Mother's Day Classic - Peter's Blog

Moon shoes and blisters

2010-04-29T04:42:00.000-07:00

I'm currently in Brisbane for work and decided to buy a new pair of running shoes the night before I jumped on the plane. I usually wear a particular shoe made by Mizuno, but when I dropped in to see my shoe guru Trent, he didn't have any in my size. So, time for me to make a choice - continue with my already long dead Mizuno shoes and wait until Trent got my size in, or try something else.

I really wanted some new runners and after a discussion with Trent, I tried on a brand of runners I haven't heard of before. (They're called Karhu and made in Finland). They were like no runners I've ever seen before, but they felt so comfortable and cushiony - however they look something like the moon shoes that Neil Armstrong would have worn when taking his famous walk. They're kind of puffy and large looking, with gaudy bright yellow detailing (photo to follow) - but they just felt so cushiony.

Decision time! I decided to buy the Karhu's after a quick trial run and put them in the suitcase for my Brisbane trip.

First run with the new shoes and they felt great (did I mention that they feel soft and cushiony?) - until I'd been running for about 30 minutes. I arrived at my turnaround point and my feet were burning. Decision time: Do I take the soft option and walk home, or run home and "feel the burn". I decided to try running home and after a couple of short pain breaks, a bit of swearing and a lot of teeth clenching, I made it back to my hotel.

They might come good but two 60 minute runs later I'm sporting blisters half the size of my feet and spending ten minutes before I run applying tons of elastoplast. Time for me to learn from one of my own lessons - stick with what you know works for you. I'm pretty certain that my next new pair of runners will be sporting a Mizuno logo.

There's nothing wrong with the moon shoes, I'm just not sure that they're the shoes for me.

Gravel rash and sand hills

2010-04-29T04:31:00.000-07:00

I used to associate gravel rash with passion pop and brief interludes with people of the opposite gender in RSL club car parks - not that I ever participated of course.

These days, my gravel rash seems to be confined to falling off my bike, and sliding down steep gravel hills when I'm out running.

I was running along the soft sand at my local beach when I spied some gravel hills which I've run up and down before. I was pretty much over the soft sand, so I headed for the gravel. Big mistake! Running up these hills is fine, running down them can get a bit hairy. Three falls and some monster gravel grazes later I begrudgingly headed back to the soft sand to complete my run battered, bruised and determined to avoid gravel rash for the foreseeable future (unless it occurs in a local RSL car park, of course).

A few facts about "ironman triathlon"

2010-04-15T20:14:00.000-07:00

I’ve mentioned that I compete in long distance triathlons, so I thought I’d include a few posts to tell you what this is all about. Firstly, a few interesting facts:

The longest one day triathlon involves a 3.8km swim, followed by a 1km bike ride and a 42.2km run to finish. This distance is referred to as “ironman triathlon” and it has been around for just over 30 years.

The first ironman triathlon was held in Hawaii and had only 13 competitors. Kona, Hawaii is now where the ironman triathlon world championships are held in October each year. The Hawaii race is known for its extreme heat and humidity, with temperatures often reaching 40 degrees.

Ironman triathlons are now held all over the world, with two taking place in Australia. One in Busselton, WA and one at Port Macquarie, NSW.

Four Australian triathletes have won the ironman world championship – Michele Jones, Greg Welch who was the first non American to win the race, Chris McCormack in 2007 and Craig “Crowie” Alexander in both 2008 and 2009 (that’s right – the current mens world champion is an Aussie) – check out Craig Alexander’s website. He’s a fantastic bloke and a great athlete.
All four of these Aussie winners have been members of the one triathlon club, the Cronulla club in Sydney. There must be something in the water there. I’m hoping so, because I’m also a member of that club.

The current women’s world champion is a Pommie, Chrissie Wellington. She’s won the last 3 world championships, holds the womens world record for the distance and the course record at the world championships in Hawaii and she has never been beaten over the ironman distance. She is also a wonderful person. I met her at the ironman Australia triathlon in Port Macquarie in 2008, where she presented me with my finisher’s medal. Having won the women’s event, she came back to the finish line and stayed for several hours to greet as many of the amateur athletes as she could. Chrissie has a great sense of humour and it’s worth checking out her website and blog. She is not your average professional triathlete, having run a water treatment plant in a third world country prior to becoming a professional triathlete. She is a huge supporter of womens triathlon and offers her time to a large number of great causes.

I’ll be posting more blogs about all things triathlon shortly – I’m only a little obsessed!!!!

How I should be training

2010-04-15T19:20:00.000-07:00

So far my specific training for the Mothers Day Classic has included eating far too many easter eggs, a lot of sitting on the lounge and drinking too many beers.

Luckily, I was training for an ironman triathlon which I competed in on 28th March, so I at least have a good training base.

So, what training will I be doing between now and the MDC?

My running training will look something like this (I’m training for the 8k run):

Monday – easy run on a flat surface for about 40 minutes.

Tuesday – no running

Wednesday - Interval run for 50 minutes which will look something like this:
10 minute easy run to warm up
2 minute effort, 1 minute easy x 6 (18 minutes in total)
3 minutes easy recovery
3 minute effort, 2 minutes easy
5 minutes maximum effort
10 minutes easy run to warm down

Thursday – 30 minute recovery run at easy pace

Friday – 60 minute soft sand hill run

Saturday – No running

Sunday – 60 minute out and back run (negative split). This means running for 30 minutes at steady pace to a point, then returning to your starting point with the goal being to make it back in less than 30 minutes.

Why do I get into fancy stuff like interval running and negative split runs?

I often ask myself that question – those maximum efforts just hurt, and if you’re not feeling great trying to negative split a 60 minute run isn’t always much fun.

The idea is to build speed and strength. By building up the intervals slowly, you build your aerobic capacity and your ability to maintain a higher speed for a longer period.

These types of training runs will improve your running and fitness over time. You’ll be able to maintain a higher cruising speed and it will also build your confidence.

Now that you’ve read the above and you’re freaking out because you’ve never done an interval run in your life, don’t worry!!!!

You don’t need to do interval runs and you don’t need to put the same time commitment into your training that I do. It’s a big part of my life, but it doesn’t have to be for you. Running three times a week for 30-40 minutes will be enough for most people to have a reasonable shot at doing the 8k run. If you find you get tired on the day, you can always walk part of the way.

Whatever your goals, make sure you enjoy yourself at this year’s MDC.

Pink Man's Tips for the MDC running virgin

2010-04-07T18:50:00.000-07:00

Firstly, I’m not a qualified coach or personal trainer. I’m just someone who does a lot of running and loves it – and hopes that with a little push in the right direction, more people will take up this fun pastime.

If you’ve never run before but want to give it a go, choose this year’s MDC as your starting point, and don’t forget to start up your fundraising page so you can make all that effort even more worthwhile.

Even if you think you can’t do it, you can! You have the option of being a daredevil and having a crack at the 8k run, or try the 4k run.

But, I hear you thinking (not funny, I know) I can’t run 4k’s – There’s no way that I can do it. Incorrect!!!

You can, or at least you can give it a go. You can always walk part of the way if you need to!

Five years ago I was 120kg and flat out running to the fridge to get more food and beer. I’m now a trim 83kg and a veteran of 4 ironman triathlons, about 25 shorter triathlons and multiple fun runs. There’s nothing special about me. I’m still a lazy slob at heart, I’m just now enjoying being a fitter and stronger slob than I’ve ever been.

Here are 6 suggestions that you may want to take on board to help get you started:

1. Before you start, if you have a medical condition or past injury that may prevent you from running, consult a medical practitioner.

2. Get some decent running shoes and have them properly fitted. It can help to prevent injuries, particularly if you’re biomechanically challenged (you can e-mail me for a definition of biomechanically challenged), or if you’re a bit on the heavy side.

3. If you haven’t run for a long time or have a moderate fitness level, try a walk/ run session. Start off with a little walking, then break into a run until you feel tired, then have a walk to recover, then run again. Try to record how long you run for each time and the next session you do, try to extend the duration of your running. Keep training this way and you’ll be running the whole session in no time. The best gains in fitness you will make will be the “honeymoon period” when you’re starting off. Make the most of this while it lasts!

4. Try to find someone to train with. Having a training partner will help you to keep your focus and commitment - you won’t want to let your buddy down by skipping sessions, so it will benefit you both. Plus you've got someone to run with on the day.

5. Stretch, stretch, stretch and stretch some more before and after training– not only will it help to prevent injuries, it might just improve your flexibility as well. A couple of years ago I was about as flexible as a telegraph pole. I now have body parts that bend and stretch where they never stretched and bent before.

6. It should be fun. If you try running and the endorphins just aren’t doing it for you, then try walking. Walking is also great for your health and fitness and carries less chance of injury than running. You can choose to walk great events like the MDC without any real training!

Stay tuned for an update on my training, and a few more tips about running and other MDC and non MDC related stuff.

Interview with Pink Man

2010-04-07T00:51:00.000-07:00

Q. Tell us about yourself Pink Man

A. I was born on the planet Fuschia in the galaxy Cerise many, many years ago. I made my way to earth to help fight the evils of Breast Cancer which also killed many of my fellow Fuschians.
I like to keep a low profile, so you won't see me very often. You may be more likely to see my alter-ego, mild mannered superannuation professional Peter Tagg. Whoops! I didn't mean to give that that one away. My super powers don't stop me from periodically suffering from foot in mouth disease.

Q What are your super powers?

A. Able to leap reasonably tall buildings, generally in a single bound (on a good day); exceptionally good vision, but not x-ray vision - that's illegal these days in most countries; Exceptional speed and strength; The ability to wear pink tights in public without dying of embarassment

Q. Do you have an arch enemy?

A. The less said about Maroon Man, the better. We've clashed badly on more than one occasion!

Q. What's the most difficult thing about being a superhero?

A. Without doubt it has to be finding a telephone booth to get changed in. Mobile phones have become so popular that there are very few public telephones these days. However, I still know of a few choice locations where I can get changed.

I really envy someone like Wonder Woman. If only I could just spin around a few times like she does and come out looking that good. I tried the spinning on the spot thing once and nearly ended up under arrest for indecent exposure. A bit of fast talking saved me.

Q. Do you absolutely have to get changed in a telephone booth?

A. I don't have to get changed in a telephone booth, but I'm a traditionalist. I like to follow in the footsteps of my superhero hero, Superman. Try saying "Superhero hero superman" three times quickly after a few sherry's. Believe me, it's not easy!

Q. If you could have one thing, what would it be?

A. A tardis - I'd love a roomy, comfy telephone booth to get changed in. Plus it has all those really great buttons to press.

Q. Do you have any known weaknesses?

A. Sometimes I obsess over telephone booths and colours. I also have a weakness for James Squire Golden Ale and a hatred of the colour maroon.

The Superhero Guild also recommends that I work on my core strength and flexibility.

Q. What attracted you to the Mother Day Classic?

A. It's just a wonderful event which raises much needed funds for a great charity. Plus, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to wear pink tights in public.

Q. Do you participate in similar events throughout the year?

A. You may occassionally see my alter-ego participating in triathlons around the country. He prefers longer distance triathlons because it allows him more time to come up with excuses for his sub standard performances.

Q. What time do you expect to run in this year's MDC?

A. If allowed to use my superpowers I could expect to finish in about 45 seconds. Without my super powers, I'm hoping for a time under 40 minutes.

Thanks Pink Man!