just around the corner

At training last night: Andrew, Brett, Bronwyn, Caroline, Christopher, Colleen, Damian (new), Emma, Ewen, Gabriel (new), me, Jennifer, Jodie, Joel, Katherine, Kelley, Kym (new to PH), Miranda, Nadine, Richard, Ruth, Warrick & Yelena. We ran a thirty minute relay around the upper flagpoles, where you are either sprinting diagonally down hill, or along the flags uphill, and crossing over at a jog in between. Seven teams of three, great fun.

And I did get to the gym this morning. Most enjoyable, I am glad I started back. I shall be sore tomorrow I expect!

Stay away from Kings Avenue this Saturday! The National Capital Authority is warning that they’re having a go at building a bridge over Parkes Way at the Russell Roundabout.

Hurrah, winter is almost over and spring is just around the corner.

independent's day?

What's on this week
Monday 30 August: Parliament House 4:30pm 8k jog; 5:30pm speedygeese interval training.
Wednesday 1 September: 12:15pm BBQ Stakes 6k handicap.
Thursday 2 September: Dickson 4:00pm long run; 5:30pm speedygeese interval training.
Friday 3 September: 12:15pm Customs 5k handicap, "Floriade" course.
Saturday 4 September: 8:00am My "Metro runners" group, from Acton Ferry Terminal.
Sunday 5 September: 9:00am ACTCCC Women's Jogalong, Weston Park.
Sunday 5 September: 12:00 High Noon Meet, Bruce Athletic Track.

I will try and get to the gym on Tuesday. Who knows, I might even make it on Friday as well, although that's predicting the future a bit too far ahead.

The Shellharbour Falconer grandchildren

Kayleigh, Will, Alex, Olivia and Jarod visiting us at Kiama at the start of our holiday there last week. It was warm and sunny, not dissimilar to the weather we are starting to experience in Canberra now (until Dickson training on Thursday, no doubt)

the ten minute mile

Results for 28 August CCC ten mile for speedygeese and metro runners:
20. Yili Zhu 77:11
27. Colleen Koh 81:39
33. Susan Sturgeon 90:48
36. Jeanette Lek 99:39
Veng Hoong Loh 99:39
Geoff Moore 99:39
43 finishers

Results for 29/8 Vets Handicap Mt Taylor 7k
8 Michelle Wells W35 31:14 75.0%
9 Emma Adams W40 30:39 78.1
19 Roger Pilkington M50 31:59 72.8
20 Kathy Southgate W50 29:28 93.3
22 Maria O'Reilly W55 34:36 80.2
25 Nadine Morrison W40 32:43 73.1
26 Yili Zhu M45 33:24 67.8
29 Cathy Newman W45 33:32 77.8
30 Brett Morrison M40 32:20 67.1
36 Jennifer Bright W35 32:34 70.1
37 Alan Duus M60 38:17 67.2
44 Debbie Cowell W50 34:18 77.4
45 Christopher Lang M55 39:24 63.7
52 Caroline Campbell W65 40:30 83.2
53 Margaret McSpadden W60 43:43 70.0
54 Mick Horan M50 33:35 69.3
57 Mick Charlton M55 41:17 60.3
66 Helen Larmour W50 32:34 82.3
75 Neil Boden M55 38:13 65.7
76 Peter McDonald M55 44:42 55.2
79 Ruth Baussmann W60 43:42 67.3
81 Geoff Moore M60 37:46 67.6
89 Janene Kingston W45 45:23 54.6
89 finishers

Results for 29/8 Vets Handicap Mt Taylor 3.5k
6 Rachelle Ellis-Brownlee W35 14:59 73.6%
11 Ken White M55 15:06 76.6
13 Cathy Montalto W55 18:40 75.4
17 Graeme Patrick M55 16:20 71.5
18 Katie Forestier W40 14:55 78.4
29 Amanda Walker W40 18:28 62.9
36 Heidi Johnston W35 18:22 61.8
40 finishers


FOOTNOTES
1. Registrations for the Canberra Times Fun Run close today. Register at the website www.canberratimesfunrun.com.au

2. Transition from winter to summer training. I thought I should give everyone advance notice of training arrangements: when Thursday track begins in October, our Thursday training at Dickson will end and weekend training at Stromlo Forest Park will begin. This season Stromlo training will be held on Sundays. The first session will be Sunday 17 October, at 8am. This will continue every Sunday except when the monthly ACTVAC handicap is held.

3. Thanks to Heidi there ia a new ACT Veterans Athletic Club Facebook page.

some more results

I am busy today but there's time to report on a couple more races:

27 August Customs 5k - this was a return to the Floriade course, and as well as the additional hill there was a cold south-westerly wind off the snow.
Geoff Moore 24:18
Bronwyn Calver 24:29
Colleen Koh 24:31
Caroline Campbell 30:06

In today's ten mile race, Jeanette, Veng & I ran together and smashed the 100 minute barrier. Jeannette & Veng are two of the runners from the ANU who I have been meeting on Saturday mornings.

Jeanette

Veng

only seven weeks until track racing starts

Dickson training. A perfect night last night for training but very few turned up, it was somewhat cool but the track was in good shape after all the rain. My plan for coping with a larger training group is starting to look like not being needed? Nevertheless I turned up and jogged around (8k in total, somehow!), while Craig ran long early (12k or so) and had to go after the warm-up, Brett (42!) ran early too then ran part of the first interval, pulling up a bit sore, Nadine ran early and ran two or three of the intervals then left with Brett, Troy arrived at the normal time and did the full training session of 8 x 300 on 4 minutes, Warrick ditto, Susan ditto plus she had arrived slightly earlier so did a longer warm-up. Susan is the winner!

Recent race results: BBQ Stakes 25/8 Helen 28:04, Kerrie 29:50, Roger 31:14, Caroline 37:59.

As indicated above, Brett turned 42 yesterday. Happy Birthday Brett!

Kiama

Near Kiama from the train. I have 400 photos randomly taken of our Kiama holiday. It was nice to see warm days, green grass, blue skies, and the ocean.

geese bling

speedygeese in the ACTVAC Half Marathon, Sunday 22 August
M30
5 William Chin 1:53:12
M40
13 Craig Davis 1:39:05
16 Warrick Howieson 1:40:37
M50
3 Michael Horan 1:37:26
5 Roger Pilkington 1:43:08
M55
4 Graeme Patrick 1:52:37
M60
6 Alan Duus 1:54:49
W30
8 Colleen Koh 1:46:36
W35
1 Michelle Wells 1:34:46
3 Jennifer Bright 1:39:08
4 Kylie Malone 1:40:14
10 Katherine Sheppard 1:52:02
W40
1 Emma Adams 1:36:20
2 Nadine Morrison 1:40:46
W45
1 Cathy Newman 1:40:06
2 Charlie McCormack 1:40:48
W50
1 Debbie Cowell 1:42:28
W60
1 Ruth Baussmann 2:06:40
3 Margaret McSpadden 2:06:5

Saturday 21 August
Lotus Bay 2.5k
11. Caroline Campbell W65 14:29
16 finishers
Lotus Bay 5k
10. Kym Chisholm 24:29
13. Geoff Moore M60 29:44
13 finishers

Customs 5k Friday 20 August
Jennifer Bright 22:51
Colleen Koh 24:05
Bronwyn Calver 24:07
Geoff Moore 27:18

Half Marathon Presentations

Nadine, Kelley, Elle, Emma, Greg, Jayne. Photo by Kerrie.

Athletics needs officials

Opportunity knocks!

ACTVAC urgently needs members to become qualified officials to help at Track and Field events during the summer season. You can become qualified in ‘Track’, ‘Throws’, ‘Jumps’ or ‘Racewalking’ by attending a seminar to be held in September in conjunction with the winter ‘High Noon’ meets:

Ø       5 September: ‘Track’

Ø       5 September ‘Throws’

Ø       5 September ‘Racewalking’

Ø       19 September ‘Track’ (repeat of 5 September)

Ø       19 September ‘Jumps’

Ø       19 September ‘Racewalking’

All seminars will be conducted by Athletics Australia's ACT Education Officer. There is an initial session of 2 – 3 hours, commencing at 9.30am, followed by a practical session at the High Noon meet on that day.

Participants will receive a copy of the latest IAAF Handbook, an officiating diary and a certificate of attendance. For those that wish to achieve an Athletics Australia qualification, an optional examination will be available 4 weeks after the seminar. The $20 cost per seminar will be met by ACTVAC.

Perhaps you or a family member have been a longstanding participant and are able to contribute your energy and expertise. Or perhaps you have previously been trained as an official and need a little "brushing up". Or maybe you are new to athletics. Everybody is welcome.

This is a great opportunity to learn new skills and practice them with elite athletes at the AIS. It could be the beginning of a pathway that could lead you to officiating at events on the international circuit (Go Aussie!) or just helping out at the occasional ACTVAC track night. The choice is yours.

Please consider attending one or more of these seminars where you will get to know more about our sport, meet people and help your club ensure that Track and Field events are held safely and competently. For questions and nominations contact Paul Archer (secretary@actvac.com , phone 6281 3872).

ACTVAC Track and Field preview

The draft T&F Program 2010/2011 can be found at the ACTVAC website under events/calendar ... track and field program.

If you have any comments on the program or events, please contact Ken Smith of the Competition Sub-committee by 10 September – email smith.kenneth.d@gmail.com or phone 0415 653 151.

All regular Track and Field competitors are expected to participate in the roster of officials at least once during the season. Please also let Ken know if you have any preferred date(s) to do duty (1 or more in order of preference if you can), or any times when you will be unavailable.

coming events

Monday 23 August: Parliament House 4:30pm 8k jog; 5:30pm speedygeese interval training
Wednesday 25 August: 12:15pm BBQ Stakes 6k handicap
Thursday 26 August: Dickson 4:00pm long run; 5:30pm speedygeese interval training
Friday 27 August: 12:15pm Customs 5k handicap, Stage 88
Saturday 28 August: 8:00am ACTCCC 10 mile race, Black Mountain Peninsula
Sunday 29 August: 9:00am ACTVAC Monthly Handicap, Mt Taylor

I definitely plan to attend the Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday training and racing.

40th wedding anniversary - today!

Jenny and I have been married for 40 years. That's us in the picture.

snail's pace

Some results:
Customs 5k 13 August
Yili 21:20
Bronwyn 23:35
Caroline 27:10
Ruth 28:36

Stromlo Forest Park 5k 14 August
20. Michelle Wells W35 21:31
24. Kym Chisholm 22:35
41 finishers
Conditions - gale force winds!

BBQ Stakes 6k 18 August
Roger 28:02
Kerrie 29:43

Good luck to everyone running in the ACTVAC Half Marathon tomorrow. I will be heading down the coast for a few days with Jenny to continue our 40th Wedding Anniversary celebrations.

Yesterday I ran Customs in 27:18, a world record slow time I think. This is because my hamstring is not better, yet. Usually it comes good after about six weeks, so it won't be long now. There wasn't going to be much point me staying here specially for the Half, was there?

Barton Highway closure

Territory And Municipal Services (TAMS) have announced the impacts of the Barton Highway closure following the GDE Collapse:

"The Barton Highway will be closed at the intersection with Gungahlin Drive for an extended period. Gungahlin Drive will remain open to traffic over the Barton Highway in both directions.

"Please consider using alternate routes until further notice.

"For traffic coming from Gungahlin, please consider using:
– Horse Park Drive and Federal Highway
– Wells Station Drive and Flemington Road
– Sandford Street and Flemington Road
– Gundaroo Drive, William Slim Drive and then onto Ginninderra Drive

"For traffic coming from Hall, please consider using
– William Slim Drive and Ginninderra Drive

"For northbound traffic on Gungahlin Drive, please consider using
– Ginninderra Drive and William Slim Drive
– Ginninderra Drive and Mouat Street

"For traffic coming from Northbourne Avenue, please consider using
– Mouat Street and Ginninderra Drive
– Flemington Road and Wells Station Drive
– Federal Highway and Horse Park Drive

"For more information call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81"

new joke old joke

Tweeting

Mouse

A reminder that you CAN tweet me, I'm speedygeese

indecision

Happy voting on election day!

never, ever do this at home

skating on thin ice

What's on this week:
Monday 16 August: Parliament House 4:30pm 8k jog; 5:30pm speedygeese interval training
Wednesday 18 August: 12:15pm BBQ Stakes 6k handicap
Thursday 19 August: Dickson 4:00pm long run; 5:30pm speedygeese interval training
Friday 20 August: 12:15pm Customs 5k handicap, Stage 88
Saturday 21 August: 8:00am I run with a group of ANU students from Acton Ferry terminal
Saturday 21 August: 1:00pm ACTCCC Lotus Bay 5k
Sunday 22 August: Veterans Half Marathon, for anyone aged 30 or more. At Stage 88 Commonwealth Park. 3 Starts.
8:00am Blue, for runners who will take two hours and over,
8:30am Red, for runners who will take between 100 and 120 minutes,
9:00am Yellow, for runners who can run the course in less than 100 minutes

Figure skating is a dangerous sport

Although running can be pretty dangerous too.

eternal exercise

Commonwealth Games: with less than 50 days to go, here are a couple of links:
http://www.cwgdelhi2010.org/ and
http://commonwealthdelhi2010.blogspot.com/2010/07/2010-commonwealth-games-athletics.html

What I am viewing – "The Brothers Grimm". I started watching it a few years ago and hated it. I am watching it again and loving it! No idea why the change.

Foot in it. On my run yesterday I told my ANU friends I was going to load all my favourite songs on to my Blackberry before heading off to Adelaide. One said "Oh, your Blackberry can store music?" I said "yes, and it plays music too". They ALL instantly broke up with laughter.

Thort and tweet.
I have succumbed to twitter. Speedygeoff was taken (how dare they!), as was speedygoose, speedy, and spody. So I am "speedygeese". I am but learning, tweet me!

Eternal exercise

And on that note I leave you. I leave you with a few advance posts, I leave you with a few suggested training sessions, and I leave you with Canberra's weather. I shall return briefly in a few days for the re-election before departing again for a few more. Bye-eee!

escher's dogs

..we're quite alright if we keep looking at the bit we understand...

... but we see through a mirror dimly, or at least I feel I do. Well, we gave our points of view as best we could. Nice work by Ruth and Roger. Good photo, good article too. See today's Canberra Times if you want to read what we said. I avoid discussing politics on this blog if I can, although a bit slips out now and then!

legacy

Training last night: Brett, Craig & I ran long at 4:00pm, then we were joined by Troy, Neil, Warrick & Nadine. But the ovals were closed and lights didn't come on, so I sent the others off for a 5k run while I returned to my warm home. At least it didn't rain while we were running!

Baby boomers. Ruth, Roger & I, representing the Baby Boomer generation, were interviewed yesterday for a cross-generational article to appear in tomorrow's Canberra Times. I am looking forward to seeing what is selected for publication! Hopefully our photos and some of our thoughts, faithfully reproduced. Hopefully too we faithfully represented our generation. So much of what you read and see is initiated by people with an axe to grind. For example, letters to the Editor do NOT reflect the views of the silent majority. Of course, we are not exactly a cross section of Baby Boomer opinion. We all three run marathons and train six days a week. What will be interesting is to see what the interviewer makes of us!

Good question: is three years long enough to deliver on policy?

tradition

birthday - Jennifer turns 35 (new agegroup!) this Friday

2010 Youth Olympic Games, in Singapore, on 14-26 August, will be televised on GO! These will be the first Summer Youth Olympic Games, and approximately 3,600 sportpeople will be competing, all aged between 14 and 18 years.

Canberra has the Australian Transplant Games coming up, see the website

Some recent results
BBQ Stakes 4 August
Gary Bowen 25:18
Helen Larmour 31:51
Roger Pilkington 31:52
Caroline Campbell 36:41

Customs 6 August
Bronwyn Calver 24:07
Caroline Campbell 27:09

BBQ Stakes 11 August
Gary 25:23
Kerrie 32:32
Roger 33:01
Caroline 38:10

The new calendar has been installed onto the ACTVAC website! Something I can be very pleased about. doing things the old way CAN be good, but often there are very big benefits to be gained by embracing the new.