Another week for 2010....

Friday night and the wombat was down at the new track watching young Courtney run a 7 sec Pb for the 5km. (14.24.) a great piece of running assisted by Mark See for 3k who held the 68 sec laps before stepping aside.

While the track is fantastic it was a little disappointing that the scheduled start of 8.40pm did not get under way until well past 9pm. The second heat was even later. This made it extremely difficult for the runners to time there warm ups. Some things don't ever seem to change.

I look forward to seeing both these guys racing hard together and actually clocking some really good times in the future. Young Patto also clocked a brilliant Pb ducking under the 15minute mark for the first time. Again if he can maintain this new strength along with his new training program under his new coach we will see a solid group of young guys coming through the senior ranks. This will create a base of middle distance runners we have not seen in the state since Clive Hicks, Mark Altus, Duncan Sulivan, Wade Clews, Martin Assmussen, Peter Ritson, Greg Sullivan, Jim langford, martin O'Malley, David Eltringham, Ivan Shatford, Alan Thurlow, John Hamilton and Glen Yates.

One young guy who was Absent was Young Ethan H, recently selected to run at the up and coming World Cross Country Championships. A number of people will be watching this young fellow's progress over the next few years and it would be great to see him make a successful transition into the senior ranks in a few years time. Hopefully he will gain some insight into the competitiveness at the top level by competing in what is undoubtedly the most competitive event in the world with world class athletes ranging from 1500m through to the marathon contesting this event.

Helena valley this morning and around the pipeline loop. Started a bit late and missed the main group so I ran from the Victor Road gate. Solo out along the lower pipeline (32min26sec) before crossing over the culvert and running back along the upper pipe.(29min50sec) really struggled going out and even the small rises caused me grief today. On the return journey i joined a group of 5 which included the star studded(tat on right calf) Doig, See and blast from the part Barton along with Govus and company. Courts and Gerry were out for a big 2and half so caught up with them at IGA after.

The return journey was faster but just as unpleasant and the constant undulations were not welcome today but desperately needed to build up strength.


It was great to see the young runners out doing the tough runs and hopefully this will flow on to their racing through improved strength and the ability to hold their speed for a little longer.

Finished the last section of my run alongside Barts as the young guys smashed us up the hills. back to the car at Victor Road and some stretching. Oh boy a long way to go.....

Barrel on Wombats......

Well Followers of the Wombat, it has been a long while since my last post but rest assured , in that time the Wombat Warrior has not been idle. Fortunately for me this little animal is rather resilient so he has managed to hang in there despite some tough times mentally.

The running is continuing and I am making good speed but more importantly the endurance continues to get better.

This year I have commenced some swimming and managed to swim further than I have ever swum in my life. 2km in the pool in 45 minutes may not set the world on fire but let me tell you apart from feeling rooted I had a bloody big smile on my face. I also noted that with the amount of water I had swallowed on this endeavour the water levels in the pool had also dropped about 1.5metres.

On strong encouragement from Mrs Wombat I have embarked on some cross training. Better known as the Minister for Home Affairs or on other occasions the Catering officer, I thought the was more a directive than a suggestion. The wind trainer is getting a workout and while I am yet to pass Lance Armstrong on any of my sessions I feel I may be worthy of at least a smile from the Wombat of all Wombats for the effort.

Of course the bottom line is to get better at running you must run and this I am doing.Who knows with continued visualisation (tell em he's dreaming) and more hard work I may still make a podium.

Stay tuned followers and i hope that the 2010 year brings with it all that you hope and work for... I am off to watch Courtney Carter tackle the 5000m at Perry Lakes tonight at 8.40pm but right now its tie to take the little wombats off to swimming lessons....

Barrel on wombats....