For What It Is Worth...

99% of the time, you think you do what you do, because that is just what you do. But it is nice to think that what you do has to some part in something much bigger than your own selfish reasons.

At my time at Adshel, I was bossy and would often tell people to do this run, that run and I thought I was just being pushy. But it turns out walking into the office tired, and hanging out my washing over filing cabinets for the next training session can acutally be some form of inspiration.

Leanne, used to sit opposite me and before I left she told me, "Siobhan, Kerryn McCann inspired me to buy my first pair of running shoes in 20 years. But you inspire me to run everyday."

This made me feel a little overwhelmed. BUT it made me realise that being able to inspire someone like that means a hell of a lot more than any medal. To know that you helped someone find a love for putting their running shoes on and achieving something is awesome!

So whilst I inspired someone, Leanne has in fact inspired me! If someone can have every excuse under the sun to not train (I'm not fit, I don't have running shoes... you name it) What excuse do I have?

So whilst Leanne thanked me for helping her, I now have to thank Leanne for reminding my why I love my sport, and that ordinary people doing extraordinary things in life is the best source of inspiration.

The Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon

There was the phantom knee pain, the onset of a cold, lost gels, chance of rain, ummm... I think that will do with the excuses. But to say I didn't want to race was an understatement.

Alas, a beautiful Sydney morning came, along with 10,000 other nutters I did the Half Marathon and actually had a great time.

Despite my incredibly short attention span, I finished and took great pleasure in passing 300 people, who blew up... did it in 83 minutes, but unfortunately spent far longer than one would have liked looking for post-race coffee.

Along with the coffee came post race delirium, 2 runners, and an unforgettable supporter loitered in Darlinghurst - Hunger does odd things

The Smallest of Life's Pleasures

One must take great pleasure in the smaller things in life... My biggest small pleasure is my daily trip to my closest Campos. Whilst some are better than others - 'nectar of the gods' in any form generally does the trick.

BRW Corporate Triathlon

What a day...
Sid and I raced the race twice, and had lots of fun in the process. We both clocked some pretty quick times, which meant we were amongst the fastest male and female competitors. IN FACT a few people were well and truly chicked (not mentioning names) Let's hope he brings his A game to Club Champs next week, otherwise it could be an expensive Saturday night buying us drinks all night.

It was a great race, great location and even better company :)

Mooloolaba Triathlon

Australian Surf Life Saving Championships 2010 – Never To Be Forgotten

Thousands of Lifesavers from around Australia train all year to compete in the ferocity of the ocean at ‘The Aussies’ – the greatest spectacle of watermen and women in the country. The first year back Kurrawa after 3 years in Western Australia, stepping off the plane felt like coming home.

Before I mention anything about my one and only event, I cannot continue without mentioning the tragic passing of Saxon Bird in the semi final of the under 19 Ironman. Mother Nature was each competitor’s biggest competition over the first few days of racing. And Saxon’s life was lost in battling the ferocious conditions. My deepest of sympathy goes out to all of Saxon’s friends, family and club mates at Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club.

On the first day of open competition – the first event the 2km beach run. Up until this point, I hadn’t done much to prepare for what in essence has now become a sprint. If the training fitted into triathlon training, then great, but not much thought was given to this race. Except for the fact my inner demons of last year’s Aussies made me determined to be one of the top 3 beach runners in the country.
The morning of the race, I knew I needed to see it like a training run, if I didn’t I would freak out and would again let nerves get the better of me, and would have regrets for another year. An early start meant no pre race coffee, and a quick jog to the race start. The event, now its’ 6th year has attracted a lot more runners, and I knew this year if I wanted a medal – I had my work cut out for me.

The open females were second off the rank after the men. 4 x 500m meant down on the soft and back on the hard. RACE TACTIC = settle on the soft sand, I hadn’t done enough work on the sand to have a really solid pace on the soft. I knew then I would have no choice but pick up the pace on the hard sand to emulate the track work which I had been doing. As the gun went off I knew that Alison O’Toole having won the past 5 was not settling for any other colour than gold. I jumped straight on her feet, and a few other girls went with us. I heard their breathing, and looked at their form and new they weren’t going to last long, so I used them to pace until they were too slow. Alison is an amazing runner, and took off with me having to spend the next 1500m trying to catch her. Each 500m I pulled away from more and more girls, and attempted to edge closer to Alison. In the end, her skill, and experience led her to a 6th straight victory, and I finished a convincing 2nd. BUT it felt like gold. I never wanted to ‘narrowly miss’ a medal again. I didn’t. I had a convincing lead on 3rd, and took the silver medal. I am now 2nd in the country, and it took 5 years to do it. Although, I thought after The Aussies 2010, I was hanging up the clubby cap – I can smell the gold medal, and I don’t think I will stop until I get it.



RIP Saxon Bird

Surf Life Saving NSW State Championships

So the mysterious knee pain turned up 3 days out, I got a cold - and yet funnily enough felt great on the start line. Psychological much?

After an early start to drive to Swansea Belmont - and an awful coffee, the usual nerves that I used to get that RUINED every race were no where to be seen. Rather was filled with excitement, as to what I may be able to pull out of the bag.

Surf carnivals being surf carnivals, the 8am start time changed, and it was an earlier start. This meant no long swim warm up, but a very short run warm up. On the start line, I felt completely relaxed, and as the gun went off - I stuck to my race plan knowing that if it didn't work, it didn't work.

I jumped straight on the feet of the girl who went out first. The pace wasn't too quick, and given the fact the sand was so soft, I needed someone's foot steps to find the hard sand. At the 1km we were substantially had of the rest of the field. As we turned the final flag for the last 500 I decided that I was going to pick up the pace and see what happened. I lifted, and looked around and she was not close by, I maintained my pace - as I ran into the arena following coach's orders, "only do what you have to do" I slowed down, and jogged to take out my first State Title.

It was a great feeling, and now am so excited to go to The Aussies - 17 days, and COUNTING