MAY 2013 Issue 14 Nicole Mitchell MODELING SUCCESS A NEW ZEALAND MARATHON HISTORY ROGER ROBINSON TO U.S. SCHOLARSHIP BOSTON’S OR NOT DARKEST DAY JONATHON HARPER UNRAVELS ANDREW WHARTON THE PROS AND CONS ON BEING THERE Days at the races: James Turner’s cracker triathlon season Emily Solsberg rates Mt Lowry Queen St mile returns: Stephen Day1 Run for your Life Next workshop coming up – Sunday, 9 June, Newtown Park, 10am-2.30pm Newtown Park is available again, with the fresh new running track and well- appointed functi on rooms, so Fem and I thought it was the right ti me to set up the next workshop for people searching for the secret of sustainable running. Also, since the last workshop I’ve been in New York and met up and worked with Feldenkrais colleagues at The Balanced Runner, so am eager to pass on what I’ve learned. Power of the Butt This ti me we include a focus on Butt Power – the elementary role of our glutes in providing power for running and protecti on for joints. There’ll also be good work on dynamic running style and form To register or get more info contact – “posture” is too passive a word. Rupert Watson: [email protected] And much more. Full details avail- Cost: $60 (waged) able soon. Trainers: Femke Koene, movement The ti ming is good – you can specialist; Rupert Watson, Feldenkrais recover from the Dorne Cup the practi ti oner and evergreen runner. previous day, or take a ti mely break in your build-up/tapering for the Wellington Half and Full Marathon just 2 weeks later. We’ll start mid-morning to fi nish mid-aft ernoon, so you sti ll have ti me for “Sun- day” stuff , and we’ll provide a light soup n bread lunch. Good background info on this website, with a similar approach: www.balancedrunner.com Run for your Life – for runners of any age who want to go the distance! 2 Contents From the Editor Features: Welcome to the winter 2013 Nicole Mitchell: Modeling success 5 season after a stunning Grant McLean summer that just kept The story of the marathon in New 10 giving. Racing and training Zealand opportunities abounded in Roger Robinson the sunny calm conditions. U.S. Scholarships: to go or not to go – is 14 I hope you all managed to that the question? make the most of it! The Jonathan Harper club is again in great heart Boston’s darkest day: a view from within 18 as we get into our winter Andrew Wharton racing stride. The road mile returns to Queen Street 24 This issue we talk to club stalwart and multi-talented athlete Stephen Day Nicole Mitchell about her drive for success and how she juggles New Zealand Masters Track and Field 27 running, triathlon, study and a budding modelling career. Championships, Wellington Roger Robinson regales us with the story of the marathon Michael Wray and Scottish club’s important contribution. Bits and Pieces Jonathon Harper weighs up the pros and cons of the U.S. scholarship trail that Kiwi athletes have followed in Inaugural Mountain Running Camp 21 reviewed signifi cant numbers since the 1990s, is it the best way to top Glenn Hughes level international success? Club away trip: Taupo, July 6 22 We have an array of other stories from the summer Todd Stevens including Andrew Wharton’s on the ground experience of the tragic events at Boston, the return of the Queen Tina and Ariana storm Aussie Nationals 23 Day at the Races: Street Mile, the NZ Masters Track and Field Championships in review, Days at the Races and more. Hope you enjoy. James Turner’s triathlon summer 34 James Turner Remember any feedback to me at: [email protected]. Grant McLean Mt Lowry Challenge beats them all for 35 Emily Follow us on facebook Emily Solsberg http://www.facebook.com/wellingtonscottish My favourite route: Follow us on twitter Cornwall Park, Auckland 36 http://www.twitter.com/wgtnscottish Grant McLean Team Updates 29 On the Run Contact: Jac Built Wellington Scottish Athletics Club, PO Box 6239, Te Aro, Wellington Editor, Grant McLean Construction Limited Phone: (04) 4767-823 Email: [email protected] Qualifi ed Tradesman www.scottishathletics.org.nz For all your building requirements Contributors: Michele Allison, Jo Badham, Stephen Day , Jonathon Harper, Glenn Hughes, Daniel Hunt, Roger Robinson, Sierra Ryland, Emily Solsberg, Bob Renovations Alterations Stephens, Todd Stevens, James Turner, Glen Wallis, Additions New Housing Andrew Wharton, Michael Wray. Photography: Rowan Greig, Sharon Wray, ScottieT Remote building (DOC huts) Photography Cover photo: Nicole Mitchell, Photograph by James Coubrough | 0210411970 Andrew Gorrie, Dominion Post. A/H 5700027 | [email protected] If you have any comments or suggestions, let the Ed. know: [email protected] 3 From the General Manager President’s Piece Todd Stevens Glen Wallis Welcome along A warm welcome to the 2013 winter to all new and season. Whether returning members you are young or to our 98th winter old, new or expired, season. I trust obsessed or social, I that Scottish will hope that you fi nd provide a supportive enjoyment and environment to help success at Scottish. you achieve your The popularity of individual walking or athletics in general running goals. Once continues to climb. again Todd and his At an international level, interest in the London team have compiled a very full syllabus with a Olympics was massive (just getting tickets to the wide variety of events. The success of our season stadium was like winning Lotto) and places on will be very dependent and reliant on having a the start line of major marathons like London, wide volunteer base, so thank you to those who New York, Berlin are very hard to get. At the local have taken on an offi cial role in the club, and for Wellington level, Round the Bays in February those keen to help please come and speak to sold out all 13,000 places - that’s 13,000 people either Todd or myself. out doing ‘our’ sport on a Sunday morning in At the club’s AGM I was pleased to report that Wellington! That’s just huge. And the number of the club is in a very healthy position and is children joining clubs in Wellington last summer tracking well against the key measures we have was 20 percent higher than the previous year identifi ed to keep Scottish a strong, vibrant, - perhaps off the back of the Olympics but inclusive club. The Management Committee also because some clubs have realised that by however recognise that there are area’s that off ering a simple but organised product, the can be improved on, and that we don’t hold a children will fl ock to the local grass track to run, mortgage on new ideas, so we welcome any jump and throw. feedback you may have that will help the club to However, it remains a challenge for traditional continue to move forward. harrier club’s (like Scottish) to recruit and retain During the summer I read a book that described adult members despite the increased popularity racing like a reverse hangover. The analogy of running (or social jogging for some). Scottish which I enjoyed was that it often hurts during a has certainly outperformed other Wellington race, with the feel good coming after you have clubs in recent years when it comes to fi nished. In this spirit I wish you all many racing recruitment, largely I think due to a continuing hangovers for the 2013 season. focus of ‘moving with the times’ by providing an appealing and organised off ering. The Management Committee spends a lot of time on the future strategy and many people (particularly our Captains) spend a lot of time on implementation. If you have an idea which you think would assist Scottish to recruit and retain, so more people can enjoy our great club and get the most out of the sport, please feel free to share it with the Committee and the Captains. 4 Nicole Mitchell Modelling Success Grant McLean Nicole Mitchell is one of our quiet achievers. competitive and love to win.. being tough is just Long involved in Scottish club: Nicole is part of it”. a regular club day attendee, relay team member, and club representative at national championships. A versatile athlete, she has also represented New Zealand in both athletics (track and mountain-running) and triathlon. Softly spoken, polite, warm, yet with a steely determination, hard-wired competitive spirit and self-confidence, Nicole is not to be underestimated. Nicole juggles her passion for sport with full-time study and now a budding modeling career. On the Run caught up with Nicole to find what drives a young woman who is not afraid of pursuing Early success - beating the boys! success in all aspects of her life. In a military mould While running started early, Nicole’s competitive spirit was channeled fi rst through swimming: A military childhood helped shape Nicole “I started swimming at a very young age, I had Mitchell’s approach to running and life. a lot of energy and enjoyed being in the water.” Nicole’s father, Scottish runner and top Master Again she tried to beat everyone and moved Greg Mitchell was posted in Waiouru when up classes as fast as possible joining a swim she was a child, aff ording Nicole a relatively squad at seven and competing competitively unique start compared to most New Zealand from eight. Nicole had a number of successes children.