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WARWICK PENTATHRUN 2008

JUDY B's Warwick Pentathrun 2008 Report:

(Elfman's report found at the end of Judy's report)

After listening to Alan B’s doom and gloom weather predictions for Warwick, Lew, Dave, Elfman, and I headed off on Friday afternoon looking forward to another fun weekend of eating, running, eating, sleeping and “did I mention eating?”

Friday night we had dinner with Pete and Mary A and Peter and Patti W. Pete A was in great form – he wasn’t running in the morning. Mary was wondering if a few training runs would get her through the Half Marathon and Peter W was firing on all cylinders, after all the newly retired Peter was now a Mt Tambourine resident and has spent most of the past couple of months hitting those hills as part of his training.

Saturday dawned bright, clear and COLD. I have to mention here that Elfman and Dave did turn up with scarves, beanies, berets and big gloves. I think I had four layers on at the start line. Mary has become so acclimatized she turned up in her usual running gear. Peter W was revisiting his youth in the sixties as he had a psychedelic bandana atop his bald dome.

The Half started at a brisk pace (only way to warm up). Redman runners sorted themselves out and headed off to Yangan. Pete A returned to get a coffee and Elfman rugged up in his Wallabies snow jacket headed out to take some pics.

After getting to the top of the steep climb at the 4k mark, we settled in to enjoy the run. Dave couldn’t believe how scenic and peaceful it was to run on the country roads. We had decided to treat this as a training run as Dave was going to give all 5 races a go and he is just starting to feel good after 6 months of recovery and I am still nursing a wrist that is taking its time to heal. The ks clicked by very quickly. The hills and downhills didn’t seem to bother us at all. By the 19k hill, Dave was game to give a sprint finish a go. He was in great form. Those 30s bursts at the end of training paid off. We grabbed a drink and food and headed to the finish to cheer in Pete W (still busy chewing the ear of the poor girl who ran with him from the 3k mark), Lew came in struggling with a foot injury and then came Mary who had a few problems along the way – had to change shoes because of a foot injury.

After more eating, Lew managed to convince Dave that to bypass the Cross Country would be such a Wussy thing to do. Elf, Mary and I aren’t that stupid so we headed off to cheer on Dave, Pete and Lew. By this time of day I think the temp might have reached 10 (after all it was lunch time). This course is not designed for anyone under 6ft tall. There is a huge horse jump made of very large logs that the runners have to climb over. Did I mention that this jump was also perched on top of a hill?
The boys all finished in good spirits, although Dave did mention several times that that was his first and last Cross Country run ever.

After more eating and showering, we headed out to the new 5k course. Heading off for this weekend, I was only going to run the Half and the Mountain 10k but got conned into running the 5k. Dave thought he might get lonely out there. We finally found the course (a slight detour along the wrong highway). The race field was huge, everyone in Warwick must have been there. Dave and I decided that the group of girls dressed as fairies were fair targets to run down at the start. Dave kept telling himself “Gary got injured doing a silly thing during the 5k” so we ran along at a comfortable pace and once again with 1.5k to go, Dave decided to test his fitness and pick up the pace to the finish. He was awesome, and so happy to be back in good shape.

The next stop for the day was afternoon tea at the Ashtons. (This is really the reason we come to Warwick). Dr Liz and Murray joined us for a feast of Chocolate Cake, Sticky Date Pudding etc. We needed to load up for the Mountain in the morning. Dr Liz wishes everyone all the best and she does miss the group.

After many off-putting text messages from AB regarding tomorrow’s forecast, I turned my phone off. Once again, he wasn’t wrong. Sunday morning dawned, foggy and FREEZING.

The drive to Killarney was very quiet. Dave and Elf were Mountain Virgins. Lew and I knew what was ahead so were more concerned about the cold. Dave was looking at every mountain in the distance wondering which one was the BEAST TO BE CONQUERED. We got out of the car to be met by a freezing cold blast of air. What to wear? We didn’t attempt to take off any layers until just before the starting gun. I had the added issue of how to run with a long sleeve shirt, and then try to take it off over my arm splint while running? It took about 500m but it was worth it.

Pete W headed off like a kid let loose in a Lolly shop, Lew was out for an easy run, Elf was out to get to the top in one piece and Dave and I were going to go out easy then give the mountain a good go.

It was so cold we kept our gloves on until the 4k drink stop. Running in 1degree is a bugger but the less you have to carry up the mountain the better. At the 3k mark I told Dave to look up at the mountain ahead as you can see the cars heading up – his response was S……..

We turned the corner and the adventure started. Dave was in great form so with a promise not to do anything stupid, he headed up the climb. I was struggling with coldness in my arm and this was making my shoulder ache big time. This didn’t last long as there were a few slowies in front and the temptation to pass them was too great so off we went.

This was my fourth time up the hill and, Yes Michael K and Alan B, it does get easier, even without much training. Dave finished in 58minutes and I followed in 59.35. Peter W was next, with Lew hot on his heels. Elfman finished in great style, sprinting to the finish line. You had to be there to appreciate what happened next. Picture this:

Elf crossed the line, Peter asked “How was the run?”
Elf: “Better than sex!”
Dave: “What type of sex have you been having lately?”
Elf: “Well then, better than the last sex I had”.
Peter: “Do you still get some then Elf?”

Needless to say this set the tone for the conversation for the rest of the day. We headed back to Warwick for brekkie and to warm up all pleased with our efforts. The Mountain was beaten again for another year!!! Dave was on a high, Elf was sitting on cloud 999 and the rest of us were quietly happy with our runs.

The last run was only an hour away. The 1500m killer dash. This was going to be a warm down run for everyone. Elf was keen to go, so much so that he beat Lew home.

Everyone was by now suffering the stiff legs, tight hamstrings, dry lips and tiredness that creeps up on you during these weekends but spirits were high. It was still cold at high noon in Warwick. Jackets were out in force for the presentations.

Redman Runners collected a few trophies.

Peter Wilson picked up 2nd for the Half
2nd for the Cross Country
2nd for the 5k Dash
2nd for the 10k Mountain Run
2nd for the 1500m

Judy Bell collected 1st place for the Half
1st place for the 10k Mountain Run
2nd place for the 5k Dash

Dave and Elf both came 7th in their age groups
Lew came 4th in his age group

This was the largest field of starters ever for this event. Redman runners looked fantastic in our singlets and Red Polo shirts.

After a weekend of great running in the fresh air we reluctantly headed home tired, but very pleased with ourselves.
Thanks to Mary for the delicious afternoon tea. Thanks to Lew, Dave and Elf for looking after me, who else would open Gatorade bottles for a one-armed runner at 5.30am in the morning?
Thanks to Peter A and Patti W for their cheering during the weekend.

Judy Bell

   Elfman's Version of what really happened at the Warwick Pentathrun:

What a weekend!

I picked up Dave from the car hire place on Friday afternoon as planned
and he offered to drive. Remind me again why we are not going in your
car, Dave. You pranged it and you want to drive mine? The tone had been set.

Got to Warwick a couple of casual hours later and pulled into the
Bramble Patch cafe. Phoned Judy "We're here, where are you?"  "Inside,
watching you phone us to see where we are." Have a chat then off to the
motel for showers and change. Pick up race packs and drive to meet Pete
and Mary for dinner at the Palace Hotel on the corner of Grafton and
Palmer streets.

We find Grafton St and drive up and down - no Palmer St. Phone Pete, get
message bank, decide to drive around and try to find the Palace Hotel.
Find Palmer St, follow it and there is the Palace. Palmer St runs
parallel to Grafton St - Pete failed geometry.

Pete and Patty Wilson were there, great to see their smiling faces
again. Dinner was great, can recommend the place. The chat drifted
around to our plans for the weekend and particularly tomorrow. Patty is
going shopping, Pete W is going to jog the half, Lew is going to bet
him, Judy is only allowed to run 5k, so she is going to jog the rest,
Dave does not want to follow in Garrys footstep and injure himself so he
is going to take it slow, Mary is going to beet her last year time, Pete
A may not get out of a warm bed and I am saving myself for Sundays accent.

Saturday dawned a beautiful day. The air was crisp and fresh. Judy tried
to do a Scott of the Antarctic impersonation for the pre race photo.
Pete A turned up to see everyone off then went straight back to a warm
bed. Patty did not show - Pete W said something about too much red the
night before at dinner.

The race started a little late and I headed out to get some photos.
Around about 13k Pete A turned up again and we waited for the team to
come through.

Pete W was first past, laughing and talking, Judy and Dave were next
also chatting then Mary came over the crest calling out for her bag -
13k into a half marathon and Ashton is worried about her make-up, also
had to change her shoes (something about someone else having the same
colour on). Lew went past while Mary was attending to her attire. Off to
the finish.

Dave was first of our team. He blitzed the last K in 4:07 and he was
only taking it easy - a training run he said - Ha! Judy flew past Pete W
- another one just out for a jog - Ha! Pete W looked spent when he
crossed the line but recovered quickly as soon as he saw a pretty girl
who would talk with him. Lew looked solid and confident as he came in
and Mary was a fashion statement in her own right.

Opened the boot to get out the bags and Dave has emptied an entire
bottle of Gaiterade over the bags. Nice one Dave!

Back to the Bramble Patch for coffee and dry out the boot, then out for
the cross country - Dave's first. Dry and dusty, the photos tell the
story. A real challenge. Lew was much closer to Pete W this time but
still not in front. Dave looked great but did not like the uneven
terrain. Back for more coffee.

Following directions from the back seat, we got lost on the way to the
5k road race, however, we got there in plenty of time. Dave went cross
country again and Judy used someones 4WD - she was too quick and I
didn't get a photo of her.

After many delays, the race got started. A flat out and back course in
the setting sun - very peaceful. Everyone looked determined, fit and
healthy as they crossed the finish line. Judy would like to point out
that she was on strict instructions that she could only race 5k and she
did - many times.

Back for the traditional afternoon tea at the Ashtons'. Dr's Murry and
Liz were there and  the conversation went from Judy's hardware store to
my ankle and the 10k accent tomorrow.  At the suggestion that  Mary
would join me at the back of the pack she waved her hand in the air and
said "Ahh!  no bloody way" The football started so the team left for
dinner and set up shop in the hall.

Sunday dawned, eventually. It was a little foggy on the way out the
Killarny for the start of race 4 - the accent. We are blessed in this
country with some of the most magnificent scenery - we came over the
crest of a rise to be greeted by an orange ball in the sky trying to
cast its warmth over a sea of mist below us. The things you see when you
don't have a camera handy.

Parked the car and went for a little warm up jog. Nervous tension
setting in. I'm chatting with anyone who will listen. Spoke to a bloke
in bright yellow skins - he said the trick was to go fast during the
first 4k as it was flat then just change down into low gear for the
accent. I moved onto someone with a little more sense - they were
standing in the sun. The gun went bang and we were off.

Left, right, breath, breath, left, right, breath - this was my plan.
Don't look up, just left, right, breath, breath. I looked up at 1k -
runners strung out all along the road ahead, cows and sheep in the yards
to the left, no worries. 4k water stop and time for some Gu - mmmm
Chocolate. Back into it, left, right, breath, breath. 5k, no one in
front and no one behind, kill a little grass and looked up - Viv and
Mark C would say "Hill? Hill? What hill!" It looked much worse than when
I drove it last year, left, right, breath, breath; 6k and the bell birds
are ringing in my ears and that's all you can hear - you can feel the
serenity! I'm catching the person ahead as they have stopped to walk,
left, right, huff puff. I'm on my own again and can hear a waterfall, so
peaceful, not hot but not cool either left, right, huff puff. 7k, more
runners walking, 3 passed with 3k to go, left, right, puff, pant. 8k
cows to the right somewhere are having a great conversation - look daisy
another stupid biped running up the hill. left, right, gasp, gasp - slow
down and get back to huff, puff. 9k and the only wheely has come down
the hill a little to offer encouragement - really picks you up when
someone who will just not let anything get them down tell you you are
doing great. I can see the crest, push on over the top, stride out a
little and let gravity do its work to carry you over the line - I made
it. Team mates all come over to offer genuine congratulations and well
dones' - just as exhilarating as  finishing. Geeze I felt great.

Into the bus for a slow decent and a look at the scenery as all you see
on the way up is  asphalt.  As I said before, beautiful country.

Into the car and head back to the Bramble Patch for coffee. The talk in
the car was of running but quickly turned to sex and anything said by
anyone was misinterpreted by Lew or myself. Judy tried to bring the
conversation back up to a fitting level by talking food. Lew and I
promised to swap a few recipes then dragged the conversation back down
into the gutter. Things didn't improve when we met up with Pete W and
Patty  for coffee -  pheromones, virgins and wives jumping on husbands
is all I can remember (or write here)

Off to race 5 - 1500mt. Vicki and John were there with tribe and there
was much discussion as to who would run with whom to look after the
children. Judy suggested to one little girl that she could run with me
but not to beat me by too much as I would cry. This little girl, all of
4 years, come up to me and says, very seriously "Don't cry when I beat
you, cause it's only for fun!"  I promised I wouldn't. Then Jack said he
would run with me so dad could look after the other little one. She
ended up running with someone else and so did Jack - C'est la vie. You
don't realise the incline on the main street in Warwick until you turn
at the 750 mark. All good fun. About 30 mins after the finish, little
girl come up to me to tell me she beat me and was I upset. I said I was
but I wouldn't cry as I had listened to her advice.

Then started the only really tough part of the weekend - the awards.
After 2 hours I turned to Dave and said that's enough, we're going. Said
our good by's and off. Stopped in Aratulla for some takeaway tea and
pumpkin to make soup following Lew's recipe. Nice peaceful trip until
Ipswich.

Oh Oh says Dave. "I got some extra sugar sachets and they have broken"
Fair dinkum Dave - you fill my boot up with sports drink and front seat
up with sugar. Next year we go in your car and I have 12 months to plan
what I am going to drop in you boot.

What an absolutely fantastic weekend - thanks to my team mates.

Have fun

The Elfman 

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