Keith Penny

Sunday 12.00 11KM Roo+Lake 47m10

The Agony and the Ecstasy (proportion today was roughly 99:1!)

I knew it would hurt but the first few steps of today's run nearly had me quitting before I'd got across the road! I didn't want to stop in the middle of the road so kept going and then thought maybe I could make it around a couple of K but the pain wore off after a while (to bearable level).I took very small pigeon steps to get going! The first K was 5m08 compared to 4m10 yesterday.

The pain was very much a combination of the knees and the fact that yesterdays run left my legs feeling they'd had the toughest work out ever. The quads were dead! I just thought that if I could get some K's under my belt the chances of racing Bridge 2 Brisbane would increase but I wont do it if I cant do myself any justice. Lovely warm sunny day but perhaps a little windy. Hoping that a few runs will blow the cob webs off.

Photo is Kenny Raupach in the City2Surf. He was a mate back in 1988/89 when I lived in Sydney. Mother had a gorgeous Federation home on the hill in Mosman.

He finished 6th in M45 Cat in 51m00 , loved the look of pain and effort as he finished the race. A physio by profession, he looks way too muscular - bastard!!

Tony Simmons

Saturday 2.00pm 11KM Roo+Lake 41m46s

I was wondering if it might be possible to run the Bridge to Brisbane so got out for a run to see how things were going. Fist few K's were painful and lack of fitness started to kick in at about 8K
but was happy enough to run 41m46 = a good time considering first run in three weeks. It was always going to be more about the reaction to the run. I got the legs straight into the pool after the run (18.6 O C) then ice pack and Ibuprofen. None of that worked and the knees were very painful for the rest of the day. I was walking around like an invalid barely ablt to get out of the car. Don't know what to think! part of it will be natural reaction to hard run after not training for three weeks but the injury was accountable for most of it.
Later in the day we went back into the city for Riverfest.
From our rooftop we had a great vantage point to see the fireworks and F1 11's.
Doesn't Brisbane look fantastic? Today is going to be a 26 o C Day! Roll on Spring!!!

David Bedford

No improvement on the knees! I ran across the junction of Adelaide and Edward on the way to Central this evening and the pain in my knees was still very apparent.
I had entered the Bridge to Brisbane on Fathers Day and was hoping that I might get a week of training in next week before the race but that is looking unlikely now (does anyone want an elite Blue starting bib? !).
Thinking about future plans I asked Dave Bedford if there was any possibility of getting some assistance to run the Marathon London 2009. No luck not surprisingly but at least he offered me a place in the race which is actually something! A best mate's son is having a Bar Mitzvah in May 2009 and I thought me getting 'assistance' to go might help swing it with Natalie!

Emma Moffatt

Just spent a couple of days in Beautiful Mount Isa!

It had been in the news as the Mayor had asked for any "beauty disadvantaged" ladies to come to Mount Isa as the 5:1 ratio of Men :Women needs redressing and that Mount Isa men are not fussy!

Perhaps consideration for the potentially dangerously high levels of copper , zinc and lead levels in the ground needs to be given before one considers bringing up a family in this town. However, with unqualified kids taking home $1900 a week (net) from the mines, material benefits may make up for the industrial landscape, lack of ladies and stinking hot weather. come Summer time.

Mount Isa is further away from Brisbane than Melbourne is from Brisbane - How big is our State! A 2hour40minute flight!

Lovely hot (28 o C ) dry Winter weather greeted us but I'm not in any shape to enjoy it out on a run.

The left knee is still giving me pain!

My consultant recommended complete rest (1 month) then slow come back using cross training.

In particular he thought cycling would be beneficial as it affords relief from the massive pressure that running causes on the knee. I bought an 'air trainer' for the bike and gave it a burl, but I'm not a fan of training without getting anywhere - far too boring, so the air trainer may not get much use!

I've tried to keep up the few exercises I can do - Sit ups!

I've got carpet burn at the top of my bum to prove my badge of honour. Not really able to do press ups as left shoulder is only beginning to get some movement in it again from nearly two years with 'Frozen Shoulder' syndrome and my right shoulder joint is in the early stages of the syndrome!

Emma Snowsill

I have taken a couple of days off work in order to watch the Olympics. One of my favourite other sports is Triathlon where Emma and Emma ran fantastic races for Gold and Bronze!

A marvelous moment that of course had me tearing up in pride - love it just love it!

As for Usain Bolt I have not heard anyone else mention it yet but it was a 'Bob Beaman Moment',

astonishing!

Yesterday I rode for an hour on the mountain bike. Rough bush tracks and quite a bit of inclines.

Could still feel the left knee but no dramatic reaction today - good news.

I'm hoping to have another week off to see if the problem gets any better.

Vlad Shatrov

I downloaded the C2S video which looks good.
I'm wearing a long sleeved (Queenslander!) black top. I started towards the middle of the field. Pat Carroll gives a big name check to my nemeses (not really) Robert Spilling ("In the Asics singlet") at the finish, and I'm across the line next but one,just in front of first lady Rebbecca Lowe. The video after the finish line shows me with arm around Vlad Shatrov who finished 42nd. I watched Tom Highnam gun it down the finish straight not giving Jamie Harrison any chance to respond.
Only 360 days to go.......
Not trained since Sunday and can still feel the left knee so intend to take at least a few more days off until at least I'm walking pain free for a few days.

Special mention to Ron Peters who ran 47m44 (Gun)to blitz the M55 age category and even take out Keith Bateman M50 48m16 who was first M50.

Robert Spilling

I found this on YouTube - turn off my music on the sidebar to hear the soundtrack. Google StreetView - what an amazing utility.



Bollocks Bollocks Bollocks!


I just found out the results (thanks Brendan) from C2S.
I finished 43rd in 47m12 .
43rd wasn't too bad , I think back in 1989 my 45m55 was for 43rd position!
What was bad was that I got beaten in my age category! Which is most upsetting.

Last Years Category winner Robert Spilling finished 41st in 47m04 !!

If only I'd had known he was there!!! DrJH told me I was running with Robert at 4K when he went past us, so we must have pretty much ran the course together.

It is my first Category loss in about two years. It does provide fantastic motivation to do better.
I cant wait to get back going again when the knees are right. To prepare meticulously for C2S next time around. It will be a much tougher Category competition with DrJH and John Meagher both turning 45, but I'll be ready !

Martin Dent

In justification to Natalie about going to Sydney (and leaving her alone for a day and a half to take care of our 4 Children on Sports Saturday/Sunday) , I said I could do it under $200 !
This meant getting a couple of cheap flights ($160 JetStar) flew in and out of Maroochydore Airport which was very quaint and meant I could rock up to the short term carpark and walk 50m to the Departure lounge (Parking cost $24). Accommodation was another thing!!
I stayed at the Sydney Backpackers just off George St. Very convenient for the Race start. But also convenient for the Star Bar which I felt was attached to my bunk! The noise at 2-4am! Not only that but fellow room 'occupants' coming in at 1.00 and 3.00am and switching on the lights!!
I developed a dry throat and added to the cacophony coughing and spluttering for a most disturbed nights sleep! Mind you I would say that I don't think that had any material affect on my performance. I noticed a bunch of younger runners staying in one of the other rooms.
As I walked around the City the night before to get the layout of the start etc. I was amazed at just how busy Sydney was. Full of people, on the streets, in the bars, in cars. It reminded me of my two years there in 1988 and 1989 and of big city life and socialising on a Saturday night(distant memories for me now).
Sydney certainly looks beautiful when the sun shines as it did Sat arvo and Sun a.m.
Fossil told me the Striders had 700 members - Incredible ! He also mentioned his training squads and reading about Tom's training and squads it's certainly something I'd really appreciate.
However, I got off to the airport straight after the race , and it was pissing down as I watched Queenslander Stephanie Rice take Gold. I hobbled down the steps from the plane (Knees) and basked in the sunshine and 20 o C heat at Maroochydore and I felt good to be home!

Rebbecca Lowe

Sunday City to Surf Sydney 14KM 43rd 47m12

Just back from Bondi! I gave it my best shot but I'd have to say slightly disappointed with result.
Couldn't get going on the first section, DrJH went past at about 4KM and I had nothing to respond with.
Went past 5KM in 16m16 and then struggled up Heartbreak Hill though seemed to hold the gap to Jamie. At the top I thought I got going OK, no one went past me from the top. I heard calls from behind for the first lady - Rebbecca Lowe and I didn't want to get caught ! I'd warmed up with Keith Bateman and Rebecca and I expected them to be running together .
Having my name on my bib meant I got a lot of encouragement along the way.
The knees played up towards the end specially on the downhill but I got through it and will rest up till they are better. Right now the left knee is pretty painful. I managed to stay in front of Rebecca up the finishing straight. Natalie and the family said they saw me on TV as the cameras focused on the first Female!
At the finish I got my first sighting of Tom Highnam who ran a great race for 46m30 and in the finishing straight sprinted past Jamie Harrison!
Surprisingly for me Martin Dent won the Men's Race in 41mxx from Michael Shelly , who I would have had my money on.
As for my goals, I failed to beat DrJH, & Tommy. I got beaten by at least two M40's (DrJH being 44 till Dec). I want to put this race on my annual calender and come back next year and really do myself justice.

Ivo Van Damm

Thursday 1.00pm 20 o C 10.5KM Bridges 43m23s - Steady

Friday Rest .

It's Kates 12th Birthday today 8/8/2008!

Bronislaw Malinowski

Wednesday 1.00pm (20.0 o C) 10.5(?) Bridges 39m33

I went hard today, yes I'm still in pain (R.H Knee) but I really pushed it today. Flat out! I'd go so far as to say this course must be at least 11K because I was race pace and if it's not 11K I'm in trouble! Maybe the steps up to Victoria Bridge (?main bridge that leads into South Bank from Queen St Mall) or the Steps under the Storey Bridge subway and on the other side of the river back under the bridge and the dodging in and out of the crowds along the Restaurant stretch take some time away from a pure uninterrupted course.
So that was my last hard session prior to C2S! No Track intervals No Hills No K Road intervals.
A poor quality lead up but At least I've made it and will be able to give a fair account of myself in Sydney.
The only 'hill' I've had the opportunity to run is the small one up to the Storey Bridge Hotel (100m) from the River pathway. I have felt good on it but of course I'm worried about Heartbreak.
It is TWENTY years since I ran up it. I cant remember it but I believe its a KM up!
I took a look up it using Google StreetView = very cool , but perhaps I might have been better off not knowing!!
My Main Aims in Sydney = Win age category, Beat Winner of M40, Beat Tommy, Beat Keith, Beat PB from 1989 45m55, Win the Bloody Race!
Do you remember Bronislaw? I do, this is what Sporting Heroes has to say about him;

Bronislaw Malinowski's great rivalry with Anders Garderud (Sweden) between 1974 and 1976 came to end following the Swede's retirement after the 1976 Olympics. In the absence of Garderud, Malinowski dominated the 3000m steeplechase during the next few years. In 1978, Malinowski scored significant victories at Stockholm on 4 July and at West Berlin on 18 August, where he recorded his seasonal best time of 8min 11.63sec. At the 1978 European Championships in Prague on 3 September, Malinowski comfortably won the steeplechase gold medal in a time of 8min 15.08sec. During 1978, Henry Rono (Kenya) had set a world record on 13 May, but Malinowski was untroubled in beating Rono when they met at Koblenz on 7 September. At the 1976 Olympics, Malinowski had tried to run away from the field in an attempt to thwart the finishing kicks of those athletes who he knew could out sprint him. However, in the Olympic final at Moscow, on 31 July 1980, Malinowski was happy to stay back, as Tanzanian Filbert Bayi, a notorious front runner, and Eshetu Tura (Ethiopia) went out at pace that was well under world record schedule. Bayi eventually broke away from Tura, while Malinowski started to close the gap, although he was still 5.3 seconds behind Bayi with 1000m to go. Malinowski passed Tura just before the water jump on the second last lap (see photo above), and then caught and passed Bayi at the water jump one lap later. In the end, Malinowski won by nearly 3 seconds in 8min 09.7sec. Malinowski had a reasonably subdued year in 1981, recording his fastest time at Christchurch on 1 February. It will never be known if more athletic success awaited him, as Malinowski was tragically killed in a car accident on 26 September 1981. He was just 30 years of age. (Ron Casey)

Anders Gärderud

Tuesday 1.00pm 21 o C 10.5KM Bridges 41m45 Steady

The only 'trophy I have on show in my house is last years Gold Coast 10KM M45,

it is joined today by this years Half Marathon M45.

Mathew Reeves

Monday 12.30pm 21 O C, 10.5KM Bridges 42m06

Photos are from Jetty2Jetty, I never look like I'm running easy, always in the pain zone and showing it, always sucking in the Oxygen!

Here are some photos I took at Bowen, to appreciate the Ozzy soundtrack you'll have to swith off the auto music on the left hand side bar!

Peter Reeves

Sunday 2.00pm 21 O C 22KM 2XRoo+Lake 85m20

Went through lap 1 in 43m10, second lap in 42m10.
A fair run with yesterdays 22K still in the legs. Right knee was still good, left knee secondary pain still an issue. Right Quad was painful but this might have something to do with 'strengthening' exercises. Didn't have the opportunity to ice my legs in the pool as it was straight out to Scarborough for a walk out to sea! Maybe an extreme low tide has exposed a causeway of rock/sand/shell which winds its way maybe a K or a K and a half out into the Bay. Beautiful glassy sea and blue skies.

Andrew Reeves

Sunday 2.00pm (21 O C) 22KM 2 X Roo+Lake 84m40s

I had 'felt' my knees earlier today running to collect the ball during Maxy's Soccer game this morning, but started out today and the right knee felt remarkably better. Also the left knee was not displaying the all over pain I have been suffering but just the secondary pain area to a defined side(LH) of the knee cap. Could be a freak lull but made me have some optimism that;
A. I will be able to race and compete at the C2S.
B. Might not require the extended period off I've envisioned.
So today ran with some discomfort in the left knee the whole way but was please with the way I was moving. In windy conditions I ran through half way in 43Mins and completed the second lap in a shade under 42Mins which is good going.
Afterwards I dipped my legs in pool for 5/10mins - bloody cold 15 O C!
Even so my knees did seize up afterwards so got back out and walked the dog.

The European Masters Track and Field Champs are currently taking place in Slovenia. Of course I was interested in the M45 results for 1500m, 5000m and 10,000m;

16th European Veterans Athletic Championships Stadia July 23 - August 3, 2008 - Ljubljana - Ljubljana sports park

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veterans M45
1500 m M45 28.07.2008
Final
1. Piškur, Benjamin 1962 SLO Slovenia 4:20,01 min.
2. Lefay, Xavier 1963 FRA France 4:21,64 min.
3. Herzog, Albert 1963 GER Germany 4:22,06 min.
4. Durand, Alain 1963 FRA France 4:22,41 min.
5. Bertazzoli, Paolo 1959 ITA Italy 4:24,70 min.
6. Barmin, Fedor 1962 RUS Russia 4:25,29 min.
7. Oskarsson, Hafsteinn 1959 ISL Iceland 4:25,42 min.
8. Bryce, Alex 1960 GBR Great Britain & N.I. 4:27,87 min.
9. Telek, Andras 1960 HUN Hungary 4:28,54 min.
10. Ashby, Mark 1962 GBR Great Britain & N.I. 4:28,91 min.


16th European Veterans Athletic Championships Stadia July 23 - August 3, 2008 - Ljubljana - Ljubljana sports park



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veterans M45
1500 m M45 28.07.2008
Final
1. Piškur, Benjamin 1962 SLO Slovenia 4:20,01 min.
2. Lefay, Xavier 1963 FRA France 4:21,64 min.
3. Herzog, Albert 1963 GER Germany 4:22,06 min.
4. Durand, Alain 1963 FRA France 4:22,41 min.
5. Bertazzoli, Paolo 1959 ITA Italy 4:24,70 min.
6. Barmin, Fedor 1962 RUS Russia 4:25,29 min.
7. Oskarsson, Hafsteinn 1959 ISL Iceland 4:25,42 min.
8. Bryce, Alex 1960 GBR Great Britain & N.I. 4:27,87 min.
9. Telek, Andras 1960 HUN Hungary 4:28,54 min.
10. Ashby, Mark 1962 GBR Great Britain & N.I. 4:28,91 min.

5000 m M45 30.07.2008
Ranking order time race
1. Strizhakov, Oleg 1963 RUS Russia 15:39,16 min.
2. Parry, Philip 1963 GBR Great Britain & N.I. 15:55,34 min.
3. Boyle, Mike 1960 GBR Great Britain & N.I. 16:29,44 min.
4. Scherg, Jürgen 1963 GER Germany 16:39,98 min.
5. Peeters, Theo 1961 NED Netherlands 16:46,23 min.
6. Potocco, Guido 1959 ITA Italy 16:50,37 min.
7. Melero, Pere 1961 ESP Spain 17:10,87 min.
8. Holland, Richard 1958 GBR Great Britain & N.I. 17:13,39 min.
16th European Veterans Athletic Championships Stadia July 23 - August 3, 2008 - Ljubljana - Ljubljana sports park



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veterans M45
10000 m M45 24.07.2008
Final
1. Strizhakov, Oleg 1963 RUS Russia 32:21.88 min.
2. Delgado, Javier 1959 ESP Spain 33:26.42 min.
3. Ubaldi, Claudio 1963 ITA Italy 33:51.15 min.
4. Boyle, Mike 1960 GBR Great Britain & N.I. 34:00.97 min.
5. POSTNIKOV, IVAN 1961 RUS Russia 34:24.17 min.
6. Convert, Gilles 1960 FRA France 34:44.03 min.
7. Ortu, Gavino 1963 ITA Italy 35:19.97 min.
8. Anièin, Aleksandar 1958 SLO Slovenia 35:24.00 min.
9. Robiè, Štefan 1963 SLO Slovenia 35:24.49 min.
9. Potocco, Guido 1959 ITA Italy 35:24.49 min.
11. Škerlep, Marko 1962 SLO Slovenia 35:30.10 min.
12. Dereyayla, Hasan 1963 TUR Turkey 36:32.53 min.

Michael Reeves

Two songs from my trip.
Starsailor 'Four to the floor' and Depeche Mode 'Its no good' see video.
I've used Nick Rose before so changed it to Michael Reeves.

Martin Rooney

7.00pm 11KM Roo+Lake 46m01

Cold and dark , slow going.

Doctor told me I needed to rest (like 3 months rest) to recuperate the patellars, will carry on to C2S and then take stock.

I'm in Mackay Thurs / Fri, so might get some R&R at Airlie Beach.

Lance Armstrong

Tuesday 12.00noon 10.5KM Bridges 39m48s

Pretty quick time, pushed it specially last few K's. Close to flat out.
Inadvertently got shoulder barged by a runner coming in the opposite direction round a blind corner when at full pace. The other guy was built like a brick shite house and knocked me sideways, close to ending up in the lap of a person sitting on bench eating a cup of hot chips. I felt my fingers enter the cup as I tried to steady myself , however, I was not able to snag a chip for myself but I'm sure the person would have been put off having my hand fly into their lunch!

With the complete lack of variety I'm presently restricted to training wise, the only thing I can do, is go hard. I'm hoping this will at least allow me to maintain present form as it surely wont help me improve form.

Even though I might not be at my best I am excited about the City to Surf.

I managed to snag a Seeded Runners bib (it's amazing what World Masters Rankings can do for you!). So for the first time ever (that I can recall), I'm not running in a number but with my name plastered across my vest! Cool!

Charlie Parker

Monday 12.30pm 10.5KM Bridges 40m44s

Boy was it cold today! 13.6 O C when I got out in the middle of the day! Almost unknown for it to be so cold (apparently a cold Southern air mass - things are due to stay cold till Thurs Fri when more typical 23 / 24 O C Temps are forecast. I went out in my long sleeved top and wrapped it around my hands! The cold weather certainly kept the normal hordes of walkers indoors. Most other runners out there this arvo were not Namby Pamby like me and were brazing it out in singlets or tee shirts. The funny thing about Brizzy in Winter is the amount of people who still wear thongs and shorts around town, regardless of the cold.
Doctor is booked for Wednesday, had physio this arvo.
Charlie Parker was another Loughborough runner who's step dad was Mr. Amey from 'Amey Roadstone' and various other construction companies. He once invited us to his dads estate in Oxfordshire. I remember being blown away by the Vintage car Collection in the 'Garage' - More like a museum!

Carlos Lopez

Sunday 2.00pm 11KM(guess) 'Outlook' 45m58

Decided to try a new course today as I'd heard that a link had gone in around our estate, meaning I can run a true loop rather than Roo+Lake which doubles back on itself like a figure of eight. I was expecting the run to be much longer but it came in pretty much the same as Roo+Lake, I'd say about 11KM. However, the route was boring along new sub division roads . Not too many houses in certain sections, large swathes of yet to be released land. It did have some redemption providing slightly different perspectives of the golf course and more prolonged views of the distant ranges (out towards Mount Mee). It will be quite some time before the bicycle path which I prefer to run on, which is positioned away from the roads and traces the outside circumference of the estate connects up and around this soon to be huge estate!

Stayed awake for Cadel's timetrial. Disappointed of course. A combination of a lackluster performance from Cadel and a best ever timetrial by Carlos. I agree with a lot of sentiment that expressed the view that the strength of the CSC team combined with the weakness of Silence Lotto was THE telling factor in this years Tour result.

Back in 1976 I went to watch the World Cross Country Championships at Chepstow. I got to see Carlos Lopez in the flesh beat off a good challenge by Brits Tony Simmonds (2nd) and Bernie Ford (3rd). Calros went on to win these World CC Champs again in 1984 and in 1985, as well as picking up an Olympic Gold in the L.A. Marathon. What a fantastic and prolonged career he had.

An Ox!

Los Angeles, 12 August 1984. Competitors run through a mist during the men's marathon of the Games of the XXIII Olympiad. (L to R) Carlos LOPES of Portugal (bib 723) who the won gold medal in a time of 2:09:21, Robert DE CASTELLA of Australia (bib 25) who placed fifth and Charlie SPEDDING of Great Britain (bib 396) who took the bronze in a time of 2:09:58.

Getty Images

Ray Smedley

Saturday 4.30pm 11KM Roo+Lake 41m24

I opened an email from Dr.JamieH who gave me some advice and recommendations about the knee.

He suggested that perhaps Rest might not be what's required, which was all I needed to hear, I was heading out the door within half an hour! Knees remain about the same, the thing is I can run (with some pain), they don't appear to be getting progressively worse and I really don't want to lose my current form if I can just see out the road season. So happy to hit the road again! Felt slightly rusty and a few other aches and pain from backyard jobs this arvo. Was steady up till about half way then really opened up the engine and felt good, form and time was pretty good. Dipped the legs into the freezing cold water in the pool after the run.

I will book an appointment with Dr. Peter Friis who diagnosed my 'sports' hernia and referred me to specialist Dr.Nick O'Rourke last Winter.

I'm praying that Cadel can do it tonight. It is so exciting and it will be so close.

The trouble is I can see Cadel doing it buy a few seconds but then he is going to be under serious attack by CSC all the way up the Champs-elysees !!

Colin Pearson

17th September 1978 Young Athletes League Final Crystal Palace - Age 16

3000m 70, 2;20, 3;30, 4;40, 5;50, x, 8m39.6

"M.Weaver (Birchfield) picked up pace - I sprinted past in last 100m after running behind him. Last 200m in 29.6 (last 400m aprox 63) My Time 8m39.6, Weaver 8m41.6, 3rd place 18sec behind my time Colin Pearson 8m57
Also 'B' 800m 2m05.7 5th place"

"Week Starting 24th September 1978 - Aged 16

Wednesday Race 5000m First ever - took it steady in first half 70's - on my own second half slowed to 72-3's 3000m aprox 8m55 5000m 14m59"

Two days rest but still feeling knee pain walking.

Dave Spence

Tuesday 1.00pm 10.5KM Bridges 41m08s

I have decided that managing my knees is going to have to include 'rest' now.
Hobbling along in pain at the start of every run is no fun, things are not getting any better, the pain is staying for longer. I'll continue with my massage/phsyio/glucosomine/strengthening but rest up for a week and see if there is any improvement.
In order to entertain my self here I shall put up triumphs and disasters of yesteryear straight from the training diary.

Alastair Stevenson

Monday 1.00pm 10.5KM Bridges Easy/slow -Not timed

Felt pain nearly every step of the way in contrast to yesterday.
I was silly and didn't do a proper warm down, as I was truly enjoying just walking along the waters edge back to the car.
Didn't bring in the magical Nurofen gel to work so that also didn't help.

My next objective is to 'manage' the injury till the City to Surf August 10th.

Josh Amberger

Sunday 9.00am Jetty2Jetty & Queensland Open 10KM Championship

5th Place (1st M45) 32m36s (official)

Got to Woody Point in plenty of time for warm up and got slightly distracted watching the Half Mara runners come home - meant I wasn't standing around on the start line with everyone else for 15 mins prior! Race started and I went off pretty quick as normal and immediately was happy that my knee wasn't an issue (the Nurophen gel and Panadol must have dossed me up a treat!)
Settled back into a pack and watched Hintsah and Chris Reeves pull away. Michael Reeves pulled away and I was left in a pack another small pack that changed places a few times as first the younger guys pushed on ahead of me then I came through and towed them along behind me.
We caught the 4th place guy at about 5K turnaround which was along the Redcliffe Jetty and continued to run in a small pack for a few K's before 4th Place guy took off again and by 6K I was in no mans land running alone. Didn't where a watch as I didn't want to get distracted by times but felt pace was OK. At about 7K there is a Hill which really knocks the stuffing out of you, and what was a good momentum became a struggle before I managed to pick it up again as the course headed downhill. We were beginning to run into the back of the Half Mara finishers which affected vision a little. There were signs along the way giving good encouragement. ('Hills are your friend'), a few bagpipe players and singers added to the atmosphere. The conditions were perfect NO wind Bright and sunny with the temp picking up all the time. When I got up it was a chilly 9 O C but by the start of the race it was 14.7 O C and felt nice and warm in the sun. At the finish I was drenched from sweat and happy to cross the line in 32m34 which was about what I had hoped for! I felt that the lack of any intensive training and an effect upon my performance but I gotta be happy with a time approx 90secs quicker than last year (suffering hernia!). Bramble Bay looked its best calm glassy water reflections, magical stuff.
I said Caloundra was gorgeous but so was this.

5th in the Queensland Open 10K Championship!!
32m36 on a course with hills!

Chris Reeves finished 1st in 31m16, Hintsah was 2nd 31m30s.
3rd was Josh Amberger (32m01) overtook Michael Reeves (32m13) in the final couple of K's.

Malcolm Smith

Saturday 3.00pm 11KM Roo+Lake 42m34secs - Steady

Temperature about 23 O C warm and sunny, still in pain!
Have got some Nurofen Gel with ibuprofen to rub in. Physio says we should be able to "manage" injury till end of season, and current steady training is unlikely to make things worse. Strapping doesnt seem to work, even when place a sorbent tape layer beneath traditional tape on shaved knee, sweat 10 mins into any run and its gone.
Thanks to Matty for the clip below. We both feature!....

Jesus Borrego Llamas

Friday 1.00pm 10.5KM Bridges 41m34s Medium

Another day in Paradise (24.3 O C today in the middle of Winter!), wish my body felt the same! Seeing the physio again this arvo.

I've mentioned Jesus before but he gets star billing again because the Spaniard has just broken the WORLD M45 1500m RECORD for my age group.

Masters News and Muse report he has just run an incredible 3:52.43 !!!!!!!!!

Knocking 4 secs off the previous WR of John Hinton (3:56.39) set in 2007.

Hopefully your currently listening to David Cassidy, perhaps a surprise inclusion in my endless list of favourite artists for sure but I love this track from my youth - The Partridge Family and all that !!

Peter Hallinan

Thursday 12.30pm 10.5KM Bridges - not timed

I've been staying up real late to watch the Tour, actually what tends to happen is I fall asleep soon after it starts at 10.00pm, then wake up around midnight and watch the final two hours.
Cadel in Yellow was magic, Mark Cavendish has taken over from SuperMario and Robbie as The Sprint King. Phil Liggert and Paul Sherwin continue to provide great commentary though it was funny when they miss called Cavendish's first Stage win giving it instead to a team mate which slightly put the damps on what otherwise could have been a near hysterical exaltation for a rare Pommie Win!
The best coverage is on SBS check it out !