Jul
01
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Races and Results It’s been a good week. Apart from the constant rain (which has made the local ovals impossible to run on) the days are getting slightly longer and a bit warmer (12 degrees today- yay!). One of my loyal training partners, Ryan Foster returned from the US for a short holiday, and I caught up with him after almost a year. I saw a bit more of him than I’d planned, courtesy of the nude 400 metre run at his 21st birthday party- I was only one of the spectators! We did a training session this week and it felt like the good old days.
This Friday I’m going to take part in a 3000 metre race on the track with some of the local guys. I’m interested to see how fast I can run. (I’m sure Athletics Australia is too!)
Donna
Jun
24
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Races and Results There are six weeks remaining before I travel to Cologne to be with the Australian Track and Field Team. It’s a compulsory Team training camp designed to build team spirit, get used to the climate and time zone etc. I stayed in Cologne for a few days in 2007 with my late coach, Max Cherry. The facilities are ideal- there is a designated ‘Sports University,’ which has a 400m track, swimming pool, gyms, running trails, ovals etc. They also have the ‘Doping Sports Bar’ on site. Not a good look in my opinion!
Donna
Jun
14
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Races and Results I don’t mind running for half an hour around an oval while my children (4yrs, 7yrs) play nearby, but today was a challenge. Without my usual babysitters, we all set off for Nutgrove beach. It didn’t start well. I had only run for 9 seconds!!! when my son slipped in the mud and we headed back to the car for a change of clothes. I ran around the ovals for ages, then we moved to the beach for a change of scenery, and then to the playground. I managed 70 minutes…success!
Donna
Jun
03
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Races and Results This time last year I had just arrived in Belgium with my family to start a six week racing campaign in Europe. The year before that I was in Norway. The year before that I had recently arrived home from Qatar in the Middle East. Being at home now in Winter is great …if it’s always Summer, you never get to experience the joy of coming in from the cold!
It is more beneficial in my opinion for me to stay home at the moment to train and race (road/cross country). I am getting very fit , I have my family to support (and support me), and it’s great to have people to train with. I still have 10 weeks before I race in the World Championships. Things should come together nicely by then!
Donna
May
17
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Races and Results I enjoyed my run in the 11km City to Casino fun run this morning (37.32) The atrocious winds eased off and it wasn’t as cold as I expected. The new course is much better than the previous one- not as much downhill. I had some men to run with, and once we passed the start of the 7km fun run, there were plenty of people around to boost the atmosphere.
Donna
May
11
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Races and Results I was named the 2008 female Track and Field Champion on the weekend for the fourth year in a row. It’s a bit hard to know what to say in media interviews. Instead of a trophy, I was presented with a framed certificate, which also contained two photos of me from my race in Beijing. It’s a nice idea. We’re into the fun run season at the moment. I really like the atmosphere of the road races. I’ll contest the City to Casino run this Sunday…I think I’ll even run the 11km.
Donna
May
03
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Races and Results With just days remaining before my trip to Qatar, I injured my troublesome ankle at training last week and have withdrawn from the steeplechase. I was practising some jumping and had one particularly awkward landing. I don’t think it’s a serious injury but it’s enough to stop me competing in an event that requires 35 jumps. I’m disappointed but it’s only a small hiccup in my plans.
Donna
Apr
29
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Races and Results I ran for an hour this afternoon- in long tights, thermal top, arm warmers, gloves, lined rain jacket and hat. It didn’t help that for most of my run I could see the snow resting on Mount Wellington. The temperature was less than 10 degrees and while my body eventually warmed up, the cold air didn’t. Bring on the Middle East!
Donna
Apr
26
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Races and Results Early next week I will travel to the Middle East to compete in the steeplechase in the Super Grand Prix on Friday 8th May. (Qatar is a one hour flight from Dubai.) This will be the fourth year in a row I’ve been to Qatar and I know what to expect. I just hope that the Arabs aren’t suffering too much from the Global Financial Crisis. The athletes are looked after exceptionally well at this meet. I’m already looking forward to staying in the plush resort and swimming in the Arabian Sea!
Donna
Apr
16
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Races and Results From experience, I know that racing in the cross country events each week gets me very fit. It’s also a fun way to run very hard. This weekend I will run the Geilston Bay relays (3km) and the Round the River Fun Run (5km).
I have started working part-time while my children are at school. Strangely, I think being busy helps me to be more organised. ..and it’s nice to find some time during the day to sit down!
Donna
