South Pine Striders

All of you who are interested in doing any of the Gold Coast Marathon 2010 events note that the entries open as of Monday, 12 April 2010.

So, unless I have it totally wrong, this is the first Half Marathon of the season for all, or most, of our club runners. This is not the eaiest of Half Marathon courses and it keeps you honest and hardworking for most/all of the way. Even so, there were some good times set for so early in the season (Stan Fetting 1:29:46 ; Paul Dack 1:36:33). Some people just keep improving and you wonder what time they are capable of ….. with a little training (Duncan Price 1:42:37). Others did’nt quite achieve the times they had set themselves as targets and this is where the runner in each comes out. For these people you need to reflect on the run, learn from it, put it in the bag, leave it there and work on the next target. Pat yourself on the back for completing yet another run! Every run, good or not so good, has lessons in it to learn from. It looks as if it’s going to be a competitive year… There were also a couple of 10km entrants as well as the latest and greatest young runners, Matthew (5:08) and Emily (5:22), following in Dads foot steps and running really good 1km times. Dad may have to actually start training a bit….. Well done Matthew and Emily! See full result at the website

“A great day out, interrupted by an ocean swim” This describes the 1st Tangalooma “Wrecked” Ocean swim; brought to us by Weekend Warriors Events. Event co-ordinator John Guise was both welcoming and professional, as were all the organisers and volunteers of this well orchestrated and thoroughly enjoyable event. There were some really nice touches to this event, including but not exclusive to, getting a handshake with a “good swim” and handed a powerade at the finish line. Distance 2.4km; with the option of a team of two; mass beach start, around the outside of the wrecks and then parallel to the beach; finishing at the Tangalooma resort. The water was calm and tepid, and clear enough to spot some marine life – a couple of rays and some starfish!

Results:
Brett Jackson: 5th place (category 36 +) Time : 31:00:76 (3min off 1st place and 5 mins off 1st place cat 19yrs – 35yrs)
Abi Griffin: 7th place (category 19-35yrs) Time : 37:03:44 (1min behind Emma Thomson and Less than 5mins off 1st place)

This was a fantastic event; I would love to see a big group go over for this next year. Asides from an enjoyable and challenging swim, there was plenty of time in the afternoon to explore the wrecks; which are teaming with ocean and reef fish and covered in coral; have lunch, and relax in a beautiful part of the world. Tips for anyone interested in next year; I will be bringing an esky, with a picnic lunch and beverages… otherwise, perfection. I have attached some photo’s as well. In the race start photo’s you can pick out Brett and I as we are both wearing Blue Seventy wetsuits which have the blue rings at the top of the arms. See photo’s me fitting my wetsuit, the mass start, me finishing, Brett finish and Brett again at the finish. See the results at the website . Article contributed by Abi Griffin.

And they did it again! All the usual suspects were there. These are some of the results from the Bribie Triathlon Series events over this past weekend. Please accept apologies for those people who took part but have been missed of this posting. Well done Kirsty, Abi and Fabian! It seems Kirsty improved on her October result as did Fabian. As for Abi, I cant see why she could’nt pull another 12min 5km out of the bag….. Full results from the weekend events can be found at the website and following the Bribie Triathlon Series 2009/2010.

The Queensland Cross Country Series kicks off this Saturday, 6 March, and could be a break in routine for those wanting to try something different and mix it up a bit. The series runs through to the end of July 2010. These runs could be used to gauge where you stand in your preparation for other bigger events you have targeted and could be seen as time trials with a variety of distances to choose from in most cases. See the Race Schedule or visit the website.

Yesterday a sizeable bunch of Striders ventured down to Bowen Hills to take on the tunnel.  Like everyone else, none of them were carrying the water bottle that arrived in the race pack (which also carried a race book with a suggestion that you take your own water), a decision that many regret now.  Conditions in the tunnel were oppressive and not all the fans were activated.  The tropical conditions meant that the water sachet rations were not enough and plenty of people went without.  The course itself was tough with about 4km of the 10.5km course uphill. The news about it being a 10.5km was delivered to us just before the race start, so these times will not count towards our 2010 10km Championship.

It wasn’t a pretty run and not much fun either, but it certainly had novelty value.  (more…)

Well done to all who participated in the CLEM7 this morning. What a turnout by the club! Although the conditions were humid, it was’nt a flat course and it was’nt REALLY 10km there were some good times set with a fair bit of competition it would seem. See the results at the website.