Remember that feeling of pure accomplishment after your very first race? That’s what running the SAAC 16km back in 2012 was like for me. I’d just gotten bitten by the running bug, and this unknown distance was both terrifying and thrilling. (Imagine lining up with your watch still set on your 1.5 km warm-up with […]
From DNF to Fun: My 16km Redemption Race! Read More »
I used to be the king of the concrete jungle, a gazelle on asphalt. But this year, my running mojo has gone missing in action. It’s like I’ve traded my running shoes for slippers and replaced my race bib with a Netflix subscription. I recently did a deep dive into my running stats (a masochistic
Losing My Luster: A Runner’s Confession Read More »
Stawell Toyota 8km Race Review I was itching to hit the pavement. A forced hiatus thanks to a family visit to Melbourne and a bout of COVID had left my running shoes gathering dust. Skipping last week’s 5K was a bitter pill to swallow, but my body needed the extra recovery time. So, this week
Puddle Jumping and Pace Pushing Read More »
Forget your average jog around the track. This week’s club run was a full-blown relay race – the “Lofty Legs” – a tribute to our unforgettable member, Keith Lofthouse. Lofty? A character! He’d butcher your name (affectionately, of course) but always had a listening ear and a story (or two) to share. And the prizes?
Lofty Legs and Dodgy Showers: A Club Relay to Remember! Read More »
Life’s been a whirlwind! Between family and work, I haven’t been able to hit the SAAC club runs since April. But today was different. Today was the legendary Steven Baird aka Squeak’s Run, infamous for its brutal finisher – Bonnie Dundee Hill. Let me tell you, the weather was epic. Crisp sunshine, zero wind –
From Deadlifts to Dundee: A Race Day Rollercoaster! Read More »
The Easter Bunny must have overslept! It was a sleepy start to the SAAC club run, the last hurrah of the school holidays. Despite the lower turnout, the sound of tiny footsteps from the sub-juniors filled the air with a different kind of excitement. My training plan chirped about an easy 90-minute run, but let’s
Edge’s Dash: A Not-So-Average Club Run Read More »
The rain gods weren’t exactly on my side for my second race of the season. It was at McCann Dam, one of my favourite 5km tracks, and a place I hadn’t raced at in over two years. Heavy rain just days before meant one thing: the infamous muddy section along Poverty Hill Track, was guaranteed
Muddy Mayhem and a Motivating Matchup: My Race at McCann Dam Read More »
The unspoken rule of club runners? Don’t win the first race. It might sound odd, but hear me out! A victory tanks your handicap, making future wins tougher. This year’s SAAC season kicked off with the Grampians Insurance handicap, a mass start with staggered finishing times based on past performances. As a 12-year club veteran,
Embrace the Turtle: Strategic Running and Starting the Season Strong Read More »
The SAAC 2016 cross-country season officially kicked up last weekend (2nd April). We were in Melbourne, visiting family (and of course visiting Wyndham Vale Parkrun), so we were unable to attend the opening race. This week however we got to participate in the inaugural Hunter Gardens & Landscaping 5km Handicap. Located just outside of Stawell,
SAAC Race Recap: Hunter Gardens & Landscaping Read More »
In last week’s SAAC run report, I mentioned that this weeks club run would be the Steve Baird Handicap. Er well, I was mistaken. I forgot that there was a change in the syllabus and 2 races had to have a swap. The distance was still 5km, but there was no uphill finish. Instead of
SAAC Recap: David O Jones Read More »
