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.

Date: Friday, 27 March 2015

From: Carmel

Muddi @ Gundi

A few ferals members on the weekend travelled to Gundagai to take part in the annual mud run. We started the day at 6am and travelled by bus to Gundagai. Once we arrived we had to check in and receive our tag, t-shirts and get organised before our 10:20 wave. We also had a couple of newbies to the mud obstacle course with pre nerves but these were settled once we got going. Each obstacle was a challenge for all, some found it easy some found them difficult. Only requirement was to go out and have fun and fun we did. Many laughs occurred along the way. And heaps of mud and water. They say that mud is good for the complexion however Im still not sure about that theory.  At the end of the course we received a medal, a hot meat pie and a glass of beer or soft drink, But did it all go down well, After that we had to head to the showers, if you can call them showers, a hose with a spray at the end of it. Eventually we got cleaned up to the best that we could got dressed and back on the road trip to Wagga where some went shopping, some had food and some just went to the pub. Tea was at the William Farrar Hotel, Yum Yum, then back on the bus for the long trip home. Everyone were quite exhausted by the time we hit Griffith at 10:30pm.  It was a great day enjoyed by all. Members that took part are Mel, Julie, Carissa, Carmel, Linda, Louanne, Anna and Allan. We also had some juniors Melissa, Alsyn and Beatrice. Well done everyone.

Date: Friday, 27 March 2015

From: Anthony

Precision Timing @ Yarra-wala

Is it the consistently good chicken parmies at the Terminus Hotel? Maybe the thought of a cold beer after the run? Or is it possibly just the great companionship of a bunch of Feral Joggers?

Whatever the reason, the success of our “team” this year was outstanding. Read on to find out how our hero’s fared.

Running the Yarrawonga Splash N Dash has become a staple on the running calendar, so much so that this year we had 10 Ferals crammed into 2 cars, all excited about the days forthcoming events. I can’t say we were looking forward to the trip home though – 10 sweaty & stinky Ferals crammed into 2 cars!

The day was planned with precision timing, but with Salmon driving it was debatable if the team could pull it off (he does enjoy the regular pit stop). The plan was as follows:

4:50am Rise and shine at the Salmon household
5:34am Pack daughter Isabella into the car (noting not to forget her shoes
this year as they do assist with running)
5:35am Pick up Rodney Savage
5:36am Pick up Brendon Sinclair
5:45am Pick up Jeremy Woodhouse
5:50am Meet Vince/Nicole/Breanna Restagno & Simon/Fiona Fattore
at Bunnings

We nailed it! All time targets were met to the second, the precision of the whole team simply outstanding. Surely this was a sign of our impending successes?

The regular Jerilderie pit stop came and went, when Salmon surprisingly passed on a visit. Isabella and Brendon (continuing his Wangaratta form) did elect to stop though, resulting in a collective sense of thankfulness spreading across the car once this had occurred.

Upon arriving in Mulwala, the traffic was incredible. We took the tram across the river to Yarrawonga, much to the delight of the younger ones in our midst, as this was clearly the best form of transport at such a popular event and the roads being so busy. Driving to the start line would have given us no chance of a good parking spot. However, Vince ignored the traffic and our warnings and tried his luck at driving, determined to get the closest possible position to the start/finish line. His long walk to the start line may explain why he finished so high in the race rankings – he was certainly warmed up before the race started!

The rest of us, upon exiting the tram, went for our warm up runs. Salmon was pleasantly surprised to find 4 public toilets along the 300m warm up track and declared to all present that he had at last found the ideal place to retire.

The races themselves were well organised and professionally run. The prize money on offer was clearly an attractive carrot and the strong field proved this. Whilst the weather was mild and ideally suited to running, the ferocious head winds affected everyone’s times. Here’s how we fared:

10km Run

5km Run

3km Run

Breanna Restagno was first female across the line in the 3km run but this was not a timed event. She ran a great race and the result was well deserved.

Whilst we were keen to get to The Terminus, we had to stick around and collect our winnings. Savage was impressed with his winnings (though he later went missing when it was his turn to shout) but Vince nearly missed out when the ground announcer could not pronounce his name. Rodney, who had just collected his prize, quickly whispered to the announcer the correct pronunciation of Restagno, and proceedings continued.

Vince was ecstatic when he opened his envelope and found a voucher at the local skate shop. So off he rushed, Nicole and Breanna in tow. Nicole then became more excited than Vince when she discovered said skate shop also sold men’s underwear! She picked her favourite pairs, keeping in mind the presentation when adorned by Vince. She left the store quite pleased.

The Terminus was, as usual, excellent. We wondered why Fiona Fattore had come for the road trip yet not competed. We were even more concerned for her welfare when she failed to order her own chicken parmie for lunch. As it later transpired, Fiona & Simon are expecting their first child later this year. A darn fine excuse. Congratulations to them both – wonderful news.

The trip home is Brendon’s favorite part of the day. He likes to enjoy a few (well, a lot) of roadies and this time had good company with Jeremy. We are not sure of the events in Vince’s car, although the fact we had 5 pit stops on the way home compared to their 1 tells the story.

Date: Friday, 20 March 2015

From: Teresa

Postcard from Six Foot Track

"Well here we go again!" 45km of up and down from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves.
Well done to Janet Mazzarolo on a great PB for her 3rd Six Foot, 5:58 as compared to 6:28 last year.
For myself a time of 5:51 was not my best but I don't expect a PB these days (5:13), I wasn't far off last year 5:27, but it does always seem to vary from year to year. I forget how hard it is each year, you would think by my 12th I would remember. Main aim this year was to finish and receive the RM Williams leather belt engraved with the Six Foot Track. 6yrs a buckle, 12yrs the belt and 18yrs a vest, 24 I think a picture frame with all your finishes.
Great event perfectly organised, well supported by the Rural Fire Services who set up and man all the aid stations so enthusiastically. Fantastic finish, best part of the race running down to Jenolan Caves, as you can see the top of Caves House and hear the cow bells ringing more than a km away.
Here's to number 4 for Janet and number 13 for me, in 2016, might aim for the vest! (Better not tell Kim though).
For now back into training for The North Face 100 in May, more hills and lots of stairs.