics or  Oceania or at any other countries champs (You enter yourself, not AUSTRALIAN MASTERS GAMES picked) Must be a member to compete in comps Profit making  Each country has one or two a year AUSTRALIAN MASTERS ATHLETICS Anyone can compete Non profit You compete for yourself Affiliated to Athletics Australia (chooses Olympians and World Champs competitors) You compete for your State at the National Champs (you enter yourself, not picked) Must be a member to compete in comps  NSW MASTERS ATHLETICS Non profit Affiliated to ANSW (chooses athletes for National comp) You compete for your club or for Masters if you don’t have a club (you enter yourself, not picked) must be a member for comps

A STaR? What’s that? Ssshhh! Don’t tell anyone but a STaR is a secret training long slow run in company is an important part of camp for those who are in the know. That now includes training. you! It isn’t free; it costs $4. But for that you also get That doesn’t seem mysterious and yet, it is. The mystery some food and drink at the end. The location of any of is twofold: how easy it becomes to run a long way in the these mystery training sessions is printed on a secret company of like-minded individuals (when you do it calendar that is only sent out to (all) Striders and regularly) and, how much your running improves as a viewable on our website. result of one long session a week. For many, half the week’s total kilometre-age is achieved in just one day. Only a hundred or so may turn up to even the best Other benefits include meeting other members, attended STaRs so it’s a fairly exclusive outing. Those exchanging information and having affairs. Well, maybe. who turn up each week simply know something that Anyway, you will fall in love with running all over again. 85% of Striders either don’t know or have forgotten; a Now, if we can just keep that between ourselves...

45 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

1 0 OCTOBER 2009

Hawaiian Ironman revisited By CHARLES COVILLE

"It's Kona. You can come here and have the best 22 qualifying races around the world, spread across race of your life and come 9th, or have an average the professionals and age groups pro rata based on day and come 3rd. You never know what you're the number of entrants in each age group.) going to get. You can mentally prepare to a certain For the age-groupers, it’s a case of ‘when the going extent that it's going to be really hot and really hard, gets tough, the tough get going’. There were only but experiencing it is something different. You can't 7% DNF’s in this category. Despite the extreme really simulate the conditions anywhere. But you conditions, there were some incredible never know what you're going to get out there, performances on the day. Craig Alexander from where the tailwinds or the headwinds or the Cronulla took the lead a few kilometres from the crosswinds will be, how the bike course is going to finish to win his second successive title in 8h20m, play out. It's always something different." clocking 2h48m in the marathon. First time These are the profound words of 2008 5th placed marathon runner and IM competitor, Brisbane’s Linsey Corbin. Mirinda Carfrae, ran a phenomenal record-breaking The 31st Ford Ironman World Championship in 2h56m51s in the marathon to break the female run Kona, Hawaii on Saturday 10 October 2009 record and place second. But the performance of the epitomised Corbin’s description. Strong winds, day went to the enigmatic, popular and humble 100% humidity and temperatures ranging from 35 Chrissie Wellington from England who won her 3rd to almost 50 degrees made for one of the hottest Kona IM (her 8th IM from eight starts). Her time of Ironman (IM) races in recent years. 8h54m02s broke the previous record set in 1992 by The world’s best professional and age-group eight times winner Paula Newby-Fraser. Chrissie’s time placed her 23rd overall. Chrissie’s performance in Kona and previously has led to speculation Feeling down and out is one thing, but being that one day she will finish in the top 10 overall. She beat her nearest passed by those you had passed earlier on the bike competitor by 20 minutes, and has yet to be pushed to the finish. or on the run is totally demoralising My race did not fall into one of the incredible performances of the day. triathletes struggled through the challenging After my 12h37m Kona debut in 2007, my sights conditions at Kona on the big island of Hawaii, with were set on a personal best for 2009. I felt positive, ‘did not finish’es (DNF) recorded not only by as despite the climatic conditions, I was the best Corbin, three times Australian IM winner Patrick prepared that I had ever been for an IM. My 16- Vernay and Australian IM stalwart Belinda week training program had progressed like Grainger, but also a host of previous Kona winners clockwork and a successful result at the shorter including Michellie Jones, Natascha Badmann, Tim Olympic Distance World Championships on the Gold DeBoom and Norman Stadler. For the professional Coast four weeks earlier had boosted my group, the logic often follows that after a bad confidence. My weekly training averages were: session, usually the bike, their race is over and it’s swim 8.5 km, bike 180 km and run 45 km. This best to save themselves for another day. 20% of equated to 15 hours per week, peaking at 17 hours professionals were DNF’s. The age group qualifiers for three weeks. By comparison Craig Alexander’s think differently however, knowing that that they training regimen was swim 20 km, bike 800 km and have qualified for a highly competitive spot and that run 120 km. the opportunity to compete in Kona again is limited Race day started on a sour note. Although bikes are and there may not be another day in the sun. (There checked in the day before, on race morning, half an are 200 lottery spots plus 1,600 spots assigned to hour before the swim start, I noticed that I had a flat

46 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 rear tyre. The bike mechanic assured me that my of the tube would be replaced during the swim and that I desolate black would transition to a bike ready to race afterwards. lava fields! I was disappointed with my time for the 3.8 km The lights swim in Kailua Bay. Although not the pounding surf signify the I had experienced in the Cronulla Olympic Distance intersection at triathlon swim earlier in the year, the bay was not Waikoloa that quiet and placid as it had been in the days before lead you to the race. As a result, most swimmers swam slower upmarket than expected and my 1h33m time (30th position holiday out of 49) was one minute slower than in 2007. resorts and After shedding my new Blueseventy lycra sleeveless golf courses swimskin in transition to reveal my racing blue and on the coast, white tri suit, the ever-friendly volunteers smeared bizarrely any exposed parts of my body with a thick layer of nestled in the block-out. The bike mechanic was as good as his midst of the word and my bike was ready to ride with two fully- moonlike functional tyres! landscape of There is a small loop and a few inclines to negotiate the lava fields. along Kuakini Highway in town before the road The winds were gentle as I began the 18 mile bike heads north along the hot and exposed Queen climb from Kawaihae to Hawi at the top of the Kaahumanu Highway into the notorious lava fields island. I heard the local volunteers (manning the en route to the turnaround at Hawi. Kona IM is not aid stations) reassuring competitors that it was not spectator-friendly, and once out of town there are going to be a windy day. In 2007 there were strong only small pockets of spectator-friendly vantage blustery winds climbing to Hawi which thereafter points due to road closures. There are, however, aid abated. While there was some wind this time stations every seven miles (I had to apply the around (there always is on the road to Hawi) it gave mental 1.6 multiplication to convert to km!) and me confidence that the return leg would not be a they serve as the target oasis during the ride. It’s a struggle. Three days before I had cycled to Waikoloa surreal experience to cycle for 40 km along a lonely, at midday to acclimatise, and had averaged 29km/h long and relatively flat bitumen road to suddenly be on the homeward leg. I reasoned that 29km/h was confronted by two sets of traffic lights in the middle again achievable and would set me up for a solid PB on the bike. I enthusiastically

At this speed he could outpace the lava that flowed directly behind at around 30kph but if picked up my needs bag he had a flat tyre right now there wouldn’t be time to repair it before the lava caught up (personal nutrition bag of and he wondered, for how long, could he outsprint it on foot. Endura Hydration and GU carbohydrate chomps) at Hawi and felt decidedly upbeat as I took off on the long undulating descent to Kawaihae. However my shoulders and lower back were beginning to ache from the uncomfortable but aerodynamic position on the areobars. It was now approaching midday and the unrelenting heat was increasing. The locals got it wrong. The wind sprung up and instead of travelling in excess of 29km/h, I was struggling to maintain 20km/h with 60km to go. My feet felt like they were on fire inside my cycle 47 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 shoes and mentally I had to fight off feelings of endeavoured to slot in behind him and increase my despondency as the distance between each seven pace marginally. Although he did slowly move away mile aid station seemed to take longer and longer. from me I was dismayed to note that I had dropped The ritual was the same. First discard my empty 15secs/mile when I thought that I had been drink bottle on approach to aid station (I carried speeding up. Once again I became despondent. three drink bottles on my bike), second, collect a Coming into town and seeing my wife Maureen fresh drink bottle of water from volunteers (all attired in her green and yellow “Team Coville” polo without stopping) and pour over head, discard, shirt buoyed my spirits, but this was short-lived as third, collect a Gatorade bottle and place on bike, the climb up Hualalai and then Palani Roads grab a banana, PowerBar or PowerGel and place in reduced my pace substantially. small bag on the frame of bike then finally collect I was struggling big time. another bottle of water on exiting the aid station I felt flat and the heat was starting to affect my and settle in for another seven long miles into the stamina. As I turned onto the Queen K Highway to wind until the next oasis. head out over part of the exposed bike course to the “This wind is very humbling, isn’t it?” was the infamous inferno of the Energy Laboratory, I felt rhetorical question in an English accent from a rider that I had hit the ‘marathon wall’, albeit at 10km who drew up alongside me. The young female rather than the traditional 32km. My energy levels triathlete in the red, white and blue colours of her were approaching empty and I still had over three country smiled as she passed me. I smiled back and hours of running ahead. It was going to be a long replied “It’s a humbling race”. At least she did not tough day. question the results of the recent cricket Ashes ‘And we do this for fun?’ I wryly contemplated. series. I backed off four bike lengths from her, the ‘Character building!’ was my silent response- not minimum to avoid a time penalty, as drafting is that I needed it at my age! illegal; one must confront the wind on one’s own. Feeling down and out is one thing, but being passed The line of palm trees, fronds swaying in wind, on by those you had passed earlier on the bike or on the road from the Queen K Highway to Kona the run is totally demoralising. My day seemed to be International Airport is a welcome sight – sign- getting harder and harder. Just as had happened on posting that the lava fields are almost at an end and the bike, so too on the run: the one mile apart aid that the start of the marathon is less than 20 stations seemed to get further and further apart. minutes away. As I entered ‘I have never seen so many the dismount section in the triathletes walk in an bike transition area, my Ironman race’ commented a time of 6h44m (24th 40-44 age grouper from position) for the 180k ride Switzerland. ‘And to think was 10 minutes slower than that these are the best 2007. I was no longer endurance athletes in the concerned about my time world’. I was down to an but more focused on getting 8min/km pace and I was not my legs used to the idea of even walking, it’s called the being on terra firma. There ‘marathon shuffle’. was a feeling of great relief As I entered the road to the as I removed my cycle shoes Energy Laboratory, the sun finally easing the discomfort finally set over the horizon on my feet! on the Pacific Ocean and the And then the marathon. bright orange sky heralded The five km run along Ali’i a new beginning. A breeze Drive to the turn around at came up and the air cooled Kahalu’u Beach Park is next for the first time. I ran to the ocean and along a alongside a competitor from reasonably flat road, where Chicago and was able to the air is still and the increase the pace, albeit humidity intense. I slotted only marginally. Running into a comfortable under the Ford Message 5.15km/min pace. When I Tunnel I looked up to see was passed by a fellow age- Maureen’s digital message, grouper from Florida, I recorded at the Expo earlier

48 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

New Moves Afoot for 10k Series For those runners who find the 10k series not as challenging as they would like, the Committee has come up with a plan to inject some excitement. The Lane Cove races will become ‘Extreme 10k races.’ There will be marksmen from the NSW Shooters Party wearing camouflage and hiding in the bushes with air rifles trained on the runners as they go past. In order to make things fair, special goggles that pick up infrared spectrum colours will be provided to each runner to enable them to spot the shooters in the bush. The air rifles fire a pellet that stings but can’t enter flesh so no one will be in serious danger. However, those shots will leave a mark. The winner of these races will be the runner with the least bruises.

in the week, flash before me: “Charles Coville # 328 contemplated. As I could not swim, had a fear of Go the Silver Fox”. The message provided the first water due to almost drowning in a kayak accident, personal touch since leaving Kona over three hours and not owning a bike, the triathlon seemed a earlier, and my deflated spirits lifted a notch. Only logical alternative. After successfully negotiating the 10k to go, the distance of a Sydney Striders short course Nepean Triathlon, a Half Ironman was Saturday morning road race. A simple concept to the next goal. In 1997 at the Forster Half IM there visualise. were 42 competitors in my age group. I achieved The time was 7pm and I had been racing for 12 41st in the swim, 40th on the bike and 3rd in the hours. It was pitch black and the only light was run and knew which disciplines I had to improve either from the compulsory safety fluoro necklaces on. worn by runners or from the next aid station in the An IM seemed to be the next logical goal but I distance. Enthusiastic volunteers shouted out needed time to build up the strength required for encouragement and their cheers competed with the this endurance event. I tackled my second Half IM 5 sound of pulsating rock music at each aid station. I years later in 2002. The Forster IM (the predecessor managed to again slowly pick up the pace as I knew to Port Macquarie IM) required qualification via a the end was in sight and I was now running on Half IM (which I would not have achieved in 1997). adrenaline. At my second Forster Half IM in 2002, I again “So where did you qualify” I asked my American finished below the available spots to IM, but due to running partner as we approached the second last finishers above me having already pre-qualified, I aid station. secured a spot to via the “rolldown” procedure. I “Did not qualify via an IM race. Bought my entry via had sneaked in. eBay” was his reply. There are only five eBay spots My IM era had just commenced. I came 46th out of for Kona, controlled by IM, with all proceeds going 77 in 2003 and then 6th in 2005. It was only in to charity. “$US 35,000” was his reply to my obvious 2006 when I came 4th with 2 spots to Kona on offer question. And I only paid US$650 to feel like this! that I believed for the first time that an Hawaiian IM On the run along the greatest finish line in the was a possibility. There were 3 Kona spots on offer world, Ali’i Drive, a cheering and supportive in 2007 and getting off the bike in 10th position Maureen gave me an Aussie flag. Loud motivational required me to run the perfect race to make it to the rock music played, and there was a Tour de France Hawaiian lava fields. I moved into 3rd place with style wall to wall of cheering spectators in a finish only a few kms to go and secured my spot by just chute, assembled as if just for me. There was no one over 2 minutes. I took a break from IM in 2008 and around me. I felt like a solo entertainer on stage decided to farewell IM in my new 60 - 64 age group under the spotlight. This was to be my moment of in 2009. With my first IM age group victory in April glory. And then the voice I had dreamt of since 2009 at Port Macquarie, my IM journey was now qualifying in April, Mike Reilly’s, complete but with an added bonus; one last Kona “Charles Coville from Sydney Australia, you are an race. Ironman”. I dared to dream in 2007 and undertake an I had run 4h59m for my marathon and finished in enormous training commitment. I had fantastic 13h28m for 20th position in my age group out of 49 support from Maureen, family, friends, training starters. partners (especially Mark Fiore), physios and My IM journey has been an amazing experience. It masseurs. Thank you. rates alongside my other sporting highlight – the 650 km 13 day kayak down the Orange River on I have lived the dream and achieved my IM goals. It South Africa’s northern border with Namibia. is time to move on from Ironman. In 1994 a new challenge outside of running was MAHALO KONA and IRONMAN !

49 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

WORLD MASTERS GAMES

The World Masters Games is the largest multi-sport event in the world. 28,292 competitors from 95 countries ranging in age from 24 to 101 competed in various events. The World Games is every 4 years although a National Games is held annually or biennially. This year, the World Games were in Sydney.

schedule to 1:30 for the men and 2:30 for the women, a World Masters Games Report few good men weren’t there in time for the starting gun. Thankfully, race officials let them race with the women at By RANDY BROPHY 2:30. Ironically, the leading runner in the women’s race was not female: the Striders’ own Dennis Wylie was in For those who participated in the World Masters Games first place. Both races’ times were combined in the the week of 10-18 October, it must seem as if something results so everybody got a fair go. The Race Walkers is missing now that the Games are over. After all, for its were less fortunate, with the entire 60-64 age field touted $43 million benefit to Sydney’s economy, it disqualified for “improper walking”. might’ve been the biggest cause of workplace absenteeism and productivity losses since the 2000 From then on I noticed all the good things: track heats Olympics. But not for lack of fun and excitement. and finals on-time, timely posting of results and standings, a relaxation of the requirement to be in the After a shaky start with long queues to obtain a basically call-room tent from 25 to 15 minutes beforehand, and superfluous photo ID card, and further queuing at the the laid-back atmosphere that results when spectators, Athletics Centre to pick up a chip for the 10K, more than friends and family can wander in at any time and sit a few participants who had paid their $220 registrations anywhere they want. Even the weather improved, the via a relatively convenient online process had thrown in chilly winds and rain turning to sunshine. This was a the towel. A 50-hour-per-week job doesn’t easily yield to huge event to organize and that needed to be a 30-hour week out at Olympic Park. For others, the appreciated. After all, it wasn’t just athletics, but 28 anxiety over the Games becoming a Master-waiting different sport categories from Archery to Volleyball, in exercise was more significant than the actual races. The 70 suburban locations from Maroubra to Parramatta. scheduling of transportation, pre-race confirmation Add to that the free public transport for athletes and the signups, call-room appearances and the actual entry fee was good value without even running a metre. competitions themselves seemed complicated enough for The only disappointment was the lack of media coverage me to consider putting it all on Microsoft Project (I later for this truly inspiring, socially-conscious event. decided Outlook would suffice). The social aspect should not be understated: here was an The Opening Ceremony gave me the first glimmer of opportunity to race with Sydney’s major clubs including hope that these Games would be a success. The evening Striders, NRG and Frontrunners, as well as teams and got better as it went on, with many athletes turning it elite individual runners from around the world. With all into a party. Glimmers of the 2000 Olympic Games were the hanging-around time in the Call Room, on the track everywhere. Much of the branding and marketing were and between events, there was plenty of chance to catch basically a recycling of those “best ever” Games, with IOC up with fellow runners. approval of course. The entry fee included 5 events (no doubt to justify the $200 entry fee) so a lot of Thankfully, the organisation entrants signed up for 5 and later dropped out of some in order to get a better seemed to fall into place too: performance from the ones they would otherwise have chosen. This meant some activity schedules diverged, the heats not being run, going instead straight to finals but never in the tough age queues went away, and the groups, particularly the men’s 50-54 and 55-59 year olds. officials relaxed some of the rules Others took full advantage of the 5 events to enter competitions they’d never commensurate with the spirit of tried before. Rachael Mertons had a go at the long jump. Some striders such as the Games. Tuesday’s 8K cross- Rachael McKinney had never run on a track before and found out what lap after country event seemed a crucial lap felt like. Stephen Jackson entered but didn’t compete in the steeplechase after turning point. With a race finding out how tough his competition was. He saved himself for the half scheduled for 2 PM, changed marathon. Ron Schwebel, surprisingly, entered the Surf Life Saving event at manly locations for the rego then a and won a gold medal! Ed. short-notice change in the

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Also, any hostile sense of rivalry melts away when you’re In the 5000m, Keith Bateman won well against a good really good, or really bad. I related more to the latter, Kiwi who followed him closely. Keith led most of the way. accumulating a pile of what my mates and I called Sean Williams, his Coach, gave him a coded message “Reverse Bronze” and “Reverse Silver”, with our 4x400 suggesting Keith let the Kiwi lead for a couple of laps relay team clinching “Reverse Gold”, which sounds so which helped Keith to return the pressure by running on much better than “dead last”. Besides, winning an award his shoulder and passing just before the final lap, then like that saves all the extra time at the medal ceremony, opening an increasing lead. Next day in the 1500m Keith and extra weight of carrying around all that hardware. A led once again and stretched out a following pack. When humbling moment for me was seeing the 70-74 age Keith made a break for home in the last lap another good males sprinting the 200 metres, the winner coming in at Kiwi sitting in about 4th left it a bit late to go after Keith 32 seconds, then my Reverse Silver effort only 15 but looked like he had some form and despite finishing hundredths of a second faster in the 50-54 age males. well from where he had been positioned didn’t have the Suffice it to say a marathon runner on a track is a bit like speed to catch our man. a sumo wrestler in a ballet class. Dennis Wylie, after a lucky win in the 10k road race, had The best was saved for last: the Closing Ceremony, held an unlucky 4th after leading most of the 5000m race. He in Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour, seemed like four should have been 3rd but let someone in when not paying minutes of speeches and four hours of dancing and fun, attention to a looming threat from behind and was but some never even heard the speeches. With bands like actually confused by complete comprehension of the Dragon and The Choirboys, we masters could party like rules regarding the correct finish lane. The Russian and it’s 1979 (again). After all, I’d run a 21.5K half-marathon Czech weren’t so misled due to their inability to that morning (need I say there were some dodgy distances given for the road races; whereas the Striders always get their low-key 10Ks spot-on) and it was time to celebrate. I bought a huge shout of an unmentionable number of RSA- monitored shots of sparkling, to decant them into large beer cups for proper ISA consumption by a couple of members of a befriended netball team, and enjoyed a few $7 shots of Chardonnay myself. Requests to fill our oversize Masters Games water bottles with beer were not granted, and in retrospect, the next morning, I wasn’t unhappy about that.

The next World Masters Games are in Torino, Italy in 2013, for those interested. understand English and made no mistake of first and second, albeit in the wrong lane. Dennis did however, manage a 3rd in the cross Country after winning the Women’s race – later, results were amalgamated (see Rundown Michael Morrissey’s story)!

By DENNIS WYLIE No one was there to witness it but he had the gold medal to prove it. Ron Schwebel is full of surprises! He entered Cameron Arnold was our most successful athlete at the the Surf Lifesaving event and won. Ron got close with a Games with a personal triple gold medal haul and three 4th in the cross country but didn’t pick up another medal. PB’s to boot. Cam said he enjoyed support from other runners and reported how the volunteers were eager to It was a surprise to see the legendary Ron Daly (aged 84) help when he was temporarily without a babysitter for out on the half marathon course where on limited son, Ned, even radioing down to the track where Cam training, due to injury, he managed a creditable second. was about to compete to tell him Ned was up in the VIP An article appeared in the SMH page 7, Oct 10 about the room. Cam had a good win in the 5000m leading all the oldest man in our club. If anyone wants to see it they way with a good local runner in tow. Wisely, Cam put in a should communicate with me directly: last lap in 68 seconds, going a bit early and catching his rival off guard. He accelerated as he went and the other [email protected] or mob: 0404 898 661. runner was left stranded. A number of runners agreed with Cam that the 10k and half marathon courses were a Heidi Jones, a once top junior for Australia before bit long; unfortunate if you were close to a pb! suffering a debilitating rare bone condition that lasted 51 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 many years and kept her off the running scene doubt about it over any greater distance but could she (fortunately, now fully recovered), got double bronze for make up such a large gap in the space available? I the half and the cross country. See her email. Heidi has thought it would be over just before she caught up but potential to further improve, in this Editor’s opinion. Peter Hibberd was confident. We watched from the stands possessed by a strange tension combined with Gerry Arthur good humouredly chose a few unlikely wonderment. Could she? Surely the girl in front will events such as the 800 where he didn’t make the final realise Sue is bearing down on her and get a wriggle on. and the 5k road walk (!) where he was disqualified for No, she isn’t going to speed up! Sue is gaining with every not ‘locking his knee’ but later surprised himself and stride. “C’mon Sue. C’mon.....c’mon.” 100m to go. She everyone else by getting a bronze in the half marathon. can’t! Maybe she can? 50m, can, can’t. 10m. Can’t, 5m, Jo Cowan nearly didn’t make the Games with a calf injury can, will! Does!!!! Yeah!!!! Soon our girls were back occurring soon beforehand but came 3rd in the 10k road among us. Sue was beaming, ‘We beat someone!” she said race and 5th in Cross Country and half, obviously against chuckling and wearing the broadest smile. good opposition. A great picture snapped by the Daily Telegraph of one of Tina Campbell wished she’d entered more events after our striders, Heiko Schaeffer, can be seen here: finishing 3rd in the half marathon. She loved the idea of http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/gallery/galler race numbers on your chest as well as on your back so y-e6freye9-1225785489763?page=8 you could see who the other runners in your age group were. The first two numbers depict your age group. Language was a barrier. Many athletes couldn’t speak You can be unlucky. The largest fields and most difficult English. I tried to communicate to a Khazikstani that a age categories were, predictably, male 45-59. picture of him had appeared in the local newspaper the day before. He didn’t understand. Ron Schwebel, Stephen Jackson only managed 5th in the 10k despite bypassing a group of brilliantly clad nationals of doing a good time. He dropped the steeplechase to rest indistinguishable origin commented, “colourful outfits!’ for the half marathon. Stephen found himself in the fast to which they replied, “cold for us too!” moving lead pack of 10, hoping, as all 10 runners in the pack did, that someone else would drop off first. Dennis MEDAL RESULTS was first. The race ground on; a war of attrition. In another good time, Stephen was 5th again but close to the Cameron Arnold leaders. Gold medal: 10k road race Gold medal: 5000m At the beginning of the 10k, EJ did his usual rush to the Gold medal: Half Marathon front and led in the early stages. A couple of Russians got a bit excited, apparently thinking he was some kind of Keith Bateman Aussie secret weapon, and took off after him! EJ said he Gold medal: 1500m ‘only’ did 8 events: the 800, 1500, 5000, 3000m Gold medal: 5000m Steeplechase, Cross Country, 10k and half marathon and Dennis Wylie member of 4X400 Relay (NSW Masters Team). Gold medal: 10k road race

A small band of Striders gathered to support our one and Bronze medal: Cross Country only relay team for the 4x400m. It comprised the Ron Schwebel uncompromising talent of Sue Login, Rachael Merton, Gold medal: Surf Lifesaving Rachael McKinney and Clare Holland. None of them had raced on the track before and took last minute Ron Daly instruction on batten changing and general rules. Of Silver medal: Half Marathon course, as long distance runners, they were going to be up against real track runners so the task appeared Heidi Jones ominous. Sure enough, the faster teams rocketed away Bronze medal: cross Country leaving our girls trailing. One other team was also well Bronze medal: Half Marathon behind the leaders but also unfortunately, far ahead of the Strider girls. Runners of various speed take different Jo Cowan positions in a team but usually the fastest is last to run. Bronze medal: 10k road race Strangely. the last runner of the second-to-last team: the one that was well in front of our team, wasn’t apparently Tina Campbell their fastest runner at all and although she had about a Bronze medal: Half Marathon 150 metre lead when our last runner, Sue took the batten, despite appearing faster, Sue would need a lot of Gerry Arthur speed to bridge the gap. All the other teams had now Bronze medal: Half Marathon finished. It was down to a two horse race. Sue actually looked quite fast and was definitely going to take the girl Andrew Cochrane in front as long as it could be done within the 400m. No Bronze medal 10k road race 52 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

race and he looked pretty fresh so I wondered if he’d raced. I then heard that several runners, including Dennis, had turned up too late for the race. The start time for the men’s race had been switched from 2:00pm to 1:30pm, and the only notification was via the notice board at the Athletics Centre, so several runners had not been aware of the change. Luckily for Dennis, the officials showed good common sense and allowed the late-comers to run in the ladies race instead. There was no time to find Dennis a skirt, or to shave his legs, so he set off in the ladies race in his normal Striders attire looking more than a little out of place. As the runners completed the first lap (2.66km), Dennis/Denise was tucked into 2nd place just behind the leading lady, and well ahead of the rest of the field. By the end of the second lap, Dennis was in the lead and was lapping many of the runners. As he ran up the hill for the start of the third lap, chasing 20 scantily clad ladies ahead of him, it reminded me of a Benny Hill sketch but minus the music (apologies to the under 40s who haven’t heard of Benny Hill)! Dennis won the race and finished in 3rd place in his age group. He’d already won Gold in the 10km, and maybe could have done even better if he’d run against the males, but thanks to the mix-up he has a great story to tell.

Michael in full flight WMG 5000m

On Thursday 15th October, the Striders WM contingent moved to the track for the 5km. These races were held as multiple heats in the individual age groups, so I knew WMG Cross Country that this was my chance for glory. I put in an entry time a couple of minutes slower than I expected to achieve, so at By MICHAEL MORRISSEY least I would stand a chance of winning a heat! As I prepared in the “call room” and chatted to my fellow On Tuesday 13th October the World Masters Games competitors, I learnt that there were several faster Cross-Country races were held at Parramatta Park. By runners than me, so any “glory” would have to be short this stage, most runners had run at least one event, had lived. I decided to go out fast and told my wife to make forgotten about the administrative problems that had sure she got some photos during the first lap, as I would plagued us during the registration process and were be in front! Sure enough, I led the field for around 400m, enjoying the competition. got to hear the announcer call my name as we crossed The distance races were run as a single age group for the finish line for the first lap, and my wife got some each gender, so you couldn’t be sure of your placing until great photos of me leading the field. My 15 seconds of the event was over. However, the bib numbers, which fame! All my practice gained by leading the 6am STAR you had to display on your back as well as your chest, runs had paid off! indicated your age group, so you could at least check if Gradually the field started to go past me, and with a lap the person up ahead was worth catching! to go I was 4th, with a runner right on my tail. However, Tuesday was a hot, sunny day, with a really strong hot with 200m to go I put on a sprint and managed to just wind blowing, and the course was pretty exposed, so we sneak home in 3rd place in my heat, with a time of 19:50. knew it would be tough. I hadn’t run a cross-country I was hoping it might be good enough for a top-10 finish race since I was about 16, so wasn’t too sure what to and watched the final heat with great interest. expect. I took the same approach as I took in the 10km a The final heat turned out to be a great race, with Keith few days before, which was “set off at 4 min pace and see Bateman leading from the start, with a Kiwi runner right what happens”. What happened (as always) was that I behind him. The two of them lapped almost the entire slowed down after the first few kms, and finished the field as they ground out their 80 second laps. Keith was 8kms in just over 33 minutes, approximately 1 second doing all the hard work out in front and it looked like he per km faster than I’d managed in the 10km. I finished was going to pay the price when the Kiwi passed him 20th in the 50-54 category, which was a few places higher with less than 2 laps to go and started to pull away. But than the 10km, but there were fewer runners. Keith quickly reeled him in on the last lap and sprinted Just after I finished I noticed our famous editor, Dennis, away to win comfortably in around 16:30. standing close to the finish line. I hadn’t seen him in the Eventually all 12 runners finished, and although the guys 53 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

that had been lapped seemed to be running much more looked like Dennis was safe in 3rd place, but he was slowly than me (!!), all 12 finished ahead of my time, so I caught right on the line by another fast finisher. From finished 15th overall. where we stood, it looked like a dead-heat, and there was no “photo finish” available, but the judges placed Dennis There was also a great race in the 55-59 age group, in 4th, which was a great shame after such a gutsy run. where Dennis led for the first 4800m and was then Had there been some girls to chase, I’m sure Dennis overtaken by a sprint finish from 2 overseas runners. It would have got another medal.

The loneliness of the long distance runner ...at the track

A PERSPECTIVE ON THE WORLD MASTERS GAMES, SYDNEY OCTOBER 2009.

By RACHAEL MCKINNEY

have been something of a distance runner for a couple specific type of training for you to be any good, but it of years now. I have watched as determination, effort comes with its own clothing requirements as well. I and sheer volume of kilometres run have reduced the Suddenly I was lined up next to some serious and time it takes me to run 5kms, 10kms and a half marathon seriously underdressed female athletes. It didn’t take to something that sounds quite like a fast time to the long to realise that the degree of seriousness directly uninitiated. But I have not ever, as a youngster or an correlated to the amount of material they had covering adult, run on the track. Not even in training. So I’m their body. Less, it seems, was more. genuinely not sure what it was that prompted me some six months ago to sign up for the World Masters Games Don’t get me wrong, they all looked very professional, that took place in Sydney in October this year. and… well… athletic, but as a woman who does qualify quite comfortably for the age group in which I was Possibly it was the very competing, the idea of mistaken idea that, as it was a wearing my underwear to run Master’s event, and since the in really didn’t feature in my only qualifying criterion was pre race preparations. being old enough, then maybe it was not really an event for So feeling decidedly serious athletes. Maybe the overdressed and with the absence of little athletics as a number ‘13’ stuck on my hip youngster had left me with a (I kid you not!), I lined up at gaping hole that somehow the start with 12 other only the participation in a women aged 40-44 to run 12 track event for adults could and a bit laps of the 400 ever fill. Whatever the reason, metre track. sign up I did, for both the 5000 metres and the 4x400 Things started predictably metres relay! enough with us all running really, really fast. What I soon So it was with a distinct lack realised though was that for of specific training that I about three quarters of us this found myself being herded was how we were going to from the ‘call tent’ (that’s the run for the next 12 and a bit technical term in track events laps. For me and a few other for the tent you assemble at game runners however the before they…err… call you to truth dawned quickly enough your event) out to the track to around the second or third participate in my first ever lap, and gradually but steadily track event, the 5000 metres. Linda Barwick , long time we began to slow down. Well it seems that not only sensible attire adviser, coaches does track running require a Rachael, starting with the cap. OK, so I have run 5kms on the

54 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 road a few times before so after the initial lactic burst I the girl behind who was wearing even more clothes than got into my stride and ran the race more or less at my me. 5km pace and, all things considered, finished in a respectable enough time for a weekend warrior punching So I wasn’t last, and I even lapped someone myself, but I out another 5km time trial during training. was happy enough when the whole thing was over and at least someone else was keeping count of the laps. In But, have you ever stood at the edge of a railway retrospect it was a great experience and I might try it platform when a non-stopping fast train comes through? again one day, but I am glad I managed to preserve some Well the whoosh as the train goes by was not dissimilar self respect by running a reasonable half marathon and to the experience of being lapped….twice….by the front 10km road race as part of the competition as well. As for runners in this race. In fact at that point I wanted to stop the 4x400metres relay, lets just say the same rules about and watch! I laboured on though, narrowing my goals to clothing and speed seemed to apply, and I might as well a) not being lapped a third time and b) keeping ahead of have been running in a wetsuit!

Oh! What a feeling!!! By ROD BENNETT

some parking. The free travel was no use to me as it t the start of 2009 I got all enthusiastic when I would take 90 minutes by bus and probably a further 45 heard that Sydney was going to host the World minutes by train so drive and park was the only solution. A Masters and promptly registered in 4 events ranging for the 5km to the half marathon. I started On Saturday night I set the alarm for 3.00 am and to my training and was looking forward to race one of the 10km surprise, as the alarm went off, I bounce out of bed, had a race series at Lane Cove this year. I realized during that shower and some breakfast and left home as the 4.00 am race that I need more training after finishing in 51.05. news on the car radio was being broadcast. I arrived at The effects were soon felt with another dreaded Achilles the Olympic car park just before 5.00 am. I was able to injury. After physio and several more injuries I started comfortably make it to the line for the 7.15am start in running again slowly but again injury forced me to the Dawn Fraser Avenue, between ANZ and the Athletic sidelines. I watched as the months ticked by with the Centre. odd training run. Then the Masters Games were just As the gun went off, I set off at a comfortable pace. Soon, three weeks away I was able to go for a couple of 75 we headed down the Olympic Boulevard and before long minute runs with no side effects. I was at the 1km mark in a time of 4.36 and I thought to I decided that a few days from the start of the 10km on myself, “this is way too fast.” The kilometers passed, and Sunday 11 October 2009 that, as I had entered the Games at the half way mark I was still set for 2 minutes under 50 at least I should participate. After all, here I was at 55 minutes. I decided that walking was not in my interests years of age and I may never get a chance to compete at a but just to keep running no matter what the pace was. I world event; it would be the closest thing in my life to felt, as we headed back down the Olympic Boulevard for experiencing an Olympic feeling. a second time, that now with half the race completed I was on my way to finish the task at hand. I passed the At night on Friday 9 October 2009, my wife Sue-Ellen and 1km sign again, then 2km sign and 3km signs. Now I was I, along with all the people seeking accreditation lined up heading past Acer Arena for the last time and the legs for an hour and a half to obtain accreditation. All my wife were getting slower running over the brick pavement. would say was, “you owe me big time”. To be standing in line as the misty rain fell added to the mystique. The As I was rounding the Olympic Stadium (ANZ Stadium) I next day I had to drive back to the Olympic site to thought my pace would quicken, but no! Bugger! The register for the 10km. To my surprise there was an even tank was empty and it was a case of just keep going. Go, longer queue. I waited for 2 hours to be finally be given you good thing! I thought I was ahead of time but no, as my numbers and race chip for my big event. Wow! I am we headed back up to the Olympic Boulevard we then going to be competing in a world sporting event; one of swung right to make our way back towards the Athletic the largest ever. Centre. This last distance was like running the last 2kms of the City to Surf; you can see the home finish but it just Due to misinformation I became concerned about how I seems so far away. would get to the line for the 7.15am start. I thought the only way was to drive from my home at Bilgola Plateau Then, as I entered the track, oh what a feeling! Entering on Sydney’s northern beaches and gamble on finding an arena where I was about to do what felt like

55 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 a gold medal lap of honour and to make it to the finish registered with Sydney Striders was the day I got my with all the energy I could muster. This old bugger drive to try and run again after a 12 year break. Go, crossed the line in 50.39, on what could be said was with Striders! I will be flying the flag again on Thursday in no or very little training for the previous 8 months! the 5km. As I left the track I thought, how will the body react ? After 4 days I am tired but there is none of the damage I Post Script: I completed the 5k in a time of 24min 19.3 sec; had experienced from the previous 4 races in the past 2 this being the first 5k in 23 years. years. That night, marching into the old Olympic Stadium with I only decided to run the half marathon on Saturday the 25,000 plus athletes during the opening ceremony morning to try and completed the trifecta of 5, 10 and half. was the icing on the cake and made me think what a great day it was. It was unbelievable; to be part of the The half was my first since ANZAC DAY 1990. I was very first group, entering the Stadium alphabetically. It was pleased to finish in 1 hour 56.40 minutes. I got through the just spell binding. As I sat down I commented to my mate 5k in 23 minutes, 10k in 51 minutes and 15 in 78 minutes. who ran the 3,000 steeple “I am glad they called it There was no gas in the tank at 15k. “Athletics” and not “Track and Field”. I look back and think that the day in January 2008 when I It has been a hard week given very little training since Feb.

EVENT 2. TUESDAY 8K CROSS COUNTRY. PARRAMATTA My Games PARK I set off feeling great, and had to pace myself for the first By RON SCHWEBEL lap. I then passed quite a few runners in the 2nd and 3rd laps. On finishing, the 2nd finisher, a Czech runner, held up 3 fingers and pointed at me. Had I come 3rd? Wow, My plan for the WMG was to do all big events, or those maybe another medal. requiring some logistics- enter at the last minute in case I waited for the official results and watched the Women’s of injury or poor form. race. A few of us noticed an unusual runner leading the Following knee surgery, I only got to run at a decent pace pack, Denise Wylie. Something strange here, we thought. by the May Striders 10k. I would not want to enter a Official gender testers were called for as spectators $220 event unless I was in good shape - though a “once in checked the runner out. Long hair, ok, feminine style, ok, the rest of my lifetime” chance to compete in a World but still something unusual. Ah ha, the beard! event in Sydney is worth a bit. By entry cut-off I was running quite well, but after entering I had a setback. I was struggling to feel good after doing a 48 hour race, not sure why… Maybe the 24 hour race 5 weeks earlier. I kept training, but my right hip flexors, quads, and adductors were giving me grief. By some good timing, in the last week of training I finally felt free of injury.

EVENT 1. SUNDAY 2KM BEACH RUN. MANLY BEACH When checking out the events available, I decided to enter the Surf Lifesaving 2 k beach run, which was to be held before the Athletics started. They changed the date, “Denise” Wylie, not looking forward to the gender testing tent so it would now clash with the 10k road race. I chose the behind, shows the women’s race winner how to sit properly. beach run, it was just down the road, I do 10k races every month and I had plenty of other events anyway. (It turned out to be Dennis Wylie who was in the group That was good decision, as I picked up the Gold Medal for who missed the changed starting time, and was allowed my age group. You’re probably thinking that the better to run with the Women.) I knew then that I would place runners would be doing the 10k. Correct! But I did beat 4th, but I was happy as I beat some fast runners, and got rd the guy who placed 3 in the 1500 later that week. closer to Dennis than I had for 2 years. Approx 2.02km, 7:32. Approx 7.83km 29:54, 4th.

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EVENT 3. THURSDAY 5000M, During the race I noticed TRACK, HOMEBUSH. three 60-64 runners having After the Cross Country I a duel for 2nd. I was well out revised my target from of contention in my age 18:35/45 down to 18:20. I group, so for the rest of the started at that pace and kept race I imagined I was two to it almost exactly. I lost a years older and joined the few seconds towards the pack. We swapped places up end, but a last lap duel, and until a big push about 19k. just pipped for 5th, gave me They all dropped me, but the time I chased. “racing them” helped me 5000m 18:20.6, 6th. keep up a solid effort. Half Marathon, 1:24:51, 8th.

EVENT 4. SUNDAY HALF I’m now pleased I entered MARATHON, HOMEBUSH the WMG. I got a bit of form I dropped the 1500m (heat Pictures don’t lie. Clearly, no one was in front. Ron felt back, and I picked the right sure of a win. and final) to try for a fast half time to register - no waiting on a flat course in good in a long queue. The opening conditions. ceremony, in a group of My calcs said I should be able to do 4 min km’s. The first about 10 Striders, was an entertaining night. I was km, downhill, took 3:46, and from then I kept very close hoping to catch some of the other sports, but ran out of to 4 min k’s until near the end. Most Garmin wearers time. I did watch some of the athletics, with the 5000m agreed the course was long - I estimated 150/200m – so and 1500m events featuring some great racing. Will I go I’m sure I did just under my target 4min/km pace. to Turin in 2013? Ask me in 4 years.

him” but that confused me as the brain wasn’t DOUBLE TROUBLE functioning too well at that point. However that’s what happened – the NZ guy passed me with 900m to go but I wasn’t too worried as I got a rest from the wind. With By KEITH BATEMAN 450m to go I was thinking about the bell and I took the lead again – got 2-3m ahead with 200 to go and finished with a great sprint finish in16:16. I was happy with that 5000m (50-54 group) in the wind. One of the officials commented that it was Never have I been so nervous about a race. I expect it was the most exciting race of the day and, for me it certainly because I have had such a good year so far, with a sub-9 was exciting. min 3km and 1.12 half-marathon. But also because I had been on holiday for 5 weeks and was 2kg heaver, in front ** Actually I misunderstood Sean’s advice – I don’t think of a home crowd and unsure of both my level of fitness he wanted me to be out front and exposed to the wind and the opposition. I felt tired, stiff and my stomach was and neither did I but it was a happy ending. However, I churning – you’d think by this age ... couldn’t have done it without the fantastic supporters – and Sean was pivotal as usual! But it was an epic race. With the intention of attempting to break the Australian record of 15:49 and after consulting Sean Williams, my coach, my target was 1500 metres (50 – 54 group) 38sec/200m = (15:50) with a ‘kick-down’ in the last few I had to run a qualifier for the 1500m final, the day laps – BUT it was very windy so I told him I was just before (which was the day after my 5000m race), so I going to tuck in at 2nd/3rd and try for a fast finish. He was worried about fitness and a tight calf muscle. said “No, just add 2 seconds onto your lap times because However, I was in the easier of the 2 qualifying groups of the wind and you’ll get a low 16 min result” **. So I and had an easy run, coming 2nd in 4:50. went off at that pace and was in the lead all the way until 2 laps to go. The NZ guy who was so-o-o-o close (he The morning of the race I checked out the opposition on clipped my heels twice) passed me. Before that I had the Masters 2008 World Rankings and 2 were in the top thrown away a drinks cup that hit him firmly in the chest, 20. I was getting nervous, going through all sorts of providing a bit of amusement, and I had tried a few possible race plans and then coach Sean came along and surges but didn’t have enough to maintain them and lose told me to go for 4:15 (68 per lap). I was doubtful I could him. keep that up after the 5000m and 5 weeks’ holiday but Sean was trackside giving lap times and advice; with 2.5 had a go (he also said “... and in any case I think you can laps to go he said “Make it an 800m race, tuck in behind out-sprint anyone who passes you” – nice to know HE 57 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009 was confident!). Premier Nathan Rees was presenting the medals and, I set off right on target, at the front, and Jamie Harrison being an ex-runner of very high quality, he really did (who was warming up for his 45+ age – group victory) appreciate the race. He called me over after the shouted out with 2 laps to go “You’ve got 10 – 15 presentation and said how great the race was. metres”. I think I then got complacent and Ian Calder, the Sean’s wisdom was very helpful as was the tremendous New Zealand runner behind me, put on a great burst, support from Jamie Harrison on the trackside, his whole while I slipped 3-4 seconds per lap. At 200 metres to go family in the stand, Rob Landsdown, and tens of other he came level. I heard the announcer say something like supporters in the crowd - thanks, I had a great day. “... and he has caught Bateman”, and all looked lost for me but fortunately Sean was right – I accelerated around the Sean, of course was very happy BUT did also say “Okay, bend and raced for the line to win by 1.6 seconds. A very have 2 days easy and then we’ve got work to do – that exciting way to run a race! holiday has taken its toll”!

Masters Club rule “Athletes must compete with their club if selected in their club’s teams. Masters athletes may compete for the NSW Masters Athletics Club if their first- claim club does not have a team in an event. A Masters athlete may not compete in an event against their own first-claim club, unless in the opinion of the ANSW Competition Manager, the athlete would not be selected in their first-claim club team(s), or for other compassionate reasons.” WMG Half marathon started too early so the entire race had to be re-run with everyone finishing in the same order

EMAIL From: [email protected]

Hidy Heidi, Can you give me an explanation for Blister of the medal fiasco that saw you sharing a medal with another runner please? Thanks, Dennis

REPLY EMAIL From: Heidi Jones Coll and I are old high school friends and have a sisterhood kind of thing between us. We have a lot of love and support for each other, and it felt really nice running right beside her. Down the back part of the course, we reminisced about a day we ran 7k home from school together and bought lollies and chocolate and went back to Coll's house. It was such a vivid memory for both of us. We decided to finish together hand in hand. Unfortunately, the officials didn't cater for a tie, and said that Coll beat me by 0.01 sec. Coll wouldn't accept this and made me stand up with her on the dais. She's adamant that I was holding back and has very generously given me the medal. The only consolation is that Coll won a bronze in the 10km road. She's got the 5000m Friday, and I’ve got the half marathon Sunday. We both want the other to win a medal. Ed’s note: Heidi later got a bronze in the half marathon.

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been tidied up but there are still some anomalies. If you Rumour has it... think you should appear on the below list - contact me Recently Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull decided to and I’ll let the Records Officer know and add it to these settle their differences by having a race. Malcolm, with results. As the PDF file (viewable on the Masters website) Tony Abbott to train him, felt confident about landing a is a bit disorganised you could think otherwise but it is killer blow but Kevin Rudd had Wayne Swan in his still possible for some Striders in some age categories to corner, a keen footballer of renown who even had a obtain records. The track records are generally tight but football team named after him - the Swans. the road races (which suit us) are, in many cases, After a month of training the two men were ready for a unclaimed or else the results are soft. few laps of the Parliament corridors. Kevin looked Note: You must be a member of NSW Masters to claim a dashing but modest in his long socks and knee length record shorts while Malcolm went for the more vital ‘skins’ look. Throughout the race the two men sledged each other mercilessly. Turnbull would yell,”Want a rest Tin Tin?” Rudd would reply, “No, but you probably feel a bit tired from all your branch-stacking.” Turnbull would then say, MASTERS RECORDS “How does it feel to be a kept man?” and Rudd would held by Striders come back with, I’m kept busy wondering why you category Distance Time Year haven’t changed your name to Pitt Bull.” W 35 Buoyed by the wave of popularity that he was riding, Kev747 took an early lead and this enabled some Staffers Jo Cowan Marathon 2hr 40.13 1994 to assist by putting up a bit of a road block for Malcolm - W 40 a bunch of filing cabinets. Malcolm wasn’t silly though Caroline Yarnell 3000m 12.20.15 2005 and bribed the Staffers to impede Kev’s progress in the Jo Cowan 5000m 17.00.65 1998 same way and then took a short cut via the chambers to end up again just behind Kev. Now it was Kevin’s turn to Jo Cowan 10k road race 36.16.00 1996 be held up but Kev didn’t need bribe money, he just Caroline Yarnell 2000m Steeplechase 8.42.20 2002 offered to let the Staffer who would let him through Jo Cowan Marathon 2hr 41.48 1995 quickest the privilege of washing his feet afterward. W 45 Problem solved.

Then, with Kev just a tad in front and with the finish Jo Cowan 5000m 18.16.57 2001 looming the race was stopped by officials - outside Jo Cowan 10k road race 37.54.00 2002 Treasury! Turnbull was claiming that a Treasury Official Jo Cowan Half Marathon 1hr 22.46 2001 who was counting laps had emailed the Chief Race Marshall to say that one of Kevin’s laps had not been properly completed. Kev took one look at the email and M30 declared it a fake. The race was restarted and while Kev Dean Harris Half marathon 1hr 30.58 2009 dashed for the finishing line, Malcolm was out of breath M 35 from all the explaining he had to do.

EJ Davie 1 mile 5.53.14 2009 M40 Reminder Wayne Bulloch Half Marathon 1hr.18.54 2009 M 45 The club sponsors membership to Athletics New South Wales for those who are interested. For this you are Keith Bateman Half Marathon 1hr 17.03 2005 expected to compete in a minimum of 3 races during the M50 season. That’s 3 for the Winter season and 3 for the Keith Bateman 1500m 4.11.04 2008 Summer season. The club wants you in the main events: Keith Bateman 3000m 8.59.62 2009 Championship or Relays. It is not fair to expect your club to pay $90 worth of membership fees and then have you Keith Bateman 10000m 33.20.33 2005 not turn up. The club wants you to compete and is being Keith Bateman Half Marathon 1hr 14.32 2008 generous in paying your way so remember your Keith Bateman 1 mile 4.41.76 2009 commitment. M55

Dennis Wylie 3000m 10.27.94 2008 Dennis Wylie 10k Road race 35.55.00 2008 Masters Records Up For Grabs! Dennis Wylie Half Marathon 1hr 22.08 2008 Dennis Wylie 1 mile 5.16.95 2009 There are probably some records pending (there are 43 updates to come, I’m told) but the only known records M75 for Striders are listed below. I thought the records had Frank Dearn 1 mile 9.52.73 2009

59 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

Sharon Callister prepares 10k Series Report to win Lotto.

The 10k Series is a monthly club event with quality race their training to courses, pacers, handicap time targets, competitive point 7.00am STaRs and scores and age group categories to help Striders beyond. The benchmark and improve their training. Best of all, we average number of create this for ourselves – for Striders, by Striders. Striders in each Thanks in part to our guest runners and the World race has risen to Masters, racing this year has been dynamic and 53% compared to competitive across age groups. The handicaps make for a 51% in 2007. lively debate and the progressive point score strategies Remove the ANSW have been brilliant but secretive. Centurion officers in the race figures and Roman army fought alongside their legionnaires and led the Strider average by example. From the front, middle and back of the pack is 57%. several inspiring Striders completed all 10 races in 2009, raced 100km and earned the Centurion title. By Striders Congratulations! Each race has 30 volunteer tasks For Striders happening behind Our largest event was the ANSW State Championship the scenes. A race on a special course at Sydney Olympic Park in May, special group of 620 runners completed the 10k race. Of this number non-committee members provide the bedrock to this 34% were Striders. On Labour Weekend in October, 226 series with their long term commitment to every race or runners completed the smallest event on our regular a specific course: course at Sydney Olympic Park. Over the year, a total of 3,593 results have been Peter Woods, 10k Equipment Manager (store, haul, set recorded. On average, 359 runners finished each race up, pack down, maintain...) with a 73% male/27% female ratio. The pre-registered Terry McIver, Venue bump in, out. race fee is a significant attraction for new members. A Nick Brewster, Strider tent portion remain ‘10k only Striders’ while many extend Stephen Jackson, Course development and certification

60 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

current retail climate the club is fortunate to enjoy substantial and tailored support from an independent running specialist. The 15% Strider discount and honest advice about shoes will continue over summer while a new sponsorship agreement for 2010 is negotiated.

Dates for the 2010 series have been set and, while participation numbers remain so buoyant, we have to use the Lane Cove, North Head and Sydney Olympic Park courses. The search for 5km of sealed road which is free of RTA fees and parking for 400 cars is ongoing. New courses such as Rozelle Hospital, Prospect Reservoir and a revised Meadowbank are being assessed for the future when demand on infrastructure changes again. Wayne’s World: only their mothers can tell them apart. Wayne Pryke wears a cap Thank you for another fun and inspiring to help distinguish himself from Wayne year of 10k Series racing. If you have any Gregory. questions or suggestions to improve the

10k Series you’re welcome to drop me a Mick Regan enjoys it line at [email protected] Friends of Lane Cove National Park were there to receive a donation from us Go Strider! Barbara Becker 10k Series Race Director

RACE 7 LANE COVE AUG

1 Thomas Crasti 0.31.23 2 Jeremey Horne 0.32.01 3 Glenn Guzzo 0.32.23 4 Andrew Tuckey 0.33.04 5 Vlad Shatrov 0.33.22

1 Billinda Schipp 0.38.54 2 Anna White 0.39.12 3 Christie Sym 0.40.30 4 Nicole Frykberg 0.41.10 5 Alison Dale 0.41.23 Lane Cove National Park Course

Setter – Iain Martin Lane Cove National Park RACE 8 NORTH HEAD SEP Breakfast Hosts – John and Lydia Hanna and their children William and Eloise. 1 Jeremey Horne 0.32.22 North Head Course Setter – Chris Yates 2 David Criniti 0.33.01 North Head Breakfast Hosts – Richard Green and Ron 3 Thamal Cooray 0.33.18 Schwebel 4 Vlad Shatrov 0.33.42 Sydney Olympic Park Course Setter – Uncle Dave and Papa Luigi Crinti 5 Matt Bidwell 0.33.46 Sydney Olympic Park Breakfast Hosts – Deanna Lum and Lorraine Spanton 1 Liz Miller 0.37.02 2 Melissa Vandewater 0.37.37 2010 3 Anna White 0.38.19 4 Lauren Harte 0.38.42 Sydney Running Centre's series sponsorship has given us over 100 prizes worth $8,500 this year alone. In the 5 Liz Vaday 0.39.49 61 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

RACE 9 SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK OCT

1 Jeremey Horne 0.32.19 2 David Criniti 0.32.27 3 Thamal Cooray 0.33.06 4 Sam Walker 0.33.36 5 Matt Bidwell 0.34.26

1 Liz Miller 0.37.05 2 Anna White 0.38.41 3 Liz Vadas 0.39.21 4 Alison Dale 0.40.46 5 Julia White 0.41.43 Nigel Huband replaces lost carbs RACE 10 LANE COVE NOV Lisa Carolli and husband Malcolm run bravely 1 Thamal Cooray 0.33.12 despite suffering from ‘stuck hand syndrome’ 2 Quentin Reeve 0.33.39 acquired while cleaning windows a few days 3 Sam Walker 0.33.43 earlier. 4 Chris Truscott 0.33.55 5 Matt Bidwell 0.34.19 Charles King and John Van Yzendoorn mercilessly push surrounding runners to breaking 1 Amy Wilkinson 0.38.15 point. 2 Lauren Harte 0.38.28 3 Liz Vadas 0.38.31 Matt Bidwell, pausing for thought mid race, 4 Anna White 0.38.43 theorises that it must be the opposable thumb 5 Heidi Jones 0.40.44 that enables us to run faster than apes.

62 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

10k Series Sponsors

Phil and Julian Roux Edgecliff Centre, shop 21, 203-233 New South Head Road, Clare’s Edgecliff uncompromising competitive Tel 9362 0422 streak intimidates any DON’T FORGET!!! opposition

A notice was sent out to everyone regarding our XMAS Brunch and Award ceremony. You must RSVP by 4 Peter Hibberd’s range December, by mail! of running accessories

At times we were desperate for pacers.

Stephen Jackson tastes track. Prefers the crunchy chew of road.

63 BLISTER 109 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2009

The 60 year old group synchronize watches and plan tactics before the World Masters Games half.

EJ competes in his eighth race at the WMG, having led several races for a short time and after initially putting a scare into the Russians. His record for leading races in the early stages is unparalleled.

CAPTION COMPETITION The person who can best describe this installation will win a makeover consisting of a complete eyebrow shave. The eyebrows will then be replaced with the tattooed signature of The Artist who created the masterpiece, Heiko Schaeffer.

Rumour has it... Sydney Striders is principally an internet based club. Some suggestions have been made that we should have a clubhouse and a central base but no attempt has been made to get going on the idea even though the Federal Government will probably fund the construction of a clubhouse as part of the stimulation package. Of course, we’d either need land to build on or get someone else’s permission to use their land. Recently Kembla Joggers got such funding. We could try to get permission to use land at Lane Cove National Park or perhaps Callan Park in the Inner West. Despite objections from some Committee members it looks like we will have to go ahead with it now because one of our members has generously bequeathed himself to us upon his death. His last Will and Testament states that upon his death he is to be stuffed and mounted on a pedestal, dressed in Striders gear. If he should die before we have a clubhouse to store him in he will have to be stored at the home of one of the committee and no one seems keen on that idea so having a clubhouse is now quite probable.

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