For those that rocked up last year it is at the same place, Richard Murden Reserve (picnic area). Hawthorne Pde & Turner Ave. Haberfield. There are BBQ facilities, playground for kids, bike paths, netball, tennis & basketball courts. Even bring the dog down. Your dog can join balance too as there is dedicated off leash areas for dogs and the famous Bones Cafe is just across the canal.
This is your opportunity to join Balance & UTS Tri Club as a social or full member. We hope to see you there keeping the balance.
Details
What:Balance Family Picnic & Membership Day BBQ
Where: Richard Murden Reserve Haberfield(Picnic Area) - Hawthorne Pde & Turner Ave
BYO: Alcohol & Steak Sausage & Soft Drink provided.
RSVP: No RSVP required, just rock up and enjoy the fun.
Other: Bring the kids bikes etc. We are also next to Netball, Basketball & Tennis courts.
Members: We will be doing a membership drive as well, any body wishing to join Balance as a member or social member there will be great discounts.
ZEIGER - FASTEST DOG IN THE INNERWESTAfter coming 15th in 2007 i was after revenge. I made sure my owner trained alot harder this year so I wouldn't have to drag him around the course. 60 dogs lined up at the start and I looked around and I was confident I could win this year.
The gun went off and I sat nicely in 3rd place until we got to the Iron Cove bridge. There was a German Shepherd coming second and a Labrador in first palce. I managed to over take the German Shepherd just after the bridge and gave him a quick bark as I over took.
The Labrador was running well but kept on looking over it's shoulder. I sat just behind the leader until we got to the half way mark and went screaming past. The Lab tried to keep up but I could see him panting away and he didn't have a chance. I extened my lead to over a minute.
I cruised across the line "The fastest dog in the innerwest" for 2008. I could have kept on going but my owner was stuffed. I won a big dog hamper full of treats and all the kids gave me big hugs after the race. I felt like a rock star. I'll definitely be back next year to defend my Title.
Zeiger
Aunty Karin runs a massive PB at Cities Marathon, 27 Jul 2008
At the beginning of this year I had a few goals in mind. They were to finish IMOZ (tick), then go back to basics with my running & try for PB's in 5k, 10k,21.1k and the marathon.With all this in mind I asked my coach to set the appropriate run program. I had a little break after IMOZ & then concentrated on my running.
I was happy to report a sub 21min (tick) at the Balance 5km Challenge at the Bay. I set about working on my 10k PB, which I finally got atthe SMC Marathon clinic, finishing in 44:18 min(tick) and then headed to the Gold Coast for the Half Marathon. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be for me & Imissed my Half PB by 20 seconds & was very disappointed with the effort.
I spoke to my coach & we agreed that a good taper and rest up for the M7 marathon that anywhere around the 3:45 mark would have me at another PB.
The morning of the race was bitterly cold at Prestons. I ran in gloves for most of the race. Running on a cycle track isn't my idea of fun but for some reason I really enjoyed this race last year and the undulating course makes it interesting.
Cheers AK
kb
The forecast was for bad weather but the day of the City to Surf dawned bright, clear and sunny. This was my first City to Surf in a few years even though I have probably run about 10 over the years. I had pretty low expectations and was happy to have to walk some of the nastier hills.
Helmet and I lined up in our respective groups and it wasn't long before we were off on our way to Bondi. Just after crossing the starting mat I decided that I needed to visit the bathroom and ducked off the course into a familiar cafe that was just around the corner. Fortunatley the toilet was empty so I was in and then back out on the course again pretty quickly.
There were so many walkers on the course - more than any year that I remember. I ducked and weaved my way along passing heaps of people which made me feel pretty good - who cares if they were walkers!
I surprised myself and ran the whole way. I was feeling fantastic and really enjoyed being among like minded people on a gorgeous sunny day. Running down to the finish I was feeling very strong and put in a bit of a sprint to cross the line in just 1:59 - my slowest time for the City to Surf but by far but easily my most satisfying run on this course.
It was great to have Shoti's, Ninja, Winky and Helmet to cheer me across the line.
Well done to everyone else who ran.
Cheri/kb
Capricorn Half Ironman, Yeppoon - 17th August 2008
Ding Dong the witch is dead - race report by Dave (Shot'is) BoltSunday the 17th August 2008 will be a date set into the Bolt household record books for some time yet (hopefully) as it now represents the date of the current household Half Ironman Record and also the first race where I can say that all the effort put in over the past 3 years has revealed itself both to me and others that I train with, big thanks to all. This year the club was represented by 5 able bodied athletes plus a super-star support crew and I can hopefully say that nobody that made the trip this year has come back disappointed.
Room 1023 housed 4 of the hopefuls, Ninja, Sammy, Lou and myself and pre race the mood fluctuated between quiet contemplation and outright fear with a bit of humour thrown in for measure. Room 1012 housed Matty Clarke, Mr half ironman himself, and the support crew of Iceman and his daughter Meagan and her mother Nicky.
Race day dawned with a beautiful day and a mild breeze, the sea was almost pancake flat but somehow at the same time was running a very strong current and fast rising tide. After the long walk to the swim start Ninja looked pale with fear, the race directors had told us that the water temp was only half a degree from compulsory wetsuit swimming and he and another NZ chappy appeared to be the only non wetty athletes visible. Wave after wave of excited athletes took to the water at just after 8am and Ninja and I got the chance to cheer them into the frosty Nth Queensland waters whilst our own anticipation climbed. Half an hour after our gun start I climbed out of the cold water with a massive grin on the dial. That was the fastest swim ever over the 1.9k for me and most others to boot due to the favourable conditions. It pans out that Ninja has swum almost the whole way backstroke as the water temps meant he could not keep his face in the water much to the amazement of the water support crew. Matty got out in about half an hour and the girls both swam great and dodged the pre-race swim fears that grip us all. Awesome work team!
The ride was flat and quick but most of all damn bumpy. The wind in Yeppoon is usually quite predictable and blows from town to the North most days of the year, race day was no different until late morning when it changed direction slightly and gave some relief to all athletes. The look on Lou and Sam’s faces were gold as we crossed paths; they had completed their swims without drowning, panicking or wasting energy and were on top on the world. Ninja was riding just quick enough to get the blood defrosting and feeling in his fingers and Matty was hunting down the big hitters at the front end of the race. I was forced to change riding strategy part way through the ride to deal with a heart rate and legs that would not respond to their usual punishment.
The excitement grows the nearer T2 gets. Praise the lord that this damn tiny non padded torture device that cost a fortune is just about to come out of my butt and the relative freedom of running can commence. Everybody still appears to be rolling around the course nicely as I leave them to start the run. By now the heat of the day is kicking in and whatever breeze was slowing us down on the bike seems to have magically disappeared. Iceman by now is glowing brighter red than should be possible for a human being and is offering sage like advice and support like only he can, good work mate thanks!
The run at Yeppoon is almost flatter than the swim and bike course with the only real challenge being the bridge over the swimming pool right in the middle of the resort. Heart rate is sky high, legs feel strangely ok and head is ready for a real slog fest so lets get running. Matty is miles out in front and I set a mental game to try and catch him, “never stop to walk because Matty wont be”; and away we go. Sam, Lou and Ninja are now on their last laps of the bike and must be feeling great about getting off their damn tiny expensive torture devices as well. As always the volunteers at the aid stations out do themselves with a positive attitude and real time support and the run is just a real pleasure (for once!). This may come of something of a surprise to you all but with about 4k to go this old softy teared up big time, could barely see the road ahead what with fatigue and all the blubbering.
Was this a fairytale, was I about to fall face first into the dirt never to race again, could I finish this race with a great time? Too many questions and not enough time to decide on answers. The end had come and so had the finish chute! What a day, what a weekend, what a group of club mates! Matty had smashed a new PB on his way to an outstanding age group result, top work mate you deserve it! Lou, Sam and Ninja had overcome mental battles of their own to finish with distinction in their first Half Ironman race! Lou can now swap what was an absolute fear about racing IM Florida with a new found confidence from a great result here with her, we wish her all the luck possible. Iceman had provided support through the weekend and race day like nobody else is capable, you are a legend buddy.
Coaches instructions were followed, by some more literally than others (!others can tell the truth if they chose!!!!!), training bases proved successful, beer and champers flowed and karaoke was smashed. No Ice sculptures were harmed in the making of this documentary. No other stories can be told if you weren’t there. What a blast, see you next year.
Yeppoon Race report by Lou Ellengold
Crossing the finish line at my first half ironman was quite simply the most unbelievable feeling in the world. Right up until the second before I ran into the ocean to start the swim I had no idea what was in store for me and still had some doubt whether I would even be able to finish the race. So the biggest lesson learnt that day was how important self-belief is to achieve your goals. Six months ago I could barely run 2km and couldn't even swim 500m without stopping, so for anyone who hasn't done a triathlon because of the fear factor - the only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible..
A big congrats to Davo, Matt, Simon and of course my partner in crime Sammy for their fantastic achievements on the day, and huge thanks for all the support and encouragement from everyone at Balance. I am now on the 8 week countdown until I face my next challenge at Ironman Florida and looking forward to it!
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."
"Pain is temporary, it may last a minute, or an hour, or a day. If I quit however, it lasts forever."
Lou
Yeppoon Race report by Simon (Ninja) McFarlane
Well I finished my first Half IM although not in the time I was hoping for, which was 6 hours or less. I had gone for a swim on the Friday to check the water temp and it felt OK. When I registered on the Saturday arvo and saw that the water temp was only 16.9 I started crapping myself as I had no wetsuit.
Soon as I got in the water got to chest height my body was screaming at me to get out of the water, after a bit of hyperventilating I pushed on and got to the first buoy. After going around the buoy I found my breathing was hard and though about pulling out, in the end I decided to flip over onto my back and did the rest of the course backstroke which I thought was quite a feat ! I ended up getting out of the water in 44 mins.
Onto the bike and I stuck to my plan which was to do the 90k in around 3 hours, although the wind ended up costing me time and with transition I ended up with 3:14 split. I was feeling great getting off the bike and started the run a little too fast and tried to slow myself down which I found hard to do. In the end my nutrition on the day didn't work for me and I my quads started cramping up before the first k was up. I tried to stretch out which helped for a bit but in the end I had run walk the 21.1k and my hope for a 6hr time was crushed. I ended up coming in 6:49 which I though was better than pulling out and also considering that I did the swim with out a wetsuit.
All in all I enjoyed every minute of the race and will be back next year.Next race for me will be Canberra Half and this time I am going to get a wetsuit !
Ninja
Mudgee Marathon - Sunday 24th August 2008
My first Marathon - race report by Chris (Chucky & Zeus for a week) Dimitriades
OW!!!!!
It was all mental for me, not physical.
I had to focus on technique because of the all the hills, up - lean forward, swing arms; pick up the tempo on the way down and keep it up on the following flat. (THANKS ROB!!!!!)
Not knowing the course was great. I knew the spaces between aid stations and that was enough.
KINGO and GOOEY were so so nice! Nothing unusual there, of course. They supported me from start till finish. Just knowing I would see them meant the world.
I finally understand why all you Long Distance freaks value this so much now. I do too.
Preparation is key. We all know that.
I'd like to thank POWER for al ot of great suggestions just before the race.
I also see the value in a coach and mentor. Having someone there to give me structure made all the difference. I never would have made it there in the first place if it wasn't for EMMA.
Her planning, motivation and much much more got me to the start line on the day. Without that assistance........
So what's it all about for me?
People!! YOU, ME. PEOPLE!
I dedicate this run to Mick.
Miss you mate.
Christos
Closer
Closer
Finished
