Running In Deep Space

I won't be running in Deep Space this Sunday. The AMRA has its attractive looking Deep Space Marathon on that day. See the AMRA website at http://www.mountainrunning.coolrunning.com.au/index.php But it's the speedygeese interval session at Stromlo Forest Park at 8:00am the same day, which is where I'll be, enjoying gentler undulations.

Also it's the start of the popular Spring Series, this Tuesday. Support the ACTCCC! I can't make it this week but I plan to next week.

What's on this week:
Monday 1 November: Parliament House 4:30pm 8k jog; 5:30pm speedygeese interval training.
Tuesday 2 November: ACTCCC Spring Series #1: Boathouse East 5k, 6:15pm
Wednesday 3 November: BBQ Stakes 6k handicap, 12:15pm.
Thursday 4 November: Vets @ AIS Athletics track
6:00pm 3000m (not a GM 3000)
6:20pm 3000m/5000m walk (<30 mins) 6:50pm 60m 7:00pm 800m 7:30pm 200m (D) 7:45pm one hour run
Friday 5 November: Customs 5k handicap, 12:15pm.
Saturday 6 November: Metro Runners, 8:00am at Acton Ferry Terminal.
Sunday 7 November: ACTCCC Women's Jogalong, Weston Park, 9:00am
Sunday 7 November: Stromlo Forest Park 8:00am speedygeese interval training.
Sunday 7 November: AMRA Deep Space Marathon.

Footy season is only four months and-a-bit away. I tip the Blues to kick the first goal and to win the first game of the season. Will they kick on from there? They will face a fresh Gold coast the following week in Brisbane. Good luck!
A bye each week is going to take some getting used to.

I posted the AFL fixtures on my Facebook page last Friday. I like the Crows' draw; finalists for sure.

October Vets Handicap

31/10/10 - O`Connor Ridge 8k
5 Debbie Cowell W50 37:32 85.9% BRONZE
6 Ruth Baussmann W60 45:57 77.0
11 Rod Lynch M50 33:25 83.1
14 Bob Harlow M60 37:14 83.1
17 Michelle Wells W35 35:59 78.7
25 Kathy Southgate W50 34:26 96.2
26 Brett Morrison M40 38:15 68.4
31 Nadine Morrison W40 39:17 73.5
41 Alan Duus M60 46:18 67.0
42 Roger Pilkington M50 39:31 71.0
44 Helen Larmour W50 38:05 84.7
45 Cathy Newman W45 39:41 79.1
46 David Baussmann M60 42:07 72.7
52 Ewen Thompson M50 48:51 58.5
55 Alan Williams M60 45:33 67.9
56 Warrick Howieson M40 42:51 59.7
63 Neil Boden M60 46:46 65.5
65 Geoff Barker M65 63:36 49.9
73 Andrew Matthews M50 39:42 70.6
75 finishers

31/10/10 - O`Connor Ridge 4k
5 Jill Pearson W50 21:49 70.9% SILVER
6 Graeme Patrick M55 18:34 76.0 BRONZE
10 Katie Forestier W40 16:30 84.5
17 Ken White M55 17:44 78.8
22 Leanne Steinman W35 23:59 56.2
28 Gary Bowen M50 17:02 77.3
31 Amanda Walker W40 21:10 65.2
34 finishers

What it's like being retired

Everyone - and I mean EVERYONE - says they're busier than ever once they have retired.

I can vouch for that.

The other common saying is, "I don't know how I found time to work".

I hope everyone enjoyed the Monthly Handicap this morning. I didn't: I was too busy to attend. Busy having a brief holiday away from it all!

The Stromlo Running Festival people have a photo taken at Vanities Crossing. With the downpours of rain we are experiencing, will it be like this again next year?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLEY 50 TODAY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOELINE 57 TODAY!

"nothing ventured nothing gained"

... and... "for every proverb there is an equal and opposite proverb". This one for example:

More Haste Less Speed

As you know we are speedy by name, speedy by nature. Haste is the enemy!

My word for the month of October has been the word "precautionary". The precautionary action I have taken is to not race until my training comes up to speed again. That is why you see me lurking sullenly around race venues and not competing. That is why I am absenting myself this Sunday morning, I don't want to be tempted to participate, not quite yet.

But the time is not to far away when today's heading will become applicable again.

speedygeese results from last Thursday night track:
3000m
M50 Rod Lynch 10:59.77 76.2%
M40 Damian Rutledge 11:09.22 71.2
W40 Emma Adams 11:31.19 76.6
W40 Katie Forestier 11:37.71 78.3
M50 Mick Horan 11:58.63 70.6
M40 Brett Morrison 12:00.01 65.6
M50 Roger Pilkington 12:09.43 69.5
W40 Nadine Morrison 12:11.63 72.4
W50 Helen Larmour 12:15.75 80.9
M55 Ken White 12:22.85 71.8
M50 Andrew Matthews 12:31.24 67.5
W40 Bronwyn Calver 12:58.44 68.0
W45 Kelley Flood 13:21.76 72.4
M60 Alan Williams 14:18.81 65.4

100m
W55 Noeline Burden 16.79 77.6%

4x1500m Relay: Approximate Individual Times
M50 Gary Bowen 5.05
M50 Rod Lynch 5.09
W35 Rachelle Ellis-Brownlee 5.32
M50 Mick Horan 5.37
M40 Brett Morrison 5.48
W40 Nadine Morrison 5.50
M50 Roger Pilkington 5.50
W50 Helen Larmour 6.00
W40 Heidi Johnston 6.02
M50 Andrew Matthews 6.04
M55 Graeme Patrick 6.18
W40 Bronwyn Calver 6.20
W45 Kelley Flood 6.34

400m
M50 Rod Lynch 68.66 72.1%

28/10/10 - 5 Lap Spiral

3          Gary Bowen   M50      7:36     

4          Graeme Patrick  M55      9:02     

6          Nadine Morrison W40     8:23     

8          Mick Horan   M50      8:28     

10         Roger Pilkington M50   8:22     

13         Bronwyn Calver   W40      8:52     

15         Helen Larmour    W50      8:42     

16         Heidi Johnston W40    9:08     

18         Rod Lynch    M50      7:41     

19         Andrew Matthews M50    8:52     

24         Ruth Baussmann W60 10:21   

25         Brett Morrison M40     8:40     

30 finishers

 

Progress scores

MEN

1. Graeme Patrick 97

2. Gary Bowen 94        

3. Roger Pilkington 92        

5. Rod Lynch 87        

 

WOMEN

1. Nadine Morrison            93        

2. Bronwyn Calver   90        

3. Helen Larmour            84

5. Ruth Baussmann        67

 

Ruth warmed up for the spiral with a 10:14 1500m walk.

Mr Bincup, Mastermind contestant

12:00.01
At Vets track last night, highlights included a fast 1500m PB by Rachelle in the relay, a 12:00.01 official time for Brett in the 3000m, and a fast 3000m by Damian, about 11:07. It was near perfect conditions although it did get a bit cold by the time the five lap spiral started, where Nadine blitzed the women. Also, it was good to see half a dozen Bilbys running, a couple of them are quick.

Clarke&Dawe: Mr Bincup wins a four day weekend due to his amazing knowledge of world events.

people bumps

Grandson Jarod sent me a riddle this week.
Q: What did the goose say when he got cold?
A: I've got people bumps!

Jarod turns ten today! Happy Birthday, welcome to the M10s!

Candid Canberra #9

Photo by Andrew. Around lake Burley Griffin, on damp mornings families of swans with their cygnets make their way out of the lake up onto the grass to feed. They get a little stroppy if you pass too close to them.

What I am reading: I have just finished "Wintersmith", now to start on “I Shall Wear Midnight.”
What I am viewing: "I, Robot", which was better than expected, I like Will Smith’s acting; I can associate with the way he felt on his own at work; and I have spent a lot of time warring with technology. Plus the movie races on at a reasonable pace, and the soppy bits are tolerable.

Tonight at track there will be Bilbys.

Candid Canberra #8

Results: Customs 5k Friday 22/10
Bronwyn 25:44
Caroline 30:43
This week Customs reverts to its old course, except for the finish, which will be the reverse of the start and not go left up the Regatta Point hill. Yay, a flat course!

Canberra's fountain in Lake Burley Griffin. Photo by Andrew. The Customs 5k run will go past the fountain again this Friday, now that Floriade is being dismantled.

My running is back on track, at last. Bad luck though, a sinus infection is making things somewhat miserable. There's always something! I will be out at Vets tomorrow if only to cheer everybody on.

Better go, there's work to do.

Candid Canberra #7 - drain cats

There are at least eleven well-fed feral cats who live in the drains near Woden. Photo by John Griffiths, more in a slideshow at http://picasaweb.google.com/johnboy73/DrainCats?feat=flashalbum#5531204522681233506

At training last night a few of us did the early 8k run - Brett, Nadine, Ewen, Ruth & myself; then for the main session we were joined by Abi (new), Andy, Attlee (new), Bronwyn, Christopher, Craig, Damian, Gareth (new), Jodie, Joel, Kym, Leanne, Marea (new), Neil, Tony, Warrick & Yelena. 22 in all. Training was the last hard anaerobic session and consisted of runs on the lower grass area of 2 x (3 mins fast, 3 slow, 2 fast, 2 slow, 1.5 fast, 1.5 slow, 1 fast, 1 slow). It was a pretty good day for running; cooling down as we were warming up. The grass could have been shorter but after we started running on it, it took us no time at all to flatten it down.

Happy birthday to: Debbie who was 51 on Sunday.

102% full

What's on this week.
Monday 25 October: Parliament House 4:30pm 8k jog; 5:30pm speedygeese interval training.
Wednesday 27 October: BBQ Stakes 6k handicap, 12:15pm.
Thursday 28 October: Vets @ AIS Athletics track
6:00pm 3000m
6:20pm 1500m walk
6:50pm 100m (D)
7:00pm 4x1500m relay
7:40pm 400m
8:00pm short hurdles
8:15pm spiral 5
Friday 29 October: Customs 5k handicap, 12:15pm.
Saturday 30 October: Metro Runners, 8:00am at Acton Ferry Terminal.
Sunday 31 October: Veterans Monthly Handicap, O'Connor Ridge, 9:00am.

Candid Canberra #6

Corin Dam spillway. Photo by AndyM.

Weston Creek Family Fun Run, Sunday 24/10
The rivalry continues!
24 Nadine Morrison 25:40
26 Brett Morrison 26:31
103 finishers

Three Peaks results

All the speedygeese:
Three Peaks 26 km run Males:
50 Mick Horan M50 2.59.31
55 finishers

Three Peaks 26 km run Females:
6 Kerrie Tanner W50 2.41.48
9 Colleen Koh W30 2.47.00
12 Elle Knight W40 2.51.01
13 Kelley Flood W45 2.51.01
16 finishers

Two Peaks 20 km walk Males:
1 Geoff Barker M65 2.53.47

Two Peaks 20 km run Males:
5 James Stewart M30 1.48.13
8 Roger Pilkington M50 2.03.44
12 William Chin M30 2.08.17
16 Christopher Lang M55 2.46.36
16 finishers

Two Peaks 20 km run Females:
3 Kym Chisholm 1.48.52 great run!
16 finishers

One Peak 12 km run Females:
2 Emma Adams W40 1.02.55 another great run!
13 Caroline Campbell W65 1.28.12
19 finishers

Today's training at Stromlo Forest Park.
I included Elle in the above results because she joined us at Stromlo this morning, and along with Kelley, Mick, Ewen & me ran a session of 3 x 1k plus warmup and recoveries and cooldown, making 12k in all. Another great day for running! Just a cool southerly at the start, but we soon got warm enough. Actually, after my ten mile run yesterday, my intervals were all a bit shorter than the others as I am still not game to push the pace too much.

I had planned an anaerobic session but none of the runners who needed that session were there! So we ran kilometres instead.

Candid Canberra #5

A low rainbow in the recent rain. Photo by Ishara.

cottonwood

It was a fluffy run around west basin this morning. Here is a picture taken by another Geoff at ANU a day or two ago.

I was pleased to run the ANU/West Basin  ten mile loop today with still no pain from the injured hamstring, That's eight days in a row of running, the last six pain free. Speed will gradually pick up, if this can be maintained!

TRACK AND FIELD: speedygeese results 21st October 2010
Mile - 1609m
M50 Rod Lynch 5:45.64 73.6%
W35 Michelle Wells 6:01.98 72.1
M50 Roger Pilkington 6:10.15 69.3
M40 Brett Morrison 6:15.49 63.7
M50 Andrew Matthews 6:22.35 67.1
W40 Nadine Morrison 6:23.25 70.0
W40 Bronwyn Calver 6:55.55 64.6
M70 Tony Booth 7:05.68 73.3
M60 Alan Williams 7:39.02 61.9
W55 Cathy Montalto 7:40.53 72.3

60m
W55 Noeline Burden 10.07 84.4%

200m
W55 Noeline Burden 35.96 75.5%

1500m
M40 Damian Rutledge 4:59.33 75.4%
M50 Gary Bowen 5:02.79 81.7
M50 Rod Lynch 5:03.16 79.5
W40 Katie Forestier 5:31.89 77.4
M50 Roger Pilkington 5:37.61 72.0
M40 Brett Morrison 5:40.54 65.7
W40 Amanda Walker 5:44.20 73.0
M50 Andrew Matthews 5:50.10 69.4
W40 Nadine Morrison 5:54.88 70.0
W40 Bronwyn Calver 6:13.47 66.5
W40 Heidi Johnston 6:15.31 65.5
M70 Tony Booth 6:15.76 78.2
M55 Graeme Patrick 6:17.35 68.4
M60 Alan Williams 6:57.71 64.4
W55 Cathy Montalto 6:58.24 73.6
W65 Caroline Campbell 6:59.08 85.6
W60 Ruth Baussmann 7:23.13 71.5

4x400m Relay
Phil White, Rod Lynch, Robert Gerrard, Tony Booth 4:30.36
Vanessa Haverd, Amanda Walker, Katie Forestier, Gary Bowen 4:47.17
Mark Campbell, Caroline Campbell, Vicki Matthews, Ruth Baussmann 5:54.08

spiral 4 lap handicap - 1645m
1 Rod Lynch M50 5:53
3 Graeme Patrick M55 7:07
4 Heidi Johnston W40 7:08
5 Bronwyn Calver W40 6:47
6 Roger Pilkington M50 6:28
8 Nadine Morrison W40 6:40
9 Gary Bowen M50 6:04
10 Helen Larmour W50 6:34
13 Cathy Montalto W55 7:52
18 Brett Morrison M40 6:28
21 Ruth Baussmann W60 7:58
28 Amanda Walker W40 7:42
32 Caroline Campbell W65 8:24
33 Tony Booth M70 8:45
34 Katie Forestier W40 7:05
35 Ken White M55 7:51
37 finishers

Stromlo Running Festival Cross Country

post #2222

Vets track last night was characterised by some determined racing. Everyone seemed to enjoy an evening of several medium distance races but no long ones. Amongst other things, it gave people a chance to revenge a narrow defeat in one race with a narrow victory in the next. The racing - three by ~ a mile over two hours or so - would be a good training session, if we had the time. Some even found the energy to do a quick one lap run as part of a relay. It was good to see a few people who had been injured regaining some form and being able to compete. A highlight for many was the appearance of Caroline's son Mark, who diverted at least one speedygoose from the main game, which was to do well in the spiral handicap....

Stromlo Training this Sunday
I want to repeat the invitation for runners to come out to Stromlo Forest Park on Sunday mornings for an interval session on the grass, or just to jog around and enjoy the new, improved grass track under the feet. If it's warm enough and dry enough I will venture out in bare feet this week. See you Sunday morning, 8:00am. It is possible to coax warm water out of the showers afterwards if you need to change, as I do.

Candid Canberra #4

Seen this? These are number plate scanners, used to detect unregistered cars. Seen at Dickson (fair enough!).

later, a good deal later...


Schools Challenge

At Stromlo Running Festival. Look at all that lovely green grass!

Candid Canberra #3

BBQ Stakes result
Wednesday 20/10/2010:
First on handicap, Caroline Campbell, in 40:00 gross time
Second was Helen Larmour in 40:13.
I haven't seen any actual times for this weekly event for many weeks now, they are still not on the lunchtime running website for some reason or other.

Speedygeese dinner last Tuesday night:

Kelley, Ewen. Two of the more photogenic of the speedygeese at the dinner. Photo by Janene. Thirty people attended the dinner and had a wonderful time.

The Vets track program tonight: looks like being an interval session, 3 x ~1 mile with long breaks.

5:45pm	hammer LTF
6:00pm	Mile
6:15pm	HJ (QA)
6:20pm	800/200m walk(PH)
6:50pm	60m
7:00pm	shot discus
7:00pm	1500m
7:15pm	TJ
7:30pm	200m (B)
7:45pm	shot discus
8:00pm	4x400m
8:15pm	4 lap spiral (A)

 

 Candid Canberra #3. Spotted in yesterday’s Canberra Times’ Social pages, this one slipped past the editors.

2011 Stromlo Running Festival

The STROMLO Running Festival is now in its third year and there have been some very exciting changes to the event in 2011. STROMLO will take place in Canberra on the weekend of the 18th-20th February 2011. On-site camping and caravan facilities will again be provided for those participants seeking an unique opportunity to submerse themselves in a weekend crammed full of running, seminars, presentations, entertainment, socialising, and food and drink. Organised by Run For Your Life in conjunction with Robert de Castella and the ACT Cross Country Club, the weekend promises to build on the reputation of the first two years.

One of the changes for 2011 allows individual entry into single events over the STROMLO weekend. So if you would just like to participate in a single event, you now have that option. The all-inclusive package with camping, catering and entry into all events is still available for those looking for the complete weekend. A third option of entry into all the weekend's activities, but without camping or catering is also available. So now the choice is yours!

The second major change for 2011 is the combination of the de Castella Cross Country Invitational with the Australia Age-Sex Adjusted Cross Country Championships. This will provide a truly exciting event with $12,000 of prize money now up for grabs for all competitors in the event, including $2000 for the fastest group or club. The handicaps and rules for the event are based on your age and gender and can be found here.

Finally, there has been a small re-shuffle in the order of events with the Age-Sex Adjusted Cross Country Championships being moved to 9:30am Saturday morning, the Mountain Run setting off on Saturday afternoon and the Lightning Strike events changed to Sunday morning to allow interstate travellers more time to arrive in Canberra.

There are seven different running events to choose from over the weekend; providing variety and choice for every single runner, regardless of ability or experience. Catering will be provided on-site and will offer a selection of meals at affordable prices. All of the weekend activities will be focused around the event hub located at the world-class facilities of Stromlo Forest Park.

So whether you are looking for a great weekend away; an event to finish off your summer; or your final training preparation for the 6-foot Track Marathon – the STROMLO Running Festival is the event for you.

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)
* 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
* Gold Coast Airport Marathon lecture series on Injury Prevention, Training, and Nutrition
* Practical Training Sessions on Core Stability and Running Technique
* Affordable On-site Camping and Catering

Early bird entries will be taken from the 1st of October through to the 30th of November. Entry fees will then increase to standard entry prices from 1st December 2010 until 31st January 2011. Late entries will be taken from the 1st of February up until the event weekend, but with an additional cost as outlined below.

Camping sites for the weekend will be either as part of the all-inclusive package or at a further cost of $20 per person ($50 for a family with 2 adults and up to 6 children). Caravan sites will be available for $80 per caravan. Clubs or groups, who have more than 20 registered participants camping on-site, will receive a full refund of the combined camping payments paid as a lump sum to the club or group.

Please Note: The 'All Inclusive plus Camping and Catering' package provides entry into all events held over the course of the weekend, camping or caravan site, all meals from Friday evening till Sunday lunch and entry in the Percy Cerutty Award. The 'All Inclusive Entry' package provides entry into all events held over the course of the weekend and inclusion in the Percy Cerutty Award.
Early Bird Entry (1st October 2010 – 30th November 2010)

* All Inclusive plus Camping and Catering
o Adult - $155
o Under 20 - $125
o Family (up to four people) - $450
* All Inclusive Entry
o Adult - $75
o Under 20 - $45
o Family (up to four people) - $195
* Individual Event Entries
o Lightning Strike 30km: $40
o Lightning Strike 11km: $25
o Criterium Track Race: $10
o Age/Sex Adjusted Cross Country Championship: $20
o Mountain Run: $10
o Orienteering: $10

Standard Entry (1st December 2010 – 31st January 2011)

* All Inclusive plus Camping and Catering
o Adult - $170
o Under 20 - $135
o Family (up to four people) - $475
* All Inclusive Entry
o Adult - $80
o Under 20 - $55
o Family (up to four people) - $215
* Individual Event Entries
o Lightning Strike 30km: $50
o Lightning Strike 11km: $35
o Criterium Track Race: $15
o Age/Sex Adjusted Cross Country Championship: $25
o Mountain Run: $15
o Orienteering: $15

Late Entry (1st February 2011 – 19th February 2011)

* All Inclusive plus Camping and Catering
o Adult - $200
o Under 20 - $150
o Family (up to four people) - $500
* All Inclusive Entry
o Adult - $100
o Under 20 - $70
o Family - $250
* Individual Event Entries
o Lightning Strike 30km: $60
o Lightning Strike 11km: $40
o Criterium Track Race: $20
o Age/Sex Adjusted Cross Country Championship: $30
o Mountain Run: $20
o Orienteering: $20

not hurting as much

The speedygeese dinner is on tonight! 34 is the final count.

Training last night at Parliament House: Ewen, Brett & I jogged early; so did Christopher a little later. Then for the main session we ran on the lower grass area around the cones, on time. 3 minutes fast, 3 slow, 2 fast 2 slow, 1 fast 1 slow, 30 seconds fast /slow, 1 fast/slow, 2 fast/slow, 3, 2, finally 1 for 30 minutes of training. The grass was fairly long but we soon had a path trodden out. Participating were Andrew, Brett, Bronwyn, Caroline, Cathy, Craig, Damian, Ewen, me, Graeme, Helen, Kym, Leanne, Maria, Mick H, Nadine, Ruth & Yelena. After jogging both Saturday and Sunday, I was pleased to run 6k+ early, and 6k+ later, without major problems. But very slow. The hamstring is not hurting as much as it was, but I must continue to be cautious.

Before we trained, Nadine was awarded her book prize for managing to be the 100,000th visitor to this blog. I could hardly give her a book about running as she works at the AIS and has a comprehensive library of sports science books. Having ascertained that her reading of literature has barely got past the early 19th century (i.e. Jane Austen), I decided I would bring her up to date by presenting her with a superior example of contemporary young adult speculative fiction; the newly released Terry Pratchett's "Wee Free Men; The Beginning" which consists of the first two of the Tiffany Aching stories: "The Wee Free Men", and "Hat Full of Sky". I expect a book review one day, Nadine!

I have read these and the third book too, "Wintersmith", and I have the fourth in the series, "I Shall Wear Midnight" which has only just been released in hardcover, but haven't read it yet.

The Customs 5k last Friday was a little damp, and as a result no speedygeese ran. And even though Floriade has finished for the year, this coming Friday the run will continue to be held on the Floriade course. It takes a while for beds to be dug up and the fences dismantled.

New photo

Graeme running at the Arboretum.

Old photo

Jenny and I on the Alpine Way, December 1970. We were 22 years old then, married, and our first child was 6 months away.

word gets around

What's on this week
Monday 18 October: Parliament House 4:30pm 8k jog; 5:30pm speedygeese interval training, which will include some anaerobic work.
Wednesday 20 October: BBQ Stakes 6k handicap, 12:15pm.
Thursday 21 October: Vets @ AIS Athletics track
6:00pm mile
6:20pm 800m walk
6:50pm 60m
7:00pm 1500m
7:30pm 200m
8:00pm 4x400m
8:15pm spiral 4
Friday 22 October: Customs 5k handicap, 12:15pm, "Floriade" course.
Saturday 23 October: Metro Runners, 8:00am at Acton Ferry Terminal.
Edit: also on Saturday 23 October: Mount Majura Vineyard Three Peaks 26km, Two Peaks 20km, One Peak 12km.
Sunday 24 October: Stromlo Forest Park 8:00am: speedygeese interval training session.

Stromlo Forest Park training.
Yesterday a Sunday morning speedygeese training session was held at Stromlo Forest Park for the first time. It won't take long until word gets around and the number of participants increases. Michelle had a solid session on the 1km grass circuit, running 2 x {100 fast/100 slow, 200 fast/100 slow, 300 fast/100 slow, 400 fast/100 slow, 500 fast/100 slow} plus warm up and cool down. I was able to do a light jog with my improving hamstring, while Colleen arrived later for her first visit to Stromlo and jogged around with a sore achilles but expressed her liking for the venue, vowing to return.
Despite all the rain the grass track was in good shape, not even one damp spot, few bare patches, We will be there again this Sunday morning at 8:00am, and most Sundays, but not on the 31st as there is a Vets Handicap being held on that day.

Save the Murray

This is one cause I could get passionate about, if nothing substantial is done soon to improve things in the long term.

Last Thursday night - first week of track

speedygeese who ran (and walked) at the Vets track meet on 14 October:
1500m Walk
M65 Geoff Barker 9:45
M60 Alan Williams 9:48
W60 Ruth Baussmann 10:36
W65 Caroline Campbell 10:37

400m
M50 Gary Bowen 1:04.41 78.4%
M50 Rod Lynch 1:09.66 71.1
W40 Emma Adams 1:10.49 75.3
M40 Brett Morrison 1:12.42 64.7
M50 Andrew Matthews 1:12.83 68.5
M55 Graeme Patrick 1:16.90 67.9
W40 Bronwyn Calver 1:19.03 67.1
M70 Tony Booth 1:20.76 75.9
W40 Nadine Morrison 1:23.21 63.8

800m
M50 Gary Bowen 2:24.02 82.8%
M50 Rod Lynch 2:36.15 74.5
W40 Emma Adams 2:37.69 74.5
M40 Brett Morrison 2:48.99 64.1
W40 Nadine Morrison 2:52.02 68.3
M50 Andrew Matthews 2:56.05 66.6
W40 Bronwyn Calver 3:09.20 62.1
M55 Graeme Patrick 3:09.78 65.5
M60 Alan Williams 3:36.63 59.6

3000m
M50 Rod Lynch 11:06.84 75.4%
M35 Troy Steinman 11:31.81 66.3
M40 Damian Rutledge 11:34.20 68.6
W40 Katie Forestier 11:42.77 77.7
W35 Michelle Wells 11:50.59 72.8
W40 Emma Adams 11:51.79 74.4
M55 Ken White 11:56.01 74.5
W40 Amanda Walker 12:22.42 72.0
W40 Nadine Morrison 12:23.13 71.2
M40 Brett Morrison 12:26.91 63.3
W50 Helen Larmour 12:27.27 79.7
M50 Andrew Matthews 12:37.22 67.0
W40 Bronwyn Calver 13:26.39 65.7
W65 Caroline Campbell 14:39.47 86.8
W55 Cathy Montalto 14:47.65 73.8
M70 Tony Booth 15:02.47 68.3
W60 Ruth Baussmann 15:18.96 73.3
M60 Alan Williams 15:25.72 60.7

Leading the Moore Series
Bruce Graham 84.1%
Trevor Jacobs 79.7
Graham Burke 76.5
Ian McDonald 76.1
Rod Lynch 75.4

Susan Archer 89.9%
Caroline Campbell 86.8
Vanessa Haverd 79.9
Helen Larmour 79.7
Katie Forestier 77.7

Records are made to be broken.
Over in Sydney, Keith Bateman smashed the Australian M55 3000m record, running 9:14.27 on a VERY windy day.

Holy Bat-thermal underwear!

With strong winds, a choppy lake, and snow falling nearby, it was COLD on this morning's run! Today's forecast seems unusual; the maximum temperature and UV index are both expected to be 12. And it's not expected to improve for a day or too. Meanwhile my cat still refuses to wake up, staying tightly curled up on a lounge room chair. Where has spring gone? This snow is a good excuse to stay indoors.

I have decided to resurrect some of the OLD photos. Here's one featuring Elaine Cooper, in a road race around Telopea Park many years ago. I think it was a 25k! [edit:15k more likely. I will look it up.]

Here's a BRAND NEW photo: the awesome Kylie Malone and the awesome Bronia Rowe finishing the recent Melbourne Marathon.

Candid Canberra #2

Photos by Brian Leslie, taken from Mt Stromlo during the 24 hour race. More via this link . 

Great performances at a perfect track first night of track last night. Bruce Graham was a stand-out as he begins his last full season as an M45. (His 50th is a fair way away yet .. January 2012). When the results come out it will be interesting to see the "Moore Series" age percentages for both men and women. And Roger made an excellent Meet Director! Full results here soon...

I am going to brave the rain this Saturday morning with the Metro Runners, and Sunday morning at Stromlo Forest Park. On Sunday the grass circuit will probably be closed because of the weather and if so we can use trails or road. There are showers there so we can change and get dry after the run. But isn’t this rain marvellous! Seeing as the ground is already saturated and most of the dams are full, a flood alert has been issued. Take care if you are down-stream from a dam!

Today is the last day to advise me whether you are coming to Tuesday’s speedygeese dinner. I will send out more information to those who are going. 

Did you notice I have replaced my interactive comment box and am trialling "ShoutBox". Hopefully the spamming we experienced was at the cBox end and not via this blog; we'll wait and see what happens with ShoutBox. An alternative could have been for me to register users in cBox but (a) that’s inconvenient, and (b) it would have cost a small amount.

Finally, a quote from Martin Pluss: "Those Bronze and Silver Medals in the marathon are Gold.”

shaft