Helping those less fortunate.

Friday night I headed out with the Minister (Ric) from Robbie's Church to hunt down some of the Homeless people who call Launceston home.

When I say "hunt down" I don't mean literally. Armed with flashlights and backpacks each containing a Thermos, some food and blankets, we hit the streets just before midnight to offer some support to those less fortunate.

We decided to check out the old Hospital building. This building has been unused for years and is due to be turned into a high rise apartment building.

For legal reasons we were not allowed to enter the building itself, but instead checked out the surrounding area.

Unfortunately we found no one at "home", but we did find plenty of evidence that many people do in fact "live" here. Mattresses, blankets, alcohol bottles (empty) syringes and other bits and pieces all pointed to the fact someone has slept here.

I have no doubt that people were in the building whilst we were hanging around. If I put myself in their shoes I wouldn't exactly be coming out to say hi to some complete strangers wandering around in the rain after midnight with flashlights either. Next week we will leave flyer's around so that they know we are only there to help and that they have nothing to fear.

Getting to bed at 2am didn't exactly make the best preparation for the race I ran yesterday. Lets just say I crashed and burned. 8km in just under 30 minutes was a long way from what I was expecting. Still, it was all for a good cause and yes, I would do it again. Maybe not before a race but will definitely go out again soon. At least I get to sleep in a warm bed each night.

6 x 3min w/ 2min float

Another good session tonight. 6 x 3min w/ 2min float recovery.

As always I went out and back and missed the start point by 7 seconds on the return. Close but no cigar!

Tuesday night was also a good session. 10 by 400 with 1min rec. Finished running very strong. Actually felt stronger as the session went on.

Daylight savings throws a spanner in the works running wise. Its now dark by 6pm and will only get dark earlier from now on. Makes it hard to do some of the sessions that we do given that we try to do most of them off road and away from what traffic there is here. Very few bike paths have lights and we aren't blessed with a "Tan" track like those who live in Melbourne.

Still there are some benefits of Launceston. Very little traffic for a start. It doesn't take me an hour to get to work here!!!!! Did I mention the cafes? A good coffee is the best way to finish a long run.

Running another LAC race on Saturday at Evandale. 8km out and back course. It will be interesting to see what the handicapper gives me. Cant wait for that!

Was hoping to have the new Saucony Grid Type A2's for Evandale but they have been delayed and wont be available until late next week. Still, better late than never I guess. As long as I have them before the City to Casino that's all that matters.

Keen to Race

Training is going well now that things are settling down a little. New job is going well and the new house is starting to feel like home.

The only bad thing happening is little Jack having Pneumonia. Poor little fella is in a bad way. He's tough so no doubt he'll be back to him self soon.

Got out a 2 hour run on Sunday and threw in a nice little climb about 1hr 45m in to it just for fun!!!! Must say that I didnt enjoy it all that much. Might have been quicker to walk up it!!!

Heading to Hobart on May 18 for the City to Casino. Hoping to cover the 11km in around 35 minutes, or at the very least secure a top 5 spot. Kim Gillard (won last year)is planning to run as is Grant Page (2nd last year)and Mark Jackson (2:24 Marathon). Should be a good day out.

Received some new clothing from Saucony late last week and must say I am impressed. Red is the go for 2008. I also ordered some new Racing Flats (see pic) today and cant wait to test them out in Hobart.


Check out www.saucony.com for all the new gear.

Its been a while!!!

The last 3 weeks have been hectic to say the least.

I have moved house, started a new job, battled the Flu and taken a Holiday in Sth Aust.

Not much running happened over this time but I did get out this morning for 2 hours so I guess the break was a blessing.

Spent Easter in Mt Gambier for my Uncles 50th birthday. Was very good to catch up with everyone over there. I guess living in Tas means that we wont get over there all that often now. Its no longer a 5 or 6 hour drive but you gotta add the plane trip too!! We flew out of Launie at 6am Good Friday and arrived in Mt Gambier at about 3pm, a bloody long day. Luckily Jack was well behaved and slept a fair bit.

Had lunch with Kim Gillard, Mark Jackson and their families this morning after our run. It was good for Robyn to finally meet the guys I had been talking about so much. Jack spent most of the time throwing things at Kims little bloke Hunter. Thankfully Hunter is easy going and didnt retaliate.

World XC tonight and my prediction is that Buster wont finish inside the top 15. If he does then I owe Kim Gillard a carton of Corona. Fingers crossed.

1st LAC Handicap for 2008

Another steady week under the belt with the only bad day being Wednesday when instead of getting out for 80 - 90 minutes as planned I ran for 12!!! Some more stomach problems put paid to any chance of getting in my 2nd long run for the week. Again, it had disappeared by Thursday so I have no idea what it is.


Launceston Athletic Club held their first Handicap race for 2008 yesterday over 5km. I started 3rd scratch, 1 minute ahead of the back marker. I knew the BM would come home a lot quicker than he went out as thats how he likes to run. Given that, I decided to let loose from the start and gain as much time early on as possible. I went out so hard that the guy who started 60s ahead of me was behind me inside 2kms. I lost some time over the last 2km but still managed to take out the 2nd fastest time for the day.

Cruised around for 2 hours this morning and felt OK but for the last 30 minutes which was tough. The quads had had enough and decided that they werent going to cooperate too much. Still, after a cold bath and plenty of fluid they now seem to be back to normal. I guess an easy 70 minutes tomorrow will tell me for sure.

SNAKE!!!!!

How dare he? A big fat black Tiger Snake laying right where I was intending to step!

I was cruising thru Trevallyn State Forest today when I jumped over a clump of grass covering the track. No big deal, I do this heaps of times each Sunday. The only difference this time was the snake. As I cleared the grass I looked down to see where I was about to place my foot and there he was, about 3 foot long, jet black with a yellow belly and as fat as my arm. And, I was about to stand on him. Some quick thinking saw me avoid him albeit only just. I didnt miss him by much and my foot wasnt on the ground long enough to take measurements, but it was close, damn close.

In trying to dodge the snake I managed to trip myself up in the process. When I got up and turned around he was still there looking at me with his head sitting about 4 inches off the ground.

Even though he was now about 6ft away I was too shit scared to move. After he disappeared it took me about 10 minutes to regain my composure and continue running.

The rest of the run was a write off. I was constantly jumping at shadows and thinking every stick was about to move. Thankfully none of them did.

Every time you run in the bush you take that chance. Who knows how many Snakes you pass but dont actually see. Maybe thats a good thing. Every time I have seen one, it has ruined my run. The HR goes thru the roof and trying to relax is not an option.

Thankfully it was only a close call, but it was way too close for me.

Hornii Body Tonic

Spent today in Hobart with the family and returned with some good news.

Myself and Kim Gillard have been discussing getting a Development Squad up and running here in Launceston to assist Junior Athletes in funding trips away etc. I have deliberately not mentioned it on here previously due to the fact that some of those Juniors read this page!!!

Today I spoke to Ivan Harbottle, the "Hornii Man", and he has agreed to come on board as a Sponsor to this program.

Hornii Body Tonic at first glance is none to different from Red Bull etc. HOWEVER, the big advantage that Hornii has over its competitors is its ingredients (see below). Unlike other so called "energy drinks", Hornii contains only natural products such as B Vitamins. More importantly, it contains no Caffeine, Taurine or Guarana, all those things that give you the kick when you drink that other stuff.. You wont get that high you get with Red Bull or V, and you certainly wont get the low that will follow when the Guarana, Caffeine and Taurine have worn off.

Below is what you will find if you check out their Website:

Hornii body tonic for men and women provides a premium blend of nature’s ancient herbs and essential nutrients to assist in the rejuvenation of the senses and improve performance during strenuous activities.

natural citrus flavours • natural fructose (low gi) • siberian ginseng • panax ginseng • schisandra • ginkgo biloba • damiana • vitamins b3 b6 b9 b12 • magnesium • l-arginine • no caffeine • pasteurised • lightly carbonated • refreshing taste • leaves a crisp feel in the mouth • the NEW standard!

This stuff tastes good, and I am not being biased when I say this. I have had the pleasure of consuming 1 or 2 (slabs) and its very easy to drink. Not too sweet which is always a good thing.

But wait, theres more...... ITS A TASMANIAN COMPANY. Tasmanians supporting Tasmanians. Thats the spirit.

Does this Blog entry sound like an ad for Hornii Body Tonic? I hope so.

Get it in ya.