De Castella Run for Mental Health Race Report

Second race in 1 week, this one is important to me as it’s raising funds for Mental Health and secondly as my Tri Squad are supporting the event through Mizuno Running Shoes.

Both Ellie and I signed up for the 5km event for a bit of fun. We showed up about 1 hour before our kick off found our way down to the main oval and where the team tent had gone up. We caught up with a few people while waiting for our event to start, laughing at the Zumba instructor doing her thing. With about 15mins to go Ellie and I head out for our warm up run. We headed out on down to the first turn and then headed back to the start line. At the start line we placed ourselves close to the start line as we could. I always find these type of events you end up with Kids, pushers, etc at the start of the line that get in the way of you running.

Start line Koas

Ellie and I did some stretching, then butt kicks and leg swings at the start line. At 8:15am off we went and within the first 500m I had kids, dogs and pushers all in the way of me. I had to jump out of way so many times I lost count. I saw Ellie take off, she was some 100m in front of me, she is a far better runner than me and I accept this fact. The course was an out and back mainly downhill with a few minor rises for the first half but it also meant a hilly return. At the turn around I felt good, no major issues I kept on pushed all the way back up the hills. The final push for last 1.5km was hard it just keeps raising and at the end you turn left and there is still another 200m of the hill to go until it flattens out and you head back into the school grounds.

I sprinted around the oval to the finish line passing the TA Taj and coping abuse from the team (Ellie had finished before me).

At the finish line

Ellie and I post race

My time was 25m 19s I was very happy with this time, very fast for me.

Brazilian Butterfly Queen of the Lake Report

Here in Melbourne late Friday we had a huge thunderstorm come through. For the 24 hour period from 9am Friday until 9am Saturday we had 140mm of rain. Most of that was in the later 12 hour period. This was the tail of Cyclone Yasi which hit Queensland earlier in the week. Gatorade Triathlon Series @ Portarlington which was in the 25th Anniversary had to cancel the swim leg of event. Start to finish publish yesterday that this morning’s event would still be on but they would be monitoring the weather and updating us if there was a change to the event.


When I got up this morning you could hear the wind blowing and checking the online weather it should it was 14c blowing from the SW @ 25km per hour. Not too bad but as Albert Park does not have a lot of protection from the wind it can be an interesting place at times. So I got ready and put on my running clothes (T-Shirt, running shorts, etc) but I also grabbed my long running jacket great if it’s windy and wet. After parking at Albert Park I noticed the wind and weather were not as bad at home or near the Beach so I left the running jacket in the car. After getting my race number and timing chip I started my warm up with some stretching and little runs mixed with some sprits. I lined up towards the front of pack I always hate being caught behind someone slower than me. Right on 8:30am off we went the pace I started out was very quick 4:50 pace but it felt ok but I knew I would be slowing it down, but too my surprise I did slow down not to a 5:30 pace but more at 5:15 pace. I got to say that event was well done considering that track was free of puddles, muddy areas we missed and where the water run off from Friday’s storm was they marked well. With the first running event of year over I was happy not only with the time but the result as well.

With this being the 3rd time I have run Brazilian Butterfly Queen of the Lake I don’t feel sore at all which is great I’m really happy with the performance, the result and the recovery. With in the next 6 days I have another event Go the Tan which I looking forward to smashing.

The training is starting to really pay off. Thanks Alana

Results
Time 26.14.1

Overall Place 85th
Age Group Placing M40-49 8th
Gender Placing 40th

Pictures to follow (I hope this time)

2010 in Review

Well with a few hours left of 2010 it’s time to reflect on the year gone.

So what did I achieve in 2010

- Turned 40 years old don’t feel 40
- Run a PB in 10km race – took 3 mins off
- Every Tri I have done I have improved my time. (Based on the same distance)
- Completed 2 Tri’s in February / March and went on to sign up for some more
- Broke in a new Personal Trainer (Alana)
- Spent way too much on sporting gear
- Injured myself and spent 12 weeks playing Rehab – Thanks to Ben at Recover Sports Med

So what is the plan for 2011

- Finish off the Xosize Tri 10/11 races (3 to go)
- Complete Races 5 & 6 Active Feet Tri’s
- Complete Mother’s Day Run, Run Melbourne, Go the Tan and Brazilian Butterfly Queen of the Lake
- Try and complete Defence Lake Attack (Tried the last 2 years might be 3rd time lucky.
- Build my running back up from 5km to 10km.
- Spent time with John Van Wisse to improve my Open Water Swimming
- Maybe an open water swim or two.


What else in 2011? Who knows but it’s only a few hours away.


Happy New Year everyone

Am I ready for the Sandy Hut?

In Short NO!

After yesterday last 5km Treadmill training run, I've pulled up a little sore in the left leg.

So after having a shower this morning I slipped on some compression socks which I have being wearing all day, and at lunch time day I spent some quailty time with a foam roller @ the gym working up/down my left hand side of my body. It hurt like hell at first but more time on the roller less pain. Followed by stretching, walking in the pool and time in the steam room.

How do I fell ? better not great. So more time with the roller later today and tomorrow and hope like hell I pull up all right for Sunday. Then I have week to recover before Lake Attack Sunday week.


Let's see what Sunday brings

Just registered for Defence Lake Attack 5km run

Just registered for Defence Lake Attack 5km run! Not doing the 10km as 7 days earlier doing the 10km Villa & Hut Sandy Point Half. Lisa and I will both do the 5km, Lisa is not sure about Villa & Hut Sandy Point Half as I have to work the Saturday and Sunday after the race.