As much as I struggle to accept it, I’ve now entered my middle ages. I’m 47, and there’s no denying it. It looks bad on paper but it doesn’t have to feel that bad in life. Thanks to a lifestyle of running and fitness and the blessing of health I’m fitter and healthier than I’ve ever been. And I’m running the fastest I’ve ever run. I’ve just returned from the Comrades Marathon in South Africa having achieved my running dream off the back of some key changes to my training and racing strategy. If my health allows me to continue running, these changes will help keep me running long into my twilight years, or here’s hoping! I think these key changes can help anyone no matter how old or young. See what you think: Continue reading “How To Run Faster The Older You Get”
News
New Season Membership Flyer
If you have family friends who you think may be interested in joining our club we’ve got a huge stock of flyers that you can pick up at your next training event or you can download a pdf version here and get busy recruiting. Continue reading “New Season Membership Flyer”
Striders At Gold Coast Marathon 2012
A good bunch of Striders headed down to the premier running event in SE Queensland this weekend for the Gold Coast Marathon Festival. Julie Turner kicked off the weekend in style with a blistering 38:51 in the Southern Cross University 10km. Julie had a seeded start after taking out her age group at the Noosa 10km and she used it to good effect. In a very competitive field she placed 3rd in her category and of course posted another consistently fast time. On Sunday we had a number of Half and Marathon debutantes who all did remarkably well on what turned out to be a hot day for the marathoners. Continue reading “Striders At Gold Coast Marathon 2012”
Gold Coast Marathon Top Ten Taper Tips
The premier running event of SE Queensland is only a week away and final training preparation us underway. There’s not much you can do to make yourself faster right now, but there are things you can do to make yourself slower and have a really bad day. Here’s my top taper tips: Continue reading “Gold Coast Marathon Top Ten Taper Tips”
Indiana’s Run – Comrades Marathon 2012
The odds seemed stacked against me getting to the 2012 Comrades Marathon. Running Comrades is easy for me, getting permission from your wife to travel to South Africa and run it is the hard bit. Having pulled off that miracle I registered only to be diagnosed with a serious tear of my peroneal tendon (ankle). I remember clearly having an argument with my doctor in December 2011. He said “4 months off”, I said “but I’m going to Comrades”, he said “4 months”, and so the square off continued. My physio gave me hope, “2 and a half months” he said. That’s what I settled on and in early February I completed my first hour long run, 2 months behind Comrades schedule. I was out of shape and overweight after nearly 3 months of no training. Just what shape I would be in on race day was anyone’s guess. Continue reading “Indiana’s Run – Comrades Marathon 2012”
Striders Shine In The Noosa Sun
The Noosa Winter Festival was held in ideal conditions with a fresh start followed by golden sunshine. The Striders contingent shone as well showing the fruit of lots of hard training since the start of the year and promising more to come at the Gold Coast on the first weekend of July. There were a swag of PB’s and some inspirational stories with first timers and comebacks from surgery. etc. Continue reading “Striders Shine In The Noosa Sun”
Race Report : Pinnacles 2012
It was near perfect conditions for the 2012 Pinnacles Classic with a little bit of mist and light drizzle at the highest point. Myself, Dave Holland and a last minute replacement for the injured and still hill-shy Karen Brown, her husband Scott, all represented Striders in the green and white with Mary Jackson (saint), Karen Reardon (nana), donning the yellow of Redcliffe Tri Club and being joined by several others from the club.
The event was well organised, as usual, and was sold out early. The start was divided into four waves 10 mins apart, which avoided congestion early on.
This years race was the ‘clockwise’ route, with most of the quad mangling hills on the first half of the course, it’s not for the faint hearted, and the naming of the hills is apt. The back half offered more undulation and shorter hills until the monster descent at the end. Just when you think it’s downhill all the way, there’s a kick-in-the-arse uphill, before its back to freewheeling to the finish.
Dave Holland was first strider home in 9th place in 1hr 35 mins, one place behind the first female. An impressive performance with only two other competitors older, both slower and neither could match his fine head of hair.
Other times were:
Paul Dack 1hr 38mins.
Scott Brown 2hrs.
Karen Reardon 2hrs 15mins
Mary Jackson 2hrs 16mins
Tina Florance 2hrs 34mins
Pleasure in pain is a necessity and the relief to reach the end was shared by all.
Afterwards there was a sausage sizzle, cereal and fruit. Soft drinks, a very dubious coconut drink and even a slab of beer as refreshments.
Reporting a week after the event and with the return of functional quads, I can now say it was a challenging race and worth every cent of the $25 entry and I’ll be there again next year and I’d recommend everyone to give it a go.
Report by Dackie
Twilight 2012 Race Report
Last night saw the annual running of the Twilight Festival, this year bigger than ever and the first year that there were no typos on the race singlets.
We have a number of virgins who had never worn the famous and hallowed green & white club colours in a race.
Dave Holland proudly wore his new singlet and took Striders honours in the 10km with a 38:46 just ahead of a fast finishing Julie Turner in 38:51. Investigations would later find that it was in fact Stan Fetting running with Julie’s race number but the race database had been changed. Julie’s never looked rougher, hopefully she will be back to her usual prepossessing and demure self on Tuesday.
Another Striders kit virgin was Zara Di Bella and she also debuted at the half, and looked radiant afterwards as did Meaghan. Congratulations to both for their efforts.
In the Half Marathon a competitive mens field saw a very well conditioned Tony Banfield sneak under the 1:30 with seconds to spare, followed by a solid Dackie, Peter (debuting in Striders kit, singlet AND shorts!!!), Scotty (also debuting in Striders kit!) Timomatic (aka Carr) and Corne. Scotty was a surprise packet, as he has been doing extensive squirrel training and is looking lean and cut. He’s a dead set favourite for our new Squirrel prize at the Annual Dinner. Sneaky bugger.
A competitive female Half field saw veteran Jenny Cawood take honours in front of Michelle, Sandy, Karen, Zara and Meaghan. Michelle toughed it out after getting sick on course, congrats on hanging in there.
We remained on trackside to welcome Jennifer over the line in the Half, great effort there.
We had great support from Maz, Brownie and a generous Abi who couldn’t run but came down to support.
Due to Julie and her boys being sick, Angus & Felicity brought along Gabby who raced as Harrison Turner and Jake as Blake Turner.
There is at least one evening runner I’ve missed, other corrections welcomed.
10km
Dave Holland 38:46
Stan Fetting 38:51
Johnny Dansie 53:49
Half Marathon – Men
Tony Banfield 1:29:51
Paul Dack 1:32:01
Peter Lewis 1:40:40
Scott Brown 1:49:10
Tim Carr 1:52:01
Corne Grotius 1:53:04
Half Marathon – Women
Jenny Cawood 1:47:43
Michelle White 1:49:25
Sandy Scott 1:54:07
Karen Reardon 2:04:22
Zara Di Bella
Meaghan Quinn 2:20?
Rachel Bushell 2:19:53
Mt Glorious Trail Run
This run was held on 4 February 2012. It’s organised by TRAQ or at least the details of the run can be found there as can many other trail running events. It was run from Cedar Flats on the other side of Mt Glorious and run on fire trails up to Mt Glorious itself. There were a total of about 150 runners on this day which represents a full field for events like this. Numbers are limited due to National Parks restrictions but more importantly for the safety of competitors. It was a fun run in great conditions with some honest hills in it. I would encourage all to have a browse of the TRAQ website, pick an event and go and do it. There is less pressure on time and absolutely no disgarce in walking sections. Especially some of the hills. Well, that’s it. Just a quick blurb and hopefully it will convince more of you into the bush. Remember, you can take the man out of the bush but not the bush out of the man. Happy running!
Hell OF The West race report
On the 5th February 2012 eight Striders took the long road trip out to Goondiwindi to take part in the ‘Hell of the West’ a 2km swim, 80km ride and a 20km run.
With the recent flooding in Western Queensland the swim was moved from the river to the local botanical gardens duck pond!
The competition between the Striders was in full swing the night before with Starkie taking it to another level bringing out his full aero, aka sperm helmet to give him that 40sec advantage.
The race got underway at 5:00am (still dark) in the duck pond with 3 laps and a short 3.5km run back to transition. The Striders then got onto their bikes for the 80km dead flat ride. Jerrod’s recent training shone through with a powerful ride with Starkie hot on his tail.
With the shortened run it was off the bike to complete the final 16.5km run as the sun really started to heat up. The run was made up off 3 laps and gave everyone the chance to have a good look at each other.
Abigail (I haven’t done much training) Griffin blitzed the field and smoked home in 1st place amongst the Striders, showing that she is a true endurance athlete and the boys still can’t catch her.
Michael Stark proved that he is well suited to Triathlon and came home 29sec behind Abi to finish 2nd. The new TT bike on order will see a different result next year.
Jerrod Smith came home 3rd and showed that all his training is paying off with a power display of riding and looks to be well on his way to completing his first Ironman.
Megan Watterston was next across the line taking out 3rd place in her age group, an excellent effort overcoming a back injury leading up to the race.
Duncan Price had a tough day in the office after realizing runners legs don’t really do much on a bike. He struggled home and learnt some very valuable lessons along the way.
Mary Jackson show everyone how it is done completing another magnificent race crossing the line with her normal bounce and smile, more concerned on how everyone else went.
Fabian Gonzalez somehow managed to complete the race with a solid effort after 3 months on holiday and limited training.
The event was fanatics, well organized and supported by the local community. Mother Nature was very kind to us with no extreme temperatures or headwinds; it was a great day for racing.
Lessons were learnt by all with the majority of Striders competing in their first 5hr+ endurance event.
The healthy competition is spurring everyone on with the competition being taking to the next level with a Half Ironman being held at Yeppoon on the 19th August 2012.
Written timeously by Duncan but posted way late by me. Thanks and apologies Duncan
South Pine Striders 