Mission.....Possible!

Last August, a personal first happened for me. It was my first ever DNF in a race - to make matters worse, it was the National XC Champs. To pull out of the race, give up my chance of a selection at Ekiden Relays, and lose respect for myself and from others, I was keen to make amends this weekend. The race - NSW State 12km XC champs. The location - Nowra. The instructions from the Coach - just finish the race.

After heading down to Bulli on the Friday night and being accommodated by the Gregson family, I got to the course feeling pretty fresh and excited to run. It was damn windy, and a little chilly, but everyone was going to cop the same weather - I just had to get on with it.

As the gun went, a big pack formed around the first corner, and it stayed for a good 2km, as a result of the slow pace. Mark Warren went to the front, and no one challenged. This was interesting - usually in WA when someone puts the pace on everyone responds.

Picture from www.insideathletics.com.au

By half way through the second lap, I was sitting in pretty with Gregson, James Nipperess and Russ Chin, and Warren was still 75m ahead. It wasnt until the back hill did we pass Warren, and momentarily, I was dropped. But the boys relaxed down the hill, and I pushed forward - leading down the hill and through to the dipper. It was here that Gregson kicked again, and I lost contact. Going through with 1 lap to go, I was 10m off the back of the pack, and there was times where I thought I could get back on, but in the end, I finished 7 seconds behind Chinny - a result I was certainly proud of - not only finishing, but holding onto a quality lead bunch, and staying in the race for as long as possible!

Nedless to say, the long run today was tough - and its only going to get a bit tougher - 2 hours on Sundays and 90mins on Wednesdays being the norm from next week. But the bigger picture is what counts.

Three Weeks!

IT dawned on me yesterday, that after Tuesday nights session, it was the third midweek workout I had finished in Sydney, which meant that it was already into the third week. This came as a bit of a shock for me, as it still feels as we have just arrived and tried to get ourselves settled in Sydney.



Since being in town we've seen some pretty cool things. One of Gemma's best friends has moved over here for 4 or so months, and is working at the Sydney Biennale - a huge arts festival that is on until August. Frances is in charge of all the volunteers on the display at Cockatoo Island - a 20minute ferry trip from Circular Quay, and basically rides around in a golf buggy all day, telling people what to do. Sounds a fair deal to me! I'd encourage anyone in Sydney to get on the free ferry and check it out, there's some awesome displays out there from artists all over the world.

Finally yesterday, our stuff from home came. All 25 boxes of it. And a bed. And an easel. And out of all those boxes, we're trying to find space to put everything. The house is a bit of a jumble at the moment, but its starting to take shape, and it was great to finally spend a night in a real bed!

Running wise, things are feeling good. The work is hard, Saturday saw 6 lots of hill reps, where you run up about 350-450m, come half way down, and then sprint up another 100m hill off to the side, before returning to the bottom. Tuesday was a couple of long sustained efforts at sub 3min pace, with a 5 min jog in between. By the time yesterdays 18k run rolled around, I was ready to take the day off, but its amazing how having a group around gets you up for any sort of run. Its the kind of thing I missed in Perth - those runs that you don't really feel like doing, and not having anyone there to make you run.

Next weekend I'll face my biggest challenge yet - Nowra. The scene of my DNF from last years Cross Country Nationals, and home of the NSW State XC champs. I'll be interested to see how I compete the second time round - it definitely wont be a DNF!