Category Archives: Sporting

These shoes are made for running

In my 33 years on this planet I’ve run two marathons. My first was at Gold Coast in 2007, my second was in Berlin, Germany last year. This has led some of my colleagues to be misinformed into thinking I’m a marathon-er.

A marathon-er runs constantly through the year, running marathons whenever it takes their fancy. They are always in marathon shape, and at any time can prove they can run 42.2km.  This person is not me. I have not run seriously for nearly a year. I have had episodes on the treadmill where I run til I’m bored, and I always walk away thinking I could go a lot further if I wanted. Truth be told, I have huge lapses in my running where my fitness is shot.  I found this morning that I’m really not that fit, or that good a runner, I think my ability to continue to run distances is just on account of being stubborn.

I could probably count on one hand the number of outdoor runs I’ve had in the last year.  The most recent was while on holidays in Tasmania I managed a pleasant 10 kilometre run along their newly created walking path.  Today I managed another with the Dubai Creek Striders, but it was a definite struggle.  It was the same distance as my Tassie run a few weeks ago, however even with three drink stops the temperature and humidity made if feel honestly like twice the distance.  NB: although it’s currently Ramadan, we do have drink along the way, we just make sure we’re discrete.

When you’re out of shape and running there are voices in your head doubting your ability, telling you to quit. They’re difficult to ignore, but perhaps you should not. It is these same voices that can lead you to even better results when you’re on top of your game.  Telling you to stop and that you’re no good can be fantastic motivators.

For today’s run I arrived at the meeting point earlier than normal, and there were already a dozen or so cars there but no runners. This is a tell-tale sign that a large part of the squad are putting in some big kilometres preparing for a marathon. I was in a little bit of a panic when I saw this. I wondered to myself were all these people already doing the more than 20km training runs in preparation for Dubai marathon in January – the same Dubai marathon in January I’ve come out of storage to complete? Oh, bugger, my first thoughts were I must be way behind on my training – I assumed four months (if I start today and stick to it) would be adequate.

Later I learned off someone that a large number of the group are training for the Athens marathon which is in October, which was a big relief. The Athens marathon has a lot of interest this year, as it’s the 2,500th anniversary of the original 42km run which all of us nutters now replicate to challenge ourselves in the alleged name of fun and fitness. For those who don’t know the story, a messenger called Pheidippides was sent from a battlefield in Marathon to send word back to Athens that the Greek army had an unlikely victory over the Persians. He made the 26 mile journey to deliver the message with one word Niki! (victory) before dying.  A lot of runners have some romanticism about the concept, and even that original course he followed. Maybe one day we’ll find on snopes.com it was just an email hoax we lapped up. Having said that it is a run I’d like to do it one day.

In a word, the run today was tough. We had one hard stretch where we had to run toward Dubai’s extremely large flag pole, which was a little offputting to think we weren’t getting any closer as its height was not changing – but again it was just my mind playing tricks on me.  The pole and flag were once the tallest/largest in the world – but each new request for a taller flag pole makes this a fast-changing record.

I drove home after the running feeling a little dehydrafted. If only there was  a way to process the weight of sweat I was carrying in my clothes. I didn’t risk taking a drink.  On the drive back along Sheikh Zayed Road, only southbound traffic (my direction) was moving. I saw the cause for the delays, the entire six lanes were blocked by Police, and out in front there was a movie or a commercial being filmed. Seemed like maybe a car chase video, as there were big boom cameras fitted on top of a Range Rover following maybe a sports car.  The traffic was banked up at least 3-4 kilometres. Although after coming from my harrowing run, maybe my perspective was skewed – it could have been 200-300metres. There’s never much sympathy for other people being stuck in traffic, it’s just so great that it’s not yourself.

Soon after I got back home I soothed my muscles with a nice relaxing swim. So I only have a bicycle leg to finish to complete a triathlon today. But instead I have decided to lie on the couch and read.

Qld Roar vs Perth Glory – 24 January 2009

I have tried to make the most out of the time we have remaining in Brisbane.  As we’ll obviously miss a lot of things when we’re overseas. So it was a handy coincidence that the Queensland Roar were playing their last home game last Saturday night – against the Perth Glory of all teams.

We met up with some other soccer friends who incidentally left their three young girls at home so they could have some worry-free fun.  However, those plans were dashed when Myles say them and continued to hang off them for most of the night.

The crowd was only 17000-strong which was a bit disappointing considering the Roar’s good season.  But the Glory’s 2nd last place on the ladder may have been a factor.

There was plenty of action early in the game which is always a good sign.

In short, the Roar played well, and came home very convincing 4 – 2  victors.

Australia vs NZ 1st test – 21 Nov 2008

I had the day off work Friday to take my four year son to his first international cricket match. I’ve thought for some time that I should make more of an effort to catch the first test each year at the Gabba. Friday was our first.

We had some beautiful seats in the Northern Upper – unlicensed section. It was easy to buy the tickets online as I only needed to purchase one (this will change from next year when my son sadly hits the ticket purchasing age of 5).  I think groups of two or more may have been sent much further back.

The day before Australia were bowled out rather cheaply. It’s more stating a fact than defending their performance to say that the extreme wet weather in Brisbane played a part. Apparently the covers were wet through, so the groundstaff used some souped-up hair driers to try and dry the pitch.  It was all to no avail, as the bowlers had a field day.

We saw the Aussie attack bowl out the Kiwis even more cheaply. It turned out to be a good day to see. Stuart Clarke, Mitchell Johnson, and my son’s favourite player – Andrew Symonds – all featuring prominently.

Suncorp Stadium given ARL honor

Suncorp Stadium, or the new Lang Park, was today provided with an Australian Rugby League plaque to signify its importance to the game of rugby league.

I have no issues with this at all.  The ground at Milton is one of my favourite sporting venues. I’ve experienced some great sporting moments sitting in this amazing stadium. There’s also been some not so great games, such as the 20 to 4 qualifying final loss to St. George on the 9th of September 2006.  I bring up that Saturday night, cause my disappointment made it to the television coverage when the daft camera man focused in on me looking dejected with my head in my hands.  Who cares, the season ended well.

What strikes me as odd though with the plaque going to Suncorp Stadium is that it is one of around 180 plaques being given out around the country.

Why so many?

It’s deserving for each significant home ground for each notable, or feeder rugby league club, but surely 180 is going beyond this measure.

I wonder if they’ve branched out from home grounds, and installed ARL plaques into the likes of the Dubbo hotel room of Julian O’Neill’s infamous poo in the shoe incident?

Broncos vs St. George – 15 August 2008

A few of us decided to catch this Friday night game at Suncorp Stadium.

It’s always good to watch us play St. George.  And at the moment there’s an extra level of interest due to ex-Bronco Wendell Sailor now playing for them after a period of retirement from active sport by playing internation rugby union.  And, also our founding and long-standing coach Waybe Bennett has decided to leave at the end of the season for the Dragons.

The game started well for the Broncos with two opening converted tries.  My mate and I thought it was the start of an easy victory for us.  Unfortunately the Broncos appeared to think the same thing and relaxed – not a good thing to do in any professional sport.

We still led at half time 12 – 6, but to cut a frustrating story short, in the end the Dragons rolled us 24 – 20.  We scored the final points which made the result appear closer than it was. Unfortunately we had massive defensive holes, and again we failed to score or provide at least a satisfactory attacking play when needed.

Another unfortunate part to the night was a minor clash with the people sitting behind us.  They were St. George supporters which wasn’t the problem.  The problem was they had a supporter’s flag which continued to be waved across my mate’s sister’s face. When she turned around to make them aware of this, the guy apparently called her a grumpy slag or words to the effect.  When my mate questioned him about it, he denied everything and couldn’t offer any construction explanation .. The guy was in his 50s, yet acted like a 10 year old wanting to start a school yard “did not, did too” debate. I’m glad we rose above it, and quickly moved our focus back to the game.

As we left, the guy behind built-up his vocabularly to sarcastically say it was nice to meet us.  Perhaps it was his version of the school yard “nyah nyah”.  We didn’t let it spoil the night, but they certainly changed the mood which certainly wasn’t needed.

Broncos vs Cronulla – 25 July 2008

I managed to get a free ticket to see the Broncos play the Cronulla Sharks Friday night at home.  The weather wasn’t great throughout the day. But that was of no real concern as the seats were undercover of the Eastern stand.  It hardly rained during the match, but the ground appeared a bit wet.

The Broncos were boosted by the return of a few players. The team won pretty comfortably in the end, enabling me to leave before the finish only to sit on the first train out of Milton for twenty minutes. Despite it being a good finish for us, the commentary between my friend and I referred to an arm wrestle for most of the match.  Contrary to others’ reports, I felt the Broncos were quite flimsy in defense a few times. They only just managed to do enough to prevent several tries through broken play.

Man of the match for mine was Greg Eastwood. He did loads in defense, and as per normal he also attacked strongly.  In fact, against all odds he supplied a pin-point kick to the corner for a much needed try, then he followed-up with the match winning try.  “Slammy” Thaiday also had a blinder getting over the line, and keeping the Sharks forwards on the backfoot.

Paul Gallen had further evidence of getting priority treatment from the referees.  They certainly seem to target him.  Almost every time he was a wanker, the referee penalised him. The pinnacle was a high shot on David Stagg that made Stagg see stars, and hopefully sees Gallen get a week or two in suspension.  Poor old Gallen. Quite a drop after his man of the match performance in State of Origin 2008, almost single-handedly providing the Maroons (his opposition) that series.

My worst half marathon yet

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Last year I ran the Gold Coast full Marathon.  It didn’t go great, but I did OK.

Unfortunately my training this year has been abridged due to more than a few injuries. That’s why I decided to focus on just the half marathon this year.  I say “just” because 21.1km still seems like a decent distance unless you’re in a taxi stuck in traffic.

But the half marathon was definitely my worst yet.  I painfully came home in a disappining – even embarassing – time of 1:53:23.  >20 minutes beyond my best.  13 minutes beyond anything I’d consider average for myself.  3 minutes beyond some of the 50 year old ladies in my running club.

Not happy Jan.

I should say though, the event was great, and the buzz of the Gold Coast is always worth it.

The first three kms I ran with a couple of guys from my club.  We were stuck in a fair bit of traffic so we were reduced to 5min+ km, then we started to find some space and got to just over 4:30min/km pace which was closer to our target.

But I fell off this bus at the four km mark as my legs felt like there were filled to the brim with concrete. My legs just didn’t want to move. Each movement was quite painful, particularly anything quicker than a jog, so I deduced from this I should slow things down if I’m going to go any further. 

It’s a depressing feeling when you’re in a world of hurt, and there’s still more than 17 km to go.  Thoughts of stopping there flashed into my mind, but I couldn’t live with a DNF (Did Not Finish) next to my name.  And I thought considering the cost of this exercise, and the trouble I went through to get to GC it would be even more disappointing.  So I continued in a modified running style – one that was less painful.

At around the seven km mark I lost sensation in my left foot.  This is a condition I’ve had on and off for way too long now.  It happened to me at the Brisbane Marathon Festival half marathon also – my last disappointing race.  There I decided to sit down and stretch it out, then I was able to run for a while and the numbness subsided.  So I figured I could just run through this again, and all would be OK.  Four km later, my foot is still annoyingly numb.  But the numbness is starting to be exchanged with a stabbing pain.  Again I considered if I should stop or not – it was really starting to suck.

I continue on, but it’s very noticeable that I’m getting passed by 100s of people, and I’m not passing anyone.

The final half a dozen kilometres were worse still. My speed was reduced to 6mins/km, otherwise my legs felt like they would seize up.  And new feelings of being sick come on the scene to add to the experience.

With a kilometre to go, and then 100m to go I assumed I was going to finish, but I was not overly confident about anything.

I have the ability during any run to break into an impressive sprint when I know I’ll finish soon.  I think I could have sped up a little at this tragic event also, but there was little point and hypocritical to finish fast.  Instead I just maintain my dilapidated canter and stop dead over the finish line.  One of the first-aid ladies take a look at me and ask if  I’m alright. Not a good sign.

Very disappoining end to a disappointing run.  But I guess there are two positives to take from the event. One is I finished despite the adversity, and two is at least I beat the Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh.

ADDENDUM:
I was still not well more than a week after the run.  In fact I was worse.  I chose to go against my usual tendencies, and this time actually visit a doctor.  He diagnosed my issue as an infected windpipe.  He was suitably unimpressed that I had attempted a half marathon in that condition.

Antio-biotics and an asthma puffer have eased things.