and so this is christmas

Tuesday evening's Christmas Relay was the final event officially organised by the ACTCCC. Fittingly, club President Doug Limbrick was the last person to cross the finish line. Doug has worked tirelessly for the club since becoming President, a brilliant job despite the hostility he and the club have had to endure, and it was great to see his broad smile and to hear the applause as he finished the run.

Meanwhile here are some photos taken by Janene at the speedygeese Christmas party on Monday night. I am hoping more photos will surface soon...

Kym, Brett, Nadine, Bronwyn

Tony and his oven, Richard. The bread was the best, delicious!

Today is the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's assassination.

100% full

A couple of mountain running events coming up this week:

Fri-Sat	10-11 Dec	Coast to Kosciuszko 240 kms (NSW)
Sun	12 Dec	Black Mountain Challenge (ACT)

And a couple of birthdays:

Happy Birthday Joel Pearson, 27 years old today
Happy Birthday Rod Lynch, 51 years old today.

Candid Canberra #27:  Googong – the dam they said would never fill.


Richard tells me the spillway construction work had just been completed in time!

Tony and Chris Booth were wonderful hosts at the speedygeese Christmas BBQ last night. The venue was amazing. About 40 attended, and everyone enjoyed the freshly baked bread, and the lack of rain! Sadly I heard they are planning to sell up and move away during 2011.

Monday night training at Parliament House will return to normal next week, and continue right through the holiday period without a break.

Ruth

You too can look like this after a 12 week body transformation process. And having lost all that weight, if you fall on a soft furry animal while out running, you won't squash it too much. See Fun Times Abound!

everything is green

What's on this week:
Monday 6 December: SPEEDYGEESE CHRISTMAS BBQ. 6:00pm. No formal training.
Tuesday 7 December: ACTCCC Christmas Relays, Lennox Gardens. 6:15pm
Wednesday 8 December: BBQ Stakes Christmas Relay 5:30pm
Thursday 9 December: Vets @ AIS Athletics track
6:00pm 3000m
6:20pm 3000m walk
6:50pm 100m Daniels
7:00pm  800m HIGGINS (postponed from last week)
7:30pm 200m
7:45pm 10,000m
Friday 10 December: Customs 5k handicap 12:15pm
Friday 10 December: AACT week 6 T&F, 6:30pm
Saturday 11 December: Metro Runners, 8:00am at Acton Ferry Terminal
Sunday 12 December: speedygeese interval training, 8:00am at Stromlo Forest Park
Sunday 12 December: ACTCCC Black Mountain Challenge, 8:00am.

I have spoken to our hosts about the state of their property after all this rain, and today's BBQ at Pialligo is DEFINITELY ON: even if there is a shower or two between now and then, it will be OK. Only an extraordinary change in the weather now will upset our plans.

Roger

No he's not green but the grass is.

Candid Canberra #26

Even the fountains are green.

speedy street

Snapped by Louise. Somewhere in Victoria. I am flattered that she thought of me the moment she saw it.

Candid Canberra #25: Scrivener Dam.

Wet but still very speedy Emma.

slippery when wet

Speedy Ewen and Joan. Perfect match?

Soggy Andrew

Slippery Janene

ACT dams are now 100% full! It has actually stopped raining, enough for me to enjoy a dryish 16k along the lake cycle paths this morning. Although, the rain has just restarted again as I type this.

Keith Bateman M55 last night in Melbourne ran 10,000m in 32m28.7 just a second outside the World Record but a massive 70sec better the existing Australian Record and better even than the M50 Record which is 32m54.

Candid Canberra #24. The Cotter River defies attempts to build a new dam

Photos by Androo.

Work has stopped at the Cotter Dam.

That was yesterday. Here's a photo taken today.

Vets track was cancelled last night because of rain/floods.

It is still raining. It hasn't stopped raining since late Saturday.

What I have been watching: Just for fun., I watched the Young Ones episode called "Flood", which is still very funny after all these years.

My training has stopped because of the floods and blocked roads. I have cancelled Sunday morning's training at Stromlo. However I am going to attempt a run from Acton Ferry terminal tomorrow morning at 8:00am as usual!

Kathy Southgate at Weston Park last Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, the cricket is going as expected. Australia 3/2 early, in sunny Adelaide.

news from ACTVAC: new uniform singlets are coming !

Dear ACTVAC Members,
The MSSC has acted on your feedback and is negotiating with the chosen supplier.
Therefore we need a guide as to what to order. There is a 12 week lead time - these items will be available at the end of February. We are required to order a minimum of 30 singlets but will order more if demand is higher.
Therefore, if you are at all interested in receiving a new uniform singlet, please let us know, together with your approx size.
We hope that the new club singlets will appeal to all members and that they can be worn for both training and competing.
However, this notice is particularly important to members thinking of going to Nationals. To compete, you are required to wear a club uniform and old stock and sizes are extremely limited.
Please let us know:
* Whether you want a male or female cut.
* Estimated size (Small sizes are available from chosen supplier).
Please note, we will use this as an indication of numbers/sizes, not a commitment.
Please email your response to president@actvac.com by Saturday 4th of December 2010.
Member Services Sub-Committee

AACT results Saturday 27 November
3000m Brett Lynch 13:07.69

BBQ Stakes results Wednesday 1 December
Gary Bowen 27:31
Roger Pilkington 32.37
Helen Larmour 33.36
Caroline Campbell 39.05

Noeline and Garry at Weston Park

Candid Canberra #23: the disappearing bicycle lane

Lathlain St, Belconnen, where a cycle lane ends abruptly at a kerb. Another picture of this, complete with cyclist, was in today's Canberra Times. This photo by Owen.

Song of the week. Brooke Fraser “Who Are We Fooling?”

early bird entries close today for the Stromlo running festival

Stromlo Running Festival
Have you booked your Early Bird Entry for the 2011 STROMLO Running Festival? Early bird entry closes TODAY, 1st December. don’t miss your opportunity to save on your STROMLO Running Festival entry fee! Don’t forget that you can now enter individual events for the 2011 Festival.

Come to Canberra in February and put yourself to the test. How do your times/performances rate when you take in consideration your Age and Sex? Could you be the Australian Age-Sex Adjusted Cross Country Champion? Seize the opportunity to try and capture your share of $12,000 in cash prizes.

Have you got what it takes to be the complete the Percy Cerutty Challenge?

If you are one of the many who have already taken advantage of the early bird special price, we look forward to seeing you:
- competing in one or all of our 7 different running events
- camping at the Event Hub
- at the Pasty Party and Movie Night
- attending the numerous talks, seminars and presentations

So why wait, enter now via our secure online site at www.stromlorunningfestival.com.au and save money.

Early Bird Entry (1st October 2010 – 1st December 2010)

All Inclusive plus Camping and Catering: Adult - $155, Under 20 - $125, Family (up to four people) - $450

All Inclusive Entry: Adult - $75, Under 20 - $45, Family (up to four people) - $195

Individual Event Entries
Lightning Strike 30km: $40
Lightning Strike 11km: $25
Criterium Track Race: $10
Age/Sex Adjusted Cross Country Championship: $20
Mountain Run: $10
Orienteering: $10

The 2011 STROMLO Running Festival announcement:
February 18th – 20th
www.stromlorunningfestival.com.au

In 2011 the Stromlo Running Festival will offers the following events:
- Mizuno Lightning Strike 30km
- Mizuno Lightning Strike 11km
- Australian Age-Sex Adjusted Cross Country Championships (7.5km)
- Mountain Race (3.6km)
- Criterium Track Race (1.2km)
- Injinji Orienteering
- Welcome Run (6km)
- Sparke Helmore Corporate and Sporting Challenge (30 minutes)
- Primary Schools Challenge (20 minutes)
- High Schools Challenge (30 minutes)

The event will also incorporate other activities including:
- Pasta Party and Movie Night
- Festival Expo
- Guest Lectures on Injury Prevention, Training, and Nutrition
- Practical Training Sessions on Core Stability and Running Technique
- Affordable On-site Camping and Catering


Results Customs 5k 26 November
Yili Zhu 22.26
Bob Harlow 22.32
Caroline Campbell 28.35

ACTCCC Spring Series race 5 30 November
Stromlo Forest Park improvised course, about 5.2k?
12. Nadine Morrison W40 22:58
14. Brett Morrison M40 23:29
17. Bob Harlow M60 25:15
26 finishers


Annual Presentations after Sunday's Vets Handicap

And today, it is still raining.

it's raining trophies

Brett's gold medal

speedygeese featuring in ACTVAC's annual run/walk handicap awards:
AGE STANDARD COMPETITION - FRYLINK SERIES
2. Katie Forestier 82.24%

Emma, Ken, Katie

MULLINS AWARDS - THOMAS SERIES
Alan Duus

Inside information? Alan might explain how one wins the Mullins....

ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
Geoff Barker

Seems happy...

Candid Canberra #22: Cotter Dam progress

Build that dam before the rain stops falling!

Training report: In last night's rain Helen, Ewen & I ran 8.5k, then we were joined by Bronwyn, Craig, Jen, Jodie, Joel, Ruth, Tony & Yelena who voted to stay in the underground car park. They ran a warmup, about 12 short sprints, and a short cooldown. The highlight as is often the case was the sharing of jellybeans afterwards.

It's still raining.

qué será, será

What's on this week
Monday 29 November: Parliament House 4:30pm 8k jog; 5:30pm speedygeese interval training
Tuesday 30 November: ACTCCC Spring Series #5: Stromlo Forest Park 5k
Wednesday 1 December: BBQ Stakes 6k handicap, 12:15pm
Thursday 2 December: Vets @ AIS Athletics track
6:00pm 1500m steeple
6:20pm 5000m walk
7:00pm 60m
7:15pm 800m Higgins
7:30pm 200m Daniels
8:00pm short hurdles
8:15pm 3000m/5000m
Friday 3 December: Customs 5k handicap and Christmas BBQ, 12:15pm
Saturday 4 December: Metro Runners, 8:00am at Acton Ferry Terminal
Sunday 5 December: speedygeese interval training, 8:00am at Stromlo Forest Park
Sunday 5 December: ACTCCC Women's 6k jogalong, Westom Park, 9:00am

Monday training at Parliament House is always on, however bad the weather is. Let's hope it is not TOO wet outside or we will be forced to train in the car-park. See you there! I am not so sure about Tuesday's Spring Series run though, as I suspect the grass cross country track will be closed if this rain continues. So far our rain gauge indicates that over 60mm has fallen in our Holt back yard since Saturday night. More is forecast. Qué será, será.

I still haven't got over the novelty of all the rain we have had this Spring!

Candid Canberra #21: Trusses being erected on the new Tharwa bridge

rain and mud at Weston Park

This month's Vets Handicap results:
 28/11/10 at Weston Park 7.0k
2 Brett Morrison M40 31:16 68.1% GOLD
5 Mick Horan M50 33:23 68.5
6 Rachelle Ellis-Brownlee W35 33:24 68.9
7 Alan Duus M60 38:26 65.7
11 Kathy Southgate W50 29:13 92.4
17 Nadine Morrison W40 33:10 70.8
18 Helen Larmour W50 31:56 82.4
31 Geoff Moore M60 33:40 74.5
39 Rod Lynch M50 28:39 79.0
40 Warrick Howieson M40 35:00 59.6
46 Michelle Wells W35 31:37 73.4
49 Neil Boden M60 38:48 64.1
50 Craig Davis M40 35:47 59.5
57 Ruth Baussmann W60 39:44 72.7
58 Roger Pilkington M50 35:38 64.2
61 Emma Adams W40 34:02 69.0
66 Ewen Thompson M50 44:21 52.5
68 Andrew Matthews M50 33:50 67.6
71 Janene Kingston W45 37:38 64.7
83 Tony Booth M70 45:10 62.8
85 Geoff Barker M65 61:43 42.0
87 finishers

Weston Park 3.5k
8 Troy Steinman M35 15:19 64.1%
9 Ken White M55 15:28 74.1
10 Cathy Montalto W55 18:38 74.1
11 Katie Forestier W40 15:00 76.6
18 Leanne Steinman W35 21:26 52.0
19 Graeme Patrick M55 17:28 66.4
20 Noeline Burden W55 20:52 65.1
37 finishers

speedygeese race results

ACTVAC track Thursday night
3000m
M50 Rod Lynch 10:55.92 76.7%
W50 Kathy Southgate 11:21.79 90.9
W40 Nadine Morrison 12:09.93 72.5
W50 Helen Larmour 12:18.82 80.6
M50 Andrew Matthews 12:32.55 67.4
M40 Brett Morrison 12:42.08 62.0
M50 Roger Pilkington 12:49.02 65.9
M40 Craig Davis 13:16.14 59.4
M50 Mick Horan 13:19.84 63.4
W40 Bronwyn Calver 13:29.05 65.4
W55 Cathy Montalto 15:13.87 71.7
W60 Ruth Baussmann 15:19.41 73.3

100m
W40 Emma Adams 15.04 73.9%

1500m
M50 Rod Lynch 4:59.10 80.6%
M55 Ken White 5:09.44 82.7
M40 Brett Morrison 5:24.66 68.9
W40 Katie Forestier 5:26.80 78.7
M50 Roger Pilkington 5:40.88 71.3
W40 Amanda Walker 5:41.93 73.4
W50 Helen Larmour 5:51.81 79.6
M50 Andrew Matthews 6:03.00 67.0
W55 Kathy Sims 6:11.00 84.2
M40 Craig Davis 6:12.22 60.1
W40 Bronwyn Calver 6:12.56 66.6
M55 Graeme Patrick 6:20.00 67.9
M70 Tony Booth 6:45.00 72.5

400m
W40 Emma Adams 67.33 78.8%
M50 Rod Lynch 68.04 72.8
M55 Ken White 72.73 71.3
W40 Amanda Walker 73.82 72.6
W40 Katie Forestier 74.23 73.7

Spiral 7 Lap
2 Helen Larmour W50 12:18
3 Graeme Patrick M55 12:50
5 Kathy Sims W55 13:07
6 Brett Morrison M40 12:08
7 Nadine Morrison W40 11:50
8 Roger Pilkington M50 11:53
9 Ruth Baussmann W60 14:49
12 Andrew Matthews M50 12:35
15 Cathy Montalto W55 14:45
24 Rod Lynch M50 11:46
25 Bronwyn Calver W40 13:28
26 Katie Forestier W40 12:16
28 Emma Adams W40 12:37
30 Tony Booth M70 15:47
31 Amanda Walker W40 14:53
33 Ken White M55 13:45
34 finishers

Spiral progress Point Score
Men
1. Roger Pilkington 180
5. Brett Morrison 153
Women
1. Nadine Morrison 178
2. Helen Larmour 176
3. Bronwyn Calver 162
4. Ruth Baussmann 146

BBQ Stakes 24/11
Bob Harlow 27:49
Kerrie Tanner 30:59
Helen Larmour 31:29
Roger Pilkington 31:39
Caroline Campbell 39:05

NEW CANBERRA RUNNING CLUB

Dear ACTCCC Members

Many of you may be aware from announcements made at the ACTCCC AGM and at recent ACTCCC events that a new running club called the Canberra Running Club Inc has been established. In 2011 the CRC will take over the running program that would have normally been provided by the ACTCCC.

A group of well known Canberra runners took it upon themselves sometime ago to establish this new incorporated body. Now that the ACTCCC is definitely being wound up this new organization is very active in establishing the infrastructure needed to take over the some 90 events that the ACTCCC has been conducting annually for many years. The ACTCCC committee believes that this new club will be expertly managed and will have the capacity and expertise to deliver the types of activities that the ACTCCC has delivered to Canberra runners.

It was announced at the conclusion of the ACTCCC spring series run on Tuesday that the new club is now in a position to take memberships for 2011 and is encouraging runners to become a foundation member of this new club.

The ACTCCC committee would like to pass on contact details (i.e. name and address) but not personal details to the new club so that they may contact you directly with further information, including details about membership. If you do not wish your contact details to be passed on then please advise us by 3 December 2010 (secretary@canberrarunner.com.au). We would like to encourage all our members to support this new club as it is important to demonstrate the resilience of the Canberra running community and its important for the new club to have your support as soon as possible so that it has the resources to deliver events from early 2011.

ACTCCC Committee
26 November 2010

We're bringing legal action against the pigeons

last cross country run

ACTCCC Spring Series race #4 Black Mountain Peninsula 5k cross country.
17. Kym Chisholm W 21:36
18. Brett Morrison M40 21:50
21. Nadine Morrison W40 22:07
31. Geoff Moore M60 23:59
42. Janene Kingston W45 25:22
44. Ewen Thompson M50 25:33
46. Bob Harlow M60 25:44
49. Mick Horan M50 25:57
58. Mick Charlton M55 28:37
61. Ruth Baussmann W60 28:53
63. Caroline Campbell W65 30:40
68 finishers

I was pleased to run laps of ~8:05, 8:05, 7:50 on a tough little three lap course. Marty lapped me and finished fifty seonds before I crossed the line with a lap to go! But at least no-one else lapped me.

Great performances by Kym and Brett, especially after they had hammered out a hard training session up and down little hills and steps the evening before, and were feeling it in the quads.

DON'T PANIC! Spring Series race #5 is on next week. Tuesday, 6:15pm, Stromlo Forest Park (my favourite venue)

Candid Canberra #20: State Emergency Services training

vale...

Farewell to the ACT Cross Country Club. Last night's SGM unanimously decided that "ACT Cross Country Club wind up voluntarily". As I posted on Facebook after the meeting: "I have been with you from day one and today you were forced to disband. You have been the friendliest bunch of people to be found in the ACT, an inspiration for many to run along the path of health and fitness. Those who have tried to destroy us may think they have won, but they will never be able to stop us enjoying running together."

Farewell also to Otmar Dorfer, 3/10/32-17/11/10, long time member of the ACT Veterans Athletic Club, also of Orienteering and most notably skiing.

New Half Marathon
Events for 2011 are in place or in the case of an ACT marathon still being negotiated. Additionally there is a new half marathon in January! The date is Saturday 22 January 2011.

Check out the website here. As well as the half marathon, from Friday 21 thru Sunday 23 January, there are 2k, 5k, and 10k runs, plus swimming, triathlon, and aquathlon races, plus other Summer Festival events. Entries are now open.

How about the Speedygeese in the Dec/Jan issue of the R4YL magazine!

Speedygeese at Customs on 19/11: Bob 21.08, Yili 22.26, Bronwyn 23.19.

A speedygeese birthday: happy birthday to Richard Frost, 57 today.

speedygeese at Parliament House

It felt warm but it was only about 24 degrees, it's just that we are not yet accustomed to warmer weather. We shall be soon! We ran a loop of about 800m with three surges and three slower bits. Making about 400m of faster running, mostly up, and 400m of slower running, mostly down. This was repeated 5 times on 6 minutes. The best thing about the loop was it was in the shade, and out of the warm northerly wind.

Training were Abi, Andy, Brett, Bronwyn, Caroline, Christopher, Ewen, me, Helen, Jen, Jodie, Kym, Leanne, Maria, Neil, Ruth, Sarah (new), Tony, Warrick, Yili & Zainab (new). Also sighted running by were Joel & Yelena.

Tonight's Spring Series should be good: a tough little course on Black Mountain Peninsula, and a bit warm still.

The ACTVAC is asking all participants in the run/walk handicaps to put their names down for the 2011 roster asap.   Please email your choice to  fenotti@homemail.com.au. The 2011 handicap dates and venues are:
30 January at Campbell Park
27 February at North Curtin
27 March at Stromlo Forest Park
17 April at Majura
29 May at West Stromlo
26 June at Mt Ainslie
31 July at Blewitts Pines
28 August at Mt Taylor
25 September at O'Connor Ridge
30 October at Arboretum
27 November at Weston Park.

numbers

If you were born on 22 11 88 you are now 22...
Happy Birthday Toby Pearson 22 today!

If you were born on 22 11 66 you are now 44...
Happy Birthday Damian Rutledge 44 today!

What's on this week
Monday 22 November: Parliament House 4:30pm 8k jog; 5:30pm speedygeese interval training.
Tuesday 23 November: ACTCCC Spring Series #4: Black Mountain Peninsula, 6:15pm. Followed at 7:00pm by an update on club liquidation plans.
Wednesday 24 November: BBQ Stakes 6k handicap, 12:15pm.
Thursday 25 November: Vets @ AIS Athletics track
6:00pm 3000m
6:20pm 2000m walk
6:50pm 100m
7:00pm 1500m
7:30pm 400m
8:00pm 4 x 100m relay
8:15pm spiral 7 lap handicap
Friday 26 November: Customs 5k handicap, 12:15pm.
Saturday 27 November: Metro Runners, 8:00am at Acton Ferry Terminal.
Saturday 27 November: AACT track program 1.
Sunday 28 November: Vets Monthly handicap, 8:30am at Weston Park. Followed by annual presentations.

Note: The ACTCCC will be holding a meeting to discuss the liquidation process shortly after the completion of Tuesday's Summer Series Race at Black Mt Peninsula. It is expected that this will occur shortly before 7pm.

Note: This Sunday's Vets handicap has a start time of 8:30am.

Candid Canberra #19

The new Belconnen bus interchange

Sunday Training: Just two of us today, strange because Stromlo is a brilliant venue. Anyway, Ewen averaged a bit over 5 minutes per km for our interval session around the 1km loop, and I averaged just under (4.53). Needless to say neither of us did more than trot.

That's my first 80km week done since early May. I will try for 80k+ again this week.

adorable

Vets TRACK AND FIELD 18th November 2010
60m
W40 Emma Adams 9.34 77.7%

200m
M50 Rod Lynch 31.95 70.2
W40 Emma Adams 30.62 74.8%

Approximate splits in the 4x800m Relay
M55 Ken White 2.31
W40 Emma Adams ? probably around 2.40 (guess)
W40 Katie Forestier ? probably 2.40 – ish (guess)
M40 Brett Morrison 2.45
W40 Amanda Walker 2.46
M50 Roger Pilkington 2.55
W55 Kathy Sims 3.10
W55 Maria O'Reilly 3.28
W60 Ruth Baussmann 3.41

3000m
M50 Rod Lynch 10:56.27 76.6%
W35 Michelle Wells 11:37.81 74.6
W50 Helen Larmour 11:52.94 83.5
W40 Katie Forestier 11:53.23 76.6
M55 Ken White 11:58.09 74.2
M40 Brett Morrison 11:59.70 65.7
W40 Amanda Walker 12:40.46 70.3
W55 Maria O'Reilly 12:59.62 80.6
W60 Ruth Baussmann 15:10.70 74.0

5000m
M50 Roger Pilkington 20:44.95 70.1%
W40 Nadine Morrison 20:46.85 72.7
M60 Geoff Moore 22:23.14 71.3
M50 Ewen Thompson 23:54.55 61.8

BBQ Stakes 10 November:

Gary Bowen 27:30

Bob Harlow 28.06

Roger Pilkington 32.09

Kerrie Tanner 34.49

Caroline Campbell 39.07

I couldn’t resist sharing the following, from “the Athena Diaries”: http://athenadiaries.blogspot.com/. The author has lost 46lb (so far) through running, runs marathons and ultras and triathlons, and works as a diagnostician.  
 

Non-runners.  Last Friday, Sweet Baboo and I were emailing back and forth our weekend running plans.  My last email to him said, "I'm supposed to run 10 miles on Saturday and 8 on Sunday, but I'm going to run a couple extra on Saturday since we have that 11K on Sunday.

"I'm not sure why you're running so few miles," he replied.

Now, when I received this there was a young, new therapist in my office, and she heard me chuckle, and looked over my shoulder and read that line.  "What does he mean 'so few miles'?"

"Well, it means that I'm running only 18 this weekend, he's wondering why it isn't something more like 25 or 30," I said.

"That sounds like a lot of miles to me," she said.  And then (you'll love this) she tried to stage some sort of an intervention.  Which was ADORABLE. 

·         What was behind my "need" to run so much? 

·         Did I feel uncomfortable when I didn't run my scheduled amount? 

·         What did I imagine would happen if I didn't finish my full schedule? 

·         Did I feel less worthy if I ran less, or ran slower than I'd planned? 

·         What kinds of thoughts did I have before and after running?  Etc.

See what I mean? Adorable.

"Don't try to therapise me," I said.  "Save it for the kids. I'm comfortable with my obsession."

"Well, as long as you're comfortable," she said, in her very concerned, patient, I'm-wiser-than-you-at-age-twenty-six-even-with-far-less-education voice.