Date: Tuesday, 15 December 2015

From: Carmel

Casino, Eats, Shops, Pubs ... oh yeh, and a Run

The Sussan Fun Run in support of Breast Cancer Network 6/12/15
What a great weekend was had by all. Leaving mid-afternoon on Friday for the road trip to Melbourne. Of course we had the mandatory stop at the Big Strawberry for scones, jam and a cuppa-  yum yum. We arrived at Albert Park at our accommodation, a quick change of clothes then we headed off into the city. However we encountered our first dilemma, we needed myki cards for the trip on the trams. Lucky we spotted a 7/11 on our way to the tram stop. With our cards in hand off we went into the city. Got off at Flinders Street, the whole CBD was abuzz with activity, walked along South Bank to the casino for some tea. Was a bit on the late side though. Tried our luck at the tables, no good, and bags in hand we headed back to the CBD. Found a great pub at Young n Jackson where we danced till the wee early hrs. On our way back to the tram stop we walked into Federation Square where we saw the amazing Lego sculptures. We were kids again. Caught the tram back to St Kilda for some well earnt sleep. We did have an early rise on the Saturday for some shopping and decided to hit the Bourke Street Mall and the DFOs. Wow great venues for Christmas shopping. Great bargains in hand we decided to leave the city at about 5:30, an early tea and a dip in the Resort pool. Very relaxing. Sunday morning all up early for our walk to Catani Gardens in St Kilda. The walk was a great warm up, the atmosphere was buzzing and a sea of pink was to be seen. What an amazing sight. We all achieved PBs and decided we will be back next year. On the road again for the trip home and the chatter kept us awake. Stopped in Shepparton for the compulsory toilet break and some lunch and coffee and fuel.  
We all had a great weekend away thanks Donna, Julie, Carissa, Linda and Louanne. Look forward to our next trip away.

Date: Wednesday, 4 November 2015

From: Wendy

How Many Legs Does Jelly Have?

Some of us had a recent weekend in Melbourne. 12 ferals in fact that were variously signed up for the 10km run, the half marathon and the marathon. For all four of us that completed the 21km half marathon distance Melbourne was a first. Di Keenan's only comparable experience of an out of town event is the City2Surf and she says she found the Melbourne Half had more of a relaxed feel and that it was awesome running into the MCG.  Lyn, Nicole and I all felt the same. Running through the tunnel and then out into that great open space (not to a roaring crowd but oh well) was a memorable finale especially when the legs had turned to jelly coming off the bridge leading into the MCG. Nicole said she liked running past Melbourne's historical buildings which made me wonder what I was looking at as I didn't even notice. The run course is a bit similar to that of the 15k City2Sea run which I have completed 4 years running now. Not overly scenic but the finish made it memorable. Any excuse for a weekend in Melbourne. Sandra Altin completed the 10km run which was an achievement but so far as I know she has no time to show for it as she seemed to have dropped out of the system. Well done anyway. We know you were there. My daughter also ran the 10km with a friend, her first attempt at that distance. She never was a feral but now she's a runner.

Date: Monday, 2 November 2015

From: Janet

Two Legs the Norm in Melb

On 18 October 2015, five Griffith Ferals made their way to the start line of the 37^th Melbourne Marathon. The temperature, about 12°C and overcast, outstanding conditions for the race. The skies looked threatening, but it stayed cool, with no rain. We found our pace groups and waited anxiously for the starter’s gun to sound. No matter how much training you’ve done, there’s always a nagging doubt that it hasn’t been enough and you’re going to hit the wall well before the finish! Nearly 7,000 were participating this year, among them Adam Johnson attempting his first Melbourne Marathon, Lena Sergi and Richard West taking part for the second time, Janet Mazzarolo running my third Melbourne and Feral legend Teresa Burgess was lining up for the 13^th time.

The starting gun went off at 7am and we headed out along Brunton Avenue and onto St Kilda Road, reaching the 5km and 10km marks in a lap around Albert Park. We then turned onto Fitzroy Street towards the long , long scenic route on Beaconsfield Parade in St Kilda, along the bay for about 12kms. We had a nice tail wind down to the first turnaround on Bay Street and were then greeted by a bit of a fresh sea breeze down along to the next turnaround near the 25km mark before heading back into the city. There was a slight incline past around 30kms, then back along Fitzroy Street and the hard slog back along St Kilda road. The sun managed to break through the clouds around 10am, but it wasn’t too warm, yet. At 35kms, under a bridge, there were few runners in rough shape, being treated by paramedics, but the only thing worrying me was my screaming quads. By this time, most of us were just hanging on to finish, when a mere 7kms to go seems like 20! At about kilometres 37 to 40, we ran through the botanical gardens where cheering spectators tried to spur us on and a darling child handing out much appreciated icy poles, which just got me through the last 2 kilometres. Turning right out of the gardens, we finally ran back onto Brunton Avenue, along the train tracks, to head into the tunnel leading into the MCG. I could hear the crowd cheering inside from about 800 meters away, and suddenly you feel no pain or exhaustion as you emerge onto the grounds of the MCG to run a little over half a lap, the sun shining and spectators cheering – it’s such an awesome feeling, almost worth the pain.

All five Ferals finished on their two, but aching legs: Adam Johnson with an amazing time of 2.55, finished 125^th overall, 19^th in his age group and 115 out of males. He kept his pace under 4mins/km for an incredible 20km. Lena Sergi was the next fastest with a time of 3.48. I stayed with Lena for all of 2 kilometres, at the start, but she was feeling much fitter and ran on to find the 4 hour pace group and she kicked their butts! Teresa Burgess was close behind Lena and wasn’t feeling the magic on the day but despite this, finished in a very respectable 3.50. Next out of the Feral contingent was Richard (Charlie) West who got to train with “Angels”. I ran with Richard for about 10km, but I couldn’t keep pace with him and had a rest at a water stop around the 30km mark, and he went on ahead to finish in 4.24, a terrific effort. I was just happy to finish after doing most of my training with one niggling ache or another, in 4.31. Not my fastest, but not my slowest, so all good! A fabulous weekend was had, along with the Half Marathon girls, Di Keenan, Lyn Evans, Wendy Minato, Nicole Dehnert, lone 10km racer, Sandra Altin and Rita McIver-Fascianelli, who was out of the running with an injury but was a super cheer squad. Thanks to Lena for the incredibly delicious pasta dinner the night before and to Teresa who knows the best pubs in Melbourne!

Date: Saturday, 22 August 2015

From: Julie

Dunc Slams First Half

July 5th 2015     ASICS Gold Coast Half Marathon

Heya ferals!

Last month, my family and I were lucky enough to 'follow the sun', have a holiday and I was finally able to participate in my first ever half marathon. I say 'finally' as ITB issues and throat infection were a couple of blighters that initially stood in my way!

On the Saturday (4th) fellow feral Leslie Taylor completed the 10 kilometre run and later with children Cooper and Haidin; the 4 kilometre run. The event seemed Taylor made as there were plenty of smiles and discussion of a return to events and maybe even a marathon in 2016!

My event started at 'sparrow farts' on the Sunday. A toilet queue hold up saw my late arrival for the starting line and placed me behind the 2 hour pacer balloon (doh!). The gun went off; it then took a couple of kilometres to get a good pace and some personal space! We headed North for the first 10.5 km; as far as Paradise Point. I experienced beautiful views of parks, bridges, marinas and of course a spectacular sunrise. The roadside support from strangers was also amazing! Most runners were courteous and it took me half the race to realise that strangers on the side were yelling out "go Julie" to me and not someone sharing my name right behind me! (Yes, blonde moment! My bib had my name on it!).

The first 14 kilometres felt awesome but after that distance I tired quickly. A lack of distance training five weeks beforehand caught up with me! However with thoughts of seeing my boys??, catching Olympian Jess Trengrove ??(dreamin'!) and a cuppucino, I 'soldiered' on and was able to complete the run. I so could have kissed the blue carpet at the finish! (posh!)

This is an awesome event which I recommend you try at least once!

GC 5km/10km/Half or Full marathon 2 & 3rd July 2016; bring it on!

Cheers and see you on the hill and hopefully the Gold Coast, Julie Duncan

Date: Friday, 29 May 2015

From: Teresa

The Calm Face

Finished my 2nd North Face 100! I finally plucked up the courage to have another crack at it after 5 years.
In 2010 I said I would never do it again. I was saying that again this year, funny how you forget!
The course was a bit different especially from about 54km, seemed to be more stairs and technical narrow fire trails this time, lots of up up and down down.
The start and finish was located at Scenic World in Katoomba. With the final kilometre including 860 step climb up the Furber stairs to the finish line, the same stairs we had descended at 5km into the race. Very much on my mind as we were descending those steps was the thought of climbing them again at 99km. Anyway I did it, after 19hrs it was wonderful to cross that finish line.
Thanks to the wonderful support of my husband Kim and youngest daughter Amy for once again making up my support team and meeting me at checkpoints 3 - 5 plus waiting to cheer me on at the finish line.   Thanks Teresa.