Running strong

Hey D & B, how's it going?
I had a nice flat 25km run around Iron Cove yesterday in great conditions (glad it wasn't like today!). Wrapped up a 67km week, so all going nicely to plan. Bit sore today but I'm sure I'll shake it - REST DAY TODAY!

P

Going for Gold!

As Bruce and Sean have been too modest or too busy to blog, most of you may know that they did a PB on the GC marathon! Knocked an amazing 14 or so minutes off their Canberra time & they were walking along the beach the next day looking great. (I know this cause I saw two guys in "I did 42 km " tshirts....and thought I know them).

So obviously Bruce has struck a winning formula - fluey, undertrained and busy at work!

Roll on Gold Coast

Undertrained, overworked, a little fluey and ready for a great run.

See you all soon.

W2G 2008

It was so wonderful to see everyone today at the Woodford to Glenbrook run, but sad that Denise was unable to make it, due to Friday nights incident. You were there in spirit with us Denise and we all hope you get better soon. Also, how wonderful to see Bruce cheering us on at the start and finish, it made it even more special.

But yeah, perfect conditions for a run in the bush with your buddies. It was more rugged than I'd expected and I had to walk up so many of the hills in the first section, which was a shame. Saw plenty of turned ankles and cuts too, which goes to show that it's certainly no walk in the park the W2G, so well done everyone on finishing.

Oh, and a massive thank you for everyone who looked after me, when I had my 'little moment' at the end. I can't remember who helped me, but thank you. That can of coke certainly hit the spot too Leonor, thank you. But yeah, nothing to worry about, it's just typical Lee being a drama queen as per normal.

Hope everyone's legs come right over the next week an good luck to those of you running next weekend on The Gold Coast.

Lee :o)

Woodford

Just wanted to check if anyone wants to share cars/ logistics for Woodford (ps I know a great lunch spot...)


Margaret and I did Mosman Reversed last Friday - what a great run - lots of stairs, ocean views and coffee places (you will be so proud of us as we didn't stop for coffee or a swim).

I am doing the Melbourne Half this Sunday so have a great run

Running never felt so good (not!)

I had a great run yesterday - 23 kms along the Harbour - no map reading needed as this area is Margaret's backyard but when I got home I wanted to go to sleep.

It felt like 35kms or I am just getting older ? Please tell me you felt the same and I will know it's not just me!

I am away the next 2 weekends - so see you in Woodford...

North Ryde Ramble

Thanks to:
Paula and Margaret - cooking, cooking, cooking, cutting, cutting cutting and cleaning
Leonor - lifting, cleaning, organising, starting at 5.30, for the stars & cloths !
Sharyn - returning to run for the marking of the course; bringing all the essentials
Ghost Rider - muscles and maps
Ted and Lee - moral support and early morning help
Phil - for bringing a great MTG (given the younger age profile of this group I was glad I joined in Canberra 08!)
Sean - for good humour as always
Kate, Alec, Nicola, Sean and Jarvis - Striders 2020...

Special thanks to Paula, Sharyn & Leonor for practicing getting lost so that the course was marked correctly!

Who else would be such an easy group to organise but a bunch of mums who run marathons and Ghost Rider.

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