Vaucluse Variation STaR

Even though I pack my bag, mix my drinks and lay all my kit out the night before we run, I still get distracted when I get up by playing for too long on the computer. I did it again this week for our Vaucluse run and left my camera on the kitchen work top, as I just knew there'd be some wonderful views on our run. Bugger!

However, it was still a pleasure, as ever, to run with my fellow MTG buddies and chat, not just about running, but a whole plethora of subjects. I've not just learned about hydration from Phil this week, but also about Terry Fox from Bruce, that Margaret, like me, is a fan of Feist and that the term 'Pulling Up' means how you finished your run from Pauline. I'd heard the term before, but thought it meant pulling up with an injury.

I've also uploaded a map of the run, which shows the elevation going from 1 to 91 metres, which would account for my sore butt right now. Well, thats not totally true, as at one stage I made the mistake of not concentrating and getting in with the wrong crowd, as it were. For some unknown reason, I managed to find myself running with the 6.10am runners - NEVER AGAIN. Boy do the fly. But I had no choice, as I was lost if I didn't follow them. It was such a relief to be running along the sea front and spot you guys again.

And finally, it was so nice to get to run for a while with Leonor, who looks so good now, wouldn't you agree.

Lee

Vaucluse Vegan Variation

There has been a blogging taper too, I see.

I've done 2 x 10 and 1 x8k at a slow pace this week, with only a little pain, so I'm going to try the 25k tomorrow. That may end up being a long walk rather than a run on the theory that there is only 1 long run (1 run?) that counts from here on in, but as I e-mailed Fran I'm particularly keen to come because whilst I've heard all about "Men are from Mars, Women are from Vegan" I've never read it.

Looking forward to seeing everyone. B.

Awards Dinner

Has anyone given any thought to attending the Striders Award Dinner on Friday May 23rd? I would like to go, especially to hear the guest speaker, Bruce Fordyce, an ultra-marathoner, discussing his experiences. Maybe the Fab 5 and friends could get a table together.
Hope everyone is enjoying the Easter break
Margaret

Was It Really That Far!

It was great to run again with all you guys at Wahroonga. I just plotted the route on Map My Runs and glad that I did post and not pre-run, as it's a bloody long way eh! Enjoyed it though, as it was heaps cooler and the comapny was, as ever, wonderful.

As a late comer to the group, I thought I'd upload a couple of pictures of the family, who are Adrienne, Jarvis and Felix, and are all busting to meet you at The Canberra Marathon. The pictures of Jarvis are from a couple of weeks ago, when he wanted to be a runner like his Mumma and Dah. He's wearing a combination of Adrienne and mines running gear. I think we might have a junior Strider in the making here.

Lee

A very fine feeling

Hi team
I'm sure you all agree that it's a very fine feeling indeed to have the last long run under our belts! Thanks Sharyn and Leonor for all the goodies at the end, it was very welcome. The run itself was really pleasant.
I've been busy relaxing with my feet up and a couple of non-stick dressings glued firmly to the grazes on my knees. I should have listened to Ted, the voice of experience, who was saying to me before my spill that at this point in the programme, take it easy cause you wouldn't want to get hurt now, this is just when it can happen. I have learn't my lesson! Never run forwards while looking backwards! Luckily for me my knees feel fine, except for the outside. Reminds me of 5th class.
Lee, your laid-back week seems to have done you no harm at all, you cruised through today.
Does anyone know if Amy turned up? I have a feeling she was probably tucked away in some cosy place with a warm drink. I hope she and Chris found eachother without any dramas.
Have a good week everyone, I'm going to miss these group runs after April 13. See you in Vauclause
Margaret

GOOD FRIDAY RUN

Hi Guys,

Hope to see you all at 5.30am for our final 35km run before the "big one".

Start/finish: Wahroonga Park, Cnr Millewa and Illoura Ave, Wahroonga

If everyone can bring their usual $3, I will get post race food. Bring own gels though (Pete, I still owe you).

At least 6 people from the Putney run are coming too... Fran, Pauline, Karen etc.

I had a big fall running through the bush at 6am in the dark this morning. Split my knee - 5 stiches. Still finished the run. yay. Thanks to Fran for the TLC. Didn't hurt half as much as my legs by the end :)

Good running 'til Friday

Smithfield!

I love Smithfield!! Yes I Paula McCormack DID write that!
I just got a SMS telling me that I won a pair of Nike shoes in their lucky draw thing. Apparently I have to call and give my addresss - and, I hope, my shoe size. Otherwise I will withdraw my love for the SMC if I get a pair of Men's size 14 Nikes!

I'll let you know how I go.

Thanks again to Bruce for dragging me through the last 7/8kms of the run today. The highlight was definitely the (approx) 20km mark and your sharing your ipod and "too sexy" being on. A truly FABULOUS moment in sport.

To be 45 seconds over the 4.30 pace time is something I really am happy with. I have run 75.5kms since Tuesday. AND if we add last Sunday in - a whopping 110.5kms in eight days.

Phil - how much of a factor is the high weekly mileage in our ability to maintain pace in the later part of these runs?

Had a really nice afternoon playing ladies at a high tea with girlfriends. At the end of it they were all ready to lay on the floor completely STUFFED with food. I was probably just content! Got to love the re-fuelling needed after 30kms!! If only social norms could have allowed me to jamm the food down my gob as quick as I really wanted to. Must also confess that the one glass of Champagne with said afternoon-tea did leave me feelling very very silly for a while!

I will now do a new post re Good Friday.

Paula

Smithfield Smashed (Sort of!)

We had a great run today. Inspired by Paula's nakedness, we ran in front of her (it seemed more polite) and she did have a great following behind her too!

Margaret, Paula Bruce and I ran very nicely to a 4 30 pacing...and even had enough breath to thank the SES volunteers on the way home.

Looking forward to Friday's run - hope those who did the River Run had fun & those who ran by themselves enjoyed their own company..

TO BElt OR NOT TO BElt

Boom tissssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...........

OK OK bad I know but where else could I go after which side of the chicken has more feathers????

Anyway - Big bold statement at this late stage re Smithfield. I'm going NUDE! YUP no belt.

Shocking I know, but I figure the aim is to replicate the race so I'm going to try it. Besides the legs feel so tired tonight that it's good to have another excuse up my sleeve if it all goes wrong again tomorrow. Gosh - there goes that bad attitude again!

Off to print out the rego form.

Paula
PS to create a new post - when you're at the view blog screen (with a bootiful pic) look up in the top right corner there's a "new post" option. Select and follow your nose!

A New Post FINALLY

Sorry guys but 17 posts was just way too many to scroll through - saving my energy for the kms on the road. And I need every bit of it as this will be ONLY week that I go over 70kms. Sssssshhhhhhhhhhhh don't tell Phil I've missed the odd run here and there - 'cause I know I must be the only one :-)

Firstly, Leonor - Excellent news!! Enjoy the sheer joy that I am sure must come after eight days of no running. Good luck!

Smithfielders - looking forward to the singfest! Off now to find shoulder pads to go with the 80's music I've been assigned!

Oh!!! No-one has come forth re the "strange" water bottle. What does that mean???

Paula

On the road again ... HOORAY!!!

Hi Everyone

Just a short note of happinness - I will be running my first 6 km this Sunday after a long long time - I'm over the moon.

Have a great race at Smithfiled with all your songs...

And happy riding and swimming for Phil.

Thanks again to All of you for your so kind support and words of comfort.

Thank you all for your kind words

Thank you so so much for all your support and kind words Everyone. You're all so lovely.

I thought about all of you today and I was so happy to see the beautiful weather you had, am sure that helped to keep you going. I'm really keen to know on how you went. Please let know how was is to run 35ks? Much different to run 30ks?
I'd love to read about your experience ...

Saw the new movie RUN FAT BOY RUN on Friday - I loved it - what a great comedy (must try to keep my spirits up).

Have a great week everyone and thanks again for your so kind words.

Leonor

MTG - Sydney Marathon 35K Run

For many of us, this mornings MTG run that followed in part, some of the Sydney Marathon course was a milestone, as it was the first time that we'd ever run 35ks. Also, for the MTG runners who'd been there from the start, it also turned the clock over on a total of 1000ks of training runs to get to this point. That's an incredible feat in itself.

We kicked off the run in North Sydney at 5.30am, crossed the Harbor Bridge and began an incredible journey through the CBD, out to Randwick and back to our starting position at The North Sydney Oval. It sounds simple, but we had to endure aches, pains, the rising temperature on the return leg and countless drunks running alongside us.

Everybody ran strong and made it back to the start, where Phil had laid on a wonderful post run feast, which included jelly snakes, watermelon, bananas and ice-cold drinks.

So thank you to all the MTG runners for helping me complete my first ever 35K run, and Phil for plotting the route and organizing the run. I learned many lessons today, which included not only dietary and pacing advice, but also that esprit de corps counts for so much and that when fellow runners are away or injured, the group as a whole certainly misses them. But we all know that they be back fitting fit and alongside us come race day.

Lee

A little 'sad' Fab Five ...

Hi All
Need to share my sorrows. I'm injured and so upset (yes I had a cry - even in the office). Went to see my physio this morning and she's taken me off the road for 8 days ... My dear Fab Five and Friends, I just had to share this with you. My tears were just running down my cheeks (of course after I left the physio).

I have not been crying in months like today ... My biggest dream was to qualify for the Boston Marathon next year and then this news today - I was shattered. Well at the moment I'm just hoping that my Sacral Illiac Joint injury heals well and I'll be able to join you all very soon.Please run for me on Sunday and say a little prayer for me.

Take care
Leonor

What An Honor

Thank you so much for inviting me to blog with your guys. Adrienne, my partner, will be stoked that I have yet another running thing to obsess about on the Internet :o) Only joking, as Adrienne, like all our partners I'm sure, is fully behind what we do and without their support, it would be heaps harder.

So yeah, thank you once again for inviting me to blog with you guys, I'll be in here often, as I blog pretty much everyday for my son Jarvis Tahi, who'll be coming down to Canberra, along with Adrienne and Felix Rua.

See you all next Sunday,

Lee :o)

The Fab Five find more Friends

Hey Fab Folk!

In the interests of being more inclusive of our male Striders I have just sent invitations to Peter Overton and Lee Baker (I think Baker is Lee's surname. Anyway "he" of the bandaid and body glide infamy) to join our little blog.

Let's hope that Mr Rudd and his Government follow our lead and become more cognizant of women in development of leadership forums and policy etc!!!

Ok ok.... enough of me on my politics soap box. I'm getting off and will now go watch Tely while massaging the inner-quad with a rolling pin. At long last I've found a use for it!

C u all for the BIG 35km next week.

Paula

Fab Five ... where are you!

I went to the North Head 10k today. I looked and looked, but no Fab Five. Peter was there, but no Fab Five. Ted was there, but no Fab Five. Pauline was there, but no Fab Five. I was going to shine the special Fab Five Bat light "F5F" on the clouds, but there was only blue sky. It was a beautiful morning. I loved the start. Being in that 200+ pack with my racing bib on behind elite runners (for a few seconds) before they moved away as I eased myself into the run.

I hope that everyone is OK and that I'll see you all tomorrow for the Balmain Basket so we can weave our way through the Streets of Balmain.