Entries are still open for any event (marathon, half marathon, 10km, 5km or 2.5km kids) in the Brisbane Marathon Festival. It's on this Weekend, 2 August 2015. For more information go to www.brisbanemarathon.com
BRS has a team. To enter follow the instructions on our "Whats On Page" here
For any BRSers competing lets all meet at the QUT side of the Goodwill Games Bridge as we have previous years.
Sign on Session
Just a reminder of our Upcoming Sign on Session:
When: Wednesday 5th August
Time: 7pm after training
Where: the Ship Inn Beer Garden (bring a change of clothes, jumper, it might be chilly!)
What:
- Sign-on to become a BRS member for 2015-2016 year (bring your $30 membership with you please as cash, there will be no eftpos)
- Receive your BRS Membership Card to obtain our sponsor rewards
- Update us on your goals for the upcoming year
- An opportunity to ask coaches about membership, how BRS works, social events, upcoming events, and of course discuss your running goals
- a great chance to catch up with friends and meet new ones!!
SATURDAY SESSION
When: Saturday 1st AugustWhere: New Farm Park Rotunda
Time: 6am-7:30am
What:1.5 hr long run around the river, or
Markets are on again! So bring a blanket and some money for a well deserved post session breaky!
Warwick Pentath Run
Guest Blogger :Nick, talking about the final 1500m
Guest Blogger :Nick, talking about the final 1500m
The Mental Games: A tale of 1500m
Four races completed. 40.7km of pavement pounded. I'm tired,
my legs are done and my calves are screaming. My approach for the final 1.5km
of the weekend was to put in a hard effort. I had no particular time goal in
mind. I didn't think too much about my collective time for the weekend until
just before the race. Dan calculated I had a chance of finishing the event in
under a total of 3 hours. The catch was I had to complete the race in under 5
minutes and 30 seconds (3:40m/km pace!). I have done this before in training
and 5k races but never after running 40.5km! Queue the expectations! Being the
harsh critic I am of myself, my satisfaction level for the weekend would now
all come down these 1500 metres.
At the start line I was nervous and questioning myself as
always. The 750m turnaround was visible but looked a very long way away. I
figured I would just run solid in the first half and bring it home strong with
the wind and a slight downward slope. Ten, nine, eight...three, two, one, bang!
The first half played out almost the same as the other events over the weekend.
Surrounded by the same guys. Same guys going too hard. There was one particular
runner I had grown a dislike for because of his antics. There was no way I
could let him beat me. Just like in all the other races he was in front of me
for a period. I didn’t panic because I knew he would fade like a red t-shirt in
the sun once we reached the turnaround.
As expected I passed him and a number of other guys right on
the turnaround. Once I completed the turnaround my eyes were fixed on the
golden finishing arch in the distance. The end was only a couple of minutes of
pain away. I ran towards that golden arch like a hungry 8 year old runs towards
the M shaped golden arches. The second half of the race was over in a flash. I
was so fixed on the finish line I have little memory of it. I may have passed a
few guys but there was no way I was going to let anybody pass me. I managed to
bring it home in 8th place in 5 minutes 4 seconds (3:22m/km pace). I achieved
my goal of a total event time under 3 hours and also picked up 3rd place in my
age category for the race!
Even though we race against tens, hundreds and even
thousands of people our primary competitor is always within. We are our
harshest critic and toughest competitor. That little voice almost always takes
a negative/conservative approach. This weekend was more a test of mental
strength than physical fitness. I found warming up before every race following
the first was quite a stiff and sore experience and I began to question how I
would get through the race that followed. As soon as the race started the
stiffness and soreness evaporated (somewhat!). The distraction of having other
runners around me, the determination to get one up on the "rivals" I
had developed over the weekend and knowing they are hurting as much as I pulled
me through. Nothing is more demoralising than being passed approaching the end
of a race. In every race I passed somebody in the closing stages. That helped
silence that inner voice which gave me a great boost to finish strong.
Before I joined BRS I ran my first half marathon at this
event 4 or 5 years ago. Back then I saw other running clubs competing in the
event and hoped I could do the same myself one day. I had such a great time
with the crew and the running was pretty good too. It would be great if we
could get a big BRS crew out there next year. Major events like Gold Coast and
Bridge to Brisbane are a buzz but I get the most enjoyment out of the smaller
community run events. There is a lot more passion amongst the organisers and
competitors and there is always a great feel about it. Many thanks to Matt,
Liss, Dan and Bridget for the great weekend and well done on your efforts!
THANKS SOOOOO MUCH NICK for your contribution!!! Love it
Happy Running Renae & Matt
I am keen to join next year. :-)
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