Donna 4th at Noosa Bolt

Donna has finished 4th female at the 5k Noosa Bolt this weekend in a time of 16:38.

Lara Tamsett won in 16:05 followed by Donna’s fellow Olympians, Benita Johnson (Marathon) in 16:19 and Lisa Corrigan (1500m) in 16:32.

Well done Donna.

Noosa 5km this weekend

I’ve been getting back into some regular training, and the 5km road race in Noosa this weekend should be fun.  At least it’s shorter than the Burnie 10km! In a 5km race, by the time you realise it’s not actually that much fun after all, you’re almost finished.  Apart from the race, I’m looking forward to enjoying the Noosa festival, with the triathlon on Sunday being the highlight.  One of my sisters lives nearby so I’ll be able to catch up with her as well.

Donna

Burnie 10 Results

In very windy and hot conditions, Donna finished 6th Female in the Burnie 10 this weekend. She was the 1st Tasmanian Female in a time of 0:35:26 only 5 seconds slower than the last time she ran this race in 2006. Considering the lead up to the race was Donna’s “rest period” after the Olympics, this is a great result.

Running for Fun

I have enjoyed some time off serious training, and I’m now looking forward to a couple of fun runs in the next few weeks.  This Sunday I will run in the Burnie 10…it’s not my favourite distance but I enjoy the atmosphere of road racing and especially running in my home State.  On November 1st I will make my debut in the Noosa 5km Bolt.  I’ve wanted to do this race for the past few years.  It will be a different style of race with only a small field of elite runners (only runners who can run faster than 20.00 mins for 5km are allowed to enter).  There are two other Olympians running this year as well, so I’ll have my work cut out!
Donna

Holiday Time

I have returned home after my latest trips to Italy and Germany, and to my sister’s wedding on the Gold Coast.  Now that I’m home, I don’t want to go anywhere!  I have had so many wonderful experiences this year, but it’s been hard on many levels.  (I have travelled overseas from Hobart four times since May).  I’ll spend the next few weeks resting and considering my future.  At the moment I have some speaking engagements to look forward to, and I’m finally getting around to some home renovating.

Donna

World Athletics Final

In a similar field to the Beijing Olympics Final, Donna ran 7th overnight in the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart, Germany.  Her time was 9min36.72.  The race was won by the Olympic Champion Gulnara Galkina of Russia.

5th in Rieti

Last Sunday Donna ran 5th in the Steeplechase at the Rieti Grand Prix in Italy.

Link to the results page for the meet:  http://www.rietimeeting.com/info/results/re1290040.html

30 degrees in Italy- no complaints here!

After travelling for a record 42 hours, I arrived in the city of Rieti yesterday to a scene that was bursting with so much ambience it could have seemed contrived.  I open the shuttered doors of my hotel room to find myself in the main piazza, complete with outdoor cafes and the obligatory fountain.  Even my favourite Boccelli tune was playing across the square.  I have a lot to thank my Italian husband for (whose relatives look like every second person here)  Most importantly, he taught me to eat spaghetti by twirling it around my fork!
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Donna

I will compete in Europe

Somewhat surprisingly, I completed my ‘fitness test’ track session in one of my fastest times yet.  It was a gusty Spring morning, and it helped enormously that I had my training partner Paul and husband Marty running alongside in parts.  Having passed the test, I fly to Italy this week to compete in the steeplechase in Rieti, Italy on Sunday.  The following Saturday is the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart. 

Donna

Decision time

I don’t need to work out how I’m going to spend the rest of my life just yet, but I do need a definite plan for the next two weeks!  I have been feeling pretty ordinary since I returned from China, but I had a promising training run this morning.  I will test my strength and speed on the track tomorrow, to determine whether I will travel to Europe next week for more competition.  I have worked really hard to be in a position to qualify for the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart, and I’d love to be there if I feel energetic and competitive.    

I now have my old phone number again, after a few weeks in limbo.  I’m not able to read any messages though, that may have been left since Marty lost my phone in Hong Kong. 

Donna