Run Reports
Saturday 23rd April
With a group of the girls having headed off in the dark at 5am it left about 25 for the 5.30 am start. Wonderful conditions apart from a bit of humidity.
John.D picked Easter for his return after a long absence from the group. Some say he has been in Europe but there was a train of thought that perhaps it was an Easter miracle. (To the religious amongst us – no offense intended). Tara was quick to point out that he was a day early for that. There was also no talk of an immaculate conception.
Back to the running. The marathoners had 28km ahead of them but aided by wonderful cool conditions and the holiday spirit we glided out toward New Farm Park. I spent my morning with the 5 – 5:10 per kilometre group. I apologise to those I am not around during the morning and who generally miss out on a mention in the Saturday run reports. Although some of them may be pleased to not have me around as I tend to talk a lot of rubbish to pass the time and the kilometres. (We’d love to have reports from others amongst the group). Clare, my Oxfam team mate ran early with her sister Liz and was trying out her newly acquired camelbak. Full product review available soon at our Oxfam blog.
This week I made a point of listening more closely to Judy’s pre-run briefing and I actually knew where we were going. Up to the RBH and then the hills to the 5 Ways. Chris.B had disappeared off the front by this time and we didn’t see him again until we crossed paths at the turn around at Orleigh Park. At the front of our group it seemed an on going battle between Geoff.R, Gary and Tara for the lead. Heading for the turn around I asked Paul.R how far we had gone. He replied; 20km. It turned out to be just a guess. Someone else with a GPS corrected that to 18km. Not funny Paul! A bit like someone on the side of the road at the 40km marker of a marathon yelling out well done you’re almost there!
One of our recent additions; Tom was also with the ‘loose’ group of about 10 runners still together at the turn around. He was also adding some much needed humour at that point. Things were getting a little hysterical out there and the conversation had turned to Tamara helping out as support crew for our Oxfam team and what sort of treatment we could expect for chaffing…..
Heading for home Tamara, Ian.H and I decided to go over the Go Between Bridge rather than the Vic Bridge because I pointed out that there are taps on the former. Turns out that they aren’t working at the moment. (At least not the one we stopped at right at the top). For some reason I didn’t get a lot of praise for that suggestion. Heading back to the gardens “T” increased the pace and we lost Ian to a dodgy stomach. A hangover from a recent camping trip I believe. Paul, Gary, Geoff.R and Tara where flying out in front by now. Back over the Good Will Bridge and on to the Red Man for 28.2km.
As is the plan, a lot of us seemed to make it back to the Red Man at about the same time and coffee was high on the agenda. Six of us opted for a “swim” in the newly reopened South Bank pool to help the legs recover pre-coffee. Another great run on a beautiful Brisbane morning with a great bunch of friends. See you next Saturday.