23 July 2007

Timetrial Tuesday

Time for another timetrial tomorrow with a short few laps before the stopwatch starts.

The forecast is good!

Belinda takes Placid, Charlotte 6th

Belinda Granger won Lake Placid Ironman on Sunday - the pro women's key race for the season. She swam 54, cycled 5:14 and ran 3:24 for 9:40 overall.

Charlotte Paul had the third fastest bike split, and finished 6th overall in 10.09.

22 July 2007

Sutho to Surf - results

Still pending

Ah the sun shall return

MondayIncreasing sunshineMin: 8°C Max: 18°C

TuesdaySunnyMin: 8°C Max: 19°C

WednesdaySunnyMin: 8°C Max: 19°C

Nature's need

Through the first 12 stages of the Tour de France, at least 10 riders have been cited for violating Articles 12 and 29 of the cycling code, regarding correct comportment on the race course.

According to the citations, the riders “satisfied nature’s need in front of the public.” The cost was 100 Swiss Francs per rider, or roughly $US83.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/22/sports/othersports/22bike.html

19 July 2007

Benwa's away and running

It’s true – Jacqui Benoit’s getting faster and faster. In fact, she recently broke through the 4-minute-a-kilometre mark on the track, which is a huge psychological barrier to clear.


Jacqui rarely says anything about her races so it seemed appropriate to point out what she’s accomplished in a short few months so far this year.


In March, she ran Six Foot Track in 5:30 , which put her 8th in the competitive 20-29 age group and gave her a top 50 finish among all women. She was 46th overall.


In April, she ran another marathon – this one in Canberra in 3:47 .


Marathons aren’t her only distance of course. She ran the Sydney half marathon in May in 1:39 and then the Gold Coast half marathon on July 1st in 1:40 .


The breakthrough race came just two weeks after the Gold Coast.


At the 25km Woodford to Glenbrook earlier this month, Jacqui ran 2:01 – securing 4th place in the 20-29 age group!


Jacqui is putting together a solid running resume and building a wider and wider base for what achievements lie down the road.


Believe it, Achieve it!

Weekend Training

Saturday - 6:00am York rd gates
80-90k Easy - Waterfall and return or Cronulla ride
Sunday - 6:15am York rd gates
No ride due to easy week.

Sutho to Surf Fun Run.

Rgds, Damo

Forecast

Showers Friday Showers
Min: 9°C Max: 14°C
Showers
Saturday
Showers
Min: 8°C Max: 15°C

Sunnday
Showers easing
Min: 9°C Max: 16°C

Monday Increasing sunshine
Min: 8°C Max: 17°C

17 July 2007

Accupuncture/Massage Therapy

Point Therapy 9369 5588

first session $100, subsequent sessions $85

www.pointtherapy.com.au

in bondi junction, across the street from the cash converters on ebley

Brat City to Surf Teams

City to Surf BRAT Teams

WAIT ! Don’t send in your City to Surf application, send your application to the BRATS and become a part of a BRATS C2S team. You can download the application form on the City to Surf website. city2surf.sunherald.com.au
Post your application form to the BRATS at PO BOX 1621 Bondi Junction, NSW 2022. BRATS will put youin a team and submit the application on your behalf.

If you have any queries regarding the City to Surf please contact Angie Bainbridge on 0414903244 or by email at dancingsneakers@yahoo.com

Cedo Memorial Run on Saturday

BRAT RUNNING


CEDO Memorial Run July 21st


This annual event will take place on July 21st at 2pm in Queens Park , Northern side. Register by 1.45pm . NO COST!

Brat dinner - Saturday 21st

BRAT PARTY and AGM NEXT SAT JULY 21st CLOVELLY HOTEL


Last July we donned some wigs and partied hard at the Icebergs for the 'Winning Is Glorious" party. Recently we celebrated our close second place at the NSW Club Championships and shared multiple toasts to regaining the championship in 2008. Now once again it is party time...


Come and celebrate the end of the triathlon season with a "Touch of Gold" at the Clovelly Hotel on next Saturday 21 July. This party promises to be the best in recent times and we want you there!

Theme: Touch of Gold
When: Saturday 21 July - AGM from 6pm, Party starts at 7pm with free drinks
Where: Upstairs function area, Clovelly Hotel
Tickets: $30 pre-purchased online (see www.bratclub.com.au) and gain entry into lucky door prize; $40 at the door unless sold out

What is on? ...basic catering and open bar until the tab runs out - get there early! The night will include the speedy presentation of club awards, great raffle prizes, selected auction items and give aways thanks to our great sponsors.

Please call Stirling Keen on 0407 745336 or Angie B on 0414 903244 if you have any questions

Cold and dark

NSW: Sydney's coldest morning since 1986 Cold (SYDNEY)

SYDNEY, July 17 AAP - Sydney has experienced its coldest start to a July day for 21 years.

The temperature plunged to 3.7 degrees in the city at 6.54am (AEST), which the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) confirmed as the most frigid recorded since 1986.

Meteorologist Peter Zmijewski said a calm, clear night was to blame for the shivery conditions.

``Clear skies and little wind and, of course, it's winter,'' Mr Zmijewski said.

**It was a brisk session in the park this morning. The TT was abandoned due to poor visibility, but everyone who made the effort would be hard pressed to say that they didn't get a solid start to the day.

16 July 2007

Sutho to Surf - FYI

Entry Fees Adult: $30.00

From July 16 there will be an extra charge of $5.00 for Late Online Entries

http://www.wandasurfclub.com/

Tuesday Session - 40km TT

Be prepared .. it's a 40k TT on Tuesday this week ..

Three Aussies Out

Yup .. O'Grady, Rogers and McKewen are out of Le Tour .. injuries from crashes.

Cadel Evans in 6th overall as at the end of yesterday's stage.

King of the Mountain

Oliver Lamb does it again .. running 32km in the King of the Mountain bush run in 2.12 for 7th place. [Just two weeks after running the Gold Coast Marathon]

It's described as:

"A challenging run from Cambewarra Public School, over Mt Scanzi to Kangaroo Valley Showground on quiet gravel back roads with some bitumen. This is an arduous event and entry by young or unfit competitors is NOT recommended. The run will proceed in any weather and, if necessary, the route will be changed to ensure your safety."

Busy Weekend

Ok - it was a busy weekend across the board.

A few reminders - when cycling at Kurnell .. it's really important because the entry/exit road is so narrow to yell out when a truck is advancing on us or when there's a hole in the road. Please don't hesitate to shout.

The more we ride as a group, generally the safer it is. If you're going to turn early, that's OK. Just let as many people know exactly when you're going to turn. Someone else might go back with you.

Sunday's early ride was huge .. 185km .. it was also a reminder to one of us (me) that you can still get dehydrated when it's cold. I made a big nutrition mistake by not drinking enough. Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition!

13 July 2007

Weekend Training

Sat - short ride

Sun - long ride with run .. Lisa, Tim have 160-180k rides planned

King of the Mountain run on Sunday .. Go Oli!

Damo recuperating from the flu and hopefully will be back in action next week.

11 July 2007

Amanda in Oregon?

Amanda and Luke are busy racing around the US and are preparing to head to Europe next.

Check out their latest adventures on www.xtri.com and stay updated with the rest of their activities on www.amandabalding.com/blog.html

auf Wiedersehen Thomas!

Thomas is heading back to Germany after more than two years here in Oz.

Though we haven't seen a lot of him lately, we still miss having you pushing the big gears on the long rides.

Safe travels!

How wise are you?

From a US newswire story:

When asked to define wisdom, Socrates just shrugged. He said he couldn't find it, whatever it was, either in himself or in any of his fellow citizens.

The news from Monika Ardelt is more encouraging. Yes, she reports, wisdom is rare. No, it is not extinct. If you know where to look, you can catch glimpses of it, darting in and out of its usual habitat.

Most scholars seek wisdom in folklore, ancient texts and the spiritual visionaries of the ages: Siddhartha, Confucius, Lao Tsu, Buddha, Abraham, Muhammad, Jesus Christ.

Ardelt, a 47-year-old University of Florida sociologist, bypasses the usual suspects, searching instead among ordinary souls.

She finds wisdom in a 77-year-old retired school administrator who learned, over his lifetime, to see problems as games, meant to be played out rather than feared.

``I've never allowed any outside force to take possession of my being,'' he says.

She finds wisdom in an 85-year-old homemaker who lived by the creed: ``Do whatever has to be done, whether you want to do it or not.''

...

Most dramatically, while wise individuals rarely complained and talked often and with obvious delight about the welfare of those they loved during interviews, their low-scoring counterparts much preferred to discuss themselves and their own never-ending catalog of complaints.

Self-absorption, and the unhappiness that comes with it, has become a recurring theme in Ardelt's observations.

``It's striking to me just how harmful self-centredness is to the individual,'' she says.

5 July 2007

Weekend Training

Saturday - 6:00am York rd gates
2 options probably
1) 80-90k Easy - Waterfall and return. (could be a bit pacey)
2) 140-160 As per option 1 but enter National P at Audley through National P climb out at Waterfall - back through the park - down garie - down wattamalla - climb out at Audley - back home via LaPa if K's required.

Sunday - 6:15am York rd gates
2 options probably
1) 80-90k Easy - Waterfall and return.
2) 120-140 Easy - Bulli return
Some have runs off the bike.

Damon

Oxfam fundraiser - August 17

Hello Friends

re: Oxfam Trailwalker Team 19 -

Beach Palace Girls Go Bush

We will be running through the bush for 100km on Friday 24th August with a goal to finish in the top 3 all female teams!

We are also having a massive fundraiser at the Beach Palace Hotel, Coogee Bay on Friday 17th August to raise $15 000.

Tickets are $30 and tax deductible -

Auction Prizes include:
Dinner for 2 at Tetsuya's
Finals Tennis Tickets to the Medibank Private International
Sydney Dance Company Tickets
Massages
Revlon Skin Products
Sporting memorabilia
Microsoft Windows VISTA
Beauty Vouchers
Hair Dresser Vouchers
1 Years Supply of Cadbury Chocolate
Cases of Wine
Original Artwork Canvas's
And MUCH MUCH MORE.....
Thanks for your support!!!

Cheers Gina / Fiona / Kelly / Kristy


contact Gina (Dingo's partner) at
clearplace1@yahoo.com

Brat Club Info

Cedo Memorial 6km Run - Sat 21 July.North Side, Queens Park 2.00pm start
AGM Presidents Awards and BRATS 'Touch of Gold' End of Season Party - Sat 21 July AGM starts at 6.00pm party to start at 7.00pm at the The Clovelly Hotel. Tickets $30.00 per head.

More details at BRAT MEMBER AWARDS> BRAT 'Touch of Gold' Party 2007

2 July 2007

Oli stuns gold coast!

In a performance that sets a very high standard, Oli Lamb smashed himself and the clock at the Gold Coast Marathon.

And he did it with a consistent pace too!

His first 10k: 39:08

Second 10k: 38:37

Third 10k: 38:39

And a final net time of 2:45:53!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That put him 12th in the 25-29 age group ..

In other Gold Coast news

Lisa had a superb marathon debut in 3:02!!

Tim had a PB of 3:10. Margreet (who set a marathon PB three months ago) crossed in 3:15.

In the half marathon, Tony Golden was 1:33 and Jacqui Benoit was 1:40.

**

I've raced here three times and set PBs each time. It's basically a flat course. A very good overall atmosphere as there are also 1/2 marathon, 10k and 7.5k events the same morning. It's definitely worth the effort to get there at least one time!

29 June 2007

Keep moving forward

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try one more time."

Thomas Edison

Weekend Training

Saturday - 6:00am York rd gates
2 options probably
80-90k Easy Kurnell / Cronulla / Sutherland ride (I'll be doing this) or
Those needing to go longer go to Waterfall and Bulli return
Sunday - 6:15am York rd gates
2 options probably
Option 1 - 90-100 k Waterfall - down the Nasho - left at the bottom - down Garie - climb out at Audley - stop at Sutho (regroup) - go back home together. (no hits will be easy low strength ride)
Option 2 Turn off at Kurnell and complete 60k TT returning easy to the park.
Calga Time Trial is also on the Sunday
I'll be doing Option 1 . For those beginners - feel free to to do option we will wait for you or you can turn early at Garie.
Some have runs off the bike.

Damo

Drying out

Saturday
Clearing shower
Min: 9°C Max: 17°C
Mostly sunny Sunday
Mostly sunny
Min: 9°C Max: 17°C
Sunny Monday
Sunny
Min: 7°C Max: 18°C
Sunny Tuesday
Sunny
Min: 8°C Max: 20°C
Sunny Wednesday
Sunny
Min: 9°C M

25 June 2007

Roth Too!

It was a busy weekend of racing .. at Roth ..

Macca took out first .. again - fourth in a row .. with another sub 8 hour finish and pledged to return next year. 7:54:27.

In the women's race, a Dutch athlete won her DEBUT ironman in a sub 9 time!!!!! She ran a sub3 hour marathon to catch both Jo Lawn and Belinda Granger.

The Dutch athlete: Yvonne van Vlerken, who happens to be the world duathlon champion. Her time: 8:51:55.

Luke takes 6th

Luke McKenzie had an awesome day at Coeur d'Alene, finishing 6th overall in 8:53!!!!!

Superb effort!

Swim: 51:32
Bike: 4:45
Run: 3:13







Sarah Just Outside Top 10

Sarah finished within striking distance of top 10 in the 25-29 age group.

Swim: 1:27
Bike: 6:03
Run: 4:35

End: 12:15

*Her Dad was on the course today too, finishing in less than 15 hours. Very cool!

Coeur d'Alene - ongoing

The race in Idaho is still in progress - a windy day.

``Over 2000 athletes have entered the water here. The water is rough but but do-able. Athletes have been offered the option to do a duathlons if they are uncomfortable with the swim conditions. Very few appear to have accepted the offer.''

Sarah Kubsch had a 1:27 swim and a very solid 6:03 bike. No run splits for her yet.

Gez - a French Ironman!!!

Gerard Sazkozy secured another M-Dot for his racing resume yesterday competing in Nice, France.

He had a solid swim of 1:04 and a solid bike of 6:13 and then a 5:14 run for a 12:45 day.

Looking forward to hearing more about the day.

22 June 2007

Feels like .... brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

  • Current temp: 6.3°C
  • Recorded min: n/a
  • Recorded max: n/a
  • Feels like: 2.3°C
This is the weather report for Sydney at 7:45am on Friday!

21 June 2007

Ironman Weekend

Go Gez and Go Sarah ..

For ironmanlive: http://vnews.ironmanlive.com/


For M-Dot France and Gez: http://www.ironmanfrance.com/


For Coeur d'Alene and Sarah: http://www.ironmancda.com/

Winter Wipeout Sale

Starting tomoro .. get to Katmandu and get some more thermals .. it isn't getting any warmer out there .. yet!!!

The Comrade!

An excerpt from John's day in South Africa:

... I could feel my pain killers wearing off, by this time I had hit the other major mother of hills - bothas hill.fields hill and cowies hill, the damage on my quads had now hit me rite between the eyes. I looked at my watch and it told the story, I only had 3 mins up my sleeve to make my 7 hrs 30 time that I was going for if I could hold 5 mins per km pace.

every step I dug deep, the pain was just not tolerable, I remembered all my mental plans that I had made before in case of times like this but for some reason throughout the race all these psychological things just came to me anyway, I thought of so many deep things in my life during this run and twice had tears, it wasn't pain it was just emotion which can happen when your in this other world...

I planned to do these things when I needed them but it happened the other way around,an ipod tune would spark off a memory and the emotion followed, but Jesus did it fire me up...

problem I had now at 10k to go was I needed another but it just wasn't happening, the pain was over riding anything I could dream up, I laughed at myself at one point coz every step I was chanting in my head "don't give up don't give up".

I had 7:30 in the palm of my hand, I also knew that usually I'm quick at the end with adrenalin etc so I always had hope.

.....

that was one special journey for me which I advise everyone to do at some time in their lives, whether it be for motivation, balance, fun or personal reasons....stepping out the comfort zone can do you wonders !!

john hill 19/6/07

now in sunny Roth Germany

legs still smashed

19 June 2007

Cyclonic Storm!

So much for the forecast for Fine weather!!! The bureau of meteorology has changed its mind.

****

Cyclonic winds are forecast to hit Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle tonight, and the weather bureau warns the wild storm will "pack a mean punch".

Gusts of up to 100kmh, enough to tear off roofs, will hammer the coast.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/cyclonic-winds-to-batter-sydney/2007/06/18/1182019030766.html

18 June 2007

You are a Comrade!

John Hill .. 7:38:55 for 89.3km .. (He ran the first 44.3km in 3:35)

He was 145th in the 40-49 age group .. He was 664th overall male .. There about 9000 men on the start line

http://196.38.150.246/Splits.aspx?RaceId=87&EventId=1&AthleteId=90417


Winning male: a Russian in 5:20 ... Winning female: a Russian 6:10 (difference between 1st and 2nd - 29 seconds!!!!!)

John's splits:

Lion Park15.973.401:13:3106:43:31
4.622261183
Camperdown26.962.402:04:5207:34:52
4.642331188
Halfway4544.303:35:3809:05:38
4.792061010
Pinetown68.920.405:42:4311:12:43
4.97157724
Mayville82.3706:55:5012:25:50
5.05138615
Finish89.3007:38:5413:08:54
5.14145644




Weather to improve

From the Bureau of Meteorology:

Forecast for Tuesday
Shower or two increasing to rain overnight. Fresh and gusty west to southwest winds tending strong and squally southwest to southerly, after midnight, and reaching gale force at times.

Precis: Shower or two increasing to rain at night. Very windy night.

City:  Min:   11  Max:   16
West: Min: 7 Max: 16

Wednesday Rain easing. Very windy morning.

City:  Min:   10  Max:   16
West: Min: 6 Max: 15

Thursday Fine morning, coastal shower later.

City:  Min:    7  Max:   15
West: Min: 2 Max: 14

Friday Mostly fine.

City:  Min:    7  Max:   17
West: Min: 2 Max: 15

Saturday Mostly fine.

City:  Min:    9  Max:   17
West: Min: 3 Max: 15

Sunday Mostly fine.

City:  Min:    9  Max:   17

Map Your Run!

http://www.mapmyrun.com/

tnks for the tip from kathy

17 June 2007

Mini Mos - Oli, Lisa, Jacqui

It was a wet morning and the ground was a bit slippery in parts but it didn't stop Oli, Lisa or Jacqui from tearing up the course.

Oli took first in his age group and was top 10 overall in a sub 36 performance.

Lisa was also first in her age group with a solid 39:54. Jacqui was fourth in her age group.

15 June 2007

Wet Weekend Ahead

Forecast for Saturday

Rain, with moderate to locally heavy falls, easing later. Chance of a thunderstorm. Fresh southeast winds, strong and squally near the coast. Dangerous surf conditions. Windy.
City: Min: 11 Max: 16

Forecast for Sunday

Shower or two.
City: Min: 10 Max: 17

http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw/

M-Dot Japan

It's on Sunday. Bevan Leach is on the participants list!

As are: Kate Major, Belinda Harrison and Yoko Hori.

3.8k swim - that's nothing!

The New York Times
June 14, 2007

Crawling Around Manhattan, One Arm at a Time

By KATE TORGOVNICK

The visibility in some of the waterways surrounding Manhattan is so poor that a swimmer can barely see his own hands.

The water is cold, the currents are powerful and debris can include plastic bags and dead fish.

Despite those conditions, demand far outstrips the number of spots available in the annual Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, which on Saturday morning will send freestyle swimmers on a 28.5-mile course around the island.

So many swimmers want to participate, in fact, that the race’s organizers added three more events to the calendar.

When the marathon swim began in 1982 (a revival of an event popular in the 1920s), it had only 12 swimmers. Nearly 90 are registered this year, and they range in age from 18 to 76. Many live in the New York area, but others arrive from throughout the country and the world — including participants from Italy, Guatemala, Australia and Japan.

“It’s like applying to college,” said Morty Berger, the founder of the Manhattan Island Foundation, which organizes the annual race. Manhattan Island Marathon Swim hopefuls must complete an online application, submit an essay about why they want to be part of the race and pay a fee of $US1,285.

Because the race can last more than nine hours, contenders must also complete a qualifying swim to show they have the stamina. Still, Berger said, “We’ll never be able to satisfy the demand.”

When registration began Dec. 1, the slots filled in 1 hour 40 minutes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/14/sports/othersports/14swim.html?ref=sports

Coach Damo

While John is away - I'll do my best to make all sessions. If I can't make a session due to work or illness I'll advise a few people to ensure the groups has a leader.

Tuesday rides will be as per progs so PLEASE be aware of what is on YOUR prog every Tuesday. This should save time explaining things 2-3times at the start of each Tuesday session - I will go over the session for those casual riders.

Thursday rides will be a mix of Watsons Bay/La Parouse and sessions in the park. There will be no 2nd meeting place as per Tuesday (we will only meet at York st gates)

Spares and Lights - Please make sure you're self sufficient with spares/pumps and tyre levers. Also please make sure you have at least 1 fully functioning bright front and back light - no lights = no ride.

Be on Time - If the ride starts at 6 it will start at 6 not 6:10

I've attached a document that covers bunch riding borrowed from a cycling club - most of it refers to the way we ride (or should ride) so especially those new faces among us, take 5 minutes to have a read. [Contact Damo if you need this document]

If you have suggestions or dramas please feel free to let me know.

Stay safe people

Damo

Weekend Training

Saturday

6:00am York road gates
80-90k easy Waterfall and return (stop at Sutho)

Sunday

No-ride

Some doing Mini Mos 10k fun run at Mosman

Damo

Vi-tamins!

June 12

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Guillermo Coria, once the No. 3-ranked tennis player in the world, is suing a New Jersey supplement manufacturer, claiming its steroid-contaminated vitamins led to a positive drug test and a suspension that cost him millions.

In a trial set to begin Monday in New Jersey Superior Court in New Brunswick, N.J., Coria will seek to clear his name and will ask a jury to award him in excess of $10 million for lost prize money and endorsements, his lawyers said.

11 June 2007

Mini Mos - Online Entry Closing Soon

http://www.minimosmarathon.com/index.php?crn=201

PRIZE MONEY:
The MiniMos 10km Run is our premier event, with more than $6,000 in prize money on the line. This year, due to popular demand, we’re paying deeper into the field. Prize money will be awarded as follows:

  • 1st-Place Overall Male & Female: $1,250
  • 2nd-Place Overall Male & Female: $800
  • 3rd-Place Overall Male & Female: $500
  • 4th-Place Overall Male & Female: $350
  • 5th-Place Overall Male & Female: $200

Macca on the move

Not only has he moved his family to Boulder, Co for the time being, he has switched bikes to Specialized from Kestrel.

And he's also tapped Mark Allen as a coach. This comment is from Allen on xtri:

You are working with Chris McCormack this year. When did you meet, and how did you decide to become his coach?

``I have known Chris for many, many years and have always liked his approach to his training and racing. He asked if I would help him several years back, but at the time I was working with Peter Reid and it would have been a conflict of interest. But now I am free to work with him and am really looking forward to being a part of his team of support.''

http://xtri.com/features_display.aspx?riIDReport=4085&CAT=3&xref=xx

Kiplagat - Just Go!

Published: June 10, 2007

At the hint of the horn, Lornah Kiplagat broke like a sprinter out of imaginary starting blocks. In two steps, she was in the lead on Central Park West. Barely a block later, Kiplagat again made the New York Mini women’s 10-kilometer a race for second place.

She cut a solitary but familiar figure yesterday morning as she entered Central Park, surging up the hills and gliding elegantly down. Fans cried out, “Lornah!” or her nickname, “Simba!” — Swahili for lion — while Kiplagat, a Kenyan-born Dutch citizen, left the elite women’s field in the dust on the way to her third straight victory.

“When I start, I don’t have a strategy,” Kiplagat, 33, said, smiling. “I just go.”

Her five-second lead in the first mile grew to 25 seconds at the halfway mark, 3.1 miles. Kiplagat slowed toward the end to high-five fans and finished in 32 minutes 10 seconds for her fourth victory in the 36th running of this race.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/sports/othersports/10run.html?_r=1&oref=slogin



Mottram - size matters!

Craig Mottram sent world championship expectations soaring with a record-breaking two-mile victory over a crack field at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon on Sunday.

Mottram sliced nearly eight seconds off his best to clock 8:03.50, the fastest two miles ever run on US soil and an Australian and Oceania record.

The time is also the sixth fastest ever run for the distance, elevating the 26-year-old Victorian to the third fastest of all time, behind world record holder Daniel Komen (Kenya) and Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) who hold the five fastest times between them.

Mottram made his victory even more memorable for US fans by declaring on NBC's live broadcast after the race that when the pace is on it comes down to the size of your balls.

Drafting ..

Some rather interesting comments in this story on drafting:

http://www.triathletemag.com/Departments/Race_Coverage/2007/Badmann_sets_world_record__Tollakson_dominates_at_Eagleman.htm

Wild Weekend

Well the weather kept most of us indoors all weekend. But a perfectly good day for cycling today and the forecast indicates the same for Tuesday before the wet weather returns.

Forecast for Tuesday
Fine. Some morning cloud then mostly sunny afternoon. Moderate to fresh south to southwest winds.

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDN10064.shtml

7 June 2007

Wet and Wet

June 7, 2007 - AAP

Up to 50mm of rain has soaked parts of Sydney as a three-day weather front moves through coastal areas and the central tablelands of NSW.

Most of the storms are currently over the the Hunter region, but the Bureau of Meteorology says they will move south, dumping up to 100mm of rain in some areas.

"Sunday will clear up, but tomorrow and Saturday are going to be quite wet and windy across Sydney," bureau weather services manager Deryn Griffiths said.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/sydney-soaked-by-rain-more-to-come/2007/06/07/1181089194435.html

5 June 2007

Cookie Monsters Unite!

From the weekend training camp in Kiama, a tip on some amazingly healthy cookies that pack a punch.

Freedom Foods makes the cookies. Blueberry Bliss and Apricot Temptation were the two varieties consumed on the weekend.

97 per cent fat free, no added sugar, high fibre, dairy free, GMO free, vegan and nut free

No artificial flavours or colours. Low GI!!!

There are nine cookies in each package. Each cookie is about 25g, containing 83 cals!!!!!!

You can find them in Coles in the health food section, $2.95 a package.

http://www.freedomfoods.com.au/

Australia Half Ironman Series

http://www.halfironmanseries.com/

Port Mac site open

PANTHERS IRONMAN AUSTRALIA –
2008 WEBSITE NOW OPEN!

www.ironmanoz.com

4 June 2007

Kona 1/2 Results

Sixth in her age group for Grace!!!!

Seventh in her age group for Amanda!!!!

Luke dropped out during the race, which was won by Macca in 3:57.18, a course record.

Wheels for sale

Mavic Cosmic Carbone race wheels

Come with Tufo singles and 23 cluster.

Rear wheel recently serviced/trued by Mavic.

Excellent condition ready to race.

Price: $950 ono.

Call Steve: 0439605765 or e-mail smurray@mipi.com.au

GC Marathon

The number of entries has reached the 5000-mark which is more than 35 per cent more than last year.

Gold Coast Airport Marathon General Manager Cameron Hart said at the current rate of entry, this year’s participation will not only exceed last year’s record of 13,814 but also the 2007 target of 14,500.

"We also encourage people to enter before next Wednesday June 6 to take advantage of the cheaper entry fees. A late fee applies from Thursday and late entries will be accepted right through until Saturday June 30.”

High profile marathon runners attending this year’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon in various capacities are Rob de Castella, Steve Moneghetti, Pat Carroll, Lee Troop and Kerryn McCann.

Weekend Running

Congrats to Oli and Jacqui .. superb 8k Sunday run efforts .. And apparently running a lot of km's does help you run faster, just ask JH.

Epic Camp

More than 300km of cycling and more than 60km of running, with one swim, over three days.

It was a weekend of endurance and strength training in and around Kiama. And the weather couldn't have been any better.

31 May 2007

Weekend Training

training as follows
thurs track with tony golden 6 pm syd athletic field 4$ entry
sat bike 6 am york rd gates ...waterfall and nat park into the hills
or
striders run
sun bike 6:15 am york rd gates ...waterfall and nat park
or
ms run(i,m doing this)

regards
john

29 May 2007

Lisa's Wikipedia Listing

To mark her recent half ironman victory, and to help propel her career forward:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Marangon

Lisa Marangon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jump to: navigation, search. Lisa Marangon (born 12 June 1980) is a Sydney, Australia based professional triathlete. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Marangon - 15k -Cached - Similar pages

28 May 2007

Bevan at Ironman Brazil

Bevan raced in Brazil on Sunday finishing in 9:49 .. a 51:20 swim, a 5:02 bike and a 3:55 run.

Top five women

NINA KRAFT (#55) AT 9:12:39
DEDE GRIESBAUER (#53) AT 9:18:18
BELLA COMERFORD (#51) AT 9:20:09
FERNANDA KELLER (#44) AT 9:24:28
SARA GROSS (#56) AT 9:33:08


Top five men

OSCAR GALINDEZ (#1) AT 8:21:11
REINALDO COLUCCI (#17) AT 8:29:12
EDUARDO STURLA (#37) AT 8:29:27
SABASTIAN PEDRAZA (#36) AT 8:33:18
STEPHEN BAYLISS (#4) AT 8:37:07

27 May 2007

June 10 Newcastle Duathlon

ITU Oceania & Australian Duathlon Championships
Sunday 10th June 2007
Race Entry Now Open

Race Entry $100 inc GST (TA Members), $60 per team member (TA Members)
$106 inc GST (non TA Members), $66 per team Member (non TA Members)

Entry includes SCODY socks & Brad McGee cycling gloves RRP$60

Entries – Online entries now open (link from front page of website), close 1st June 2007

http://www.worldduathlon2005.com/

Big and bigger

A report card on the state's health released by NSW Health today shows more than half the state's adult population is overweight or obese, up from 41.8 per cent 10 years ago.

F.A.S.T. kit has arrived

Contact John to arrange how to get the new kit!

Kayano!

If you happen to like Asics Kayano's, then you're well aware of how much faster their price has risen than the rate of inflation.

And so when they are on sale at 30 per cent off, they are a lot easier to justify buying.

Insport, there's an outlet at Westfield Bondi Junction, is selling Kayano's at ``just'' $180 .. compared with the regular price of $260.

26 May 2007

Fastgear Site Changes

If you've lost any of your Fastgear newsletters, fret no more. All of the nutrition tips from John can now be found on the fastgear website.

All you need to do is scroll down and look for the list of links on the lower left hand side of the home page.

There's one there for Nutrition.

Also, there's a revised link called News, which archives a range of comments from John as well as major news.

If you are looking to direct any new people to F.A.S.T., then there now are some details on what the group does through the Multi Sport Coaching link.

And the profiles of the sponsored athletes are in the process of being updated: the first one that has been completed is Lisa's.

http://www.fastgear.com.au//index.php

Weekend Options

A tad late since it's now Saturday night .. however, some of the group went North to West Head and the rest went South to Waterfall. A beautiful day for cycling - though a bit chilly on the downhills through the Royal National Park!!

Sunday:

ride 6:15 york rd gates .. kurnell easy .. run after

24 May 2007

Comrades

http://www.comrades.com/

Organizers have estimated that 11 000 runners will line up outside the Pietermaritzburg City Hall for the 89.3km run to Durban on Sunday, 17th June.

The race starts at 5:30am.

Some running ideas

Thanks to Anthony for compiling:


Botany Bolt - 27 May.
http://www.rbharriers.com/

MS Fun Run and Walk - 3 June. 8km run, 16km walk.
http://www.msaustralia.org.au/nswvic/events/oe/funrun/funrun2007/syd/home.html

Woodford to Glenbrook - 24 June. 25km bush run
http://careflight.org/help/events/woodford_to_glenbrook/

Sutherland to Surf - 22 July. 11km.
https://www.wandasurfclub.com/SpecialEvents/SutherlandtoSurf/2007S2SOnlineEntry/tabid/135/Default.aspx

The Hunter Valley Winery Running Festival - 22 July. Marathon, Marathon relay (2 people and 4), Half-Marathon and 10km.
http://www.huntervalleymarathon.net/

City to Surf - 12 August. 14km.
http://city2surf.sunherald.com.au/

Mt. Wilson to Bilpin - 25 Aug. 36km bush run.
http://www.bilpinbushrun.com.au/

Lake Macquarie Half Marathon - 26 Aug.
http://www.lakehalf.com/lake-mac-half.html

Blackmores Running Festival - 23 September. Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km
http://www.sydneymarathon.org/

Sydney Striders 10km series - 2 June, 7 July, 4 Aug, 1 Sep, 6 Oct, 3 Nov
http://www.sydneystriders.org.au/10k/

CoolRunning race calendar
http://www.coolrunning.com.au/calendar/nsw.php?TargetCal=NSW&Months=12

SMH 1/2 Stats

Here are a few of the numbers from Sunday's race. A few people were using aliases so it was hard to immediately identify some performances.

First across the line: 64:43. First woman across the line: 71:38.

Dean King was 18th overall, 72:44.

John Hill 76:53, Tim Lindop 78:25, Charlotte Paul 79:31, David Ray 79:51, Mel Ashton 84:48, Stephen Firth 86:20, Anthony Donnelly 87:20, Lisa Marangon 87:31, James House 89:09, John Clothier 91:05, Tim Moore 91:39, Sarah Kubsch 97:07.

The oldest male runner to finish was 82 (134:00); the oldest female 78 (152:52).

http://halfmarathon.smh.com.au/results.asp

At least it's dry

Just back from a Thursday spin in the park, during which it felt colder than it has thus far this season.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald site, at 7:30am, it feels like 7.8 degrees outside. That sounds about right.

The forecast looks to be about the same for the next three days before warming slightly early next week.

At least it's forecast to be sunny for most of the next week!

21 May 2007

Unofficial Half Results

Based solely on what people said at the end of the event, or what was heard second-hand. The official results generally are held back to encourage everyone to buy a copy of the newspaper.

Dean in 1:12

John in 1:17

Oli in 1:21

Lisa in 1:28

Tim in 1:31:45ish


Sarah ran as did a few others though their times remain classified.

19 May 2007

Lisa's Busso Race Report

Finally it has happened the Marathon has her debut win at the Busso half ironman in a blistering record time of 4hrs 15min (a personal best by 21mins)!

*****

I arrived at Busselton on Friday morning and it was cold, windy and raining. I spoke to my family and they said it was a beautiful day in Sydney.

I went for a swim in the local pool as I was not confident I could swim 2km due to my fall off the bike one week earlier when my front tire blew out - the day before I could barely swim 200m without flippers. I managed to get through the swim, in a lot of pain, but I was happy I could swim.

After putting my bike together at my hotel and getting the guys to check it over (due to previous events where bits had become unexpectedly loose) I went to bed watching Turner and Hooch. I had a great sleep.

My alarm didn’t go off and when I checked the time it was 5.30am! I jumped out of bed to have brekky and get ready to go over to set up my bike. It was still cold, windy and raining but I wasn’t too worried as the weather for Port Mac half was worse.

We hopped into the water which was a chilly 17 degrees. The start was delayed because people weren’t behind the buoys. Then suddenly the gun went off!

After getting stampeded by a lot of age groupers, I got quite comfortable. I felt that the wetsuit help protected my ribs as I only felt them a little – though the water was so cold that my feet went numb. Swimming into shore, I stood up in 26min and I was stoked! I had seen one girl just in front of me but I seemed to have a quicker transition than her. I heard that Claire had hopped out of the water as I was mounting my bike.

My training prep for this race was hardly anything and I felt "unfit". But the base I had ahead of Port Mac made me confident that if I paced myself and built into the bike I should be OK.

During the first lap of the bike I was lactating like crazy and felt like I couldn’t go anymore. But I also knew if I backed off a little bit and kept getting in my nutrition I would come good.

I was with a nice group and we had a draft buster with us the whole way and he kept telling me that I was legal and so I just kept at that pace.

Getting off in 2hr17min I was so pumped. I knew that I had a good distance on Claire who I knew could run. I started off a bit slower on the run as I had cramps in my knees. I slowly built into each loop getting quicker. I saw Claire a few times and said to myself "it’s not over until it’s over" and so I kept pushing until I was on the home stretch.

The woman on the bike who asked if I was first rode with me. Seeing the finishing banner I knew that I was home safe, and I was running with a huge smile on my face, getting goose bumps from knowing I had was going to win.

*****

I have a dream board at home with all my goals written out. After deciding to race Busso, I had written down that my goal was to win – and it happened.

If you really want something and believe in yourself, you will get it!!

After I finished the race my ribs were in so much pain. I saw a physio and I couldn’t even get up off the table after she had treated me!

Thank you to my sponsors - cheeky monkey and high5 - and also john my coach and especially those who believed in me before I even believed in myself. Also to my best friend Damo, who has been a huge support and my family.

Lisa Marangon

Sydney Half Marathon

Sunday morning .. starts in the Rocks and the coach has thrown down the gauntlet .. who's going to give him a go?

10 May 2007

Forecast

Well in an unusual turn of events, the seven-day forecast on The Sydney Morning Herald shows sun shining on Saturday and Sunday. Rain or overcast-ness today, Friday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

http://weather.smh.com.au/local.jsp

Weekend Training

Friday morning .. email John if interested in a swim

Saturday .. 6am rides of varying lengths ..

.. Penrith team event .. John will be there


Sunday .. Mother's Day .. 8k running race in the domain .. John will be there

Basso - Yes, I mean No!

So did he cheat or didn't he?

"I am fully aware that an attempt at doping is tantamount to doping, but I am asking to be excused for this and that should be enough."

Five-second rule

Ever drop a piece of an energy bar on the floor .. think twice about eating it:

``. . . we can never know for sure how many harmful microbes there are on any surface. But we know enough now to formulate the five-second rule, version 2.0: If you drop a piece of food, pick it up quickly, take five seconds to recall that just a few bacteria can make you sick, then take a few more to think about where you dropped it and whether or not it’s worth eating.''

From The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/09/dining/09curi.html?em&ex=1178942400&en=69f69e372c952897&ei=5087%0A

Penrith Team Tri

All day Saturday! Non-stop action! Who won't make it across the line?

9 May 2007

Singapore Sling!!!

Singapore 70.3 race results

David "Sugar" Ray 4th in his age.

Alice 1st in age.

7 May 2007

Busselton Times

Lisa 4:15.13 ... swim 26:27, T1 1:02, bike 2:17.22, T2 0.57, run 1:29.21

Andrew 4:45.26 ... swim 34:22, T1, 1:53, bike 2:20.19, T2 1:17, run 1:47.33

How to get a fast time? For Lisa, it's about falling off her bike ahead of a race. For Andrew, it's about getting a new speed machine.

The pace of Tuesday is about to accelerate.

5 May 2007

Lisa Takes the Next Step

Lisa Marangon has taken the next step in her career, winning the Busselton Half Ironman today.

Sprinting Striders

It was the North Head course earlier today and it's also a fast one.

JH was in fine form and Tony Golden was on fire too. Others among the finishers included Sarah and me.

Next event, first Saturday of June!

Google, Sydney Striders 10k Series for all the details.

Banff Mtn Film Festival

Looking for a bit of adventure, then make an effort to catch the Banff Mtn Film Festival this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday here in Sydney. $30. See the link:

http://www.paddypallin.com.au/banff/

4 May 2007

Weekend training

Sat – no official ride … optional striders 10k run race at north head, manly

otherwise 6 am york rd gates kurnell return

Sun ride 100-160k ... 6.15 am york rd gates ... run after

Friday morning swim

The water was as calm as and warm .. beautiful!

Kona 1/2 Almost Full

Registration for the 2007 Ford Ironman 70.3 Hawaii taking place on June 2, 2007, is nearing capacity.

In its third year as part of the Ironman 70.3 Series, over 1,100 athletes are registered to compete for one of 79 slots to the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, in October.

Also up for grabs are 50 slots for the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 on November 10 in Clearwater, Florida.

The Hawaii 70.3 competitor list shows that 39 states and 24 countries from six continents will be represented at this year's event.

Busso Half on Sunday

Go Lisa and Andrew ..

Dean King - Club Champ!

Courtesy of the second fastest run on the day, Dean crossed the line first overall at the NSW Club Champs last Sunday.

And we thought he was just a fast cyclist!

Solid results for, among others: Paul, JH, Gez and Tony G.

1 May 2007

Oz Team for Hamburg

Elite Men

Brad Kahlefeldt (NSW), Courtney Atkinson (Qld), Simon Thompson (ACT), Peter Robertson (WA).

Elite Women

Emma Snowsill (Qld), Erin Densham (Vic), Annabel Luxford (Qld), Felicity Abram (Qld), Emma
Moffat (Qld)

F.A.S.T. dinner reminder

Please email Kirsten (kirst_craig@hotmail.com) if you are coming this Friday 4th to Hugo's and transfer $$$. Numbers have to be confirmed by Wednesday

National Club Champs

If you are still fresh and looking for another event in which to test yourself and represent your club then for you the season is not over, and there's a race in which you can still have fun and assist your club in competing in.

Entries will be closing for all events in the National Club Champs on Friday 4 May, which is this coming Friday so be sure to get your entries in with time to spare.

Tickets to the Carbo Dinner on Saturday night at Panthers are now available at time of registration or from the t3 Events shop at www.t3events.com.au(look for the link on the left).

30 Apr 2007

Card for Jenny

I am sure that you have heard about the accident on Sunday, David and I spent last night at the hospital and all is stable at this point which is good news.

As you can imagine, Jen has so many admirers and friends and though the family appreciate greatly any support and well wishers, this is a very personal time and rather than trying to phone through, Tony has made sure updates will be forwarded with Jen’s progress.

We would like to organise a BIG card for Jen and get it to Canberra on the weekend, so if you wouldn't mind letting your very vast list of athletes and friends know that we will be leaving a card at:

Cheeky Monkey
28 Clovelly Road Randwick
From: Tuesday May1st 12pm to Friday 4th 12pm

If anyone can’t make it to Cheeky Monkey by Friday, you can email a message to Janet on

janet@thebughouse.com.au

and all messages will be put together with the card.

I am sure that Jen will appreciate all the well wishes, as will her family and Tony.

Thanks again

Cheers
Janet