Manly Soft Sand Classic 2009 – Cancelled

The Manly Wharf  Hotel Soft Sand Classic race has been cancelled!

Yes it is.  Last year I planned to ran this however due to logistics and still new to the City i am not able to make it.  I was planning to run this as it is a good pace for me not to run faster after 4th week of recovery from a Marathon to my disappointment it is cancelled. Totally cancelled this year.

First it was postponed.  That was the same weekend when our team when for the River Mcleay Marathon in South West Rocks so I thought I would miss it.  However it was postponed on June 28.

Days before the race I decided to register and sign up as I also sent Sissi heads up I will be in his area on that Sunday and for her to cheer the runners in front of their balcony, I found out it was cancelled.  the website says: “All entrants will be contacted and will have the choice to either donate their entry fee to the club (and receive a tax deductible receipt) or to request a refund.”

Sissi who leaves meters away from the beach was telling me about the sand was washed away when there was heavy downpour of rain and high tides came few weeks ago.  So its not probably a good idea to hold the event and so I rang the race organizer telling me its totally putt off on this season.  I hope Manly get their sand back.

That’s it for me now, its winter not much race suited for me as of the moment so a relaxed run on the weekend and save rego money for this week.

Bay to Bay Run Photos

Route Map

Route view from the train on the way to Start

bay view from the train on the way to Start

Bay view from the train on the way to Start

around 700 meters more or less to the Finish

youngest walker-future champion runner crossing the finish line

Bay to Bay 2009 Photos by Terry

Bay To Bay

Its one of the weekends that the runaholic in me get so excited having three races in this Sunday.

Its the last race for the season for the Sydney Marathon Clinic, cheaper and longer runs at 30KM, which I planned to do however its also the …
Sri Chinmoy Race 2 at Cook’s River is also on, and I already did a prepaid registration on this but …
Bay To Bay at 12KM distance is on at Central Coast where Terry is from and I am training him since he expressed his intent to run his first City2Surf on August and we even got him to the RedBib start group so we will be running together, and it will be a good training distance for him a month before the C2S.

The Bay To Bay run has its good cause as well, as all its proceeds go to the Shirley Shuttle Project.  The Shirley Shuttle project is an organization that transports cancer Patients for free on the area of Central coasts from home/Hospital  to Hospital.  This has been started by Barbara Galvin of Tascott. Barbara’s mother, Shirley, passed away from cancer and in 2006 Barbara decided to use the money left to her by her mother to purchase a bus to assist people undergoing treatment for cancer. The service, known as the Shirley Shuttle Bus, operates five days a week transporting cancer outpatients to treatment centres located on the Central Coast, and is celebrating its first anniversary.

The most favoruable on points to consider, I decided to Run the Bay to Bay which is also at his area in Central Coast.  We were not able to register on early bird so Registration will be on the day.  Went to central coast Friday evening.  It has been raining since Friday and Saturday.  Cold dark wet weather that makes you want to spend the day indoor.

Even because of the weather and being been stressed at work, I have been having sniffles and it did felt worse Saturday as i felt asthmatic and dry cough building up.  I was having a bad feel of not running the Bay to Bay race with a chesty feeling and if it will be raining hard.

Those were the signs I asked, should I ran or not.  If I don’t feel really well and if it is raining hard, I will not be racing.

Woke up at 530 AM alarm, got ready, showered, had coffee and a toast.  We will be taking the train to the start.

The Bay to Bay Run starts from Woy Woy to Gosford.  Its a 12KM run around the Brisbane waters along the road and the bike path.

As the train progress to the start venue, the train is getting filled by runners as you will know on their gear/clothes and some of them are wearing the Event shirt and their race bibs already.

We reached WoyWoy at 730 so we have to find where the registration are as it is only open till 745, plus we will still need to do the stretches and warm up and the queue to the loo.  I guess the warm up looking for the Rego area jogging and dawdling around so much participants did the warm up.  Registered, shedded our warm clohtes, pinned our bibs, and queued for the dunny.  As usual the female toilets is busy and so Terry had the chance to put the bag at the transport van.  Saw John Dawlings looking for his friend and kid to leave his warm clothes as well.  Three minutes before the start I am next in line, just after I came out from the Toilet, the marshalls are already calling out runners from the dunny for the start. From the foot of the bridge they fired the gun.

We just made it.  It was a dawdle on start, so much runners/and walkers that you will have to wind yourself on a comfortable space and we needed to run on the sidewalk and careful not to trip on someone else’s legs and feet.

I did need to remind myself that I am running and pacing Terry for his first 12KM race.  That he kept on telling (and whinging) that I was going too fast. And there were times he would gain back his energy and tell me I was going too quick myself.

Along the way I can see a Woodstock top, and it was Lesley Maher so I cried her name out as we went passed her.  And ahead of us we can see another Woodstock singlet which I can recognize the running style, it’s Dierdre.  I did want to catch up with her but i needed to pace myself slower.  Anyway, I should not be speeding too much as I am still recovering 2 weeks after a marathon , so It should be an easy pace.

It is relatively flat with a few short hill and number of inclines when crossing some small bridges.  It is very well participated.  Young, old, very young kid even  running ahead of me and Terry! We passed a number of runners so that’s good enough.  We were going negative splits on the first half and Terry thinks its too fast.  We will just need to be at the finish at least an hour after the gun shot.  We were running on constant pace on the 7th KM and I can feel that the cold/flu tablets I have been taking a day before is taking effect on have been drying my throat so it is not good.

We can see the finish within an eye shot which kept us going.  And we are there and we heard countdown on the sub 1 hour and we knew are bout to finish an hour or more.  Few hunderd more meters I see Terry moving ahead of me quicker so I told him go for it, but he said that is his all, I felt the same.  Its not just me not sprinting on the finish with all the crowds! Seeing the crowds, the finish chute less than 200m away and two female runners, one behind me and one in front of me, I decided to just sprint and give it all.  Saw the clock and its 1:01:26.  Not too bad at all.  The last 12Km I did was a bad one at 1:02 Cross country at Sri Chinmoy during the Marathon Training days!  Terry finished 4 seconds after me.

1:01:26

1:01:30

The event was well timed as we were using timing ankle thingies even though they took the Gun time, I am pleased with my run and results.  Considering I am not 100% well too.  The event was well organized, they had water and fruit at the end.  Banans, Watermelon and oranges.  Also some bikkies, coffee and tea for free.  Some sausage sizzle too but for sale :p.

We catched up with Dierdre, Lesley and John and took some photos.  Then the weather started to drizzle for a mean time and we decided to stay on for the presentation and might win something in the Raffle draw.

Go WOodies! Terry, Me, Lesley, Dierdre(PB), John (PB)

Stayed on the raffle draw but did not win anything really but they did a scramble for registration for the Hunter Valley running festival next July and Terry was able to grab a 6.5 Km race free registration.

Not too sore after the race, but the knees that has been bothering me since the first marathon was still there and a bit of right hip pain.  Happy to have paced with someone for prepping him on his first City2Surf which is 14Kms.

The event was won by the City2Surf winner Martin Dent beating the local defending champion Robbie Mathews.  It was well particpated of 1788 Registrants and 1600 finishers.

Event: Bay To Bay Run
Location: WoyWoy to Gosford, Central Coast, NSW
Distance: 12KM
Time: 1:01:26 – PB

Photos by Abbey Digital Photography
Results

grabbed running photos again without buying, credits all belong to Abbet Digital Photography

Canberra Marathon 2009 results Book

Just got email from Dave And Fran of Cundy Sports, Organizers of the Canberra Marathon of the online copy of the Results book of the Event last April 19.

Got a new job!

… not.  Its actually a new responsibility.  Additional responsibility away from what I really do as a career.  Starting June 2009, I will be working as the Editor of the Woodstock Runner’s Newsletter the “The Woodstock Runddown.”

To be a journalist was actually one of my dream jobs when I was in High school, amongst other jobs.  I love working for the school paper starting as a Feature Editor and I climbed the ladder up.  Enjoyed most the Press conferences we represent the school and win for the school.  Then in Uni days I contributed in the College’s newsletter if I can.  My parents just thought it is not a practical job that will make me “successful.”

I know I am not a perfect English grammar writer however I just like writing my thoughts.

Now being an editor for The Rundown, I never realized it is very tasky.  I get help from rest of the Woodies like Dot Siempmann collects the race results for me, Brendan who was my predecessor is my Adviser, Kerry Bray sends me regular contributions and Colin Townsend gives me bits and peices of Information I can put in the paper.  Thankful for the technoly today that yo can use publisher to lay out, copy paste and print to PDF! (edited 16/06/09 – forgot to include printing them out, folding, putting them to envelopes, stamping them with return address, labelling and mailing them! whooo! Brendan i know what you meant “pain” about this!) I can remember the days when we have to use dummy sheets , type articles on a typewritter, edit, proof-read, print for layout finding fonts whoo! it is much easier this days!

The lot on its way to the post office!

Anyway, I take this new role as a hobby tobreak the monotony of my techie task.

I am still learning but here is my “maiden” issue.

Most searched keywords May 2009

karuah rsl 8 km fun run results 2009 winner make your own marathon pace band km flexor hallicus longus tendonitis sydney 10km fun runs may 3 2009 sydney marathon clinic race schedule half marathon results sun herald half marathon results executive tower makati may 2009 rent woodstock runners canberra 1 bedroom for rent dela rosa fully furnished for rent makati 10 may 2009 10km run sydney cancer bondi barefoot extensor digitorum longus inflammation extensor digitorum tendinitis flexor hallucis longus tendonitis flexor hallucis tendinopathy how long takes flexor tendinitis inferior extensor retinaculum john dawlings balmain sydney morning herald others day classi tenosynovitis foot weighing scale bmi to buy in cebu marathon 16 week training plan programme km most searched keyword+may 2009 21st june 8km run benchan photography canberra marathon live 2009 canberra marathon photos extensor digitorum longus injury extensor hallucis tendonitis female winner sydney half marathon 2009 fun runs sydney 2009 gold coast mothers day cancer marathon hallucis hallucis longus running my first 8 km race sun herald city to surf register 2009 superior extensor retinaculum injury sydney fun run may 17 sydney marathon clinic thalia Anthonythoughtful mothersday notes water sachets canberra marathon 2009 extensor digitorum longus tenosynovitis running extensor hallucis longus tenosynovitis extensor retinaculum runner’s injury ankle flexor hallucis longus muscle  pain flexor muscles foot smc running series marathon sydney july 2009 1000 most searched keywords 2009 12 km mothers day fun run 8 km run mothers day results august half marathon, Sydney ben 10 km rsl ben chan marathon bondi barefoot 09 bondi barefoot race photos 2009 brendandavies bron hager canberra marathon man canterbury fun run 2009 city to surf shirt size daily rent at makati executive tower, ma digitorum longus pain finisher caterpillar finisher’s medal city 2 surf flexor hallux longus fun run Sydney fun run sydney 2009- breast cancer fun run sydney 24th may 09 ginisang repolyo go can do sydney marathon
half marathon thalia Anthony  http://witchkitty.wordpress.com i am happy Brendan i run 30km inferior  extensor retinaculum injury run iou a mothers day dinner iron cove fun run mothers day january race canberra kittyket blog magda karimali-poulos in canberra marathon plan melinda vernon + half marathon + 2009  melinda vernon,photos,smh marathon 2009 most searched blogs 2009 mothers day chairty run balmain mothers day fun run at gold coast mothers day run morning herald mothers day run, 2009 herald sun mothers day sale at rebel sport mothers day walk centennial park mothers day walk in the park fenway 2009 mother’s days banner funny patric+his loss weigth photovendo manila private swimming pool for rent in makati race pace band in km rebel sport roadraces and marathons in sydney2009 running superior extensor retinaculum pa september 20 sydney half marathon  smh half marathon 2008 results smh half marathon september 2009 smh half marathon taper stop4x sunherald half marathon 2009 results super marathon times superior extensor retinaculum pain swimming pools for rent in makati Sydney sydney 30km run sydney half marathon 20 september 2009 sydney herald half marathon camera finis sydney marathon 2009 may 17 winner sydney marathon pasta sydney morning herald half marathon sydney morning herald half marathon pics tendinitis hallux longus tenosynovitis of the foot training for north downs 30km training plan to run half marathon

Part 2 Mcleay River Marathon: Rain, Lightning, Finishing, and a PB

Saturday we did the registration, Bren and Tony picked their race packs and I also did not see any female on my my age category.  I was happy since I was just hoping to at least win the age category, but then who knows who else registers after me.

After a short tourist field trip to the West Rocks Gaol and the lighthouse, we had an early dinner of pasta, steaks and sausages.  Compared to the other night we did retire early this night to get enough rest, straight after lying down, i sure did fell asleep from exhaustion.

Carbo and fat and Protein loading

We went for an early bed sleep after that tiring long day at 9 PM, I had a good sleep that I woke up forgetting I was doing a marathon!! Woke up at 540, and went for my coffees, water, cereal and banana.  Had shower, my energy drink and rushing on tabing my pace band to my wrist we are a bit runnin late at 630 we left and drove to the race area.  We were almost running late to the start at 630 leaving the rest of the woodies who are particpating in the shorter distance at home except Terry who took our pictures before the race started.

Had ourselves marked and written off in the calves, in my case since I was wearing my 2xu calf compression, i was written in my hamstrings “FB” – Full Marathon 19-29 Females.

So we arived the race area 10 minutes before the start, marked the category and race we were running behind our legs, stretches, pinned the bins on my chest, Denco rubbed my knees and so we lined at the starting mat, and 7 am whistle was blown.

60 registered, 53 finished

There were 60 of us who started the marathon.  We started easily without the problem of crowding.  I tried my best to do slower at first half and pick up around 10KMish as i as always told from my first Marathon.

It was a slope and subtle hill route going out the roads.  I checked my watch at 1KM marker, I was running a bit fast at 5:06min/km.  I tried to slow down until I reach a comfortable pace that I am not speeding and neither too slow.  I was running alone and not even before the 3KM marker I felt a pebble in my Lunars and i was trying to brush off the road for it to drop.  Have to do a microsecond stop to touch the sole of my shoes feeling wehere was that pebble, but It was not there.  I ignored and was frustrated, I feel it was my shoes must have already worn itself off.  I ignored and just thinking, I should have checked my shoes before goin for a run, just like a check on your car before you do long drives.

I forgot about it, then not long we reached the town proper, went up the hill towards the highway.  I was already thinking bout that hill when we come back on the last lap.  Then not long after, we are running at the ighway, was running in a pack with two other male runners then passed them at a bridge when second pack came as we kept constant pace, shielding each other from head wind from the River and watching out for cars as only half of the road has been closed.

Not even when we reached the 10KM marker, i felt my achilles aching.  I ignored it as I know it will go away.  Never felt this before so I was kind of worried I might just do a DNF.

and then there was rain … It was a scenic road of lands of farms, cows, farm houses, not a single soul but the runners.  Then one of the guy whom we passed caught up and raced on.  At 5Km marker clouds was getting dark and we had our first water staton.  I was wearing my sunnies at first, not long after we reached 10 KMs it started getting darker and droplets started to pur on us.  then comes Rain.  rain drops whipping our face that it hurts, headwinds coming from the river, it was a cold day, and made ‘em wonder, I was just suppose to be here to do a long run, which is crazy and running a strong rain is even crazier.

We were hangin on, the ran was good for keeping us cool away from getting overheated.  The rain even made it harder for me to read my time splits as I think it was printed in too small fonts so I gave up and ran on my comfortable pace.

… and lightning…What was left from the 7-8 pack runner was two runners, ultra runners named Jane and Anthony.  I was pacing with them i find it a bit quick but i tried to relax behind them, then suddenly, i felt someone was taking photos of us.  Realizing it was a lightning stroke a tree 2-3 meters ahead of us at the banks of the river, with a crackling noise.  I was scared that I screamed!

Realizing we were close by getting hit by the lightning, beside the Mcleay River, a very huge river, flat farm lands, electricity poles, cows and us, it was a big possibility it could have stroke us, or any other runners.  I felt my life flashed literally in front of my eyes.  Thoughts of ambulance carrying my limp lifeless elecrecuted body, and my Woodstock mates carrying back a dead Woodstock mate back to Sydney!!! I was mortified with that experience that I actually was crying silently, luckily the rain was washing the tears away.  I was praying that I wish there awere no more lightnings coming and hope no runner gets hurt.

It was just an impromptu run … I was just there to do my unintentional marathon race not even wanting to die from marathon but getting hit by the lightning is out of the plan.  The three of us were hoping for no more lightnings ahead as I also prayed no one is in trouble of that electricity from nature.

At 18Kmish I saw the lead car lights coming towards us already, I as hoping it was Brendan.  Sure does! it was Brendan looking strong giving us high fives on his way back to the start line.

Then naturally before half marathon marker I picked up my pace leaving Anthony and Jane, I was doing it at slower pace as I am scared of hitting the wall sooner or later.  I was waiting for Jane and Anthony to catch up sooner or later trying to feel if they are behind me without having to look back who are behind me but I do not hear them coming.  So I just continued on.

my first PB of the race … But then later after that I am feeling I need the loo.  This is the after effect of drinking a 300ML of an energy drink which I never had experienced before!  Its a clear open shot of the highway and the runners and motorist.  I was waiting for a water station so I can use the marshall’s car to cover me while I do my leak.  Unfortunately the urge was untolerable that I need to really go pee!  As I was running passing two senior guys behind me looking around my left of a bushy patch of grass where I can do my own thing.  As we reached a big tree, I ran towards the tree and did my business, forgetting about the possibility of lightnig striking it!  However by the 2nd lap anyways, the sun strated shining on us.  I reckon i lost 30 seconds from that PB, pee break as funny and embarassingly, Jane caught up as i rejoined the group.  Ran with them for a while but left again tried to regain the position I had over the two other senior males that took over their positions back on my detour.

Sure enough I got it back.  Maybe for 15 minutes after that, I was running alone in that stretch of road not until I caught up another senior male at the bridge.  Then passed a male of my age group who went passed us at first half.  Afterwhich another younger male of myage category just before the first hill back to the town.  As another hill to the town, A bit discouraged that the folks at the cafes don’t even cheer you on or well maybe they do not have any idea there was a marathon going on in their town!

Running on this marathon was a bit of a challenge having a few marshalls, to direct you and runners you can follow the right direction.  So I am at 35th Kilometer towards the bike path at the bushes. I was running alone, I know it is just 1 bay run to go.  I know I can do that, a few more minutes to finish I kept telling myself.  Anotther water break at the bush, but no gatorade left so I drank water and splashed one cup on my self.  At 38th Kilometer i was alreadyThanking God talking to myself with the trees around, then a few more inclines (why do they have to put this hills in the end?!?!) I passed another runner which I think was the last runner I passed.  I am almost getting lost no Marshalls around, I am plodding, seeing a 5KM walker marker thinking should I be following that direction, and trusting my instincts I should just go straight the road, then back tothe bushes, of an intersection, i did not know what to do, I know I was loosing seconds everytime I had to think and suddenly I saw a runner go the other way, I followed him for a bit then he vanished, so I went back to the path I was going, I cant remember passing this grass going out yet I just kept going as it was a busier roa with cars going towards the direction I am going.  This might be it.  Then I am seeing the Trial Bay Gaol signage, I knew I was on track.  I can’t wait to see last 3 kilometer markers, more or less 15 mins to go.   I was hoping for at least a 3 minutesPB from Canberra’s time but I guess looking around I was loosing my time.

Last water stop, 1.125 kilometer to go, no one was manning that water station, then last Kilometer, I know its just more or less 5 minutes to finish, frustrating to hear the announcer I started to walk run and plod.

few meters to go!

I can see the beach, its down hill to the loop towards the carpark, I started running my best, before i was about to run down the hill I can hear my Woodstock mates cheering on my name and the team’s name, nearing the finish mats I can hear them announcing my name coming in 3rd female, Brendan is a meter away the chute giving me high fives, and where I was met by my friends at the chute.

I was happy to finish, I did not expect I will be finishing still at the same time I did at Canberra as I havent trained the past few weeks for any long runs.  I knew though I was still feeling strong at the 40Kms not until the last 2 kilometers ++ i can feel my achiles acting up.  I felt I am not as sore as my first Marathon,i learned to relax my limbs more as I ran.

It was a good run.  A good marathon, wonderful weather to finish, wonderful company of friends to celebrate with.  Everyone got finisher medals.  Hearing that Terry and Tami got their PBs in 10KM and Anna got her PB in her half.  Tony also was happy to get his PB in his 2nd marathon.

We waited for the ceremonies, we had beers, had streteches, where Tristan was helping out stretching us out.  Coming in next was Jeff Marounga at 4:29, who also got drawn in the lucky prize.  Brendan also got a tray of fruit which he shared to the group at the cottage.  Brendan got trophy and cash and did the Marathon speech.  Anna got a trophy and cash.  I got trophy and cash.  As we were leaving the ceremonies when it ended, also bizzare a couple approached Brendan, and they introduced themselves as the owner of the house who were also running in the event.  And it also caught their attention when the announcer mentioned where I was living in Sydney they told me they are residents of the same area! Bizarre.  Anyway, We were also offered oranges by the scout master who was manning the water and recovery station and the rego booths last saturday as we left the awarding ceremonies.  We also met a new runner friend from Manly, Joe who won his age category 19-29 in male division.

Well deserve beers with good running mates!

Discovered too that I worn out my Lunars already and burning holes in my both right and left shoes.  And their soles are getting worn out.  Still can wear it maybe for a short run or my speed trainings at the grass.  It served me so well!

soles going souls ...

Souls

balls of my feet burned the shoes

We left South West Rocks the day after, as it was a holiday, Queen’s birthday.  If given the chance, I would like to go back again and run this event.

Event: Mcleay River Marathon
Location: South West Rocks, NSW
Distance: 42.125 KMs
Time: 3:56:04 – 3rd F/Oall, 1st F 19-29 – PB of 1 second!

Results
Marathon
Half-marathon
10KM

What a run – Mcleay Argus

Ever first Marathon prize!

Part 1 Mcleay River Marathon: Confused and praying for a luck

Six Weeks after my first Marathon in Canberra, I can not believe myself that I ran another Marathon.  Call me crazy, yes I think I was.

Before Canberra Marathon. I was thinking of doing Mcleay River Marathon instead being talked by Brendan that it is much easier for a first-time Marathoner.

He says it is “flat as a pancake.”  I was thinking actally, but I thought I ready for Canberra and Mcleay River Marathon is a bit late for me on my training.

Sure does, training wise, I did good training for Marathon with later daylight until 9 PM after work, but not this Autumn and winter coming and early dark times, I can not run longer distances after work.

Just like weeks before Canberra and weeks even I started my First marathon, i was thinking about River Mcleay Marathon instead.  So I haven’t took that idea off my mind anyways.

I was considering doing at least doing the half marathon and it was a long weekend getaway and Woodstock mates Brendan and Tony were keen of going up South west Rocks on that weekend and open to giving me a lift and if Terry is keen.  They say that after a marathon, human body recovers fully from the marathon 6 weeks after.  Sure enough, at least I wasn’t pushing enough of the luck of doing too much too soon.

Three weeks before the event, the North east area of Australia got flooded from a massive downpour of rain and storm, which affected this area whcih is hosting the Marathon.  We already booked our accomodation, Bren, Tony, Tez, and me.

Bren emailed the organizer to check if it is still on, and they emailed a day after saying yes.  I haven’t decided what to run yet even.  A half, or a 10Kms.  I keep putting registration off and missed the early bird registration and I don’t care as I do not know what to run!

I just did a Half Marathon 2 weeks before and I was talking to Woodstock mates how Brendan talks to me on doing the full marathon, No way I can do that! I was not doing any long run trainings after Canberra, longest was 16 Kms, 32 Kms every week because I was stuffing my knee for running too much after the Canberra so I don’t think I am even fit and confident to sign myself to do a Marathon.

Less than 2 weeks before the Mcleay , I prayed and ask for a sign, that if my right knees hurts after the race on the Sunday before the long weekend, I am not worthy to run a Marathon, as I will only hurt myself, but If my knees doesn’t hurt at all, means a possibility of Marathon and a 100% of a half Marathon.

Guess what? After Heart of the Lake race in Bankstown, my knees was not hurting, no pains in my legs.  I had the sign to do the marathon or Half.  I was scared for my life as I havent been training!  5 Days before this event I also did a quick 11Kms and I think I did a quick 8 Kms out of 10 Km condition run.  Thursday, we were told by Bren that we still can do the early bird registration for a cheaper fee without the 15dollar on top pf the rego fee.  I tried but It was too late and they closed the early bird so we will have to do registration on the day.  So I still dontget to do the pressure of the longer distance, even if I already did mention to Tez I might do a full Mara because knees was behaving itself.

All I can think of that week is i was looking forward to doig a long weekend getaway as I just finished my on-call duty for weeks, gruelling 2 weeks at work and im so stressed!  Holiday is all I care, thinking and looking forward to! (can you feel how I feel stressed at work?:) )

Then Thursday Night i was already half convinced to do a full But what concrened me, aside from training I wasnt carbo loading whould have been started last Wednesday!  I feel stressed a bit with that.  So Friday Lunch I started eating carbo and more than I should have been eating.  It was a hectic day, having giving a heads up to my Project manager and line manager 3 days before weekend I will be taking a half day compensation day on that long weekend, and Robert, my PM, was worried bout our Techinical support having Nishant my colleague on leave, so I assured them anyway I am bringing my laptop, with and contactable by phone just in case.  Having to rush 3 projects fitting it in a half day testing, and should be home before 4 PMish as we planned to leave after that.  Had to do quick work, tried my best, and went to Rebel Sports in Sydney to get some Gu, got some munchies on my way home for the road trip of 6 hours.

Lucky enough, Brendan had the same day of busy hectic Friday, and he was picking me and Terry after Tony, which happened more than two hours after the planned departure time.

625ish we got picked up by Brendan at Rozelle and our journey to south west rocks started.

So we were renting a house in South west rocks with 4 other mates. We arrived 30 minutes after the first couple, Tom and Anne arrived at 130am we found the place, and we finally found the place.  After chatting and getting to know the new couple, had a couple of drinks, it was late it was 3 am after a drive of 7 hours drive up to South west rocks.  We were glad to see the place it was not flooded anymore and after stopping for an unhealthy tea at Mcdonalds, almost running over a fox and getting stopped by cops to watch out for cows on the road.

We had a few drink and retired to bed at 3 am, not after getting woken up by neighbors at 63o we were all awake and grumpty, tired and sleepy apparently as this neighbor of this vacation house is having a garage sale!

Bren's doing a paparazzi on the nossy, noisy neighbors!!

Carbo , liquid and salt loading by the time we woke up

Ocean and mountain view from the rented cottage

We went to the race expo to do our late registration and pick up the race bibs.

Woodies at the Race Rego

Six Weeks after my first Marathon in Canberra, I can not believe myself that I ran another Marathon.  Call me crazy, yes I think I was.

Before Canberra Marathon. I was thinking of doing Mcleay River Marathon instead being talked by Brendan that it is much easier for a first-time Marathoner.

He says it is “flat as a pancake.”  I was thinking actally, but I thought I ready for Canberra and Mcleay River Marathon is a bit late for me on my training.

Sure does, training wise, I did good training for Marathon with later daylight until 9 PM after work, but not this Autumn and winter coming and early dark times, I can not run longer distances after work.

Just like weeks before Canberra and weeks even I started my First marathon, i was thinking about River Mcleay Marathon instead.  So I haven’t took that idea off my mind anyways.

I was considering doing at least doing the half marathon and it was a long weekend getaway and Woodstock mates Brendan and Tony were keen of going up South west Rocks on that weekend and open to giving me a lift and if Terry is keen.  They say that after a marathon, human body recovers fully from the marathon 6 weeks after.  Sure enough, at least I wasn’t pushing enough of the luck of doing too much too soon.

Three weeks before the event, the North east area of Australia got flooded from a massive downpour of rain and storm, which affected this area whcih is hosting the Marathon.  We already booked our accomodation, Bren, Tony, Tez, and me.

Bren emailed the organizer to check if it is still on, and they emailed a day after saying yes.  I haven’t decided what to run yet even.  A half, or a 10Kms.  I keep putting registration off and missed the early bird registration and I don’t care as I do not know what to run!

I just did a Half Marathon 2 weeks before and I was talking to Woodstock mates how Brendan talks to me on doing the full marathon, No way I can do that! I was not doing any long run trainings after Canberra, longest was 16 Kms, 32 Kms every week because I was stuffing my knee for running too much after the Canberra so I don’t think I am even fit and confident to sign myself to do a Marathon.

Less than 2 weeks before the Mcleay , I prayed and ask for a sign, that if my right knees hurts after the race on the Sunday before the long weekend, I am not worthy to run a Marathon, as I will only hurt myself, but If my knees doesn’t hurt at all, means a possibility of Marathon and a 100% of a half Marathon.

Guess what? After Heart of the Lake race in Bankstown, my knees was not hurting, no pains in my legs.  I had the sign to do the marathon or Half.  I was scared for my life as I havent been training!  5 Days before this event I also did a quick 11Kms and I think I did a quick 8 Kms out of 10 Km condition run.  Thursday, we were told by Bren that we still can do the early bird registration for a cheaper fee without the 15dollar on top pf the rego fee.  I tried but It was too late and they closed the early bird so we will have to do registration on the day.  So I still dontget to do the pressure of the longer distance, even if I already did mention to Tez I might do a full Mara because knees was behaving itself.

All I can think of that week is i was looking forward to doig a long weekend getaway as I just finished my on-call duty for weeks, gruelling 2 weeks at work and im so stressed!  Holiday is all I care, thinking and looking forward to! (can you feel how I feel stressed at work?:) )

Then Thursday Night i was already half convinced to do a full But what concrened me, aside from training I wasnt carbo loading whould have been started last Wednesday!  I feel stressed a bit with that.  So Friday Lunch I started eating carbo and more than I should have been eating.  It was a hectic day, having giving a heads up to my Project manager and line manager 3 days before weekend I will be taking a half day compensation day on that long weekend, and Robert, my PM, was worried bout our Techinical support having Nishant my colleague on leave, so I assured them anyway I am bringing my laptop, with and contactable by phone just in case.  Having to rush 3 projects fitting it in a half day testing, and should be home before 4 PMish as we planned to leave after that.  Had to do quick work, tried my best, and went to Rebel Sports in Sydney to get some Gu, got some munchies on my way home for the road trip of 6 hours.

Lucky enough, Brendan had the same day of busy hectic Friday, and he was picking me and Terry after Tony, which happened more than two hours after the planned departure time.

625ish we got picked up by Brendan at Rozelle and our journey to south west rocks started.

So we were renting a house in South west rocks with 4 other mates. We arrived 30 minutes after the first couple, Tom and Anne arrived at 130am we found the place, and we finally found the place.  After chatting and getting to know the new couple, had a couple of drinks, it was late it was 3 am after a drive of 7 hours drive up to South west rocks.  We were glad to see the place it was not flooded anymore and after stopping for an unhealthy tea at Mcdonalds, almost running over a fox and getting stopped by cops to watch out for cows on the road.

We had a few drink and retired to bed at 3 am, not after getting woken up by neighbors at 63o we were all awake and grumpty, tired and sleepy apparently as this neighbor of this vacation house is having a garage sale!

Bankstown Fun Run: Heart of the Lake

It was so tempting to just stay at the coast tho at Saturday night as it was pouring, cold and it was perfect … perfect for bed weather!  However, I had a thought of it and I was looking forward to running this Sunday, so off to Sydney we go.

By 645, we were already picked by John then we headed to Bankstown.  We stopped at a mackass and had our caffein fix.  As we reached or nearly reached the event menu, the rain started pouring.  We sat at John’s car around 5 minutes, lwhilst I was singing in my mind “rain, rain go away.”  And it just seem rain died down a bit but not completely stopping.

We decided to brave and run towards the registration booths.  Saw Brendan and Dot, thenurd Kerry, Emmanuel and Derek.  I went to go do my clark kent-change and it started raining again. It is going to be horrible running in cold temperature while its raining and I wore my bra top asI used my other singlet last Saturday’s handicap.

10 minutes to start the running god decided to stop the rain and bring a lil bit of sunshine.  As we prepared ourselves in the grassy start mats.  Then started with a whistle.

Never have ran this fun run but I was told it do have a couple of up hills … then so with down hills.  John compares it to Gladesville bridge to bridge run so I was psyching myself with that.  It was a yucky start on swampped grass making our shoes wet and socks and so we have to drag extra weight on our shoes because of the water.  Along the route were more swampped walk way, with mud.  I was trying to avoid it at first but then it will just waste milliseconds of my time going around and making effort leaping and avoiding this obstacles.

Then came the first hills followed by hill and inclines one after another.  Some are a bit steep so tempting to walk it but I did not and did smaller steps instead.  Downhills were recover, however after recovering a few meters ahead is another uphill wishing you will never come back to it again on the next lap, which of course we need to.  A couple of runners overtook me and i cannot remember if i did overtook runners, a few but I think most of them gained their positions back.

Coming back from the turnaround, I was counting the female runners to know where I should place myself.  I was hoping to at least get in the 3rd age category group.  I was already dying after 7 kilometers, as two more runners overtook me and a nother lady! However, I knew she wasn’t in my age group so I let it go.  Brendan was waiting at the 2 kilometerish distance to the finish and ran with me encouraging me to keep on running.  I bet I would have slacking off if i was doing it on my own.  My 7 kilometer time was 34:11 so I was estimating a 49ish finish.  It was a push with Brendan telling me I can go for it, even though he already heard me swearing, wheezing and oh i was having stiches since the roundabout.  The last Km was a struggle, my lungs were puffed.  then at 200 meters to finish from pavement to grass, Brendan stopped and told me to sprint sprint sprint! It was so impossible, I felt i cant breathe anymore and wet grass, splashing.  Looking at the time to the mat hoping to get in the mats at 48:30.

It was a puking feeling finish, took me a few seconds to recover breathing normally.  All runners looked dirty and wet as if we just finished an adventure race!  I was getting really cold so i went to change as we waited for our senior runner Derek White, and the awarding ceremonies start.  We were scoffing bananas and oranges while waiting as there were heaps of fruits.  They were also selling cheap sausages on bread, tea and coffee.  So we kept our selves filled and warm.

Then the awarding ceremonies started.  As they finished awarding the top 3 winners for the 10 and 3 km distances for males and females, Derek came in and everybody was clapping and cheering for him.  As soon as he heard everyone’s cheering he started pickin his pace up to the finish.  I can not imagine myself yet running at 81 year old! He is such an inspiration.  As I always use this mates to people who are unfit/unhealthy and think they can not do any efforts to be healthy.

Most Woodstock bagged some blingage and made it to the top 10 of their respective age category.  Brendan Davies-4th outright, 1st age category, Kerry Bray-1st Age category, Dorothy Siepmann-2nd age category (It was just Kerry and Dot running on that age category), Derek White won gift vouchers for a 3 night accomocation on a resort, John Dawlings won one of the best draws which is a box of fruits and veggies.  I got 2nd place at first for the age category, however Kerry’s daughter Ellen knew the first female was alreay an outright winner in third, so they had that fixed while i was still enjoying a Silver which is not bad, then they re-awarded the medals I got gold as i returned my silver, I am happy.  Loathing, considering that most of the Woodies gave their best on their 7KM handicap run on the day before this race.

It was an awesome run.  Organized, well marshalled, enough water on water stations.  Very good raffle prizes, authentic medals with their Woodrunner emblem.  The only bit issue was the stuffing with the rankings as I was told happened again last year where outrights shouldn’t be already awarded on age categories.  And number of us thinks the official time was 5 seconds or less more than what we timed ourselves.  Aside from that, I think the race was very good with the challenging route.  Everyone left happy.   This was organized by the Western Harriers

Event: Heart of the Lake Run
Location Bankstown, NSW, Australia
Distance: 10KM
Time: 48:35 Mins 1st Age category/10 f/overall

Results 10KM
Results 3KM