Date: Monday, 13 May 2013

From: Anthony

Nail Can Hill 2013

Well, Nail Can Hill has been run and won again. Not by any Ferals, but it was apparently won by somebody.

The Pack has increased in size this year. Heff went soft and didn't support his team mates, but 4 fellow Ferals joined us this year in another killer of a run. Glen Rosato, Michael Johns and Simon & Fiona Fattore were welcomed into the Pack, joining out-of-town regulars Adam, Rodney & Salmon. It was expected that the Pack size could have been as high as 9 members but Sharon Careri and Trent Rosato followed Heffs lead and decided that spending time with their families was more important than a road trip with the Ferals. Shame.

The trip started at 5:15am in Rovere Place, with the pre-race talk around getting a set of cans. We all like our cans, especially Sav, but this year was special as the old Pack were about to complete their pair. The new comers were filled with expectation, not knowing what to expect, but we put them at ease telling stories of gentle inclines, chicken parmigianas and ice cold schooners. We piled into Sav's dad's Prado, yep all 7 of us, and spent 3 quality hours together, discussing the impending hill and playing poker with the "Show Girls" deck of cards that Simon gleefully discovered under the 3rd row of the Prado.

We arrived at the start line and met up with Teresa Burgess. She has run City-to-Surf and The 6 Foot Track but after running Nail Can she declared this was the pinnacle of her career. All other runs fade in comparison. In the meantime, Simon was strutting his stuff, talking the talk and declaring Salmon had no chance in beating him to the line. Time would tell.

As it panned out, the finishing order (from 1680 competitors) of the 11.3km track was as follows:

Rodney - 23rd (15th in age group) - 46:48 Adam - 25th (3rd in age group) - 47:01 Michael - 63rd (35th in age group) - 50:28 Fiona - 234th (26th in age group) - 57:10 Glen - 238th (97th in age group) - 57:18 Teresa - 261st (3rd in age group) - 57:46 Simon - 284th (114th in age group) - 58:24 Anthony - 292nd (51st in age group) - 58:37

Yes, Simon beat Salmon, and for the record has done so now for the past 3 "away" races. All I can say it was a LONG trip home.

There was also a half-can run. Teresa's daughter Amy finished 3rd (1st in U20's) in the 4km event. Wow, great work! Certainly worthy of a few celebratory drinks in the Burgess household.

The race itself was brutal. For those who are yet to tackle Nail Can, give it a go. With magic weather, a top track and a great atmosphere it is highly recommended for all Ferals.

When all was said and done we made our way to the Albion Hotel where 7 chicken parmies and chips were duly ordered, washed down with a few schooners. A (crap) coffee was consumed, we climbed back into the Prado and Fiona prised the Show Girls deck out of Simon's hands as we spent another 3 hours crammed into the Prado.

Date: Sunday, 17 March 2013

From: Rodney

Yarrawonga Splash and Dash

The pack is back! Well, sort of. The old tour team of Heff, Johnson, Savage and Salmon were heading off to Yarrawonga for the 2013 Splash n Dash, a 10km run along the shore of Lake Mulwala. It was all organized earlier in the week - we will meet at 5:30am for the 2.5hr trip, giving us plenty of time for the 9am race start. But things soon changed.

Firstly, Heff & Salmon agreed to bring the meeting time back to 5:15am knowing all too well that the body clocks of these old guys will no doubt have the call of nature during the trip. We didn't want to be late for the race. For the record, lucky we left early! Then, during his regular Thursday morning training run, Heff was spotted holding his hamstring after emerging from a bush with a rabbit in his hand (Heff can explain if you are interested)! "I'll be good fellas" Heff told us. As you know, Heff was spotted finishing the Saturday hill run after sunset, his hamstring gone "but at least my drinking arm is still ok".

Heff was a no show, the pack was no more. But Heff being the top bloke he is, after agreeing to drive this trip, entrusted his car to Johnson so we could still travel in comfort. Thanks mate, much appreciated. It made for an interesting trip though - all Heff's 80's classics pre-loaded to the in-car entertainment system. Guns N Roses, AC/DC, Cold Chisel. This was looking good so we searched his collection further. One Direction, Boyz to Men, Culture Club, Spice Girls, Wham. Never knew he had that in him.

Anyway, we rocked up to the start line ready to tackle the 10 degrees temperature and 40km /hr headwinds. Yep, it was tough running. We met up with Fellow Ferals Kellie Kelly and Cheryl Wood who were competing in the 5km run and 1.4km swim respectively. Hats of to Cheryl who completed the swim in choppy waters in a whisker over 32 minutes. Brilliant effort!

As we expected, the run was hard work. Those headwinds were punishing and made for a tough run regardless of how beautiful the course was. Johnson finished 4th with a time of 39:09, Savage 6th in 39:29 and Salmon ran a 46:13. Kellie, not to be outdone, ran the 5km course in a great time of 36 minutes. As you can see by the photo, Kellie is now an official member of the pack, although her drinking skills are yet to be put through Heff's approval process.

Some of the Yarrawonga locals did very well. The winner crossed the line in an incredible 32 minutes and one young lass was so well endowed she finished after Salmon but before Savage!

The obligatory chicken parmigiana and beer was to follow, but 10am was just a little too early so we headed up the road to Berrigan and the local watering hole. Alas, the pub was closed so Jerilderie was going to get our business. Shock, all 3 pubs in Jerilderie were closed too! What is this? We don't live in Mongolia - this is Australia! So we headed north to Coleambally where the locals were more than accommodating and shared stories of knitting, taxidermists and rabbits.

Date: Sunday, 3 March 2013

From: Ed

HOT in Hillston

The Hillston Outback triathlon was really well patronised by a swarm of Ferals. The conditions were perfect for the start of the race even though it did warm up a bit later on. The event was extremely well run and full credit must go to the local organisers.

The girl’s performance was nothing short of outstanding and put some of us guys to shame. Tracey Josling got a podium finish as did Bronwyn Jones in her maiden triathlon. Sarah Keenan blitzed the field in her age group – where does she get those genes from?

Michele Quade ended up having a sore neck from carrying all those medals around her neck. She flew on the bike leg with her recently acquired start of the art bike. Our own Presidente, Janet didn’t get podium but she put in a gutsy performance on the back of her 28km training run for the 6 Foot Track and the normal hill run the day before.

This was my maiden triathlon for the full event. I couldn’t believe how hard the run was after the bike leg. I’ve got to improve my swimming if I can mount any sort of challenge for the future. But I thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Quite a few of us stopped at the Black Stump hotel in Merriwagga for a few re-hydrating ales. It was a wonderful finish to a great day.

Date: Wednesday, 27 February 2013

From: Rodney

2013 Wangaratta

Hi Everyone

I just got home this afternoon from running the 10km Wangaratta Fun Run along with Peter Pearson. We ventured off on Saturday afternoon without the guys who pulled out ( yes you Anthony Salmon, Adam Johnson and Anthony Trefilo), and arrived just in time to get ready for dinner. When we arrived at the reception of the motel there was a female wanting a room for the night. Unfortunately for her the place was booked out. When we started the check in and told the guy that it was only the 2 of us in a 5 bed room he asked us if we were interested in letting a bed to her. Peter said yes but I said no like the good husband I am. 

With the race starting at 8am on Sunday morning, Peter and I woke at 5.25am for a light breakfast then back to bed for 45 minutes. 

The race started with a field of over 250 and Peter took off with a group of 5 at a cracking pace and the group established an early lead that extended as the race continued along the Ovens River. I was a lot more cautious in my start until I got a feel for the competition and started to increase my speed. Peter's tussle at the head of the field took a turn for the better as one then two runners dropped off for him to place 3rd in a fantastic run. I however managed to get a stitch at the 6km mark and struggled for the next 2km until I finally managed to shake it and register a top 10 finish (I think 8th). 

It was a very enjoyable weekend and with over 1700 runners competing in 2k, 5k, 10k, half and full marathon, it has a run for everybody. Hope to see more Ferals there next year. There are enough beds.

Rodney

Date: Sunday, 2 December 2012

From: Rodney

Rodney and Renae on the Goldcoast

Renae and I have been spreading the Feral word up at Coolangatta for the past week. We have been getting up every morning early to go for our run along beach to check out the scenery. My neck has never been so sore. It's because I'm looking beside me at my beautiful wife all the time not what you think.

The weather has been a pleasant 27 or 28 degrees everyday with plenty of sunshine. I thought I should mention this considering you guys haven't had a day under 35. You poor buggers.

See you all on the hill this Saturday so you can see our new tans.