Bloomberg Square Mile

What a great night at what is fast becoming the premier running event in Sydney. Anyone who is anyone in the NSW running world moves heaven and earth to attend this – some even pretend to work (Tim Lindop) to get a guernsey for this blue ribband event. While running is a very solitary sport, this is a night to celebrate and enjoy all that comes from participating in a proper team running race – you even get a baton to make you feel like a pro. The course itself is a pretty challenging little mile or 1.6kms for the imperially uneducated, including a fast downhill start and a couple of sharp stair sections. It basically just hurts for 6 or 7 minutes.

Lots has been written and said over the last few weeks, most not very complimentary from those not blessed to participate. A sensational night for WBC taking out the men’s and women’s titles – my own personal triumph, executive leadership of the second best of Westpac’s 13 teams to 12^th place overall. Looking forward to 2020 and getting Birchy into shape to move into the top 10.

Canberra Half Marathon

I came, I ran and I got my ass whooped by the Canberra course. The family and I made the road trip to Canberra ahead of our Easter mini-break at Thredbo – as Enda will attest, us executives need to have our recuperation time. I was looking forward to my first race in about 2 years and a Hurts touring side. Back in January, this was going to be my goal race for attacking my half pb for 2019 but my lack of discipline in doing the long runs came back and bit me big time. About 4 weeks out I had given up on the pb but still hoped for a sub 90 so was pretty gutted when I crossed the line in 90.09. Saw Elle, Erika, Charlie, Sonya and Birchy on the start line – four out of the five looked like they were going  to have a crack. Gun went off and we were off – it’s a bit of an undulating start, so kept Birchy’s race advice in mind to not go too hard in the first 5kms. The Striders 90 minute pacer was pushing it though and Sonya was off like a hare. Heard a few people moaning about 4.05/10 pace, so eased back a bit. Got through 8kms and was feeling good – had managed to get ahead of the 90 min chap and Sonya was still about 100m in front. Saw Brendan looking really strong as he started the back half and then Elle was pushing it up the hills around 9kms. Managed to get on to Sonya’s shoulder at about 10kms and the 90 mins pacer announced we were on for an 88, so was pleasantly surprised. The 12-16km stretch is pretty uninteresting and you have a little climb up onto a flyover and that is where I died – just started going backwards and between 17 and 18km, noticed the pace dropping to about 4.35. Sonya and the 90 minute guy passed me at the 18km mark and just couldn’t go with them. Turned into the finish chute, saw Anna and the kids and felt like I was running like Usain – only for the video Anna took to prove me very wrong. Moral of this race – didn’t do the long runs and went out too hard for the current level of fitness. However a great race – will certainly come back – and great to see some really strong performances from Elle, Erika, Sonya and Brendan in the half, Chris R in the full and Lachy and Andy in the 50km. Going to have to enter the SMH now and get some effort into the long runs.

By: Craig Wiseman