Wellbeings

I have prepared a route that is just over 8 km but there’s a catch. If you are inclined (and not racing on Saturday or Sunday) you can do some short hill efforts on Scenic Drive. These uphill strides are to be of 10 seconds duration. Walk back to start. Do a set of three before having a more full recovery (5 min jog). The set can be down 2 or 3 times through. See map here.

Good luck to those competing at Champion Lakes on Saturday morning.

Legend has it that Pheidippides, an Athenian solder, ran 40km from the battlefield at Marathon to Athens to announce a Greek victory over the mighty Persian military in 490bc.

“We are victorious” he yelled (in Greek, of course) and then collapsed and died.

I know how he felt; after crossing my first marathon finish line yesterday I looked down the hill towards the recovery tent and said under my breath “you’ve got to be kidding me – down a hill?” (Throw in a few swear words for an accurate account). Note to the organisers – after running a long way your legs don’t like walking downhill. In fact, they protest furiously, sending out pain messages to every fibre on your being until you have to give in and sidestep down the hill as if you’re on the side of a snow covered mountain with skis on your feet.

Downhill details aside, yesterday’s marathon was, for me, another beautifully organised Perth sporting event, manned by amazing volunteers who gave endless encouragement every step of the way. My favourite volunteer is my lovely friend TP (you all know her as Tracy) who dished out such gems as “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m really feeling this hill in my legs” as she RODE up it, and “hey look, the 12km marker – only 30km to go”. TP also dished out treats like ibuprofen and mini-cokes as required and took happy snaps to remind me later that I really did do it and I looked like I enjoyed it. That kind of encouragement and support is what gets you across the line. That, and a great coach (cheers Carol) and friends like Cle who say “Tamz if you need to run early on Sunday because you have to get to work we can start at 6” That’s 6 AM everyone, on a Sunday. I’m just sayin’….thanks again to all of you for making a fuss this past week – several times yesterday I felt like a bit of a rock star, such was the volume of cheering as I ran by. At least, I hope it was for me, because I was waving and smiling/grimacing at everyone.

So I ran the first half at lovely 5 min 10 sec kms, feeling good and strong and very  comfortable, as was the plan. Then I hit heartbreak hill and my heart broke. It’s a big hill! Kings Park was tough and I slowed down more than I would have liked, but as I was going through Subi I worked out how slowly I could go (if I had to) and still get across the line in under four hours. Armed with that information, I stopped worrying and really just focussed on getting to the end.

It’s impossible not to be inspired by the marathon – such a pinnacle of human achievement. A small part of me has always wanted to be a part of that group of people who’ve run a marathon; it’s a cool club to be in. To know that I’m capable of doing it. To know that I’ve done it. Throughout my training, I also wanted to know that I could make a plan work out after the Half IM plan this year went awry. I didn’t really tell that to anyone until I told TP after the race yesterday. I wanted to know that if sub 4 hours was the plan I could make it happen. And I did, so there’s a lot of happiness and a little bit of redemption tied up in yesterday’s run.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Fred Lebow, co-founder of the NY Marathon, because I couldn’t have said it better myself –

“The marathon is a charismatic event. It has everything. It has drama. It has competition. It has camaraderie. It has heroism. Every jogger can’t dream of being an Olympic champion, but he can dream of finishing a marathon.”

As a result of increasing demands on my time I have had to make some changes to the way athlete fees are paid. Please refer to the below updated list of fees. I would appreciate your consideration in this matter.

Fees for attendance at training sessions

• 3 + sessions / week / month $85
• 2 sessions / week / month $65
• Casual 10 session pass $85

Ask about student and family rates.

Individual Program

• $50 / month

Provides you with:

• Personalised training plan based on your goals, your time schedule and your physiology.
• Coach Consultations: face to face, telephone or e-mail as you need.
• Personalized heart rate and power training zones.

Payment

• Monthly fees are payable at the start of the calendar month.
• The Casual Pass is to be paid for at the first session of the block of 10.

Preferred Method

Direct transfer to: Carol Hughes T/As Wellbeings
BSB: 036 306
Account Number: 175588
Always include your name in the transaction.

Please confirm any payment by e-mail to wellbeings@tpg.com.au

Our team results can be viewed via the image at the bottom of this post. A quick summary:

• Janet Ferguson was the stand out performance winning the 50 – 54 year age group and beating every one in the two age groups below her.
• Morgan Marsh performed brilliantly on a very interrupted preparation.
• Henrietta (PB by 10 mins), Jacqui and Alison all had to tough out the run leg because of injuries. Well done, girls.
• Yvonne had the perfect day. A PB and she enjoyed herself and has pulled up without any damage!
• Jacinta O’Connor a bit unlucky not to finish on the podium in the 40 – 44 year age group. A very talented athlete who has been either sick or injured (not my fault!) for many weeks now! Watch out for her next year.