26 May 2014
24 May 2014
Sandgate parkrun 2nd 16:04
Somebody find me 4 seconds!
Perfect day no wind and about 18 O C
Two k warm up and a few strides. Line up and listen to a young triathlete ask his mate if he should take today easy with something on tomorrow. Start strong but breathing heavy so heavy in fact that I could not hear the kid triathlete was tucked in behind me. I only knew he was there when I looked at our shadow! I remember when I used to run easy enough to run the first k without getting into oxygen debt. I could also feel my heart rate rocketing which is very uncomfortable. Alex remained tucked in behind through the 180 degree turn reached in 7:59 fast!
The run back is tough as you feel the other runners washing over the pathway encroaching on your space. Young Alex gave a shout out at one point to get them over.
Managed to maintain a good pace but felt uncomfortable as I pushed on. Desperate to see the final K marker in about 12:50 to push on for just 3 more minutes. There is a big bend in the path as it goes around the pool before the finish , I thought I was dropping Alex but he came back strong and pulled away from me in the last 200m. Happy with the time though Garmin said 4.95km.
I'm sure my buddy the Robot will be exuberant as the age grading is unreal! 93:26% 2nd in Oz behind the Parramatta Queen.
Perfect day no wind and about 18 O C
Two k warm up and a few strides. Line up and listen to a young triathlete ask his mate if he should take today easy with something on tomorrow. Start strong but breathing heavy so heavy in fact that I could not hear the kid triathlete was tucked in behind me. I only knew he was there when I looked at our shadow! I remember when I used to run easy enough to run the first k without getting into oxygen debt. I could also feel my heart rate rocketing which is very uncomfortable. Alex remained tucked in behind through the 180 degree turn reached in 7:59 fast!
The run back is tough as you feel the other runners washing over the pathway encroaching on your space. Young Alex gave a shout out at one point to get them over.
Managed to maintain a good pace but felt uncomfortable as I pushed on. Desperate to see the final K marker in about 12:50 to push on for just 3 more minutes. There is a big bend in the path as it goes around the pool before the finish , I thought I was dropping Alex but he came back strong and pulled away from me in the last 200m. Happy with the time though Garmin said 4.95km.
I'm sure my buddy the Robot will be exuberant as the age grading is unreal! 93:26% 2nd in Oz behind the Parramatta Queen.
21 May 2014
Running with dogs
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| Lets go for a run dad! |
Those of you with a keen eye for detail may have seen on my Strava feed that I have been going for occasional runs with my dog Sascha - she's a bitch about 9 months old. She's a cross between a Staffy and a Beagle. A Beagle would make a great running companion but I sense the Staffy in Sasch makes her ask the question 'why are we running and why wont dad let me sniff all the wondrous smells on offer around here?'. She starts off fine, with an incredible bouncy stride, but as soon as we hit the hill she starts lagging somewhat and I'm tugging her along! We are barely going Sub 5 min K pace. She's young and she probably needs more regular training.
I dream of having a running companion that can run off the lead and 'sit' when we have to cross roads and challenges me to go faster. We had a Lab/Collie cross in the UK called Chester. He was a fantastic runner, he ran about double my distance along the paths and through the woods at Stanmore. If there was fox shite within a 10 mile radius, he'd find it, roll himself in it and then stick to my side! Luckily there was a lake near our home and I'd throw a stick and he'd dive in and take a bath regardless of how cold the water was. He'd fetch when there was ice in the lake!
He was crazy mad, he once went sprinting off into a really muddy section of bog and did both his knee ligaments in one go - that cost us a few thousand pounds at the vets!
I notice quite a few people take their dog with them on parkrun and I have marveled at some ingenious water bottles with fold down doggy trays. I will take Sasch for a parkrun one of these days when she is more accustomed to passing another dog without a hackle raising barking fest or an arse sniffing getting to know you (in a doggy way) dance. Surely someone has a record for running 5K with a dog ? Or is that cruel? pushing your bitch too hard? Chester would easily have beaten me if he ran in a straight line over 10 or 12 miles, Sasch is young and has a highly motivated daddy who will train her to run and to be a great running companion for those lonely Roo+Lake runs.
Here is an article on 'rules' for running with dogs
Robot - Pelican - Dog
This morning I got out for 30k on the bike @ just under 30kmph and will run lunchtime.
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| Don't disturb me - Its a recovery day! |
http://www.corporategames.net.au/qld/pdf/results/qcgresults2014.pdf
For the run results scroll to the last page. My victory was about 3mins.
17 May 2014
Corporate Games 10.14km 35;29 1st
That made it 6 wins from 6 starts!
Yeah OK not many runners runners in this but I'll take the victory thanks all the same
They started the 5 k and the 10k together which pleased me as staggering the two nearly always causes drama with the faster 5k runners or the faster 10k runners having to run through the others competitors. My aim was to run sub 35 and to "win" the 5k as well as the 10k.
Nearly managed both, hitting the front at the start and steadily pulling away from both fields. The courses is run on a cinder path alongside the river not very conducive to fast running. I went through the halfway in about 17:22 and the 10km just outside the track in 35:04, we finish on the track running 110m to the finish line. I'm happy enough with the time though seeing 34:xx would have been good for my first 10k in about 2years. I won by about 3mins and will go better on Tarmac. Due to run Gold Coast 10k where I've managed to score a seeded start (sub 34 Gawd help us !!)
Yeah OK not many runners runners in this but I'll take the victory thanks all the same
They started the 5 k and the 10k together which pleased me as staggering the two nearly always causes drama with the faster 5k runners or the faster 10k runners having to run through the others competitors. My aim was to run sub 35 and to "win" the 5k as well as the 10k.
Nearly managed both, hitting the front at the start and steadily pulling away from both fields. The courses is run on a cinder path alongside the river not very conducive to fast running. I went through the halfway in about 17:22 and the 10km just outside the track in 35:04, we finish on the track running 110m to the finish line. I'm happy enough with the time though seeing 34:xx would have been good for my first 10k in about 2years. I won by about 3mins and will go better on Tarmac. Due to run Gold Coast 10k where I've managed to score a seeded start (sub 34 Gawd help us !!)
13 May 2014
UK Masters half Mara rankings 1990
07 May 2014
The Hardened Correspondent!
Reevsey's comment following Minnippi was such a classic that it deserves full blogging rather than being left solely in the comments section!
"It is rare that this hardened sport's writer is moved to tears but it was difficult not to become emotional at a performance this morning of such sublimity , such tenacity and just such sheer raw courage that it is imprinted indelibly in the mind's eye of all who were privileged enough to witness it . This correspondent included . Of course the performance was owned by a person who needs no introduction on this blog . The man who made the humble Garmin a fashion statement . Countless millions around the world have traced the journey of this humble man from chimney sweep , to illegal alien to boat refugee and into our hearts all via Garmin connect . We have followed the adventures , trials and tribulations of this man , a pioneer no less , who has won our respect with a simple creed in life and a code of conduct which is to never forget your humble origins and always give of your best . The man known to us as Lord Garmin faced possibly the greatest challenge of his illustrious career today and responded as only champions can do. It was no secret that the knees this time were held together more with prayer than cartilage . His craggy features sun bleached and weathered . The hair a little thinner . A little greyer perhaps ? The torso a little more stooped than we remembered . Was Father Time ringing his relentless bell ? For whom did it toll ? Our hero ? The opposition was formidable for sure . For the most part far younger . Others disoriented and eccentric but none the less dangerous for that . The crowd who had for the most part come to see their hero stood ten deep in places . The sound of a lone bagpiper set a solemn tone . The morning air crisp but humid with expectation . The race started as such races do . A flourish of arms and limbs jockeying for an inch of advantage . A bare centimetre that could prove crucial at race's end . For the better part the race went to script . Until that was at the 3k mark , when our hero faltered ever so slightly . A greedy pack were on his tail eager to exploit any hesitancy . The heart was strong but was that slender slither of cartilage enough to hold out for one last time . The crowd looked on expectantly. Were they witnessing the demise of a champion ? Was the unthinkable about to become the unendurable ? Then a remarkable turnaround best captured by Lord Garmin himself when he related the incident to a hungry world media pack after the hysteria of the race had died away and tears wiped away . His Lordship takes up the story . " With a k to go I was shot . I realised my reign as world park running champion was drawing to a close . I could feel bone grinding on bone. The age graded pack circling in for the kill . Than for an instant I glimpsed the face of one of my countless supporters who had been camped out for days in those bitter fields of toxic waste and rotting mangroves. He was wheel chair bound and clutching a pathetically worn out Mr.Garmin doll . His face contorted in disbelief that I might lose . Tears welling in his eyes . I knew I had to find something . Not for myself but for those who believe in the Mr. Garmin story . The little people . Those who age grade in single digits . I had to do it for them ." Of course history now shows that our hero did find something . The results now etched in history. That slender fraction of an age graded percentage point that determines the great from the soon to be forgotten . For the record there were others in the race . A motley crew of pretenders . History will soon forget them . Minor actors in a play dominated by a giant of our times . Will we ever see his like again ? Probably not . He ascends into the ranks of the immortals . Those whose deeds grow taller over time with the telling of their story . More and more will claim to have been there that day and witnessed it first hand . Such is the stuff of legends . Some men leave us with memories others leave us with a legacy . All hail the GTrain . All hail the conquering hero . Will we see his likes again ? Probably not ."
A super piece of writing Pete, very funny and much appreciated!
As for me, Winter has well and truly hit North Lakes! I was out yesterday in a long sleeve top that wasn't long enough to pull down onto my fists so my hands froze and it felt like I froze too but still ran 4;18's for 10.6. This morning I wasn't going to get caught again and wore a beaney on my head, compression tee shirt and a collared long sleeved jersey that I was able to pull over my hands! 4;19's for 10.6. Running Lake+Roo because it is pitch dark when I set off about 5;20am and have the benefit of street lighting around the lake before I hit the unlit section of Roo.
I have bought a cheap TT bike to see if it makes any difference to my speed. No point in spending thousands if the benefit is zilch and I ditch the idea of competing!
Appreciate that I need to do more cycling mileage as well.
"It is rare that this hardened sport's writer is moved to tears but it was difficult not to become emotional at a performance this morning of such sublimity , such tenacity and just such sheer raw courage that it is imprinted indelibly in the mind's eye of all who were privileged enough to witness it . This correspondent included . Of course the performance was owned by a person who needs no introduction on this blog . The man who made the humble Garmin a fashion statement . Countless millions around the world have traced the journey of this humble man from chimney sweep , to illegal alien to boat refugee and into our hearts all via Garmin connect . We have followed the adventures , trials and tribulations of this man , a pioneer no less , who has won our respect with a simple creed in life and a code of conduct which is to never forget your humble origins and always give of your best . The man known to us as Lord Garmin faced possibly the greatest challenge of his illustrious career today and responded as only champions can do. It was no secret that the knees this time were held together more with prayer than cartilage . His craggy features sun bleached and weathered . The hair a little thinner . A little greyer perhaps ? The torso a little more stooped than we remembered . Was Father Time ringing his relentless bell ? For whom did it toll ? Our hero ? The opposition was formidable for sure . For the most part far younger . Others disoriented and eccentric but none the less dangerous for that . The crowd who had for the most part come to see their hero stood ten deep in places . The sound of a lone bagpiper set a solemn tone . The morning air crisp but humid with expectation . The race started as such races do . A flourish of arms and limbs jockeying for an inch of advantage . A bare centimetre that could prove crucial at race's end . For the better part the race went to script . Until that was at the 3k mark , when our hero faltered ever so slightly . A greedy pack were on his tail eager to exploit any hesitancy . The heart was strong but was that slender slither of cartilage enough to hold out for one last time . The crowd looked on expectantly. Were they witnessing the demise of a champion ? Was the unthinkable about to become the unendurable ? Then a remarkable turnaround best captured by Lord Garmin himself when he related the incident to a hungry world media pack after the hysteria of the race had died away and tears wiped away . His Lordship takes up the story . " With a k to go I was shot . I realised my reign as world park running champion was drawing to a close . I could feel bone grinding on bone. The age graded pack circling in for the kill . Than for an instant I glimpsed the face of one of my countless supporters who had been camped out for days in those bitter fields of toxic waste and rotting mangroves. He was wheel chair bound and clutching a pathetically worn out Mr.Garmin doll . His face contorted in disbelief that I might lose . Tears welling in his eyes . I knew I had to find something . Not for myself but for those who believe in the Mr. Garmin story . The little people . Those who age grade in single digits . I had to do it for them ." Of course history now shows that our hero did find something . The results now etched in history. That slender fraction of an age graded percentage point that determines the great from the soon to be forgotten . For the record there were others in the race . A motley crew of pretenders . History will soon forget them . Minor actors in a play dominated by a giant of our times . Will we ever see his like again ? Probably not . He ascends into the ranks of the immortals . Those whose deeds grow taller over time with the telling of their story . More and more will claim to have been there that day and witnessed it first hand . Such is the stuff of legends . Some men leave us with memories others leave us with a legacy . All hail the GTrain . All hail the conquering hero . Will we see his likes again ? Probably not ."
A super piece of writing Pete, very funny and much appreciated!
As for me, Winter has well and truly hit North Lakes! I was out yesterday in a long sleeve top that wasn't long enough to pull down onto my fists so my hands froze and it felt like I froze too but still ran 4;18's for 10.6. This morning I wasn't going to get caught again and wore a beaney on my head, compression tee shirt and a collared long sleeved jersey that I was able to pull over my hands! 4;19's for 10.6. Running Lake+Roo because it is pitch dark when I set off about 5;20am and have the benefit of street lighting around the lake before I hit the unlit section of Roo.
I have bought a cheap TT bike to see if it makes any difference to my speed. No point in spending thousands if the benefit is zilch and I ditch the idea of competing!
Appreciate that I need to do more cycling mileage as well.
 |
| Pete's 91.01% age grading went unrecognized in the Australian Rankings this week but safe to say he finished 2nd of the 8000+ runners who took part this week. |
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| A disinterested Con, Dave Scroop, Pete, Me, Barry (wearing a Man City top!!) |
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| The Garmin Lama award! |
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| Lucky I ran a second quicker than Reevsey or my finger flick would be embarrassing! |
03 May 2014
Minnippi parkrun 1st 16;27
A fantastic day for us old timers at Minnippi Parklands this morning. What a race!
In the end the age grading came down to less than a second separating me from Peter Reeves also known as Reevsey or PJ and The Robot!
Good conditions, cool but a little windy on the first K (a slow 3;16) as I headed out into the lead with Peter Bracken tucked in behind me. After a KM of path we turn left onto the lakeside path and run clockwise around. I felt OK but not comfortable by any means, Peter Bracken was with me till about 3k when I must have eased away. That 4th K is always a killer and I suffered. After completing two laps around the lake we head back the way we came. I recognised I was overstraining and beginning to tie up so consciously tried to relax but the thought of Reevsey straining every last watt of energy into his effort kept popping up in my head making me strain once more. Over the bridge (4K) and looked at the watch 13;15 meant I could take it home under 16;30.
Great runs by all contributed to what we think was the best overall parkrun age grade group which should include Phil Davies 10th around 85% but bar scan failure will require manual input.
Special thanks to Barry and Olga for hosting breakfast and sponsoring the awards.
That will be a hard act to follow!
Results are here;
http://www.parkrun.com.au/minnippi/results/latestresults/
I will post photos later.
1st km 3;15.8
2nd km 3;21.6
3rd km 3;20.5
4th km 3;18.3
5th km 3;11.0
In the end the age grading came down to less than a second separating me from Peter Reeves also known as Reevsey or PJ and The Robot!
Good conditions, cool but a little windy on the first K (a slow 3;16) as I headed out into the lead with Peter Bracken tucked in behind me. After a KM of path we turn left onto the lakeside path and run clockwise around. I felt OK but not comfortable by any means, Peter Bracken was with me till about 3k when I must have eased away. That 4th K is always a killer and I suffered. After completing two laps around the lake we head back the way we came. I recognised I was overstraining and beginning to tie up so consciously tried to relax but the thought of Reevsey straining every last watt of energy into his effort kept popping up in my head making me strain once more. Over the bridge (4K) and looked at the watch 13;15 meant I could take it home under 16;30.
Great runs by all contributed to what we think was the best overall parkrun age grade group which should include Phil Davies 10th around 85% but bar scan failure will require manual input.
Special thanks to Barry and Olga for hosting breakfast and sponsoring the awards.
That will be a hard act to follow!
Results are here;
http://www.parkrun.com.au/minnippi/results/latestresults/
I will post photos later.
1st km 3;15.8
2nd km 3;21.6
3rd km 3;20.5
4th km 3;18.3
5th km 3;11.0
Pete's consolation for the day was setting a parkrun Australia M60 Cat record!
01 May 2014
"Reevesy used to be a runner in Ipswich and everyone knows him,"
Serenely running along in the dark this morning when at about the 4km mark a tickle in the back of my throat caused me to start coughing and cough I did for about a km - must have swallowed a fly without knowing it. Had to stop and drink. All was well. Cruised around the dampened paths of North Lakes holding myself back slightly to conserve what, I am not sure, but hoping to give my all at the Minnippi parkrun on Saturday.
Peter Reeves remains the out and out favorite to take 'age grading' honours as he routinely runs 94% on the track. I hope to keep him honest but will be pleased to limit the losses to 3% or under.
Peter is a colourful character read about the day he won over $6000 here;
http://www.qt.com.au/news/pj-masterful-to-snare-gift-peter-reeves/1370259/
He won the $3000 handicap prize plus he won $3000 at the bookies backing himself!!
No wonder he was crying!!! $6000!!!
Peter Reeves remains the out and out favorite to take 'age grading' honours as he routinely runs 94% on the track. I hope to keep him honest but will be pleased to limit the losses to 3% or under.
Peter is a colourful character read about the day he won over $6000 here;
http://www.qt.com.au/news/pj-masterful-to-snare-gift-peter-reeves/1370259/
He won the $3000 handicap prize plus he won $3000 at the bookies backing himself!!
No wonder he was crying!!! $6000!!!
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