The 3000m Challenge 2008
Very quick write up this week so that I can get back to the Olympic Games. Many people away due to Palmerston North half, Joggers & walkers AGM and injuries/sickness. The intrepid 9 arrived at the stadium for a coaching session followed by a 3,000 open handicap event. The weather was perfect considering the month we have had, with some sunshine, no wind and no rain. Although in places you could see the hail stone on the ground from the storm in the night.
Rachel, Colin and Sandra took us through our paces, reinforcing the Mexican drills. Michelle shone through during this session, perfect technique for everything. Little disconcerting the noise of red wine sloshing around in places though! Good to see Dennis back out on the track after his knee problems – seemed to glide through the exercises even without hips!
Pity there were so few for the 3000 metres, because I wanted to make as hard a job as I could for the time keeper. By starting people on handicap, in such a short race it is possible to have a lot of people finishing at the same time. Michelle decided she wasn’t going to be part of the plan and refused to be caught by anyone else. Amazing what walking on red wine will do for you. This was the first handicap win for Michelle; well done you have made a great improvement and really deserve the win. In second place we had Mike, who seemed to shake off the effects of his trip to Samoa and finished in a very good time of 18m 33s. The exciting part for the time-keeper came next though! The bulk of the field bunched in the last 20 metres and we had a sprint to the finish. It was the rowing and swimming all over again, but we had no photo finish equipment. Marlene, Sue, Dennis, Alan and Ivor went over the line in dramatic fashion in that order (we think!). Arthur brought up the rear but he was still thinking about his recent trip to Surfers with the sun on his back – he still got fastest time in the Vets.
In the Juniors, Deanna showed us how to do drills, making it all look so easy. She did 1000 metres in a new PB of 7m 57s – well done.
Many thanks to Colin, Rachel and Sandra for the coaching session. Many thanks to Theresa for the morning tea/lunch, especially the soup.
Results:
Grade
M
M
M
W
W
V
V
V
J,1K
Eric, Rachel, Sandra, Brian
