iPlod shuffle

Thinking about trail training runs v pavement training runs, I like trail running because (a) the surface is often softer (b) there are fewer or no mad cyclists to avoid (c) there can be more shade (d) the trail is usually more undulating which, to a point, can help build strength. But I also like pavement running for my long runs because (a) I run much faster (b) I can get into a good rhythm (c) the paths we run on have bubblers and taps (d) you race how you train, and marathon races are road races. But on reflection the main reason I avoid the trails is because on trails I plod, I shuffle, and if I lose concentration I have a tendency to fall, something I should not be doing as I age. Some of my peers have had several falls and it is not a pretty sight. The falls are usually but not always on trails. In the dark sometimes too, which is one of several good reasons why early starts in winter in Canberra are not an option. Best of all I like track because there are no bumps and cracks, although last time I wore spikes my shuffling was so bad at the end of a 1500m I tripped on the spikes and fell over the aluminium railing, damaging a wrist. However track is no good for long training runs; boring for a start, and the surface at Bruce hard on the legs. If I wanted to be bored I would take up race walking. If running started to bore me I would take up cycling, but that will never happen. I don't mind the cyclists on my long runs; I get to say hello to a lot more people when cyclists are about, even if only for a second at a time.

Why I won't become a cyclist: Reason #270

Running on Canberra' shared paths, I have found Canberra cyclists most courteous the last couple of Sundays. This hasn't always been the case in the past.

This week's training and racing
Monday 11 Jan Parliament House 4:30pm jog (6k or 7k?), 5:30pm interval training
Wednesday 13 Jan 12:15pm BBQ Stakes, I will be there this week heat and all, even if I only jog it, I missed going there last week. [edit: I may not go after all, my one compelling reason to travel over there has evaporated! We will see.]
Thursday 14 Jan Track (combined meeting)
5:45pm 3000m run (combined with walks) (this started 15 minutes late last week)
7:00pm 800m handicap (my guess is, handicapped on your estimated time)
7:30pm 200m
7:50pm 3000m/5000m. Obviously the start time depends entirely on how many divisions of the 200m have to be run. So let's hope there are lots! Although, the forecast for Thursday is 25 degrees, I don't know what that means for wind, rain etc. But hopefully the only cool day of the week means good conditions for racing 5k.
Saturday 16 Jan 8:00am Pialligo intervals - penultimate session
Sunday 17 Jan 7:00am I am running from the Zoo car park (next door to Scrivener Dam), 16k is the plan.

Christopher, Rachelle, and Victoria who ran her longest warm weather run yesterday, 17k, on the pavement around lake Burley Griffin.

McTaggart's the Man

Scott McTaggart won today's Cadbury Hobart marathon, in a new course record. Congratulations! 2:23, and I think second was 6 minutes back..

Jodie and Bronwyn ran the half; Jodie 2:26, Bronwyn 1:48.

Suze, Bronwyn, Jodie

Today I ran 18k+ around the lake with Charlie, Maria and Craig; great company. Twice we saw Victoria and Janene running together in the other direction. There is no doubt that I get fit much quicker when my long runs are on flat courses; long hilly courses are a waste of time, I cannot run nearly as far without tiring badly. 18k doesn't look like much distance I know, but this is only the start of a build-up which should extend beyond 30k in a couple of months all going well. It takes time to adapt to single long runs, that's all. The pace today was around 5:40s not counting the several drink stops essential on such a hot day. I fear 7:30am was not early enough for when the distance gets longer; I will have to make it 7:00am next time I think and see what happens after that. But there is no doubt that long runs on the flat are excellent for developing the rhythm and speed, as well as the endurance, for racing long and not-so-long distances.

Don't worry, I won't run too far too soon, I will work up to it.

heat wave

It will be ridiculously hot from now thru Wednesday, time to put up your feet?

Her feet are not a runner's feet, where are the blisters and calluses?

This morning at Pialligo Troy, Craig, Janene, Victoria, Tony, Maria & I ran ten short net-uphill sprints; five of them over about 140m, and five about 240m. We tried to focus on form a bit: picking our feet up as quickly as possible each step we took.
Afterwards I went to Liana's 7th birthday party before heading home.

My lovely wife is now on Facebook! Befriend her if you dare.

speedyJenny

Tomorrow (Sunday morning) Craig and I are meeting at the zoo at 7:30am sharp for a long run around Lake Burley Griffin. Join us if you wish. But don't leave it any later, it will be too hot. There are new bubblers around the lake, the loop is reasonably flat which suits me fine, and the pace will not be fast. And there is quite a lot of shade.

Don’t cry victim to me

Song of the week. Overcome, by Creed, from the album Full Circle.
"Don’t cry victim to me
"Everything we are and used to be is buried and gone
"Now it’s my turn to speak..."

Results BBQ Stakes 6 January; hot hot hot.
Katie 26:57
Gary 29:59

Results combined track meet 7 January

3000m (earlier)

Rod Lynch ~11:14

Yelena Pearson 15:14

1500m
M50 Rod Lynch 5:18.73 75.6%
M55 Ken White 5:19.13 79.6
W35 Rachelle Ellis-Brownlee 5:45.82 69.3
W40 Amanda Walker 5:47.76 72.2
M50 Ewen Thompson 5:54.69 69.1
W45 Janene Kingston 5:55.15 73.2 **PB**
M40 Brett Morrison 6:05.05 60.7
M70 Tony Booth 6:06.03 79.0
W40 Nadine Thomlinson 6:09.64 66.5
M40 Craig Davis 6:11.83 59.6
W40 Bronwyn Calver 6:17.90 65.0
M55 Graeme Patrick 6:25.21 66.5

3000m (later)
M60 Geoff Moore 12:12.15 75.4
W45 Janene Kingston 12:27.95 73.9 **PB by 22 seconds**
W40 Amanda Walker 12:45.70 69.8
W35 Rachelle Ellis-Brownlee 12:55.68 66.2
M40 Brett Morrison 13:07.23 59.6
M55 Graeme Patrick 13:11.77 67.3
M40 Craig Davis 13:13.80 59.1
W40 Nadine Thomlinson 13:16.66 65.9
W40 Bronwyn Calver 13:30.65 64.7
M70 Tony Booth 13:49.32 73.4

We're back on track for 2010. It was hard work battling the wind, and soreness made it twice as hard for me, so I couldn't do any Rachelle-like surges. But I hobbled to a 4:04 + 4:04 + 4:04 = 12:12 3000m, starting up the new year about where I left off the old. I still expect to run a minute faster if I can cure this achilles problem. And 1500m is definitely a better event for me but I dare not race such a short distance while injury is a concern.

No way! 

No! 2010 is the year I am going to battle on. "I'm entitled to overcome". No way will I succumb to the pain! "It's my turn to speak."

Whatever the weather

Janene, me, Heidi. Janene found her mojo on Thursday with successive PBs in the 1500m then the 3000m. It was certainly her turn to excel.

p.s. Much thanks to photographer Strewth for the speedygeese dinner photos currently illustrating my stories here. Janene as well. Me too. I have lost track of who took which photos!

We thought you was a toad

I have been listening to ABC 666 radio because my old friend Peter J Casey is on mornings this week. And he is very entertaining. He was challenging us to identify movie quotes. The "toad" line quoted by Peter this morning is one of many many funny lines from the brilliant Coens' movie "O Brother Where Art Thou?" My connections with Peter include (a) I used to work with both his parents (way back when I worked). Lovely people. I remember I bought a car off them once! (b) Peter was at the Canberra School of Music when my son was, both doing Jazz (Peter voice, Nathan keys) and worked together at times, e.g. both appeared on a CD they put down, "Mind Behind the Sky" I think it was called, with a jazz ensemble "The Throbs". He was a naughty boy even back then. (c) Much later Peter moved in next door to us, for a couple of years, he and his partner were the best neighbours. (d) And of course we have seen a show or two he has been in over the years, he is a talented cabaret writer and artist.

I was going to ask Melanie if she knew him, but given that they were on 666 together this morning, the answer is "yes"!

At the speedygeese Christmas dinner; guests Paul and Susan with Melanie. 

When you see Melanie next ask her if Canberra is still midway between Melbourne and Sydney. If you heard her on 666 this morning you will understand, it's a funny story!

My summer training plans

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
					8:00am (Pialligo) intervals	LONG RUN
	9:30am gym F4L Sue			9:30am gym F4L Hope
		12:15pm BBQ
4:30pm PH Jog
5:30pm PH intervals
	6:00pm Summer Series		6:00pm Vets

It took me a good half hour to format this table!
And I still havent got it right.
Alternatively, I could have simply done a Prt Scr from a word document, and created a jpeg from it:

This took me one minute flat. The moral is: if you want to include a table in a blogger post, create a jpeg of it.

More geese

Richard and my Jenny.

twelve drummers drumming

Monday's training exhausted me! Twenty hill sprints in the heat. Five of us ran early - Craig, Ewen, Miranda, Ruth, & me; then we were joined by Andrew, Bronwyn, Cathy, Jodie,, Kat, Leanne, Matt, Neil, Richard, Susan, Tim, Victoria, Warrick & Yelena for the hill session. Afterwards I staggered home and crashed.

Which speedygeese are on Facebook?
As interactive as this blog is, many speedygeese communicate via Facebook, which is more suitable for interaction, and great for photos etc. The list follows, with links. You may be surprised at who is there. I may have omitted any who may be concerned about privacy. I would be pleased to hear of any additions to the list.

speedygeese (present and recent) on facebook

Adam Robinson http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1308115440

Andy Matthews http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000500572183

Bob Harlow http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=604240605

Bronwyn Calver http://www.facebook.com/allrounder69

Carolyne Kramar http://www.facebook.com/carolyne.kramar

Christine Gates http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=522263451

Chris Lang http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1230726007

David Baussmann http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=762722807

Emily McLoughlin http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=799780494

Emma Adams http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1246875034

Ewen Thompson http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000514906922

Garry Maher http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=679590807

Geoff Barker http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1182352530

Geoff Moore http://www.facebook.com/speedygeoff

Heidi Johnston http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1033486294

Janene Kingston http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=546527369

Jennifer Bright http://www.facebook.com/coffeesnob1

Jenny Langton http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=653890518

Jill Pearson http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1031088521

Joel Pearson http://www.facebook.com/pearj

Katherine Sheppard http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=804521763

Kathy Southgate http://www.facebook.com/kathy.southgate

Kelley Flood http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1250059445

Ken White http://www.facebook.com/klb53

Kerrie Tanner http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1065015078

Lisa Wilson http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1502629514

Michelle Wells http://www.facebook.com/MarathonMichelle

Miranda Rawlinson http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1016983331

Nadine Thomlinson http://www.facebook.com/nadine.thomlinson

Noeline Burden http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1267595371

Roy Jones http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=763173710

Ruth Baussmann http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=762907231

Susan Sturgeon http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=568742058

Suzie Gye http://www.facebook.com/suzie.gye

Tim Calver http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=591639357

Toby Pearson http://www.facebook.com/pearsontoby

Yelena Pearson http://www.facebook.com/yelena.pearson

Yili Zhu http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=711756831

Zac Hearnshaw http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1032895378

Emily (from her Facebook page)

running off the Christmas excesses

This is how I feel after Christmas

What's on in week one of twenty-ten
Monday 4/01 Parliament House training - 4:30pm 8k jog, 5:30pm warm-up and interval session
Wednesday 6/01 12:15pm BBQ Stakes 6k handicap race
Thursday 7/01 Combined track meet at the AIS, including
5:45pm a 3000m run/walk combined
6:20pm 1500m runs
7:30pm 400m
7:50pm 3000m run
8:20pm steeplechase
Saturday 9/01 8:00am intervals at Pialligo

Yesterday (Sunday) I drove to the zoo and ran from there around the lake. I had my walkman in the car but forgot to take it with me on the run, didn't matter as there were hundreds of cyclists and runners to greet. I even met Craig going the other way! And he must have started even later than I did! I don't mind starting latish as there's shade for much of the circuit. Most Sundays I plan a similar run. If anyone wants to join in, let me know.

Craig, Michelle at the speedygeese Christmas dinner. Photogenic, aren't they? Both have been seen doing long runs in the last couple of days. (No, silly, they are not related)!

ten lords a' leaping

what’d I tell you?
CSM have again changed their refund policy in the last few weeks to include this.

“If any Event is canceled by the Event Organisers due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control or as a result governmental action, the Event Organisers shall have no obligation to refund my entry fee or any other cost I may have incurred in connection with such Events. Should personal circumstances arise that prevent me from participating (or completing the event), I accept that my entry fee is non-refundable.” - http://www.canberramarathon.com.au/default.asp?PageID=18697

Now aren’t you glad you didn’t enter the marathon?

New year Resolutions Take Two.
"2010 will be better than 2009" is what I implied my new year resolution might be, by default. Well it has started badly enough with the clause copied above appearing on the Canberra Marathon website. This is giving Canberra a really bad name, totally undeserved. So let's be more specific with my resolution.
"I will run further and faster in 2010 than I did in 2009".
There, that's better.
Now if only the lowlights would cease, all will be well.

Long Sunday run
I have decided that the only way my mileage will increase is if I reinstate a long Sunday run. Today's 15k is a start. Once it grows to a really long run, the benefit should be more endurance and the ability to sustain longer runs during the week as well, and it should all add up.

man sweat

Our weather has been coming down from the tropical north in the last few days. Today was our intense interval day and was one of those days where we wished the clouds would break out into a downpour of rain, but instead the sun occasionally broke through and baked us. Man sweat was experienced by all. It was a record turn-out for Pialligo, and with the promise of goodies and champagne after the session, all the regulars appeared and quite a few more. The training was the last of our 5x690 with 310 jog; I managed a quick time in the first, second, and fourth repeat but not the third and fifth. Most of the others also found it difficult to sustain an effort in the heat and humidity. Running were Craig, Heidi, Janene, Joel, Kathy, Maria, Tony, Troy, Victoria, Yelena & me. Chris and Hugh joined us afterwards in the shade for food and drink. We run at Pialligo for three more weeks (9th, 16th, and 23rd), and then the apple selling season commences so we move elsewhere.

Grandson Josiah

Jossie is having a football autographed by a Swans player. Jossie plays for the Tigers and barracks for the Magpies. Cousin Jarod who is a Swans fan will be mighty jealous. This photo or one like it might appear in the Canberra Times next time they have a junior sports section. Watch out for it.

eight maids a' milking

It’s the eighth day of Christmas already. Happy new year everybody. I don't make any fuss about new year, or bother to stay up, it's just another day really. I usually do mark the occasion by reviewing priorities and making any resolutions which subsequently emerge, but nothing much comes to mind this time. I usually do compare my progress in fitness, health, running and racing and reset plans for the new year, and this time I have to go back four years to make it appear that I have been marking time. 2009 was less than spectacular; the only highlights really were the two silver medals in February at the Australian Masters down in Geelong where I blitzed the cross country course and a few days later ran an OK 5000m on the track in 20.01, and in May the trophy for running the first and the fortieth Canberra Half Marathon. This is the race Dave Cundy is trying to steal off us. His antics are a 2009 lowlight we can well do without in 2010. Another lowlight was the decision by our Veterans club to retain that name despite the whole aged athletic world outside Canberra being known as Masters. It served to render me speechless, which as you know is a rare occurrence. There were more lowlights and they outnumbered the highlights. But this year will be better.

Marking time: my pathetic annual total kilometres for 2009
2006 3,803 kilometres weight 67kg > 64kg
2007 3,905 kilometres weight 64kg > 66kg
2008 4,059 kilometres weight 66kg > 65kg
2009 3,271 kilometres weight 65kg > 67kg

2010 will be better than that. I guess that’s a New Year’s Resolution. If so, it’s the only one I have.

First activity of the year: I will install Windows 7 as soon as I have backed everything up. Vista doesn't cause me any problems, but Windows 7 has a feature (yes, just one!) I particularly want that Vista doesn't allow.

Party on

See many of you at Pialligo tomorrow for our weekly run followed by champagne + nibblies. And as many as nine ladies dancing, I hope. I do like this time of year, Christmas, and I do hope the Christmas spirit lasts for at least twelve days. Longer would be good.

seven swans a swimming

The end of the noughties.

What do we call the decade 2010-2019?

Please NOT teenies, tweenies, teens, or tweens; those words are already in high use. There is no accepted name. Please start calling the decade “the tens” and it might catch on. 

Meanwhile, watch out for cameras in 2010

once in a blue moon

Approximately every 2½ years there is a blue moon - a second full moon in the same month - and tomorrow is one of those days. So if people are nice to you once in a blue moon, tomorrow's the day!

Today is the sixth day of Christmas. We are still eating Christmas pudding and mince pies. The corresponding "six geese a' laying" picture appeared on the 22nd (below).

I am getting some training in. But only just, and very slow. It's important to keep it up.

It's important to keep up, too....

Historical photo borrowed from a speedy Ewen.

five gold rings

Who exactly are speedygeese?
The form guide that appeared last Thursday included those who have trained with us regularly in the last three months or so; if you thought you should have been included you had better (re-)join us soon! My excuse is, if you run elsewhere I don't know what your form is like! Meanwhile, some geese are still goslings: you are a gosling if you run with us and (a) are under 30 years of age, although some over 30 still consider themselves goslings, and Jeni Greenland will always be a gosling; or (b) are a newcomer who has run with us once or twice. Three times and I declare you to be a fully fledged goose.

Names of "official" speedygeese and goslings I highlight here with pink bold!

The speedygeese training group caters for runners of all speeds. There is also a group of walkers who meet on Mondays where and when we do. So walkers/joggers/runners/racers of any standard are catered for. Never be deterred from joining in if you believe you are "too slow". And training is always fun, isn't it?

At training last night (a) we all admired Sheona's engagement ring (not to mention Tim's engagement ring), and (b) a good turn-out of Andrew, Bronwyn, Caroline, Craig, me, Jennifer, Jodie, Joel, Miranda, Ruth, Tim, Tony & Yelena repeated the Rose Garden Steps Relay we ran the previous week: 20 minutes of teams of two running two laps fast and one lap slow, repeated. Not a bad night, we ran in the shade and the temperature dropped somewhat by the time we started.

Meanwhile back here in Holt ACT we ended up with a total of 86mm of Christmas rain in our backyard. Very welcome.

elevater music
Music of the week: En Tout Cas are launching a single from their upcoming EP 'Dengue Fever' at The Evelyn, Friday 8th January. This month it was only $6 to see the Cas live. Just wait until they are popular! En Tout Cas trivia: When they first formed, their name was “elevater”.  I am tipping them to become totally famous. But nothing is certain in the music industry.

week 53

...approximately every six years there has to be a week 53... this is one of them.

Runners get a bit toey if there's no racing or regular training available during holidays. So what to do? Never fear, there is normal speedygeese training scheduled this week.

Monday 28/12 Parliament House 4:30pm 8k jog; 5:30pm interval training session.
Tuesday thru Friday are the fifth thru the eighth days of Christmas. Party on!
Saturday 2/1/10 8:00am Pialligo training, followed by a champagne breakfast... after all, it will be the ninth day of Christmas... and ladies will be dancing.
Sunday 3/1/10 9:00am Women's Jogalong - yes it is officially ON, low key, according to an email circulated recently.

three french hens

Good runners are never entirely happy with any performance of theirs. No matter how good. Good athletes are always seeking ways to improve and are willing to try a variety of new things to achieve that.

Here is a quote from the “Batterson Blog” today, the third day of Christmas, to reinforce this message.

"A few decades ago, a pair of psychologists named William Samuelson and Richard Zeckhauser discovered a phenomenon they dubbed the status quo bias. Simply put: most of us have a tendency to keep doing what we've been doing without giving it much thought.

"Ever been offered a free subscription to a magazine for the first year? Why would we be offered something for free? It’s because magazine companies understand the status quo bias. Most of us will forget to cancel. And it’s not really that we’ve forgotten. We’re just too lazy to make a simple phone call or write a simple letter. Right? That is human nature! We tend to keep doing what we’ve been doing. And the problem with that is this: if you keep doing what you’ve always done you’ll keep getting what you’ve always gotten.

"As we get ready to begin a new year, you need to challenge the status quo. I know there is nothing magical about a new year or a new decade. And not everybody has a resolution personality. But all of us need to make changes. Take some time to evaluate your life spiritually, relationally, physically, emotionally, and intellectually. What changes do you need to make? Is there something you need to stop doing or start doing? What do you need to do more or do less? Is there a choice you need to make? A goal you need to set? A habit you need to establish?

"Don't maintain the status quo. Challenge it"
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
I see that Mark Batterson highlights the same five areas of life I do. All five should be developed together; they are all inter-related. Go for it in 2010, take some risks, and never be fully satisfied!

“I'm not interested in athletics, I'm only interested in achievement. Fix your goal and work for it” – Percy Cerutty

62mm

Christmas Day saw 62mm of rain recorded in our back yard rain gauge. Good steady rain, too, just what we need after what had looked like being a record dry year. I also went for a long run in the morning and got thoroughly soaked. The other measurement: I haven't dared do this morning is to stand on the scales to see what I weigh! We did enjoy great Christmas food, wine, and company during the day. Indoors of course, but that was the plan anyway. And the rain has damped the street noise to a tolerable level by keeping the drunkenness across the road mostly indoors as well..

Catching up with BBQ Stakes results: last Wednesday Gary and I ran, with Gary recording 28:45 and me 31:55. There was extreme heat and my legs just would not go. No-one ran particularly quickly! Good run by Gary, and I think he came in second on handicap despite a slow time.
BBQ Stakes is having a rest day next week and will resume in the new year.

I have always formulated my New Year Resolutions by now each year, but this year I have just forgotten about it. I probably won't bother. Maybe this is an indicator of how content I am with everything. Sounds good, I will stick with that thought.

Movies: Haven't seen a lot of movies this year, but I should list the best movies I have seen in 2009 as I did for music albums.
1. The Boys Are Back
2. Burn After Reading
3. Coraline (3D!
4. Up (3D!)
I cannot believe that "The Boys Are Back" had such a short run. Surely when more people discover it, it will make a return in 2010?

Our Christmas continues today with eight of the grandchildren (and their parents) arriving for dinner and present opening. They all were at their other respective grandparents places yesterday. And of course the cricket starts this morning, much to speedyJenny's annoyance, she can't stand cricket. I on the other hand would not miss the Boxing Day test, it's often the cricket highlight of the year. Unless it is raining in Melbourne, of course.

Happy Christmas

Speedygeese Form Guide: December 2009 update

Amanda Walker: A four year old keeps her on her toes. Will keep improving now that she’s running on her toes.
Andrew Matthews: Runs with the Saturday group (see “Jennifer”) so is likely to run very fast in the future. Mostly on Saturdays, downhill.
Brett Morrison: Recently married (see “Nadine”) so his next life goal is to record a win over her. This will not be too difficult.
Bronwyn Calver: was rumoured to have a day off this year after a particularly torturous mountain race. I will believe it when I see it.
Caroline Campbell: has age percentages I can only dream of. Looks good to improve for the next thirty years or so.
Cathy Montalto: Still running long and fast despite distractions (see “Graeme”).
Christopher Lang: Allegedly runs on the track, but has only been seen there in suit and tie.
Craig Davis: pleasant running companion who should be the second biggest improver in 2010.
Emily McLoughlin : pleasant running companion. Who. IS. Improving. As fast as anyone...
Ewen Thompson: runs with the Saturday group (see “Andrew”) and the only time he has ever been slow was when he failed to enter the 2010 Six Foot Track in time. Will win one or two Vets handicaps instead.
Garry Maher: top sprinter, but a goose out of water when with us distance runners.
Gary Bowen: trains like there’s no tomorrow. Which there isn’t, perhaps.
Graeme Patrick: Has no choice but to keep running to keep up with certain others (see “Cathy”).
Heidi Johnston: Flogs the pants off us in training. Unbeatable.
Helen Larmour: Flogs the pants off us in training. Unbeatable.
Janene Kingston: Flogs the pants off us in training. Unbeatable. If these three were to get together and form a relay team in the next half marathon they would win easily! (Hint hint).
Jennifer Bright: Runs with the Saturday group (see “Ruth”) and has two speeds – sprint and stop.
Jodie Davis: R4YL pin-up girl.
Joel Pearson: still young, still fit, and still happy (see “Yelena”).
Kat Francis: bad luck boys, it’s too late she’s engaged.
Kathy Sims: relatively speaking the best female middle distance runner in Canberra, and continues to inspire.
Katie Forestier: in top form and improving. I have conceded that I cannot keep up with her any more. Especially when the starting gun fires.
Kelley Flood: terrible luck boys, too late, she’s engaged (see “Mick Horan”)
Ken White: still running very fast despite injury, an injury-free 2010 would see some great times.
Maria O’Reilly: still running very fast despite injury, gets the best age percentages of all, an injury-free 2010 would see some great times.
Melanie Tait: Newbie who I predict just might be the most improved in 2010.
Mick Charlton: quiet achiever, due for a couple of wins in the Vets handicap if he plays his cards right and picks his event (see “Ewen”).
Mick Horan: Luckiest boy in the training group (see “Kelley”). As a result, his brilliant form may become patchy.
Miranda Rawlinson: Likes to run when it’s not too hot. Likes to run when it’s not too cold. Biggest problem is that, in Canberra, it’s always either too hot or too cold.
Nadine Morrison: Recently married (see “Brett”) so her next life goal is to remain undefeated when she races him. This will not be too difficult.
Neil Boden: Long legs. Instant improver. Just add leg-speed.
Rachelle Ellis-Brownlee: Last year I predicted she would knock 30 seconds off her 800m time and 60 seconds off her 1500m time. I was right.
Richard Frost: newbie who will improve in 2010, and could challenge Mel and Craig and Andrew for the most improved. Not to mention Ruth. Or Emily. Or...
Ruth Baussmann: Runs with the Saturday group (see “Ewen”) and will improve. One day!
Tim Calver: He’s back! Bring on the coffee. Would be a serious challenge for Troy if they ever trained at the same time and place.
Tony Booth: the only runner (besides speedycoach) who is currently at every training sessions. And we love running around his orchard on Saturdays, much better than running up and down mountains.
Troy Steinman: Fastest runner in the group and currently running PBs. Will be the most improved in 2010 (or have I already used that line?)
Warrick Howieson: trains well but his form is unknown! He is a dark horse, then. Watch out.
Yelena Pearson: still young, still fit, and still happy (see "Joel").
Yili Xhu: hopes to get some consistent training in with us in the new year, and could improve too; actually anyone could be the biggest improver in 2010!
And me: uninjured, unfast, and unimproving, but just might find some form this year, if I keep coming to every session and keep trying to hang onto everybody else. And if I do, my plan is to become the most improved runner in the speedygeese training group. So there.

unyoung untall undark unhandsome

My guess is that everyone has their fair share of critics. As long as I expose myself to public scrutiny, I must expect a growing opposition who show in different ways their dislike and distaste. I'm surprised I don't have more critics than I do, but I have my fair share. Here is a simple rule of thumb: if you are a leader you will be criticised. If you have a sphere of influence of any kind, you will be critcised. If you are passionate about the things that count, you will be criticised.  What does count is how you handle all of that.

This year more than any other, I would say, I have been totally comfortable with myself and the stands I have taken, and have been immune to the critics, essentially ignoring them. I think if I were less secure I might have jumped up to defend myself, but I didn't have to.

"I'd rather be a film maker than a film critic." There are those who do, and there are those who criticise those who do. I'd rather be a doer than a critic, any day. Funnily enough, when I look carefully at critics, I often discover that the more critical a person is, the less they've probably done. Spending our energies criticising others is a waste of precious time.

Teddy Roosevelt: "It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood."

• I am more than happy to offend self appointed critics.
• I refuse to waste time defending my actions but am happy to own both my wins and my losses and move on.
• I know that an insult from a fool is actually a compliment and a compliment from a fool is actually an insult.
• I choose who I am accountable to and know that critics will also be held accountable for the criticisms they wield so easily and so quickly.
• I don't get into arguments. I avoid arguments and work toward win-win situations.

I have ended yet another year unyoung, untall, undark, unhandsome and am very happy with that. Criticism washes over me and is forgotten.

"Run hard, be strong, think big!" - Percy Cerutty

be tough, run hard, then rest.

Christmas: a good time to fatten up ready for the hard running to come...

Monday 21 December training
It is at least two years since we have run intervals on the rubberised paths and up the steps at the rose garden. Yesterday we ran on this path in teams of two, each runner taking turns completing two laps then jogging one. We went for twenty minutes because it was a bit too warm to do more. Participating were Amanda, Andrew, Caroline, Christopher, Debbie (new), me, Jennifer (left early), Joel, Kat, Katie, Rachelle, Richard, Ruth, Tim, Tony, Warrick & Yelena. We finished by doing a couple of undulating run-throughs followed by an ascent of the big hill. No sign of any of the real mountain tourers, they were all still recovering. As they should.

Tour de Mountain 20 December
25k run men:
40 Mick Horan 2.30.32
41 Graeme Patrick 2.32.09
52 Alan Duus 3.02.44

25k run women:
25 Janene Kingston 2.37.57
27 Catherine Montalto 2.43.22
28 Bronwyn Calver 2.48.40

17k run men:
20 Adam Robinson 1.57.28

17k run women:
2 Jeni Greenland 1.48.53

17k walk men:
1 Geoff Barker 2.23.03
2 Peter Hogan 2.31.01

Goose cull
I plan soon to "cull" my list of speedygeese, keeping in the list anyone who has trained with us or who has connected with us in the last 6 months (or so?). One or two people whose results I have kept may find themselves missing. It's not final; let me know if you want to stay "in"!

When I say "trained with us" there is every reason to extend this to groups I don't actually attend but which include mostly speedygeese. So let me know too if you know people I should add! I am all for decentralisation and delegation and sharing the load around.

Who is in the family?

Many odd people have run with us some time or either. Even people whose folks supports Geelong and Essendon, and live in Richmond.

Mick Horan. John Kennedy took this photo.

Even people with penguins on their shirts.

Ken White, Ray Bramwell, Graeme Small. I took this good photo.

abstinence

Plans this week
Monday 21/12: Parliament House training as usual, 4:30pm 8k jog; 5:30pm interval session.
Wednesday 23/12: BBQ Stakes 6k race as usual, 6k handicap
Otherwise it's Christmas and no events planned for Thursday-Friday-Saturday-Sunday. But Parliament House training is planned again for next Monday as well as today.

Holiday exercise

Song of the week: "Fear", by Creed, from "Full Circle"
The cradle of civilisation sparks my fascination
Truth ignites our generation to change what's been programmed
Inside the mind
Don't you turn a blind eye
Change what's been programmed inside
Don't you turn a blind eye

.    Listen to me when i tell you
.    Feel the passion in my breath
.    Stay on top if they let you
.    'Cause the change is permanent
.    Change is permanent

Rudiments of interpersonal communication
Truth will uproot and bring war's devastation to light
Don't you turn a blind eye
Change what's been programmed inside
Staying silent is a crime

Change starts in your mind
Leave the past behind
Forget everything you know
Make a change...let go

Let go...let go... let go.

"Feel the passion"


In case you were wondering!
A question I was asked: Hi, Does the man "Nick" in the photo you made a comment on with baby Noah work in a shop or something, his face is so familiar - its driving me nuts trying to work out where i have seen it from.

My answer! Hi .....
A shop! Yes!!
My heading "walking a mile in someone else's shoes" is a clue!
Nick might well have sold you a pair of shoes.
Nick is a close friend of mine.
And part owner of the Runners Shop.

walking a mile in someone else's shoes

Noah Jaemin Walshe

Congratulations proud mum and dad Linda and Nick

Results Vets track last Thursday
1000m
M50 Roger Pilkington 3:31.07 Estimated time 3.29 Third Place
W40 Amanda Walker 3:48.39 Estimated time 4.37
W40 Bronwyn Calver 3:49.51 Estimated time 3.52 Fourth Place
W40 Katie Forestier 3:50.49 Estimated time 4.00
W35 Rachelle Ellis-Brownlee 4:12.76 Estimated time 4.20 Sixth Place
M40 Craig Davis 4:39.89 Estimated time 4.48
W45 Janene Kingston 4:54.35 Estimated time 4.59 Fifth Place
M50 Ewen Thompson 4:55.02 Estimated time 4.58
Ewen wasn't "placed". Are there secret rules?

2K Twosome
1. Bruce Graham + Gary Bowen 8:51.87
2. Tony Booth + Katie Forestier 9:02.08
4. Janene Kingston + Geoff Moore 9:21.21
5. Susan Archer + Bronwyn Calver 10:02.01
6. Ewen Thompson + 10:14.49
7. Patrick Stakelum + Roger Pilkington 10:26.37
8. Amanda Walker + Greg Stretton 10:37.03
9. Graham Burke + Craig Davis 10:38.64
12 Brett Spaven + Rachelle Ellis-Brownlee 12:55.51
13 Vivienne Walker + Christopher Lang 13:12.47
If you can recall your actual start time you can figure out your net times.
Bruce and Gary: interesting "twosome."

All in the spirit of Christmas novelty events.

Tearing down the straight

Craig Davis

The race is on

Janene Kingston, Ewen Thompson

After a faster than planned 1k

Amanda Walker

"Before you criticise someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticise them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes".

Never look back!

Saturday training. Tony, Troy, Heidi, Janene, Victoria & I did our last Pialligo session for the year this morning. Troy ran his usual very fast times around 2:20, Heidi was a very consistent 2:40, Tony had four good runs between 2:50 and 3:00, and Janene and I were a bit more circumspect and we ranged mostly in the 2:40s to 2:50s, Victoria ran around the 3 minute mark..

Looking back at Thursday evening's Vet’s track, results from Thursday are not yet out. Looking back at AACT track, the results for 21/11 and 28/11 haven’t appeared yet either!

Looking back over the BBQ Stakes, many thanks to Steve Smith for all his good work handicapping the BBQ Stakes this year. He has now handed over to Kerrie Tanner for 2010, who is very keen and is sure to fill his shoes well!

Looking back to the best radio serial ever produced: BBC Radio 7 is repeating "I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again", the 1960's-1970's sketch comedy show starring all three Goodies along with John Cleese, David Hatch, & Jo Kendall. Episode 1 can be heard until next Thursday from the BBC iplayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00f40lw/Im_Sorry_Ill_Read_That_Again_Series_1_Episode_1/

Looking back nine or ten years:
We are hearing about “the first decade of the 21st century (2000-2009) is now over”. Yes, I am happy to agree that, by convention, a decade called “the noughties” (2000-2009) is now over, but NO, only the first nine years of the 21st century itself have passed. I wish people could count!

People generally have no idea about anything, I have decided. You, my reader, are of course excluded from that judgement.

Looking back at how much exercise you may or may not have done: We runners who keep an accurate diary of our activities are the best! But again, people generally are prone to wild exaggeration. For example, a news item that appeared today:
 “An exercise in the art of exaggeration”
Many people overstate how much physical activity they do, survey reveals
By Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor, Friday, 18 December 2009
When it comes to exercise, most people indulge in the sport of wishful thinking, a survey has found.
More than a third of adults claim to keep active enough to stay healthy, but in reality only one in 20 does.
Exaggerating how much exercise we take is partly due to human nature and in part reflects the difficulty of calculating how much time has been spent in activity of the right intensity. But in some cases, there is an outright attempt to deceive, according to experts.
This is continued at http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/an-exercise-in-the-art-of-exaggeration-1844255.html
How pathetic is that! Our society is fat, lazy, and in denial.

Looking back at 2009: This year, 2009, was my “year of transformation”. Thank you for taking the journey with me. Now, 2010 will be my year of …. What? Stay tuned!

Rachelle

never look back!

Janene, Ewen

never look back!!

Bronwyn, Amanda, Katie

never look back!!!

Quote of the day: Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions. G. K. Chesterton

Thursday night's track festivities

Ready for action

Bronwyn & Roger stepping on the accelerator in the 1k. Click to enlarge.

Janene, Craig & Ewen following on. Click to enlarge

The temperature was around 36 degrees for the 1k at 6:15pm. It did drop a little later on, but the forecast change was a bit of a fizzer.

What I am reading

Honest Jane

Honours for Helen at BBQ Stakes

Yesterday at the BBQ Stakes 6k it was very hot but thankfully there was also a breeze. Helen does exceptionally well in the heat, she won the handicap a few weeks ago when the heat was excessive. However this time Helen and Roger ran together until 3k, then Helen took off. My splits were in the vicinity of 14:00, 13:30; Helen’s 15:30, 13:20 or faster which shows how quick she ran down the hills at the end.

Net times
me 27.38
Gary 28.48
Helen 28.53
Roger 30.53
And… Helen was awarded the annual “Honest John” trophy for 2009.

Gold silver or bronze?
The streets of heaven are paved with gold. Gold is supposed to be soft, so it might make a good running surface after all? However, my picture of heaven includes a 5k cross country running track not unlike Stromlo's, but with pine needles under foot, and large shade trees overhead. And of course ice cold Sprite stops every kilometer.