Date: Wednesday, 30 April 2014

From: Ashleigh, Jennifer, Robyn & Brendon Sinclair.

Family friendly fun at Broulee with the Sinclairs

Within an hour of finishing Bacchus on the Lake the Sinclair family were in the car headed for ten days on the South Coast.   After enjoying the Easter festivities (a little too much) Brendon was eager to catch up on some training and put in a couple of runs around Longbeach but with the enjoyment of Bacchus still fresh he took to google to find some competition.

The search returned the Broulee Runners a local running group only 30 kilometres from our accommodation. Their first event was held in 2007 and they meet every Wednesday afternoon at Mossy Point offering a 2km, 3.5km, and 5km out-and-back course.

We arrived and registered our details with the friendly committee and nominated our preferred course. Ashleigh and Robyn selected the 2km, Jennifer the 3.5km and Brendon the 5km.

The course started at the Mossy Point headland featuring a magnificent ocean view. It followed a grassed section along the headland south towards Broulee where a steep descent down a tree root infested path required careful negotiation. Through a picnic area on the foreshore and then onto the bridge that heading into Broulee where the 2km competitors turned back. The bike path then followed the beach further south to the 3.5 and 5km turnaround points, then in reverse back to the finish.

Times were recorded by way of a handheld multi-timer. At the finish you are handed a ticket with a number reference to your finishing time. You hand the ticket to the timing marshal who records your name against that time.

Ashleigh and Robyn finished with three runners behind them in a time of 18:20. Jennifer ran fourth of six in an adjusted time of 25:53. Her time was reduced by 5 seconds because she ran a bit past the 3.5km turnaround point. A fellow competitor altered the race director who applied the time reduction (we giggled about how Neil would have handled that situation). Brendon finished 4:48 behind the winner in 23:12 (7^th of 18).

Afterwards we were invited for photos for their website and the local rag.

The organisers were ecstatic with the turnout, 51 runners on the day was their new record!

We look forward to joining the Broulee runners again next time we’re down that way.

You can find more info at http://brouleerunners.blogspot.com/ or find them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BrouleeRunners?ref=stream

Date: Saturday, 1 March 2014

From: Anthony, Isabella, Rodney & Brendon

Some Splashin' and Dashin' in Yarrawonga

G’day Ferals,

Feral team  4-S (Salmon, Salmon , Savage and Sinclair) headed off to Yarrawonga Splash N’ Dash at 5.55am to compete in the Dash part. It was 10 minutes past our agreed departure time but we were on our way until a phone call was received whilst stopped at a red light at Mackay Avenue to advise Salmon senior that Salmon Junior’s shoes remained in the garage.

A quick loop back to collect and we were really on our way. Anthony assured us that we wouldn’t strike the red light twice and things looked good when approaching the deserted Mackay Avenue intersection but the lights turned amber and then red and so we waited – again.

A cleverly placed call from Rodney in the back seat to driver Anthony had him thinking what else they’d forgotten, laughter ensued and we settled in to enjoy the pleasant scenery of daybreak.

A close call with a bull that had escaped kept everyone alert and Anthony introduced us to some of the local bird life including close ups with  Ocyphaps lophotes & Eolophus roseicapill. While Rodney showed he has more than running ability by giving us a detailed lesson on the life of Sir John Monash.

We reached our destination greeted by cool conditions (about 11°c) collected our timing chips and had a warm up. We bumped into Feral Cheryl Wood who had competed in the Splash part the previous day and was running the 5km event.

At 8.55am we took our starting position and listened to the race briefing where a 10% competitors discount off the price of a chicken parmy at the Terminus Hotel was mentioned, Rodney and Brendon gave each other a knowing glance and at 9.05am we were away.

The course began adjacent to Lake Mulwala winding its way around the scenic out-and-back section to Rams Head. At the end of the loop you were confronted with contra directional competitors making it difficult for Brendon to ascertain who was in front of or behind him. The 5km course returned to the finish at this point and the 10km course continued through the new residential section across the fairways on the golf course and then in reverse back to the finish.

The chute to the finish line was very intimate with spectators either side cheering and holding their hands out for a “low 5”. Most runners co-operated resulting in extra cheering.

The Salmons who’d competed in the 5km events returned first with times of 23:44 for Anthony (6th) and Isabella 23:43 first place under 18 female! – Lucky we went back for the shoes.

The 10km runners returned and Rodney claimed 6th place overall but 2nd open male in 37:37 and Brendon was 31st overall and13th  open male in 44:50.

Rodney and Isabella accepted their respective cheque and gift voucher, posed for some photos (Rodney was in more than he should have) and we headed off for a hot coffee.

After we ordered a blackout ensued, we hypothesized whose order if any would be processed and in the end Rodney’s order prevailed and Anthony accepted a refund as the energy company estimated 2 hours to restore power.

No sooner had we exited the establishment the sound of blinking fluorescent lights was heard along with the roar of laughter from other patrons (and Rodney) who had watched our tale of woe play out live.

We reunited with the Terminus Hotel to claim our discounted lunch along with a couple of cold ones (lemonade for Isabella) a bonus for the best looking male and complimentary chips for Anthony and Brendon.

The purchase of “roadies” encouraged Anthony to let Rodney take the drivers seat and we were home by 3.30pm

A great day had by all with great results as a sweetener!

Date: Sunday, 23 February 2014

From: Anthony, Rodney & Brendon

Da Boyz went to Wang ...

Hi Ferals

It was 3 weeks ago but here is the postcard from Wang. Sorry for it being so long but there was a lot to tell!  If you put in the website can you say it is from Anthony, Rodney & Brendon (ie not just me)?

WANGARATTA MARATHON - 23rd February 2014

This could be a tale of PB's, tough courses, emotional finishes and the achievement of lifetime goals but all that will probably fade into Ferals folklore after the events of the latest road trip.

The wolf pack may have shrunk in size for this run but we always welcome new members. Rodney Savage and Anthony Salmon were joined by Brendon Sinclair who was attempting to complete his first marathon on his first Feral out-of-town run, the Wangaratta Marathon. Brendon was always going to be a winner this weekend though as Savage and Salmon elected to take on the 10km course, clearly more focused on post-race lattes, chicken parmies and beers as opposed to spending their whole morning running up and down the Ovens River.

We travelled down to Wang on the Saturday afternoon and camped in a fine motor inn, rather reminiscent of your grandmothers bathroom and not much bigger either. Three blokes in one tiny room is one thing - sharing the not-so-private facilities was a completely different matter! Anyway, a quick shower and off to the local Italian restaurant for pre-run carb loading. Sounds easy enough? Not for Salmon, realising he had packed everything in his overnight bag except the single most important item - underwear! "It'll be fine - there are plenty of ways to wear a pair of jocks" claimed Rodney but Salmon was not sure, certainly not after a run. "Go commando" yelled Sinclair. Ah, no. [ed - that's too much info, boys]

The restaurant was beautiful and just what was needed for the morning's run. A glass of red provided the much important iron intake, a proven pre-race necessity to ensure you not only avoid cramps but also assisting with the "cleansing of the body" beforehand. It was noted that Brendon declined a glass.

Next stop, Woolworths. The misson, underwear. Not sure what was more odd looking to observers - Rodney looking down Salmon's pants for his size or Brendon searching through the young boys underwear in the hope of finding the right colour. The mission was finally accomplished and it was back to grandma's for an early night.

With Brendon running at 6:30am and the next race at 7:30, we set the alarms for 4am for an early breakfast and our pre-run preps. It can be pointed out now that Brendon's refusal of a glass of red saw him wrestle constantly with the facilities with no result, not the ideal preparation for a marathon. No problems for the rest of the team.

We take our hats off to the Wangarrata Marathon organisers. This was a superbly well run event with a picturesque course that wound along the banks of the Ovens River, all fully sealed and well maintained. This is one event we will head back to again and we encourage as many Ferals as possible to give it a go next year.

Back to the story. Over 2300 runners competed in a selection of runs, from full and half marathons right down to 10km, 5km and 2km events. Rodney competed very well, coming in 17th overall in the 10km in a time of 38:07 with Anthony producing a time of 47:23, not too bad given the new and as yet untried home-brand underwear.

Brendon's first marathon was achieved in fine style, cracking his target time of 3hr 45min. Just. He looked and felt great for the first 35km but then the effects of not having a drink with the boys started to take hold. Slowly but surely the legs started to cramp up and the pain intensified. But never fear, as Savage & Salmon stood at the finish line waiting for their new hero to arrive, the clocked clicked over 3hrs 44min and Brendon appeared in the finish chute with just 100m to go. NO!!! He stopped! Those cramps locked up his legs and in his own words, "just stopped working". Whilst dreading his decision from the previous evening, the amazing crowed cheered on

Brendon, got him moving again and across the line with 12 seconds to spare. Wow, what a run. Well done.

As we were making our way out of the grounds who do we run into? As seen in the photo, there was Tarek Heiland who also completed the marathon, cruising to 3rd place in the 40+ years age group in a super time of 3hr 10min. Tarek was rightly proud of his achievement - although his next task of driving himself home would probably hurt a whole lot more!

Before the obligatory beers, we checked Brendon into the local aquatic centre so he could freshen up. He was in there for a long time and we were getting concerned we might have to rescue him from the shower if had cramped up. Lucky for us he eventually appeared. "Where the hell have you been?" yelled Rodney. "I had to go" was Brendon's simple reply. Say no more.

Next stop, Yarrawonga and the Terminus Hotel, a place that declared it has 20 different parmies on the menu. Oh yeah! The obligatory chicken parmie and a few schooners were consumed and $3.50 roadies purchased for the trip home. We thought that was cheap until we hit Jerilderie to restock - just $3! If only we stopped in Coleambally on the way through - could they possibly have $2.50 stubbies?

Anthony Salmon, Rodney Savage, Brendon Sinclair

Date: Sunday, 23 February 2014

From: Tarek

Tarek at Wangaratta

Greetings,

entered the Wangaratta marathon (my first official marathon) as a spur of the moment kind of thing last Sunday after gaining permission from my better half and ended up with a 3rd in the Vet's (40+) for my troubles.

(3:10:something, top 10 finish (6th   I think -results not posted yet))

Ended up being a flat out sprint finish for me as I had to get rid of one of the Brown Brother's team members who decided to take me on in the last 200 metres.

Haven't really been training for a marathon, but have been putting in plenty of slower ultra miles.....distance isn't the   problem, but speed could be.

Drove down Sat after kids sports and quickly knocking up some energy bars (making them is cheaper and easier than buying them, plus you know whats in them....I make a knock-off of Clif bars.).

Accomodation was hard to find at late notice there being other big events on the same weekend. (such as an AFL comp).   I opted for Corowa 50km's away since Rutherglen/Corowa were the nearest towns that the last minute websites had available beds in.

Meant getting up at before 5am to get there in plenty of time. Standing in clumps in the dark with everyone eyeing each other off seemed to the agenda before the start.

The start was also as expected....most taking off faster than they can sustain....I took it easier not knowing what pace I was going to settle into but by 4Km's had settled into a 1:30 half pace and collected two other likely culprits to tag along with.

Can't work out why they keep putting bins next to the watering stations....I hate the littering that goes on in road races and if you just put some sulo bins a couple of hundred meters downstream you can avoid the trash effect once you train runners to carry the cup to it. I ended carrying a cup 7km's past an unbinned watering station just to find an appropriate receptacle.

Wasn't wearing a watch, but could just make out the finish clock as I went past the half way point.....bang on 1:30 so pace was ok.

Had lost my first compatriot at around 13km's and the other around 24km's.

On my own after that.

By km 26 all sustenance was tasting   shit....my energy bars were taking 5km's to get one down, so I switched to their supplied energy drink which tasted even fouler, but   by interleaving with water I could get at least get the taste out of my mouth.

Going got tougher around km 32, but it didn't start affecting pace until km 37. By km 40 it was a slogfest, although switching to full pace sprint without flagging the last 200m didn't seem to be a problem (bowling over little kids coming in on their short course was my main concern)

For those that haven't been to the Wangaratta event, it is a nice course and well organised. The course is pretty flat (mainly a few underpasses etc) but is very picturesque. I could recommend it to anyone at any skill level. It's populartity is also growing.

Due to the loop design and staggered event starts you get to see the runners from the 10k and half marathon events as well which is pretty cool......The 10km's event is a bit of a crowd on the track when you move past (in my case in the contra direction)

Caught up with the rest of the Feral's briefly post event (they all wearing their Feral gear.....I better acquire a shirt this round :), and there should be a group photo floating about. They all appeared to have had pretty good runs as well.

I was a luddite and took no photos myself.

Now I better plan some training.....sub 3:00 looks very doable.

Date: Saturday, 22 February 2014

From: Neil

Postcard from the Neon Run Melbourne

Took a weekend away from the Hill to go to the Neon Run in Melbourne, a 5km after dark around Albert Park.  It was more a cross of a dance party and a run, with a music and light stage at the start/finish area, and a run in the meantime.  Different start groups for runners, joggers, and walkers, and no timing.  There were extra music stations around the course, the weirdest of which was the "Silent Disco".  People singing and dancing but no sound!?  It took me a while in the dark to spot the bank of headphones.  And then it took me another while to realise that there was different music from different phones, but all the same rhythm.  A great evening out in a city full of great food.  Got a couple of rides in too – magic down there.