Friday 31 March 2017

April coaching plan

Posted by speedygeoff on Friday, March 31, 2017 with
In April, pending weather and other considerations when adjustments will be made, here is a plan.

The speedygeese will revert to some kinds of hill sessions and some longer training sessions on Mondays and Thursdays. April is stuffed full of holidays and marathon recovery days; despite all that we are not missing any sessions. It will be darker with no daylight so headlamps may be required. It will be cooler so winter clothing may be necessary. And participants have the option of doing their own thing. But as for me, I am organised, let's go!

Mon 3 AprilhillsThu 6 Aprillong intervals
Mon 10 AprilhillsThu 13 Aprillong intervals
Mon 17 AprilhillsThu 20 Aprillong intervals
Mon 24 AprilhillsThu 27 Aprillong intervals

Thursday 30 March 2017

Camouflage cats

Posted by speedygeoff on Thursday, March 30, 2017 with
From https://youtu.be/K9GTvCc0PnM



(I don’t get it, where are the cats?)

Wednesday 29 March 2017

Speedygeese training summary

Posted by speedygeoff on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 with
Thursday 23 March Parliament House Giles/Brendan/Jen/Isaac/me running oval 200s.

Sunday 26 March Stromlo Forest Park - cancelled

Sunday 26 March Long distance group: An action-packed Speedy Geese long run with a relatively cold start this morning. Nine starters, leaving from Lyons Shops at 7.30am, including guest visitors Shane and Scully, who appeared to be joined by an umbilical cord. All nine finished except Giles, who tripped over a dog at 22.9k and hit his head on the concrete. He didn’t look very happy about it, mostly because he was 100m short of his 23k and wanted to keep running, plus he forgot to turn his Garmin off straight away, as the blood poured from his head, so his average pace was 5 seconds/km slower. He was happy that it happened near the end of the run though. Ewen’s ambulance service came to the rescue and Giles now looks a lot better, with 6 stitches and a black eye.

Distances covered were Ewen and Mhairi 14k (which obviously wasn’t enough for Mhairi, as she was doing hill repeats up Mount Taylor while we drank coffee – mad Scot); Shane & Scully 14 (I think); Giles 22.9; Jen and Sandeep 23; Jacob 25. Dave did a 19k warmup starting at 5.45am and completed 43.3km. With 13 runs over 25k in 10 weeks, including 4 marathons in the past 4 weeks, he's hoping he is ready for a first ever 50k ultra.

Monday 27 March Parliament House. Speedycoach was recovering slowly from surgery so had a day off; the group ran 3 person relays then celebrated Isaac’s 13th birthday. Present were Ruth, Cookie, Colin, David W, Ewen, Isaac, Jen, Jennie, Pieta.

With myself and Giles temporarily out of action, sadly illness has also caught up with Sarah-Jayne and she had to scrap plans to run the Buffalo Stampede ultra.


Watching sports programs, I keep seeing Sarah-Jayne on TV all the time. She is more famous than the rest of the speedygeese put together!

Tuesday 28 March 2017

All the recent speedygeese race results

Posted by speedygeoff on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 with
CBR48 marathon 17 March
Peter Thomson 3:58.29

Lake Tuggeranong Stakes 6k 21 March
3. Peter Thomson 31:31
6 finishers

AMRA Black Mountain Run-up 2.6k 21 March
6 Craig Wurtz 18.07
8 finishers

YCRC Summer Series #8 Stromlo Forest Park 5k 21 March
cancelled

ACTVAC Track 23 March
cancelled

Customs 5k 24 March
Colin Farlow 18:52
Peter Thomson 21:55
Craig Wurtz 24:05
Ewen Thompson 30:17
17 finishers

Ginninderra 5k parkrun #255 25 March
18 Andrew Simpson 21:12 M45
23 Brendan Belcher 21:38 M30
52 Bron Sparkes 24:26 W40
72 Jacob Miller 26:00 M11
74 Kevin Miller 26:07 M35
121 Ruth Baussmann 29:42 W65
141 Gary Moss 31:53 M70
147 Stephanie Sabadas 33:10 W25
208 finishers

Gungahlin 5k parkrun #180 25 March
17 Giles Lamb 20:22 M40
55 Amanda Cook 23:44 W35
253 finishers

Burley Griffin 5k parkrun #42
25 March
32 Craig Wurtz 21:50 M50
121 Jennie Blake 27:59 W55 **New PB**
232 finishers

Tuggeranong 5k parkrun #214 25 March
2 David Clarke 19:21 M55
8 Peter Thomson 20:26 M55
16 David Webster 21:23 M65
46 Bronwyn Calver 23:20 W45
66 Ewen Thompson 24:24 M55
83 Pieta Smith 25:26 W40
324 finishers

Batemans Bay 5k parkrun #47 25 March
52 finishers

ACTVAC Handicap Stromlo Forest Park 8.0k 26 March
9 David Webster M65 35:05 82.6%
28 Ruth Baussmann W65 48:36 72.6
31 Peter Thomson M55 35:23 76.4
37 Craig Wurtz M50 40:10 65.2
43 Jennie Blake W55 48:26 66.5
52 finishers

ACTVAC Handicap Stromlo Forest Park 4.0k 26 March
32 finishers

Celebrating Isaac's 13th birthday


Monday 27 March 2017

power and passion

Posted by speedygeoff on Monday, March 27, 2017 with
Song of the week: Power and the Passion, by Midnight Oil
From https://youtu.be/6pKPNnk-JhE



http://www.midnightoil.com/midnight-oil-announce-the-great-circle-2017-world-tour/

Sunday 26 March 2017

Andrew S. at Ginninderra parkrun

Posted by speedygeoff on Sunday, March 26, 2017 with

Saturday 25 March 2017

Steph S. at Ginninderra parkrun

Posted by speedygeoff on Saturday, March 25, 2017 with

Friday 24 March 2017

Today's the day

Posted by speedygeoff on Friday, March 24, 2017 with
Hoping to be back to full training by Sunday!

Thursday 23 March 2017

RIP AJDH

Posted by speedygeoff on Thursday, March 23, 2017 with
Workmate, running companion, close personal friend.
So sad. Leaves loving wife, two daughters and their husbands, four grandchildren.
Passed away silently in his sleep.

Wednesday 22 March 2017

Speedygeese training summary

Posted by speedygeoff on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 with
Thursday 16 March Parliament House Giles/Brendan/Jen/Isaac/Jennie/me Rose Garden 200s

Sunday 19 March Stromlo Forest Park Andrew, me, Gavin (new), Matt (new) ran laps

Sunday 19 March
Long distance group from Parliament House. Dave reports: "A tough long run with Speedy Geese this morning - 21k warmup around LBG west and central basin from Parliament House starting at 5.35am, plus 17k with the Speedy Geese crew around Red Hill and 7k around LBG central basin (after losing sight of the others) to make 45k all up. Second last long run before the Canberra Ultra (50k). Felt like crap at the end after a big week (140k). Too tired to take any more pics. Susan and Jen did 16k, Bronwyn 18k, Giles 20k, Warrick 22k, Narelle 24k, Sandeep 25k and Jacob did 26k. Sandeep was bouncing around at the end like he could do another 10k. We regrouped for coffee in Acton, where Ruth joined us after her 34k solo and Richard met us with Mr D. Thanks for shouting the coffee and fruit toast Richard ;-) Perfect weather again.

Monday 20 March Parliament House in light rain we ran 25 minutes of relays on the longer loop from the Rose Gardens. Participating were Cookie, Andy, Colin, Dave, David, Emma, Ewen, Garry, Isaac, Jen, Jennie, Pieta, Ruth, Tom, Warrick; and I supervised.
After training, 15 of us enjoyed a dinner and drinks at the Yacht Club.


The speedygeese gathering for their long sunday run

Tuesday 21 March 2017

All the recent speedygeese race results

Posted by speedygeoff on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 with
Lake Tuggeranong Stakes 6k 14 March
3. Craig Wurtz 28:37
15. Peter Thomson 29:01
17. Ewen Thompson 35:25
17 finishers

YCRC Summer Series #7 Stirling Ridge 4.8k 14 March
8. Jennifer Bright W40 22:28
9. Isaac Muscat M14 22:29
11. Peter Thomson M55 22:58
15. Craig Wurtz M50 23:56
19. Ewen Thompson M55 26:46
29 finishers

ACTVAC Track 16 March
3000m
M55 Colin Farlow 10:40.45 81.8%
M50 Craig Wurtz 12:40.86 67.2
M55 Ewen Thompson 14:51.21 60.9
W65 Ruth Baussmann 16:38.34 74.0

800m
M55 Colin Farlow 2:26.57 82.8%
M50 Craig Wurtz 2:58.29 66.3

Spiral 7
10 Ruth Baussmann W65 16:23
11 Craig Wurtz M50 13:08
13 Ewen Thompson M55 16:46
15 finishers

Customs 5k 17 March
7 Colin Farlow 19:02
10 Ewen Thompson 30:11
12 Craig Wurtz 24:23
13 Giles Lamb 24:14
17 Peter Thomson 30:41
17 finishers

Ginninderra 5k parkrun #254 18 March
20 Brendan Belcher 21:15 M30
117 Ruth Baussmann 28:51 W65 *100th parkrun*
118 Geoff Moore 28:52 M65
193 Bron Sparkes 39:59 W40
234 finishers

Gungahlin 5k parkrun #179 18 March
22 Giles Lamb 21:25 M40
255 finishers

Burley Griffin 5k parkrun #41 18 March
22 Craig Wurtz 21:25 M50
209 finishers

Tuggeranong 5k parkrun #213 18 March
44 Bronwyn Calver 23:02 W45
59 Ewen Thompson 24:07 M55
157 Thomas Howieson 29:32 M11 **New PB**
202 Jessica Howieson 32:09 W10 **New PB**
203 Warrick Howieson 32:11 M45
338 Peter Thomson 70:47 M55
339 finishers

Batemans Bay 5k parkrun #46
18 March
31 finishers

Albert 5k parkrun #278 18 March
74 Amanda Cook 22:38 W35
360 finishers

St Peters 5k parkrun #268 18 March
16 David Clarke 20:20
184 finishers


Thommo running his 48th marathon - round and round the athletic track at the AIS, Friday night.

Monday 20 March 2017

Even better than the real thing

Posted by speedygeoff on Monday, March 20, 2017 with
Song of the week, from https://youtu.be/Yrch66gdjjk
U2 - "Even Better Than The Real Thing"



Sunday 19 March 2017

Marathon tips - first marathon

Posted by speedygeoff on Sunday, March 19, 2017 with
I usually give the following advice for people running their first marathon:

(a) Long term preparation. You probably need more time than you think to prepare for your first marathon. Deek said ten years; I ran my first after 13 years of running, the last two or three years more specific long slow distance then cross country racing. I think the problem is that people get sucked into seeing the marathon as an early goal in their running career, when it should probably be the culmination of a long and successful career racing shorter distances. As I often say, train for the marathon, but don't even think about racing one.

(b) Short term preparation. I advise that four months before any marathon, you should be comfortable already having built up to your longest training distances. Then in the last four months you can be more specific, doing shorter tempo runs and speed work while maintaining those long training weeks, doing a half marathon dress rehearsal 3-5 weeks before the marathon, and staying well.

(c) How many marathons? Once or maybe twice a year, maximum.

(d) Recovery. Don't stop dead after the marathon, jog! Get the body moving again as soon as practicable, and you will experience a better recovery. And don't ever race or do speed work the week after the marathon, however good you feel.

(e) The race itself. Pacing: My advice to first time marathoners is simply to aim to finish. Not too slowly, you don't want to be out there all day. Not too fast early, there's nothing worse than blowing up and having hundreds pass you in the second half. The best advice is to start off slow and steady and relaxed. After about 15k look at moving up in the field, still relaxed but with an increased perceived effort. After 30k, running with a determination to run strong for 5k. After 35k, throwing caution to the winds and charging towards the finish.

(f) Race plan: know the course; ignore the opposition, stay focused on your own performance, and quietly move as quickly and efficiently as your preparation allows. Despite what I said about aiming "just to finish", have a plan, and be flexible. Don't sprint to catch up if you fall behind; just revert to your planned pace as best you can.

(g) Time predictor: Everyone is different. You probably don't know how to adjust projected times for your circumstances until after you have run a few marathons. If you have established what your "time predictor curve" is, then the predictor becomes useful. For example I could subtract about 7 minutes from my marathon predicted time based on my 5k/10k/half times to get a more accurate prediction. And it is true that, knocking a minute off your 5k times, say, means an 8 minute faster marathon, if you are doing marathon training. So predictors are useful, but don't believe them!

In my early marathon days my plan contained: mnemonics for each segment of the race (All my races, whatever distances, I partitioned so that I could concentrate on one segment at a time); a few options in mind for race tactics (I was trying to win; such considerations you may not find necessary, or do you have a bitter rival you have to beat?); a checklist for the morning of the race (no attempt to sleep for very long; spaghetti breakfast 5 hours before start time, items to take, etc), and time goals for each segment, taking course and conditions into account.

It might be useful to say that for the last 7k I added times to what was on my watch, to calculate a finish time to strike for, I did that every kilometre until the end. Not worrying about what might have happened; looking ahead to what was to come.

But the first marathon had minimal preparation; after that there were real goals.

OK, I typed this off the top of my head. later I might review things I wrote years ago, and update this. Happy marathoning!


Margaret and I at yesterday's parkrun. Not even thinking about marathons any more.

Saturday 18 March 2017

Ruth's 100th parkrun

Posted by speedygeoff on Saturday, March 18, 2017 with
Ginninderra today:


Brendan towards the front


Bron towards the back


Margaret in between


Janene, me, Margaret, Ruth. At the finish


Janene, Ruth, Margaret.At the finish


Ruth and I running together: My warmup for the cooldown

Friday 17 March 2017

5th November 1978

Posted by speedygeoff on Friday, March 17, 2017 with
With the Canberra Marathon coming up, here is a picture of the leaders in the Canberra marathon on 5th November 1978.



Garry Hand (on the left) ended up 7th that day, and I ended up winning in what is still my PB.
Note that this was the last time Garry finished behind me in any marathon.
If I am ever to do a new PB it will be out of an airplane.

Thursday 16 March 2017

Snapper this Monday

Posted by speedygeoff on Thursday, March 16, 2017 with
Monday will be Garry's last day for a while ... so we are having our next speedygeese dinner on Monday 20 March at Snapper on the lake... 7:00pm straight after training. Those who attended last time enjoyed the venue!

A reminder about training:
>Every Monday 5:30pm at Parliament House
>Every Thursday at 5:30pm at Parliament House
>Every Sunday at 7:30am at Stromlo Forest Park, grass intervals, and
>On Sundays also at 7:30am, a large group of speedygeese are running very long distances. Different venues. Check "The Speedygeese Calendar of events" post at the head of the blog if you are interested.

and all welcome to Snapper, whether you get to training or not!

Some speedygeese who won't be at Monday's dinner...





They'd sooner stay at the ski resort in Breckenridge, Colorado

Wednesday 15 March 2017

this week's speedygeese training

Posted by speedygeoff on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 with
Thursday 9 March at Parliament House we ran Rose Garden 200s: Jen, Isaac, Giles, Sandeep running 12 on 2:30; Jennie, Steph 10 on 3:00; me supervising.

On Sunday 12 March at Stromlo Forest Park Andrew and I trained on the grass track as usual, while elsewhere the distance group report follows [thanks Dave]:
Every Sunday morning has been perfect for running at this time of year. Today’s Speedy Geese long run saw 8 starters, with 4 doing the 14k short course (Ewen, Susan, Bron, and Isaac) and 4 doing the 24k long course (Mhairi, Jen, Sandeep and me [Dave]). The long course was actually supposed to be 22k but we missed a turnoff that I didn’t know we were supposed to be looking for – the benefits of old age ;-). Sandeep and Dave did a warmup on the grass track, with Sandeep doing a total of 34k and looking strong at the end, and Dave added a lap of the short course to total 44k at 5:09 pace (happy with that). The practice run with Jen on Wednesday proved fruitful and we adjusted the course to avoid the bull and the construction sites and fences, although we still had a few surprises along the way, including cows that acted like bulls and an entire field covered completely in cow poo. Stromlo café had the pleasure of our company for the usual post run banter, although I was a bit miffed when they locked the door while we sat outside on the balcony… something to do with the wind apparently (not Jen’s). I thought maybe it was what was on the soles of our shoes.

Monday 13 March Parliament House Dave and Sandeep ran around in the distance, recovering from their Sunday by doing more of the same; I supervised; running Parliament House Rose Garden relays were Andrew, Garry, Colin; Ruth, Jennie, Jessica; Warrick, Andy, Ewen; and Tom.

Our group dinner after Monday training will be at Snapper: next Monday, 20 March.


Sunday runners ready for action

Tuesday 14 March 2017

All the recent speedygeese race results

Posted by speedygeoff on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 with
AMRA Mt Ainslie Run-Up 2.3k 07 March
8 Craig Wurtz 17.21
9 Peter Burke 18.46
12 finishers

Lake Tuggeranong Stakes 6k 07 March
1. Ewen Thompson M55 32:35
11. Peter Thomson M55 28:06
19 finishers

YCRC Summer Series #6 Boat House East 5k 07 March
15. Peter Thomson M55 21:43
19. Craig Wurtz M50 22:46
22. Ewen Thompson M55 23:57
24. David Clarke M55 25:03
31. Vanessa Palmer W45 26:13
48 finishers

ACTVAC Track 09 March
400m - Championship
Colin Farlow 1:06.43 77.1% 1st - M55
Garry Maher 1:21.64 72.3 1st - M70

800m
M55 Colin Farlow 2:39.43 76.1%

1500m - Championship
Colin Farlow 4:56.16 85.0% 2nd - M55
Dale Moore 6:18.60 66.5 3rd - M55

Customs 5k 10 March
Colin Farlow 19:08
Giles Lamb 21:51
Peter Thomson 22:30
Craig Wurtz 23:32
Peter Burke 23:49
Ewen Thompson 29:13
Caroline Campbell 29:59
18 finishers

Ginninderra 5k parkrun #253 11 March
22 Jacob Miller 21:32 M11
32 Geoff Moore 22:58 M65
42 Kevin Miller 23:34 M35
45 Bron Sparkes 23:54 W40
93 Brendan Belcher 27:08 M30
95 Stephanie Sabadas 27:21 W25
102 Ruth Baussmann 28:00 W65
196 finishers

Gungahlin 5k parkrun #178 11 March
52 Amanda Cook 24:14 W35
199 finishers

Burley Griffin 5k parkrun #40 11 March
25 Craig Wurtz 21:42 M50
82 Caroline Campbell 27:19 W70
115 Thomas Howieson 30:48 M11 **First Timer**
161 Jessica Howieson 35:31 W10 **First Timer**
162 Warrick Howieson 35:35 M45 **First Timer**
214 finishers
And I was suitably impressed that Vanessa Howieson ran her first parkrun, in 39:03

Batemans Bay 5k parkrun #45 11 March
56 finishers

Tuggeranong 5k parkrun #212 11 March
5 David Clarke 19:23 M55 #200
12 Peter Thomson 20:08 M55
36 Bronwyn Calver 22:29 W45
49 Ewen Thompson 23:32 M55
249 finishers

Dave’s 200th parkrun


Cool down with Thommo.

Queanbeyan parkrun launch will be on 29 April

Monday 13 March 2017

The Walk of Life

Posted by speedygeoff on Monday, March 13, 2017 with
Song of the week: "Walk Of Life" by Dire Straits
From https://youtu.be/kd9TlGDZGkI

Sunday 12 March 2017

55 years running

Posted by speedygeoff on Sunday, March 12, 2017 with
Today I complete 55 years of running.
That's 55 years continual membership of athletic clubs.
There are no plans to stop running soon.

Highlights from early days worth mentioning:
• May 1965 – winner SA Schools one mile track championships, 4:32.2, just before my 17th birthday.
• July 1978 – seventh in the National Marathon in 2:30.05 in “steam-bath” conditions, Caboolture, Queensland.
• November 1978 – winner Canberra Marathon, 2:26.58, a new ACT open record at the time.
• 1979 – ACT Distance Runner of the year.
• January 1984 – 3000m in 8:47.3, an AMA M35 Australian record which stood until 2015.

Current goals worth mentioning:
• May 2018 and beyond – run some sub 20 minute 5k races as an M70.
On current indications, this is achievable if I remain injury free.
Although given that the last time I went under 20 minutes was in 2008, this is a big ask.
As goals go, this is more than enough to think about for now!


Racing on the Woden grass track where I first broke 16 minutes for 5k. I went on to run sub 16 about 60 times, up until 1991. My fastest 5k track was 15:10.

Here's to many more years of running. Hic!

Saturday 11 March 2017

marathon training

Posted by speedygeoff on Saturday, March 11, 2017 with
From the volume of training they are doing, it looks as if Sandeep and Dave and Ruth are running the Canberra marathon in one month’s time.
Good luck!



And, should anyone want marathon tips, whether regarding preparation or racing, I can help. I have run a few. Maybe I will post some tips, of a general nature, in a later post. Or you could simply search my archives.

Friday 10 March 2017

Clarke and Dawe nail it.

Posted by speedygeoff on Friday, March 10, 2017 with
This week's Clarke and Dawe - so much truth in amongst the satire.
From https://youtu.be/gFsQTggdZzo

Thursday 9 March 2017

YCRC News: Canberra Half Marathon

Posted by speedygeoff on Thursday, March 09, 2017 with
YMCA Canberra Half Marathon – Saturday/Sunday 27/28th May.
The half marathon will be held on Sunday 28th May commencing at 8am from Lennox Gardens.  Entries are now open and the link is https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?E=23770
On the Saturday we will have a 1.6k Mini Jog for young children and a 5k Fun Run.  More details on these events later in the year.  Entries for the 5k and Mini Jog are taken on the day (Saturday afternoon 27th May).  Please note all finishers in the Mini Jog will receive a medal.

Half Marathon Training Group.   This group commenced on 25th Feb, and it is still not too late to join in.   If you have basic fitness and you want to run a half marathon then join this group. The group meets three times a week on Tuesday and Thursdays at 6.30am at Lennox Gardens and at 7am on Saturday at various locations.  To register for the training group go to https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?E=23494    on completion of the YMCA Canberra Half Marathon this group continues as the TTS Training Group.  This group meets on Tuesday and Thursday at Lennox Gardens (behind the Hyatt) at 6.30am and on Saturday around the ACT at 7am.  Turn up on a Tuesday or Thursday for more informationIF YOU CAN DISTRIBUTE FLYERS OF PLACE FLYERS IN YOUR WORK PLACE please let [the YCRC] know.

Wednesday 8 March 2017

A week of speedygeese training

Posted by speedygeoff on Wednesday, March 08, 2017 with
Thursday 2 March Parliament House we ran "Rose Garden 200s": Jen, Isaac, Giles starting on 2:30; Garry random; Ruth, Jennie, Steph on 3:00; me supervising.

Sunday 5 March Stromlo Forest Park: Andrew and I ran as usual on the grass track from 7:30am. Next week (the 12th) the distance group will be starting at the same time and location.

Sunday 5 March
long run: "Another great day to be out running on the hilly trails near Hackett with Speedy Geese. A smaller group today, with some out of town or rogaining. Starting at 7.00am, as usual, Ewen did the first loop (about 12k), Susan added part of the second loop, including the 2k continuous uphill to do around 16k, while Giles, Sandeep, Warwick and Dave did both loops (around 20k). Sandeep did some extra kms (while we drank coffee) to do a total of 30k. Had to drive him home because he couldn't walk ;-) Dave started at 5.30am and did 17.5k down to the lake and back before the others arrived, and completed 40km in total in 3 hours 36 minutes (happy with that :-) ). Finished off with water, grapes, banana, more water, coffee, raisin toast, more water and more coffee. Thanks for organising the course Giles."
[Report by Dave]

Monday 6 March Parliament House running 2 sets of 3 person relays, Andy, Christopher, Colin, Dave, Ewen, Garry, Isaac, Jen, Jennie, Rae, Ruth, Sandeep, Vanessa, Warrick participated with me supervising.

There will be training at Parliament House as usual on Canberra Day 13 March.
Our next group dinner will be at Snapper a week later on 20 March.

Pics from Sunday's Hackett run







Tuesday 7 March 2017

All the recent speedygeese race results

Posted by speedygeoff on Tuesday, March 07, 2017 with
Lake Tuggeranong Stakes 6k 28 February
4. Craig Wurtz 28:56
6. Ewen Thompson 32:52
9. Peter Thomson 26:43
20. Caroline Campbell 35:41

Ginninderra 7k handicap 28 February
9 Bron Sparkes 35.11
15 finishers

YCRC Summer Series #5 Barrenjoey Drive 5k 28 February
20. Craig Wurtz M50 22:15
26. David Clarke M55 24:27
28. Ewen Thompson M55 24:34
37. Mick Charlton M65 28:18
47 finishers

ACTVAC Track 02 March
400m
M55 Colin Farlow 69.38 73.8%

800m
M55 Colin Farlow 2:43.58 74.1%

Mile
M55 Colin Farlow 5:26.59 81.2%
M55 Dale Moore 7:46.07 56.9

Customs 5k 03 March
Colin Farlow 19:21
Giles Lamb 22:49
Craig Wurtz 25:25
Peter Thomson 26:08
Ewen Thompson 29:21
Caroline Campbell 33:15
17 finishers

Ginninderra 5k parkrun #252 04 March
24 Brendan Belcher 22:55 M30
32 Jacob Miller 23:42 M11
38 Kevin Miller 24:04 M35
43 Bron Sparkes 24:25 W40
46 Stephanie Pfohl 24:41 W40
155 finishers

Gungahlin 5k parkrun #177 04 March
105 Geoff Moore 29:56 M65
185 finishers

Burley Griffin 5k parkrun #39 04 March
27 Craig Wurtz 21:37 M50
96 Caroline Campbell 27:33 W70
208 finishers

Tuggeranong 5k parkrun #211 04 March
14 David Clarke 20:33 M55
46 Peter Thomson 22:45 M55
48 Bronwyn Calver 23:04 W45
84 Ewen Thompson 24:58 M55
112 Pieta Smith 26:29 W40
184 Thomas Howieson 31:24 M11
215 Jessica Howieson 34:17 W10
217 Warrick Howieson 34:18 M45
337 finishers

Batemans Bay 5k parkrun #44 04 March
26 finishers

YCRC Women’s 6k Jogalong 05 March
Caroline Campbell 36:54
Thea Zimpel 43:31
82 finishers

Announcing Queanbeyan parkrun launch 29 April

Let's all go and support Queanbeyan!

Monday 6 March 2017

song of the week...

Posted by speedygeoff on Monday, March 06, 2017 with
The song of the week is "40 Mark Strasse" by The Shins...
Because a new Shins album is being released very soon.

From https://youtu.be/fRSmhVLAEVo

Sunday 5 March 2017

You know you're a runner when...

Posted by speedygeoff on Sunday, March 05, 2017 with

Saturday 4 March 2017

A damp Gungahlin parkrun

Posted by speedygeoff on Saturday, March 04, 2017 with
Some funny stories today e.g. the two wearing tutus. And the runner who passed Margaret and said "Didn't I pass you earlier?"


Gwen and Ron


Margaret and I finishing


Cooldown chat with a runner's dad who was also cooling down.


Neil, me, Laurie, Carol, Ron, Margaret, Gwen.

Friday 3 March 2017

Will my next run be on Monday?

Posted by speedygeoff on Friday, March 03, 2017 with
No, actually.

But after today's late morning run, Garmin says recovery time 56 hours. I have two more long easy runs scheduled Saturday and Sunday! Saturday, a trot around Gungahlin, and Sunday a trot around Stromlo.

This is the same Garmin that tells me to move when I have been sitting down after a hard workout. Be consistent!

Then there will be an "Active" exercise class and a morning run on Monday, as well as Monday night training at Parliament House.

I wonder if "coach Garmin" will then prescribe a year off?


Exercise class participants doing a warm-up run near "Embrace" fitness centre on lake Ginninderra.

Thursday 2 March 2017

March training plans for the speedygeese

Posted by speedygeoff on Thursday, March 02, 2017 with
March is the last month with daylight saving, so I have scheduled training sessions appropriate to the season.

Parliament House: subject to change, my plan is to conduct zigzag relays or the like on Mondays, when there are sufficient participants and provided it's not too hot; and to resume Rose Garden 200s on a range of times on Thursdays. There is no plan in March to resume long intervals or hill reps.

Other: On Sundays I will continue at Stromlo Forest Park for anyone wanting a recovery run on grass, or a set of intervals of any length (anything from 100s to 2ks)

Saturday parkrun: Numbers of speedygeese turn up at Gungahlin, Ginninderra, Tuggeranong, and Burley Griffin. Queanbeyan parkrun is launching soon and I won't be missing that if I can help it.

And plenty of people doing longer runs together to take advantage of the excellent Canberra autumn climate.


Julie at the end of a long run with Ruth, before Julie returned home to Brisbane.

Wednesday 1 March 2017

Our latest week of training

Posted by speedygeoff on Wednesday, March 01, 2017 with
Our speedygeese training:
On Thursday 23 February Jen, Isaac, Giles, Steph S, and I ran small loops from the small oval at Parliament House – it was very warm.

Sunday 26 February Andrew and I ran at Stromlo Forest Park.
Meanwhile at the same time a report from others of our group who run long on Sundays… “Another perfect day for Team Speedy Geese long run. Starting at the Corkwood plantation at the Arboretum and heading off up Mount Painter, Bronwyn did 14k and Ewen 16k. Warrick and Susan finished up with 19k. Jen, Sarah-Jayne, Sandeep and Dave continued on around the Arboretum, with Jen and Sarah-Jayne finishing with 23k and Sandeep (who’s doing the Canberra Marathon in April) doing a respectable 25. Dave did 10k before the start and managed to thrash out a slow 36k all up (someone has started a vicious rumour that Dave is doing the marathon). Giles and Jacob [new to me] ran from home and back plus Mt Painter, with Jacob completing 25k and Giles pumping out 31. Most importantly, we finished off with coffee and cake (or similar) at the Arbo café. Thanks everyone and thanks Sandeep for the pics.” [and Dave for the report]

And on Monday 27 February back at Parliament House Ewen ran early; Dave just ran; I supervised, and running two sets of 12 minute continuous relays were Andy, Christopher, Colin, Ewen, Garry, Helen, Isaac, Jennie, Mick, Ruth, Sandeep, Susan, Tom, Warrick, and Emza (new).

Speedygeese Sunday group







I plan to advertise these weekly Sunday runs as information comes to hand, usually latish in the week. As for me I will have to stick to the soft grass at Stromlo Forest Park until my fitness improves.