We left school at 9.30 to get to the Championship carnival at Bundoora park. I had to hang out with the year 10's because there are no year 12's and the year 11's were coming later after exams. I thought I would be really bored because my race wasn't till 1pm but it was pretty fun.
The juniors had their race at 11am and did ok. We only had one placegetter in our division. We had a bit of excitement when our tent blew over and snapped. We had to fold it back down which was hard with broken pieces of metal sticking out.
The intermediates had their race at 12pm and I didn't want to hang out with the juniors so I went and cheered for the inters up the back. I could cheer for them twice on each lap. Penny was winning by a massive margin which is fantastic because there were some extremely amazing girls out there.
The year 11's arrived and it was finally time for our race. I decided I really wanted to come in the top 10 because the top 10 got medals! But when we started I realised how hard that would be. I was probably in about 50th place after 200m but then I overtook dozens of girls going up the hill on the first lap. I counted at the top of the hill (about 1km mark) and I was in about 14th-15th place. I didn't think I would be able to overtake anyone to get into the top 10. However, I just concentrated on picking off the next girl, something which I don't often do. It was really hard going. I hate running on grass and it is grass almost the whole way. I just feel really unco. At the end of the first lap my time was 7.35 so I realised why I was feeling so tired. On the hill on the second lap I picked off another girl, who beat me in the preliminary carnival. I thought she'd chase me down but she didn't. I managed to get in front of another couple of girls and I thought I was probably in 11th or 12th place. However, when I rounded the final bend everyone was yelling "you're coming 10th" so I sprinted to the finish, not wanting to be overtaken.
I came in with a time of 15.44. I was kinda hoping to get closer to 15.30 but there's always next time. I really hoped I did come 10th. I pretty much died at the finish, I don't think I could have gone any harder. I have to say this was one of the hardest races I've ever done. Everyone else seemed to be feeling that too, many girls were collapsed on the grass afterwards.
We packed up everything and headed over to the presentations. Firstly they presented the top 10 girls in each division (we were in division 2). Mandy came in about 24th place overall so we were really hoping she got in the top 10 for division 2. My hopes were fading when she didn't come 10th, 9th, 8th or 7th but then her name was announced for 6th place! I wasn't sure what I came in division 2, possibly 2nd because I thought a Tintern girl came in front of me. My name was announced as first place though! We had to have our photo taken individually with our ribbons and then as a group - the top 10 for division 2 while the division 1 winners were announced. Then the overall winners were announced. As expected I came in 10th place! So I got a lovely medal. We each had more photos taken with our medals, then as a group of the overall top 10, then as a big group with the top 10 from each division. Finally we were able to go and sit back down with our schools.
Unfortunately my school came 7th in division 2, but we think that might be incorrect.
I'm very sad that this was my last ever school cross country but I had a really great day.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
GSV Championship Carnival
Tomorrow is the GSV Championship carnival. The 24 girls schools are divided into 3 divisions based on the results from the preliminary carnival. We are in division 2, as usual. I'm secretly hoping we could win division 2.
In my race I am up against 10 year 11s and 12s from each of the 24 schools - so 240 people. The results are counted as overall results and as a result from the division you are in. So you get an overall place, and a place in division 1, 2 or 3.
My goals/predictions for the race are:
Estimated time: 15.45 - 16.00
Ultimate time: 15.30
Macmillans says: 15.45
I'd love to come in the top 10 overall, hopefully the top 5 in division 2.
In my race I am up against 10 year 11s and 12s from each of the 24 schools - so 240 people. The results are counted as overall results and as a result from the division you are in. So you get an overall place, and a place in division 1, 2 or 3.
My goals/predictions for the race are:
Estimated time: 15.45 - 16.00
Ultimate time: 15.30
Macmillans says: 15.45
I'd love to come in the top 10 overall, hopefully the top 5 in division 2.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Cross country
Yesterday I had the GSV preliminary carnival and today I had house cross country at school.
GSV cross country was at Yarra Bend and the course is 4km. We compete against 7 other schools and each school is supposed to have 10 girls (from year 11 and 12) competing. We had only 6 and Lauriston surely had around 20. So it is hard to know how many girls I was up against in total. I was hoping for a time of around 16 minutes but had to factor in residual soreness from Saturday and Sunday's racing. We watched the juniors and inters run before us. We had a couple of good results but a couple of not so good results.
Straight after the inters finished their race we had to line up for ours. I hadn't even warmed up properly when we had to start. Surprisingly there was a lot of room on the start line. When the gun went everyone sprinted off and I found myself momentarily in about 30th place! I knew the upcoming hill would sort everyone out though. At the bottom of the hill I was probably in about 10th place but I picked lots of girls off. At about 500m I was behind 3 Genazzano girls (one of whom was about 50m ahead), Mandy and a couple of other girls. I passed Mandy and two Genazzano girls and ended up second, behind a girl I race a lot. I stayed in second for the rest of the first lap. At the start of the second lap I could hear a Firbank girl (wiuth really freaky muscles) was coming up behind me. She eventually overtook me and then the girl in front. In the last 500m I tried to overtake the Genazzano girl who was now second but I didn't have a sprint in me. I ended up in 3rd place in a time of 16.19. I wasn't so happy with the time but I can be very happy with 3rd place. I underestimated how much grass slows the pace. Mandy ended up in 5th place. I received my ribbon at the presentation. As a school we didn't do that well, coming in 5th.
Today the 6 of us who did GSV cross country had to back up with house cross country. House cross country was supposed to be on 3 weeks ago but got cancelled when it rained. So as part of senior house sport, 10 girls from each house had to compete in the 3km event. We eventually got down there and after waiting for ages we started. Once again I wasn't warmed up properly and once again I ended up quite far back as everyone sprinted off. Mandy was ahead of me again but I overtook her after about 400m. By the 1km mark I had opened up quite a big gap. My time at the halfway point was 5.29 so I knew I was up for a good time. I looked behind me a couple of times and couldn't see Mandy. I just had to hold on to win. I finished in a time of 11.32 which I'm very happy with. Mandy came in a minute after me but she had got a bit lost. I'm so happy to win the last ever house cross country, and I think I broke the record of 12.13.
My results in house cross country 2004-2008.
2004 31st unknown time
2005 16th 15.03
2006 9th 13.53
2007 2nd 13.03
2008 1st 11.32
So it's fantastic to see the improvement across the years.
GSV cross country was at Yarra Bend and the course is 4km. We compete against 7 other schools and each school is supposed to have 10 girls (from year 11 and 12) competing. We had only 6 and Lauriston surely had around 20. So it is hard to know how many girls I was up against in total. I was hoping for a time of around 16 minutes but had to factor in residual soreness from Saturday and Sunday's racing. We watched the juniors and inters run before us. We had a couple of good results but a couple of not so good results.
Straight after the inters finished their race we had to line up for ours. I hadn't even warmed up properly when we had to start. Surprisingly there was a lot of room on the start line. When the gun went everyone sprinted off and I found myself momentarily in about 30th place! I knew the upcoming hill would sort everyone out though. At the bottom of the hill I was probably in about 10th place but I picked lots of girls off. At about 500m I was behind 3 Genazzano girls (one of whom was about 50m ahead), Mandy and a couple of other girls. I passed Mandy and two Genazzano girls and ended up second, behind a girl I race a lot. I stayed in second for the rest of the first lap. At the start of the second lap I could hear a Firbank girl (wiuth really freaky muscles) was coming up behind me. She eventually overtook me and then the girl in front. In the last 500m I tried to overtake the Genazzano girl who was now second but I didn't have a sprint in me. I ended up in 3rd place in a time of 16.19. I wasn't so happy with the time but I can be very happy with 3rd place. I underestimated how much grass slows the pace. Mandy ended up in 5th place. I received my ribbon at the presentation. As a school we didn't do that well, coming in 5th.
Today the 6 of us who did GSV cross country had to back up with house cross country. House cross country was supposed to be on 3 weeks ago but got cancelled when it rained. So as part of senior house sport, 10 girls from each house had to compete in the 3km event. We eventually got down there and after waiting for ages we started. Once again I wasn't warmed up properly and once again I ended up quite far back as everyone sprinted off. Mandy was ahead of me again but I overtook her after about 400m. By the 1km mark I had opened up quite a big gap. My time at the halfway point was 5.29 so I knew I was up for a good time. I looked behind me a couple of times and couldn't see Mandy. I just had to hold on to win. I finished in a time of 11.32 which I'm very happy with. Mandy came in a minute after me but she had got a bit lost. I'm so happy to win the last ever house cross country, and I think I broke the record of 12.13.
My results in house cross country 2004-2008.
2004 31st unknown time
2005 16th 15.03
2006 9th 13.53
2007 2nd 13.03
2008 1st 11.32
So it's fantastic to see the improvement across the years.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Coburg Fun Run
After Sandown on Saturday I didn't think I would ever be able to run again. Nevertheless I got up early and headed to Coburg for the monthly fun run. I like the Coburg runs, mainly because Dad lets me drive all the way home (it takes at least 45 minutes). And the trophies are interesting.
We arrived at 8.55 because the Domain Tunnel was closed and we had to take the long way. It didn't matter, all I had to do was fill out an entry form a do a quick jog. I didn't feel too sore. I decided I would just try and run at a decent pace but not push it too much. It was wet underfoot but not raining luckily.
My splits were
4.15
4.21
4.26
4.20
4.26
4.12
for a time of 26.01. That's a Coburg PB (my presvious best being 26.30) so it wasn't a bad time but I couldn't help thinking it was 90 seconds slower than my 6km split at Sandown. Doesn't matter. I came first amongst the females again, for the 4th time this year (out of 4). I hope for a bit more competition in the second half of the year.
In Sandown results I came 51st in AV females (not bad!) AND OUR DIVISION ONE TEAM (which I was a part of for the second time in my career) CAME 5TH!!
We arrived at 8.55 because the Domain Tunnel was closed and we had to take the long way. It didn't matter, all I had to do was fill out an entry form a do a quick jog. I didn't feel too sore. I decided I would just try and run at a decent pace but not push it too much. It was wet underfoot but not raining luckily.
My splits were
4.15
4.21
4.26
4.20
4.26
4.12
for a time of 26.01. That's a Coburg PB (my presvious best being 26.30) so it wasn't a bad time but I couldn't help thinking it was 90 seconds slower than my 6km split at Sandown. Doesn't matter. I came first amongst the females again, for the 4th time this year (out of 4). I hope for a bit more competition in the second half of the year.
In Sandown results I came 51st in AV females (not bad!) AND OUR DIVISION ONE TEAM (which I was a part of for the second time in my career) CAME 5TH!!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Uhh...
Ummmm I made a bit of a joke of my 'running goals' today, beating 6 of them (in splits). These were supposed to be my goals for the whole year!! But I can't see myself running those times regularly.
My last 10km - the Sussan fun run in December last year - I ran in a time of 49.42, so I have taken 8 minutes, 42 seconds off that time! That was a hot day and after I had been very sick for 2 or 3 months though.
My last 10km - the Sussan fun run in December last year - I ran in a time of 49.42, so I have taken 8 minutes, 42 seconds off that time! That was a hot day and after I had been very sick for 2 or 3 months though.
Sandown
Forecast for today... showers, possibly hail and a top of 13. My thoughts: maybe only a small PB is on the cards. When we got there is was raining and freeeeeezing. I went for a warm up lap and got very wet but a bit warmer. After painstakingly taking off our million layers of clothes, we headed over to the start line. Luckily the girls were able to huddle in alcoves before the start, I don't think the guys had the same luxury.
We started and I got a pretty good start because I stayed on the outside and could go around people. It's a good start because the course is wide so there's plenty of room. I was surprised to do the first km in 3.46, thinking it would be more like 4.30. I thought I'd better slow down a little because if I went out that hard at the start I would pay for it later. Surprisingly, I was able to keep the around 4 min/km pace. I broke all my PBs along the way except 1km (although I can't say I have a 7km or 9km PB). It was wet and cold. I thought my shoes were breaking because they were so wet they were squelching. At the end of the second lap Tim Crosbie passed me - so much for running 45/46 minutes!!! I managed to continue to keep the amazing pace, and even had some left in the tank in the last 2km. The last 200m is soooo hard, the straight is so long! I CANNOT BELIEVE I CAN NOW RUN 10KM IN 41 MINUTES! I don't know my exact time as I didn't know where the finish line was.
So my time is 4.06min/km (WOW!) which is faster than I thought I could run for 3km. It is 3.45 off my old PB (which I was happy with). It is 6.12 faster than what I ran last year (which I was very happy with at the time).
Splits:
1km - 3.46
2km - 7.49
3km - 11.56
4km - 15.57
5km - 20.15
6km - 24.30
7km - 28.47?
8km - 32.42
9km - 37.00
10km 41.00
I got run of the day out of the female Richmond runners.
Lots of other people got FANTASTIC PBs as well, in particular Marissa and Fiona, Tony, Em and Michael.
We started and I got a pretty good start because I stayed on the outside and could go around people. It's a good start because the course is wide so there's plenty of room. I was surprised to do the first km in 3.46, thinking it would be more like 4.30. I thought I'd better slow down a little because if I went out that hard at the start I would pay for it later. Surprisingly, I was able to keep the around 4 min/km pace. I broke all my PBs along the way except 1km (although I can't say I have a 7km or 9km PB). It was wet and cold. I thought my shoes were breaking because they were so wet they were squelching. At the end of the second lap Tim Crosbie passed me - so much for running 45/46 minutes!!! I managed to continue to keep the amazing pace, and even had some left in the tank in the last 2km. The last 200m is soooo hard, the straight is so long! I CANNOT BELIEVE I CAN NOW RUN 10KM IN 41 MINUTES! I don't know my exact time as I didn't know where the finish line was.
So my time is 4.06min/km (WOW!) which is faster than I thought I could run for 3km. It is 3.45 off my old PB (which I was happy with). It is 6.12 faster than what I ran last year (which I was very happy with at the time).
Splits:
1km - 3.46
2km - 7.49
3km - 11.56
4km - 15.57
5km - 20.15
6km - 24.30
7km - 28.47?
8km - 32.42
9km - 37.00
10km 41.00
I got run of the day out of the female Richmond runners.
Lots of other people got FANTASTIC PBs as well, in particular Marissa and Fiona, Tony, Em and Michael.
Friday, May 16, 2008
4 races in 5 days
Starting tomorrow I have 4 races in 5 days:
Saturday 17th May - AV Sandown 10km
Predicted time: sub 44:00
Ultimate time: 43:00
McMillans says: around 43:40
Sunday 18th May - Coburg Fun Run 6km
(Not really a race - more of a casual run)
Predicted time: 26:30-27:30
Would like to come in the top 2 females
Tuesday 20th May - GSV Preliminary Carnival (School) 4km
Predicted time: 16:30
Ultimate time: 15:30
McMillans says: around 16:28
Would like to come in the top 10 (Out of 8 schools, 10 runners each)
Wednesday 21st May - House cross country 3km
Predicted time: 12:10
Ultimate time: 11:50
MacMillans says: 12:03
Current record: 12:13
One goal - to win
Saturday 17th May - AV Sandown 10km
Predicted time: sub 44:00
Ultimate time: 43:00
McMillans says: around 43:40
Sunday 18th May - Coburg Fun Run 6km
(Not really a race - more of a casual run)
Predicted time: 26:30-27:30
Would like to come in the top 2 females
Tuesday 20th May - GSV Preliminary Carnival (School) 4km
Predicted time: 16:30
Ultimate time: 15:30
McMillans says: around 16:28
Would like to come in the top 10 (Out of 8 schools, 10 runners each)
Wednesday 21st May - House cross country 3km
Predicted time: 12:10
Ultimate time: 11:50
MacMillans says: 12:03
Current record: 12:13
One goal - to win
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Recent races
Puffing Billy Great Train Race 4th May 2008
After a late night out I woke up early, ready to be picked up by Karen and driven to Camberwell station. I was surprised to see Jeff and Nikki, my other teammates in Karen's car when she picked me up. When we arrived at the station, who did we spot but Ali and her hubby Trevor. Ali, Karen and I always do the big races together and Karen and I didn't even know Ali was running! It's the first time Ali and Trevor have done a race together. The train ride to Belgrave was very long and we were all busting by the time we got to Belgrave. Luckily, the others knew the toilets on the Puffing Billy station would be less crowded and we hardly had to queue at all. We then walked up the hill and put our bags in the truck. I didn't even get a chance to warm up because we went straight to the start line. I was fortunate to get a relatively good starting position.
The first couple of hundred of metres were hard, because lots of idiots can't self seed. It didn't take too long to get out into a clear spot.
My splits for the race were:
4.27
4.23
4.35
4.16
4.10
5.09
6.01 (waiting for the train at the crossing)
4.23
4.32
4.38
4.26
4.10
3.55
I thought the hills would be far harder than they were. I held back, waiting for some big steep hills. The hills weren't at all steep, just long. I powered up them and passed plenty of people. Early on I spotted a girl who I know is under 18 and extremely good at running. I passed her on the hill up to Menzies Creek. I had to stop at the Menzies Creek crossing for a minute or two which was extremely annoying. It also allowed my nemesis to catch up. She overtook me on an extreme downhill and was in front of me by about 50-100m. However, on the last uphill I overtook her again. I the last few kilometres I was very confused as I could hear a train and I thought we were trying to race the train to the crossing. I was extremely surprised to realise that we were on the last downhill to the finish. Where were those hills? I managed to stay in front of my nemesis and finish in a time of 59:10 which I am happy with for a first try. I had easily beaten the ladies train but not the mens train.
I grabbed a bottle of Powerade and found my bag easily. I was unsure of what to do next but I ended up just standing around chatting to Lincoln. By the time the presentation started I had found my team and Ali and Trevor. I half listened to the presentations (with a faint hope of success in the U18 category). After the presentation we headed to the buses and waited 45 minutes on the bus to leave the lake area. I was worried because Dad was waiting at Belgrave and I hate for him to wait so long. I finally got to Belgrave and found Dad and said goodbye to the others.
Yesterday morning I received a text from Karen saying I had won the U18 section!!!!! I was very excited, as this was probably my last fun run as a junior. I jumped on the internet and confirmed the result. I must have missed them announcing my name at the presentation as I heard the name of the U18 male winner being called. I also came 21st out of 850 females which is pretty cool!
I will definitely do this race again next year, I had a great time.
Jells Park relays 19th April 2008
Round one of the AV Season is finally here.
I got chosen to run first in the Division 3 team. It's a 3km course, with the open course being 2 x 3km.
I got there really early, as Alison drove me. Only Moose and Bill were there when I arrived. Slowly everyone else started filtering in. I went for a warm up jog around the whole course with Petrina and Sharon. My legs were soooooooooo sore after house athletics the day before (I'm sure it was the 400m) and I thought my hamstrings would snap. I thought we were almost finished our warm up lap just after 2kms, but then I realised the course goes up the hill and back down!
By the time we'd finished our warm up it was nearly time to start. I found my place on the Div 3 line. I tried to start conservatively but I found myself in front of Ann who had a 10m head start and is far faster than me. I wasn't ahead of her for too long though. I completed the first lap in 12.38. I thought I'd get a major positive split on the second lap but I was comfortable so I just kept powering on (despite the extremely sore hamstrings). I expected to absolutely die on the hill at the end of the 2nd lap but I was ok. I powered down the hill to the finish and spotted Lavinia. I ended up finishing in a time of 25.42, a new 6km PB. I couldn't believe I got a PB because my legs were dead and because it was a hilly course.
I spent the rest of the afternoon chatting to friends, cheering on teammates and just watching all the different runners. Of course, the appearance by Craig Mottram was a highlight. A very fun day, I'm so glad the winter season is on!
After a late night out I woke up early, ready to be picked up by Karen and driven to Camberwell station. I was surprised to see Jeff and Nikki, my other teammates in Karen's car when she picked me up. When we arrived at the station, who did we spot but Ali and her hubby Trevor. Ali, Karen and I always do the big races together and Karen and I didn't even know Ali was running! It's the first time Ali and Trevor have done a race together. The train ride to Belgrave was very long and we were all busting by the time we got to Belgrave. Luckily, the others knew the toilets on the Puffing Billy station would be less crowded and we hardly had to queue at all. We then walked up the hill and put our bags in the truck. I didn't even get a chance to warm up because we went straight to the start line. I was fortunate to get a relatively good starting position.
The first couple of hundred of metres were hard, because lots of idiots can't self seed. It didn't take too long to get out into a clear spot.
My splits for the race were:
4.27
4.23
4.35
4.16
4.10
5.09
6.01 (waiting for the train at the crossing)
4.23
4.32
4.38
4.26
4.10
3.55
I thought the hills would be far harder than they were. I held back, waiting for some big steep hills. The hills weren't at all steep, just long. I powered up them and passed plenty of people. Early on I spotted a girl who I know is under 18 and extremely good at running. I passed her on the hill up to Menzies Creek. I had to stop at the Menzies Creek crossing for a minute or two which was extremely annoying. It also allowed my nemesis to catch up. She overtook me on an extreme downhill and was in front of me by about 50-100m. However, on the last uphill I overtook her again. I the last few kilometres I was very confused as I could hear a train and I thought we were trying to race the train to the crossing. I was extremely surprised to realise that we were on the last downhill to the finish. Where were those hills? I managed to stay in front of my nemesis and finish in a time of 59:10 which I am happy with for a first try. I had easily beaten the ladies train but not the mens train.
I grabbed a bottle of Powerade and found my bag easily. I was unsure of what to do next but I ended up just standing around chatting to Lincoln. By the time the presentation started I had found my team and Ali and Trevor. I half listened to the presentations (with a faint hope of success in the U18 category). After the presentation we headed to the buses and waited 45 minutes on the bus to leave the lake area. I was worried because Dad was waiting at Belgrave and I hate for him to wait so long. I finally got to Belgrave and found Dad and said goodbye to the others.
Yesterday morning I received a text from Karen saying I had won the U18 section!!!!! I was very excited, as this was probably my last fun run as a junior. I jumped on the internet and confirmed the result. I must have missed them announcing my name at the presentation as I heard the name of the U18 male winner being called. I also came 21st out of 850 females which is pretty cool!
I will definitely do this race again next year, I had a great time.
Jells Park relays 19th April 2008
Round one of the AV Season is finally here.
I got chosen to run first in the Division 3 team. It's a 3km course, with the open course being 2 x 3km.
I got there really early, as Alison drove me. Only Moose and Bill were there when I arrived. Slowly everyone else started filtering in. I went for a warm up jog around the whole course with Petrina and Sharon. My legs were soooooooooo sore after house athletics the day before (I'm sure it was the 400m) and I thought my hamstrings would snap. I thought we were almost finished our warm up lap just after 2kms, but then I realised the course goes up the hill and back down!
By the time we'd finished our warm up it was nearly time to start. I found my place on the Div 3 line. I tried to start conservatively but I found myself in front of Ann who had a 10m head start and is far faster than me. I wasn't ahead of her for too long though. I completed the first lap in 12.38. I thought I'd get a major positive split on the second lap but I was comfortable so I just kept powering on (despite the extremely sore hamstrings). I expected to absolutely die on the hill at the end of the 2nd lap but I was ok. I powered down the hill to the finish and spotted Lavinia. I ended up finishing in a time of 25.42, a new 6km PB. I couldn't believe I got a PB because my legs were dead and because it was a hilly course.
I spent the rest of the afternoon chatting to friends, cheering on teammates and just watching all the different runners. Of course, the appearance by Craig Mottram was a highlight. A very fun day, I'm so glad the winter season is on!
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