Reason to do the Gold Coast Marathon in 2008 or 2009

For the first time at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon, participants in the full 42.2km marathon have the opportunity to have a name or nickname included on their race number (in addition to the number).

Aside from first names or nicknames like Smithy, a taste of some of the nicknames so far are:

PlodBod, Ironhorse, Pacman, Turbo, Whippet, Crash, Rhino, Hairy, If its to be, Sharkbait, Just2finish, lucky phil, Barefoot, sailaway, Team Penguin, Smiles, Cut Loose, Toots, Bam Bam, Bones, 67 Hotcat, GallopingKev, dugong and Marathon Man.

Now given that Marathon Man/ Men and Toots is taken, I am sure that Bruce, Sean and Phil would love some suggestions..


As I am only doing the Gold Coast Half, I guess I only get half a name..

Change of Scenery

As I can't do Sydney Marathon this year, I am going to do Melbourne in October. To get some practice on the Melbourne course (need to assure myself that I can find the loos!), I am going to do the Melbourne Half on June 22.

Just thought I would mention this in case any of you have a) relatives you have been meaning to visit in Melbourne for ages b) relatives you want to escape in Sydney c) frequent flyers that expire on June 23!

My Pen

I had a pen which is quite cherished and some time between Friday and Monday morning I have lost it. It is a Caran d'Ache, black with a silver tip and end and I wondered if somehow I left it or used it at the dinner. If anyone saw it or rememebers me waving it around I'd be very grateful. Tedious I know but I'd like it back.

It was a very enjoyable dinner. Had a lot of fun but rowing at 6.30 the next morning was not a highpoint.

My MTB injury is still hurting even at 5.5kms so I am taking it easy. I don't like my Gold Coast chance but let's see.

Where was the Kenyan?

Hi all
That was some run yesterday! Just as I'd spent the week basking in the afterglow of a half marathon that felt pretty relaxed, along came Cherrybrook to wipe away my complacency! I don't know if it was the cold or the bush hills or probably a combination of both but I was sore and exhausted after that one. Where was the Kenyan in me when I needed it most?
I realise that before I start dreaming of high fiving smiling kids as I run through villages on my way to completing the Comrades Marathon, I have a very long way to go.
I also realised, standing near Helen Wilson, that I would need to loose about 10 kilos of useless bulk to be at a good weight for ultra running.
Anyway, enough self pity. I have cakes to cook for our STaR!
Have a great week
Margaret

Cherrybrook Circut

In case you didn't see the email, tomorrow's run starts at Edward Bennett Oval rather than the starting point on the map.

See you at 6 am!

ps I chatted to Helen Wilson (the strider who completed 11 Comrades) last night. What an inspiration...she is hosting tomorrow's run if you have any questions (like how did you do that and survive).

North Ryde Ramble again...

You may get tired of my posts by the 31st May BUT I would like to do MTG proud!

Please run your eye over your list and let me know if you need a hand with anything.

Let's mark out the course on Sat 31st May meeting at 2 pm or 3pm at the starting point (Waterloo Park). As we will need to mark most of it, we may need to split into 2 groups or have a really long slow run..

Any thoughts on how to mark it (chalk & flour seem popular but weather dependent.)

Also need to check out the park & the toilets (the kids and I may make our way over there this weekend..)
See you on Friday night!

And another one?

Hi all,
I was browsing the list of NSW Half-Marathons last night and I came across the Lake Macquarie Half on August 31. I like the idea of doing one in the country. A flat and fast course around the lake, and a small field, sounds like it could be OK! Maybe PB territory or just a pleasant run.
It could fit in with the Marathon training schedule with a bit of shuffling around. I might give it a go, and take the family up there for the weekend if they want to come.
So if anyone is interested the more the merrier...
And Ted, thanks so much for the support yesterday, during and after the run. You spoilt us!
Have a good week, and see you at the dinner
Margaret

North Ryde Ramble..

Just a reminder that it is 2 weeks away until we host the North Ryde Ramble.

Let me know if you are not sure what you need to be doing & I can re email you the list..

I heard a good rumour about home made cakes so you may be asked to contribute to the cooking by Paula and Margaret.

On Saturday May 31 sometime later in the day I will be riding the route (although happy to run) to mark it out and would really really appreciate some company (even for part of the time)...without saying the very obvious, we will be hosting rather than doing much on the Sunday so this is a chance to do your long run that weekend!

Whose great idea was the meeting place?

Well it was Margaret's good idea...I improved (?) it and Paula would have thought of it if she had the time between sick kids and birthday parties!

Just confirming that we are meeting at 7 am near Museum Train Station corner of Elizabeth & Liverpool Streets (inside the station entry if it is raining..)

Ted has kindly offer to hold car keys, jumpers etc (What a guy).

I imagine that with the exception of Ted most of us won't have our mobiles so if we don't see you there, see you at the finish!

Good Luck HM'ers

All my best wishes to those running on Sunday. I can sense the excitment in your emails. Wish I was able to run too :(

I was allowed to start running today - "a small distance", said the physio. "What...you mean 5kms or so?", says the optimistic repressed runner. "HA HA" he says (not smiling), "1km with a mixture of walking and running" AAAGH.

So enjoy it for me.....

I will see you at the dinner. (Margaret I will pay you there if that's ok).

PS -this is top secret but if anyone wants a female entry for "you know what", contact me. A bit late notice but you never know.

SMH Half Meeting Spot

Paula's suggestion of meeting at 7am at Museum Station (corner Liverpool & Elizabeth Streets) is a great one.

Ted - it's great you can come & be one of our suppporters - thanks!

For those with a bit of time afterwards, breakfast could be nice...(last year I remember very green hard apples were provided at the end of the half..not our usual Striders fare).

Isn't it nice we can do a half and think of it as a little run!

You're on your way

Week one of the program is out of the way. I've issued a new version of the program this week to fix up some basic problems with the spreadsheet. Finally got that task out of the way!
Enjoy your running and please feel free to send me any questions you may have. Or post them here!

Phil

Awards Dinner Update

Hi all,
I received a Striders email Saying they have a few spots left for the dinner, so I thought I should confirm with you who is on the MTG Table I have booked, so if anyone else wants to come along, or bring somone, there's still time to do so.
I have counted in Bruce, Denise, Lee, Leonor, Paula and Tank Engine, Peter, Sharyn, Ted and myself.
Those of us doing the Half on Sunday should try and meet before the start so we can take off together. Denise and i ran the course on Saturday afternoon and I'm happy to say the hills, up from Lady Macquarie's Chair, Hunter St and the Argyle Cut seemed so much less daunting than this time last year. It should be a good run!
Enjoy the week
Margaret

Another suggestion for the not the Mothers Day Run

Saturday afternoon may be an opportunity to road test the North Ryde Ramble..if we start about 1pm we will miss the main traffic either end of the shopping/sporting fixtures. Let me know what you think..

So that's why I look fat in my Marathon photos!!!

Not fat, just a full tank, says Hackett's defender

http://www.smh.com.au/news/beijing2008/not-fat-just-a-full-tank-says-hacketts-defender/2008/05/06/1209839647469.html

It is really 8.07 pm

I think I "fixed" the time of the post issue...let's see!

The not the Mothers Day run..

Hi Everyone

I am going to do 20kms on Saturday sometime between 12 - 4, let me know if you are interested and we can make a time and location (Paula I appreciate you will be a swash buckling mum at Declan's party that day..)

Rebel Sale

Just to mention if you are an NRMA member, Rebel is offering 20% off all items on May 22.

You need to show an NRMA card for the discount. If anyone needs me to bou them anything to wear to the awards night out, let me know!!

Denise

Is anyone running Saturday's 10k?

I'm thinking of going to the 10k special Athletics NSW joint race which is on at Homebush tomorrow.

GOOD LUCK FOR YOUR CPA !

Paula - I'm sure all will join in to wish you all the best on your CPA Exam - Financial Planning module. We will all be sending a good luck thought for you on Monday.

Go our Fab Five - Go our Strider - YOU CAN DO IT !!

I don't jog anymore..

I have had 10 days straight of work but have enjoyed a run or the gym most days. And have really been heartened by the texts/ emails going round.

As I was running this week I thought that I really really like this and, I am no longer a jogger but a runner...

now there's another song " I'm a lover not a fighter, I'm a runner not a jogger"

now I had better go and do some more sprints so that I can actually run!