Pinnacles Classis Race Report 1

On Saturday morning few hardy souls, and me, made the journey to Gold Creek Reservoir at Brookfield for surely the hardest half marathon in the known world. This year the race went clockwise, tackling the worst part of the course first.
There was mention of 17 hills in the first 8km, making an average of two hills per km. I lost count after the first 5 and it all seemed like a big hill to me. When I say hill, should I rather say 'ridiculously steep incline!'.

The route markers were white ribbons attached to trees and some chalk markings on the ground, which were difficult to see [we will get to that later]. Each of the hills or series of hills are named. Perhaps the names are indicative of the hill.
The first being The Randal, probably named after some poor bloke who got wrecked on that hill. It was a never ending hill, and the air started getting thin on the way up. When my ears popped I knew it was steep!

That was followed by The Brute, and aptly named it was. Talking about aptly named hills, The B******s were a series of hills that no parent would be proud of!
That was followed by the Double Whammy, which everyone found memorable. The halfway point arrived mercifully and the race helpers assured me that the rest of the way was downhill except for one hill. I know enough not to believe a single word they say to you at waterpoints. Each marshall is trained in psychological tricks to encourage you not to spit the dummy and chuck it all in! After a water refill and a few lollies, I set off to see if for once someone told me the truth. Well, the rest of the story will have to wait until I can get back to my PC.

Coming up:
SOS - The Search For Lost Steve

The difference between an adventure racer and a runner

Running quote of the day

Jogging is very beneficial. It's good for your legs and your feet. It's also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed.

Peanuts

High Visibility Gear bargain

There is a sale on at KMart at the moment, and you can get a water bottle stuffed with some useful high vis gear for early morning or night running: high vis mesh vest, velcro ankle bands, shoe key holder, flashing light. All up for $16, its a bargain. Don't worry about looking good in the dark, worry about being seen!
Stan

Pinacles Classic update

There appears to be a few hardy souls willing to give this classic run a crack this Saturday morning, and the list is growing. The more the merrier I say. It's got to be better than staying at home, overdosing on chocolate! If you live in the South Pine region perhaps we can organise a ride so email striders@southpinechurch.com and let us know or call or SMS Stan on 0402019050

Attention all Females

Calling all girls and ladies (and those who like to wear dresses). Sunday May 14th there is a Fun Run /Walk called the Mothers Day Classic held at Southbank. You have a choice of 4 or 8km which you can either walk or run. I would love to see others come with me and have a great time together. Bring your friends and neighbours. You can even dress up if you like.

Thought: Remember ALL activity is good activity. Try and be active in as many little ways as possible this week. Aim for at least 30 mins of activity each day. This doesn't have to be all at once but it's a great goal to build up to.

Tip for the Day:
Conveniently lose the remote control so you have to get up and change the tv station, not only do you use your quads, but you use your abdo muscles when you get up and down.

Striders - the antidote to a growing epidemic

Let's face it, we as a nation are getting bigger and slacker and prone to certain ailments more than ever before. Obesity is causing a range of flow on effects. Check out the latest reports here:
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18773034-37995,00.html

What better way to tackle the problem than participating in a regular Striders session? This morning I was joined by 4 others at Bullocky's Rest, Lake Samsonvale, for a beautiful walk/run around the peninsula, watching the sun rise, listening to the sounds of nature, looking across the still blue expanse of Lake, enjoying the green trees and undergrowth, and the company of others. All the while, my body was burning calories before breakfast.
Get Striding!
Stan

Last call for Pinacles Classic

This Saturday morning, a challenging but fun run at Gold Creek Reservoir:
Here's the details:

THE PINACLES CLASSIC
Distance: 20km. Event Time: 7:00 am. Location of race: end of gold creek creek road,Gold Creek Resvoir Brookfield. Race Address: Peter Holles 0429908339 Other details: Cost $25, All and I mean all proceeds to charity.A challenging course in the tradition of six foot track. Not held last year due to earth works at the dam wall. This year sees the course going clockwise with the downs now the ups and vice versa. Sorry about last year but we're back. contact: peter holles. email: paholles@hotmail.com.

I did this 2 years ago, and took some mates with. Just thought it would be a run around a dam, in other words: flat. Well, I couldn;t have been more wrong, and they hated me for it!!! The bloke who drove me there didn't want to talk to me all the way home. This one's not for wusses. It is a challenging track run, you need to watch your footing closely all the time, but the field ar a friendly bunch and the proceeds go to charity. No traffic to contend with, just you and nature and gravity!!!
I'm planning on going, let me know if you're interested and we can car pool to Brookfield.
Stan 0402019050

editors profiles #3

Steve Meharg>> married, competes in cycling and triathlons but his real love is cycling. Steve is a pastor at SPCC and a part time student.

Steve hosts our Wednesday morning road bike rides, to the Bay and back. Loves his Italian bikes and doesn't get much sleep during the Tour De France.

Editors profiles #2

Stan Fetting >> married with 4 girls, two times Comrades Marathon [90km] finisher and regular marathoner, pastor of SPCC and also a part time chaplain.
Co-ordinates Striders and hosts Tues morning run at Bullocky's Rest. Keen to help new runner's learn from his mistakes, set goals and achieve them. Always known to be complaining of one injury or another.

editors profiles - #1

This blog is currently edited by three people, who also host a Striders session:

Mary Jackson >> married mother of two girls, two times Ironman finisher, Comrades Marathon [90km] finisher, works in CF research with kids. Being an Ironman competitor, Mary has done plenty of swimming, riding and running. Last year Mary took on the Comrades Marathon in South Africa and conquered the course, helping others along the way. Mary hosts the Thursday morning run and is a mine of information, both athletic and medical.

Winning at all costs

The recent contrasting behaviour of Australian runners at the Commonwealth Games provides models for us to follow and reject. The 4x400m women's team protesting at England's gold medal when they had been clearly beaten by 10m was a low moment in Aussie running and sport for that matter. Craig Mottram got tripped up and lost out on a potential gold medal, but was able to write it off as part and parcel of racing. He shook the hands of the winner and other place getters and gave a philosophical interview after the race.
Good sport Craig, great attitude! Poor form to the 4x44m team!
The medals they have are a reminder to them of their bad sporting attitude.

The word is spreading

Striders has had a slow start in terms of numbers, but word is spreading and numbers are starting to build. We are open to adjusting our sessions times and locations if there is enough demand. Don't hesitate to contact us by phone 3264 5555 or email us at striders@southpinechurch.com if you have any queries.

It was great to see all those Aussie Gold's in the cycling over the past few weeks. I especially enjoyed the road cycling events. I think this sport is really going to take off in australia over the next five years. I even read an article about cycling as a sport that competes with Golf. In Golf the regular player does not want to get too much better or the handicapper will lower thier handicap and they will win nothing. In cycling thier is constant reward for extra effort. You can keep the wheel of that elite rider for a bit longer or make the sprint finish with friends on a pedestrian crossing somewhere on a group ride. You can join with a few of the guys who like to do a 'second lap' of the bay on a long saturday morning ride. Also it has to be said that you can play golf for many years and have your health and fitness get worse. Cycling is a sport that although social and relaxed in nature requires a lot from your body and results in strength and fitness. Its true that our cycling outfits don't leave much to the imagination, but if you have been cycling for a few years thats ok. Put all the golfers at the local club into lycra, and it may be a scary picture. So i say throw away those annoying clubs, swap the beer at the 19th with a coffee and join your local group ride. Sure a bike costs a lot, but if you give up the golf club and all the equipment you'll have the best bike in the bunch and enough change for a holiday. Get rid of the gut, enjoy some real fitness and energy, while meeting great people and seeing the beatiful sights of our area. Plus you'll have half your saturday back!!!

Get on your bike.

Steve

You call the shots

Our session times are open to your call. If you would like to request a particular time for a session or suggest a change of time [or venue] for any particular session, email or call: 3264 5555 and we can see what we can do. If you can organise a minimum of 3 people we can start a session and attract more punters.
It will take time to find the best times to attract the most people, so your input is welcome!

First evening run

Tonight is our first evening run: 7:30pm, leaves from the church car park. Our host is Gabriel.
Have fun!

Winning by Losing

Am I seeing things or since Australia's version of 'The Biggest Loser' aren't there a lot of of people out there pounding the pavement looking fairly determined to shed kilo's and get healthy?
The big test for any new resolution is whether we have the determination to push on and finish the task.
With the onset of winter and cold mornings/nights our resove will be sorely tested. I've found that by committing to particular events, I lock myself in and it helps me argue with myself on a cold winters morning. After teh alarm goes I usually lay in bed evaluating whether or not I can afford to sleep in.
When I have committed to an event it helps decide the argument. The most powerful tactic is to train/walk with others. That creates an accountability which helps you put aside the pathetic arguments your lazy side puts up just after the alarm has gone off.

Rain Policy

I awoke at 4:55am to get ready for my Tuesday session at Bullocky's Rest only for the sound of rain to fill my ears. I lay back in bed in two minds about whether to go or not. Running in the pelting rain, in the early morning murk, through mud, is not many people's cup of tea. I waited for the rain to finish but it got harder. After making the decision not to go, it promptly stopped at 5:27am.
To cut any confusion, here's the rain policy, which applies to runs, walks, rides:
If it is raining steadily, a session will be cancelled.
If it is raining at all, a cycling session will be cancelled.
If is only raining lightly and every now and then, a run/walk will go ahead.

As the sessions grow, and people get to now one another, mobile numbers can be exchanged and we can let each other know via SMS.

Striders Easy Riders Saturday Session 25 March

Easy Riders meet this Saturday morning, 6:30am in the church car park. Bikes will be loaded up and cyclists will head to Sandgate Pier, for a easy ride along the esplanade north, across the bridge and up to Woody Point and back again.
Expect to be back at the SPCC car park at 9:00am.
Hosts are George and Alan.

For more details ring ring SPCC on 3264 5555 or email striders@southpinechurch.com

Setting yourself some goals

Are you thinking about starting to walk or jog or ride? PErhaps you do already, but at a pedestrian pace? Why not set yourself a goal by entering a race? Once you've set the date and entered and paid your money, it provides extra incentive to actually train. Once you do that, and you experience the pain & pleasure of completing your chosen race, it becomes easier to set new goals and work hard towards them.
As you get fitter and start to enjoy a healthier lifestyle and buying clothes you've never fitted into before, it gets easier to mtoviate yourself.
If you are into running you have plenty of opportunities, ranging from weekend cross sountry races to the big events like the Brisbane Marathon [plus half marathon, 10km run/walk] and other major events which offer varying running and walking distances.
Check out the Striders webpage here for more info on the race calendar