Long Distance Champs 2007 - Katie's Report
"2007" What a great season for us all starting with the walkway event to kick start with a glorious day. I remember it so well I was still getting over a virus but I a little fresh air and it did me wonders.
On a personal note to me this was a new year full of excitement and challenges that lay ahead for the TRWC club season. I truly wouldn’t had done this season with out the commitment and help from the list of people, THANK YOU heaps to Eric, Tony, Sue, Alan and the committee members (Dennis, Arthur, Mike N, Trevor, Wayne, Jeff) next year can we have more women me and Sue were out numbered. It’s my first year being among you all I may not have had much to say but I certainly took in what was going on in the meetings, and yes I can’t forget the water boy he has been my number one side line commentator, next year he may be a lot quieter and focus on his running (yahoo).
A special huge thanks to Eric, Tony you may not know I listen to you both even thou it may not look like it, and to Rachael I truly think your a god send I took in everything you passed on to us the key to it all was practice, practice, practice my technique and the knowledge and encouragement paid off.
To our dear judges what would we do with out you, Colin, Sandra cheers you kept me on my toes with you out there truly does help, and to our other judges that has helped in the season. From the bottom of my heart without all you wonderful people I wouldn’t had made it to the Nationals, and Championships I truly appreciate the time and effort you have all given me with your knowledge and help it has paid of the best I could this year I just want to say I feel proud to be apart of the TRWC.
I haven’t finished yet this parts my proudest moment to all you young and old club members I am inspired by how much you all try hard week in week out weather it be club events competitive with one another to the fun events and competitions you all are a great bunch of people even to the members I don’t know very well. I look forward to seeing you all at the Olex and Mountain to Surf so keep up the walk and all the best to you all until next season.
Long Distance Champs
Just a mention on the Long Distance Walk in Hastings Labour week-end. Marlene may not know this but she has been a really good (Rabbit) for me to chase and follow all season cheers Marlene I enjoyed walking with you this season and to finish it off we both attended our first 20k Judged Athletic NZ Masters Walk, congratulations Marlene your a great role model.
The course was a 1k because there was an issue with the road somewhere was ripped up by truck damage???? It was a interesting event you were always around the 50k men walkers who started at 7am and then my race at 8am and a hour later Glenn was walking his 20k and I think I was on my 8 or 9th lap when Glenn started.
The weather was just wonderful I enjoyed the sunshine it wasn’t too bad because we had a breeze to keep us cool, the wind did pick up later but it wasn’t too bad for me I’m closer to the earth than Glenn is. Brian O'Shea was also doing his walk 10k Open Mens Walk so it was good to see familiar faces. Unlucky Brian you gave it your best and Glenn I didn’t know what happened out there for you. I was wondering why you started cheering me on thanks aye it was nice to hear your support. Anyway I was feeling relaxed and good after I decided not to hang about with Christine Hocking we paired up for about 9 laps then I decided I wanted to do something and took off from her, this was her first 20k event as well. She had told me later "Thanks for the push", I honestly thought she was going to make me work so I ended up telling her not a problem I’m always happy to help.
After getting towards my 15th lap the timekeeper said "5 to go" I said "oooohhhh" with a grin I was so wanting to finish by now my little legs were feeling the pinch at this stage I had to focus extremely harder at this stage. Its so funny Alan Clarke was one of the lap scorers, when I came around to the finish area my mind was saying what I would give to change places with him right about now. On my very last lap the bell went and I had decided I had enough of this up and down 1k course I’m going to burst somewhere but not quite sure where to wrap up this walk event up and get to the finish line as fast as I could, my heart was beating harder my breathing picked up a few more notches and I went for it on the home straight and I wanted to finish on a high, I focused the best I could I remember something Rachael showed me at training and would you believe it I had no red cards on the board during the whole race until I sprinted to the finish line would you believe it Peter Wrigley the Chief Judge once again approached me, he said "you received 1 red card" on your last lap, to me that’s ok what’s 1 red card its the 3 red cards you have to worry about and I did what I proved out to do and I came home a happy girl with my very first 20k NZ Athletic Gold Medal and I am so proud to make it through. So hey if you members want to give yourselves a challenge give this walk a go.
