The White Kenyan - Christopher Froome

Yesterdays stage was the most dramatic so far in the Tour with so many 'highs and lows' ! Please excuse the pun!

Froome does all the donkey work for Wiggo and still manages to outperform him on yesterdays stage! Here they drop Cadel

The stage was all about the domestiques Christopher Froome 'The White Kenyan' and TJ Vangarderen (Tejay) the American who both outshone their Team Leaders Wiggo and Cadel!
Things really got interesting on the  second climb of the day (The Madeleine and the Croix de Fer, which is tackled via the Glandon,) after a breakaway had escaped and then TJ attacked and escaped the Wiggo group, you knew BMC were setting things up for Cadel to attack and when he did I yelled out in excitement which I never do watching hours of Le Tour coverage!
Cadel exploded away caught TJ and then they tried to work together to increase the gap to Wiggo.
Only Cadel wasn't strong enough to keep up with TJ!
The attack maxed out at 20secs which was exciting enough! 
It proved Wiggo did not have the explosive power in the mountains that say the likes of the Schleck's have or Lance or Contadore had! 
In fact I  never remember seeing Cadel attack like that though Mckenzie and Tomilaris reminded us about The Worlds a couple of years ago when Cadel attacked and won!


The work that the Sky team put in all day specially Rodgers, who is riding with such vigor this year, was amazing.
Eventually  the only 'trusted lieutenant ' left for Wiggo was Christopher Froome and he steadily worked his way back to Cadel and TJ before they crested the Glandon.
On the last ascent - La Toussuire - Les Sybelles,
you knew Nibali would attack and you knew Cadel did not have the legs to survive 
so you feared the worst!
When Nibali did finally attack with about 12km to go it was very impressive , he gapped Wiggos group and the excitement just built and built.
But it was the White Kenyan - Froome who steadily worked Wiggo back up to Nibali and in the process dropped Cadel.
TJ stayed with his teamleader even though he was clearly capable of riding off the front on the day.
Then we saw the moment that told us The White Kenyan is a future Tour winner!
Froome attacked and gapped Wiggo and Nebali with such ease that Wiggo got left stranded  on his own until the call came over the radio for Froome to stop and wait for Wiggo.
So what an insight  into future winners of the Tour this stage provided.
Next year Froome but he might have to be in another strong team as Wiggo is without doubt a hugely strong performer and has the edge on TT.

Tomblaine / La Planche des Belles Filles Froome show his power on the toughest section on monster wall!


Tejay at 23 years of age will assume team-leadership at BMC as Cadel will retire and should be capable of winning the Tour within two years!

TEJAY

Wiggo and Nibali showing respect for each other

The Case of Jack Wiltshire and England's Brave John Terry

This section from the Fiver had me laughing over my tea this morning, as my convalescence away from work is coming to a finish and all those late nights watching tdf will now have to be managed on only 4 hours sleep!

I have mentioned the Fiver before but if you like your English football there can be very little funnier and to get some of the jokes perhaps you have to a regular reader.

So to set it up a little for you The Fiver away's portrays UEFA European footballs governing body as gluttonous incompetent non footballing 'officials'.

ANOTHER BUSY DAY FOR UEFA? YOU BET

Euro 2012 having ended over a week ago, and the functionaries' closing banquet having concluded a few hours ago, Uefa wasted no time this morning taking decisive action on the burning football issues of the moment: with minimal ado, the governors of Europe's most popular sport resolved that, what the heck, at their next meeting they shall have

both winter and summer truffles!

Before breaking for a pre-elevenses snack, delegates also passed motions enshrining pineapple juice as the mandatory tenderiser for wild boar and outlawing the poaching of swordfish, which should instead be sautéed or seared in a hot pan. In the Crouch-thin window between elevenses and the pre-luncheon repast, the tireless officials even found time to address The Case of Jack Wilshere, featuring one of the most dastardly acts of gambling-related football villainy since Nicklas Bendtner wore underwear with a bookmaker's name on it.

We say "since" but in fact Wilshere's depraved act occurred several months before the Dane's Y-frontery. Back in December 2011, the Arsenal midfielder, who at the time was convalescing from an injury that was supposed to be healed in a couple of weeks, took to Twitter to preview his team's Big Cup tie with Olympiakos and tip Emmanuel

Frimpong to score a goal, observing that at 150-1 his team-mate was "worth a cheeky £10".

After the match he returned to Twitter to reassure folks that: "I didn't actually bet on the game. I know we're not allowed to! I was only messing, just to be clear." But that was not enough to escape the wrath of Uefa, who, seven months on, sprang into action. "We confirm that the player has received a warning by Uefa's control and disciplinary body," belched a Uefa wonk today, who, some time between dessert course one and two, may also announce that another federation has been fined two and six pence for racist chanting by thousands of fans. The Fiver, therefore, will continue monitoring Uefa's website, where in keeping with the current climate of our struggle to fill your daily football email, the top story is currently an interview with Joey Gudjonsson about football and "family dinners".

Jack Wiltshire coincidentally putting one past Olympiakos

Now another bit of background EBJT stands for England's Brave John Terry - which is, shall we say- tongue in cheek! ? Anyhow EBJT committed the ultimate sin in team sport of having an affair with another player's (Wayne Bridges) wife/girlfriend.

Presently EBJT (I think Fiver used to call him EBALJT - England's Brave and Loyal John Terry but for obvious reasons shortened it) is currently in court in London accused of racially abusing another player (Anton Ferdinand - Rio's brother) during a match QPR V Chelsea. The Fiver provides Quotes of the day and in this edition they provided two and this is the one that had the tea I had just gulped gushing back out of my nose as I laughed at EBJT punch line! But let me also explain that CPS Lawyer means Crown Prosecution Service Lawyer.

QUOTE OF THE DAY II

CPS Lawyer: "Are your domestic circumstances, whatever happened with [Wayne Bridge's partner] a no-go area?"

EBJT: "Clearly not."

CPS Lawyer: "You are respected in the football community, aren't you?"

EBJT: "I'd like to think so."

EBJT (yes crying!)

Thank You Garmin

The strap on my Garmin405  had broken so I was carrying it in the back pocket of my cycling jersey. So as I scrapped along the ground it took some of the force certainly saving my skin from greater damage and who knows what protection to the exact vertebrae it might have also provided? Though it wrecked the watch as previously mentioned I could still hear it beeping in the ambo as I was carted off to hospital , even pumped with 2.5mg of Morphine I was lucid enough to ask the paramedic to pass it to me ( I was in a neck brace!) and  was able to 'stop' the session, save it and even later managed to download it!

I told Garmin about the accident and they very generously sent me a brand new Forerunner 410 (retails at $399). I was thrilled to bits when it arrived and was able to set it up as the functions appear to be very similar to the 405. It comes with the option of two Velcro replacement straps which I think for us skinny wristed runners  offers versatility and the new softer style  heart rate monitor looks an improvement on the harder older one. Of course it is still going to be a while before I get to use it (training) but can't wait!

Thanks again Garmin!

New World Record M40 1500m

Congratulations to ANTHONY WHITEMAN V40 who at the BMC Grand Prix in Stretford UK on the 8 July. Broke the V40 World, European and British Masters 1500m record running 3:42.02. The World and European record was held by Vyacheslav Shavunin of Russia with 3:42.65 set in 2010, and the British record was held by Ron Bell with 3:53.8 set in 1987. 

Gold Coast 10KM Results 2012

The 10KM has always been my favourite and this years results threw up some tremendous performances so he is my little recap.
First Place 17 year old Toowoomba Queenlander Patrick Tiernan! 30:34 !!!!!
I have stated before on this blog that this kid is going to go a long way - what a star 
what a performance young man, to win the GC 10KM at 17 is blo0dy brilliant many congratulations and looking forward to seeing you go from strength to strength.
I think Hugh Williams is local, well done to Darry Crook from Ashgrove Rangers - 3rd place!
Matty Carlsson has risen to new heights 31:34 and 6th place!
Nic Cope, Gary Tiger Howard's young charge running 31:49 at M40 9th place I mean seriously great performance. Young Sunnie Coast runner Kieren Perkins (Yeah why did his parents do that to him?) 32:46 for 18th, and Aristo Zenonous 32:53 was running similar times on the track to me over 3 and 5 prior to my injury. Shouldn't forget to mention marathoner Lisa Weightman superb 32:17 getting in some pre Marathon speed work.
Click image to large it!

Superstar Patrick Tiernan

Here are the M40's

Nic Cope

Onto the M45's and first place went to my local (Deception Bay) runner Greg Webster. Greg has been running for years and his legs have probably taken a hell of a battering and to win this age cat is fantastic reward for serious work. I've notice how he is improving his 5km time at the New Farm parkrun week in week out! congrats on your 34m56 which I'd say is a recent best performance and Greg is probably about to swap up to the M50's anyday soon.

Greg Webster

The winner of the M50's was Francis Mahony - well done mate brilliant work. It wasn't until recently when I was looking up some Triathlon and Duathlon results I noticed that Francis is one of our (Australia's) top guys and saw he gained selaction for the World Duathlon's in Europe in September?

And yes all my recent bike riding has made me think about having a crack some day!

Matty Phillips told me that 3rd place M50 Barry Broe is Coordinator General for my employers - a brilliant run sir and total respect to you! Maybe you me and Campbell can go for a jog down George St when I'm better?

Francis Mahony

Barry Broe, lean mean sprinting machine, I'm going to be keeping a close look out for him!

Here are the M55's

Peter Reeves

Peter Reeves know I have the upmost respect and admiration for his achievements as well as his knowledge and experience and always helpful advice. So what a thrill for me to see Peter taking out the M55's in a cool 36:17!! Well done mate chuffed to bits for you!

Second placed Peter Lyden came all the way from Tassie and is a very serious Masters star.

If you know of any performances that deserve a mention please feel free to comment.

I 'borrowed' the results from Gold Coast Marathon site and all results are on the tiktok site here

Gold Coast Marathon festival Mens Masters Half Marathon results

OK here are the top 22 guys in the race;
I know Harry Summers is a young las so well done to him on a terrific performance, it goes without saying that Adams is a class act.
It is good to see Queenslander Alistair Stephenson really coming back to form in years gone by he was a seriously talented World Class Miler and 65:46 is great running, I think he won the Sydney Half a few weeks ago?
Aaron Pulford 67:42 desrves mentioning!! Good to see young Jay Twist trying the longer distance for a change.

Here are the M40 Half Results

Here are the M45 Half Results

Here are the M50's, well done Peter Hallinan in winning your age Cat! Second place World Class 800 and 1500m track star John Jago all the way from Tasmania!

Keith Bateman is injured and just 'jogged' around (for him) pacing Clair Gerathy so well done Don Grieg because you got the scalp of a multi World Record Holder!!

Here are the M60's results - again apologises for not adding the women or all the age groups but please feel free to add comments about anyone you feel deserves a mention who I have missed?

Gold Coast Marathon festival Masters results - Marathon

Here are the top 22 in the Mara and huge congrats to Ronnie's son Jonathan for being first Aussie home in 5th place, as first Queenslander he should win a prize to a sister marathon in Japan. 
I'm guessing it was his début Ronnie if your there any comments on what he thought about it?
Just missed out on sub 2h20 fantastic performance.
My Sydney mate Tommy Highnam ran a PB 2h34.00 and if you can claim your net time 2h33.59! Brilliant running Young Tommy - sure your pleased to be included in my Masters wrap!
Congrats to Mat Skate on his 2h36.43 and top M40  Rowan Walker - he continues to plough out some superb performances 2h21.19. Click images to large them!

Here are the M45-49 Mara results

I was really pleased that my mate from the Sunnie Coast David Scroope won the M50 division! Not sure how he felt about the time but I think it was a terrific performance mate. Age Cat winners get trophies sent to them after the event and I really treasure them.

The first M55 was Martin Schot in 3:06:35 but what about Yoshihisa Hosaka first M60 in 2:52:26 !! an outstanding effort sir! Do any of my Japanese readers know if this is the guy that set a WR about two years ago (I know I should just Google it!)

Sorry I haven't got space or time to put the ladies results or the other older guys results up but your sure welcome to comment on any you think deserve singling out!

Next up we'll look at the Half Mara.My thanks to tiktok for their excellent results that I am reproducing here in the hope that they don't mind if 10 of my mates read them here as well as here

"Aint nobody got no time for that!"

Even Better the remix is just classic, love it!

Dreadful

Feeling absolutely dreadful today, I had the worst constipation ever brought on by the drugs I have been taking. I was stuck in the toilet trying to pass a tree! It was moving and I was in agony I nearly passed out, what a palaver!
Had to call the wife, she a squeamish at the best of times,  She ran down to the Chemist to get these mini enemas, the first one didn't work as I think it just squirted straight out with no loosening effects, the second one I managed to administer whilst lying on my bed. Stayed still for a few minutes then felt Etna erupting, ran to the toilet and had to push I believe as hard as a lady giving birth! 
The pain was out of this world but managed to get the plug out followed by a gallon of liquid $hite, 
oh the relief! still feeling $hite but at least feeling I can live again!
Natalie was not too sympathetic she said after the birth of our 4th (Lily) she didn't go for a week!
My trouble was I wanted to go but couldn't push it out! It was like stuck there, I won't go further into the really gory details but I'm not taking those drugs again Chri$t almighty the pain was just not worth it!
Have a good weekend and hope I didn't spoil your lunch!
Cheers

Bruised Ar$e

Here is an update on my accident.
The gravel rash has largely gone but I do have one area that is still weeping!
The bruising is coming out quite nicely and seems to be heading down my crack!
The cuts on my elbow, knees and legs are scabbed up nicely.
Sorry if any of these photos put you off but they are good for recording the healing process.
My thanks go out to all the kind words people sent both on facebook and here on the blog.
Can you believe Pete Magill ([Royalty as far as I'm concerned] took time to send a message!)
Thanks all of you and I am going to love telling my blog the comeback trails and tribulations!

In the meantime, two weeks off work means two weeks of watching the Tour de France live on TV!
How exciting has it been? 
Of course early doors at the moment, it is all set for the sprinters but some of those uphill finishes have proved quite challenging. Peter Sagan is sensational don't you agree?
Wiggo and Cadel are playing 'cat and mouse' at the moment, can't wait for the time trials and the mountains. I'm in heaven watching it all and it allows me time to forget about the pain in the ar$se!

Nearly my Memorial Drive

I had Friday off work and took the opportunity to get out on the bike in beautiful sunny conditions, 21oC but a little windy in certain sections.
I was riding hard trying to complete my 28KM 3 X Cadel loops in around the hour (28km per hour) which considering the ups and downs and stops and starts is a top effort for me.
About 1 and 3/4 laps into the ride, I'm at one of the fastest sections of the lap having down a hill and into Memorial Drive where the road surface is superb and the contour great for some hard pushing at bottom gear.
I approach a mini (medium) roundabout where I'm going straight ahead, I see a white ute/van approaching the roundabout from the left, moving pretty quickly 
- surely he is going to break? 
I have right of way ! 
This is my view as I approach the roundabout.

But he does not stop or break at all and comes straight out as I'm almost upon him.
I'd guess he was doing about 50kph.
He came from my left (same position as the silver SUV) and must have been intending to go straight ahead.

I have no time to break but probably must have managed to turn the handlebars to the right to avoid a head on smash and instead collide into the side of him. I was doing 40kph.Click on the graph below for a better view. I had the auto pause on so about 4 secs after I came to a halt the Garmin would have stopped and you can see where I highlighted my last speed 40.4kph - of course the 100kph that follows is me in the ambulance heading down the Bruce until I managed to retrieve it and switch it off.

I remember thinking is this really happening to me? as I'm flying sideways towards the central reservation. I landed pretty much on my ar$e but collected scape wounds to my left knee, right knee, left elbow but mainly to my lower back/bum. 

I hit the tarmac aprox the light shaded circle and crabbed to the grass to the right.

I came to a heap in the road (Memorial Drive!!) and concious of being in the middle of the road crabbed my way to the grassy area in the central reservation.
I through off my helmet and felt blood in my back, but was relieved to feel full sensation in my limbs.
I got lots of assistance from bystanders to which I'm eternally grateful and thankful for human kindness. Ambulance was called I was tended by a 'Angela' a trained First Aid medic who rightly stopped me from trying to move.
The driver was 'shaking like a leaf' in total shock and apologising and saying he just didn't see me. It seemed at one point that he might require an ambulance himself!
I had my Garmin in the back pocket of my cycling jersey - it got smashed but I was still able to down load the session! I could hear it beeping in the ambulance presumable as the satellite reception was lost and found. It could well have protected my backbone from damage but I now have a Garmin indent pattern in my back!! I got the paramedic to pass me the watch and I manage to stop it and 'save' the session!
It reminded me of those tee shirts.

Another bystander collected my bike which I have yet to see but am not expecting to be able to ride as I was told both wheels got mangled.
Both local hospitals were full and turning people away so fortunate to have private cover I got dropped into St. Andrews in the city and was seen immediately.
A CT scan proved no broken bones, the doctor said the haematoma (bruise) was a type that could calcify and remain with me as a lump for the rest of my life.
Nurses Doctors Porters Ambos were all fantastic and looked after me with such care and attention I felt like a charlatan - not quite worthy of such attention.
The nurse (Heather) dressed my wound and took a photo which I posted on facebook!! I was feeling fine but just as Natalie arrived to pick me up I went downhill! I thought I was going to puke I got a very hot sweat and I'm told the colour drained from my head. I slumped onto the reception desk dislodging a telephone as my wife was waving at me through the doors to come get into the car (so she wouldn't have to park up). Instead the nurse wheeled me back into triage rooms onto a bed and raised my legs - my blood pressure had fallen through my boots probably as a result of all the meds!
Got home and again thought I was OK but went through another sick spell and so had to give 'Friday night Footy and beers' a miss and head to bed! I had an uncomfortable nights sleep, and am pretty sore still today. It will be a while before I can assess the damage potential running damage as I'm not too mobile. I can say I have hurt my left quad probably bruising yet to come out.
Of course this weekend is the Gold Coast Marathon Running festival with the 10KM this morning (havent check out the results yet), good luck to all doing the Mara and the Half tomorrow - wish I could be with you ; - )
Here is Heather's photo from the triage table - Mind the crack!

Zombie Jazz

I'm sure I mentioned my love of the Walking Dead before, just saw this video on You Tube where there is a marvellous time lapse sequence set to a jazz track showing the creation of 'The bicycle Girl' zombie (Glad I havent seen one like this out on the dark mornings during my rides!!)
Be warned this is truly gruesome viewing don't watch if your offended by such.


This is Hannah's storey.

Lily Nicole

Lily won her school year 800m three weeks after winning her school year cross country! Very proud mum and dad.
(typed this on blogger app on my touch! much easier method of posting)

Slowly slowly

I have 6 weeks left of my post lithotripsy recuperation to go!
I have felt there has been some improvement, first thing in the morning still sore but not as bad as it was. Through the day too it has improved but I do notice when I run for the train or run to catch the green light pedestrian crossing in the city my heel reminds me I'm still recuperating.
Again I remind myself that the Masters athlete's body takes so much longer to recover!
Still cycling nearly every day and that is helping me compensate for no running mentally and physically. I have only put on about 3kg which is amazing as not racing means I am eating and drinking much more.

Queens Silver Jubilee

Back in 1977 to celebrate The Queens Silver Jubilee I ran a 3000m , must dig out the result but I know I finished 2nd as I won this Thomas Fattorini medal! I ran 8:59 , I was 15years old and had run 8:44 earlier in the summer. It was 7th August,I raced 29 times April through end Sept.

Anthony Whiteman 40years old runs Mile 3m58:79

Anthony Whiteman ran the mile in 3m58;79 last night in Nashville USA.
Eammon Coghlan ran 3m58;15 indoors aged 41.
This run goes nicely with  M40 WR 800m 1m48.28 he set running the Loughborough International Meet on 22nd May 2012
Results here.
Enroute Anthony missed the M40 WR for 1500m by 1/100th of a second going through in 3:42.66

He runs for Shaftesbury Harriers on the track in the UK.

When I sneeze

This is a thing about me you might not know.
When I sneeze, I shout out ARSENAL!
Why ?
Back in the day Eric and Ernie had this catchphrase where Ernie would cough and Eric would shout Arsenal! - I dont know why they did it but to this day I adapted it to every sneeze
ahh,  ahhh, ahhhh aaaARSENAL!
Check out at 2min48 into this sketch they did their take on Mastermind with Magnus Magnusson.
My younger Brother Tim ( A United fan) also does the Arsenal sneeze!

いち に さん し

White Man in Brixton
One of my favourite concerts was Kraftwerk at the Brixton Academy I cant recall the year but I remember I had my bosses BMW for the weekend and drove my mates down to Brixton. The show opening blew me away, dry ice clearing to reveal the four robots at their keyboards. More dry ice and the robots turned into the guys! Very limited movement, no between tracks chat, and no smiling!
Very Teutonic!
This track taught me to count up to 8 in about 6 languages!

The post title was a comment on You Tube - I dont know what it means but was hoping it meant Eech Nee San Chee in Japanese.

Personal Best Cadel X 3 by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

Personal Best Cadel X 3 by brizzygooner at Garmin Connect - Details

The dips to zero are probably where I'm stopped at traffic lights - I set the Garmin to auto pause, which lags.

Training to 27th May 2012

Ryder Hesjedal

Not much blogging recently! 
Probably because I'm pi$$ed at being injured.
I have just finished my 4th and last course of lithotripsy and have been advised not to run for 10 weeks!
Can you imagine it, 10 more weeks! 
At this stage I am seeing no improvement in the heel but I am hoping that the agitation caused by the lithotripsy is stirring things up and now the bodies natural healing processes come into play and slowly turn things around. I shall give it 4 to 6 weeks and see where I'm at. Might make a call then if no improvement to seek out an alternative remedy. If I'd had known at the outset that I'd be required to not run for 10 weeks after the treatment I might have sought an alternative.
In the meantime I have been continuing to cycle nearly every day. 
Like my running I am into routine and cycle a safe 28km each morning. The course has some elevations which I work very hard on. My morning cycles average about 24kph and my weekend afternoon spins are about 27kph. 
I challenged myself to get around the course in bottom gear the whole way which required some Herculean effort on the up hills, but managed it OK. 
I have not been chicked for a long while but maybe getting up at 4.30am I'm managing to avoid the serious competition.
I feel I am really getting into my cycling,I have just bought 3 new cycling tops, new lights and serviced my bike. Have been enjoying watching the Giro when I can and hoping to see Ryder Hesjedal make some more moves in the closing couple of stages.
Ryder could not have a better name for cyclist!

Pete Magill; 15:11 for 5K at Age 50

Pete Magill continues to show the World he is No.1 as he breaks Mike Blakemore's days old USA M50 5000m Record! Click the above link for the Runners World article.