22 August 2010

Postal Weight Pentathlon

After a week of continuous rain it was pleasing to see the sun rise on Sunday morning and promise of a dry spell for our weight pentathlon. It was all hands on deck to sweep the circles and get the gear out for a 9am start. Our group of eight throwers and two officials were small in number but big on encouragement and competitiveness.

With the surfaces being wet and throwers slightly cautious distances were down in most throws however good early season throwing in the hammer from Anne Goulter W45 37.61mts and Althea Mackie W40 31.23 with Hans Barnard M50 the best of the men with 32.55mts. The weight throw also produced some good results with Althea Mackie throwing 10.14mts, Hans Barnard 12.53mts and Chris Thompson M55 10.90mts.

Most consistent over all throws on the day were Aggie Boxall W50 and the versatile Ron Johnson M75 also approval from Pam Spiers W85 who enjoyed her first competition with the new sized implements very eye catching in purple.


7 August 2010

The Wild, Wild West

The Glen Eden Cross Country run at Bethells Beach on Saturday 7th August lived up to its reputation. Wind and rain, the challenging sands dunes, cool river water and mud on the steep hill climb were all present and make conquering this course very satisfying. The final 800 mts into a strong head wind up the beach to the finish at the Surf Club really gets the self talk going. Forty three runners made the start with 6 hardy AMA runners fronting up, with only one runner taking an unplanned dip in the river everyone made it back safely just a little worse for wear, wet and weary.

The ladies and 60+ men run a shorter course than seniors and under 60 master’s men, Tui Ashe lead the AMA ladies home in 14th place overall followed closely by Tiare Lund 15th with Rita Paton next in 25th place. Lew Clay lead the 60+ men in 24th place with Dave Wileman coming in next in 43rd place. Adrian Evans from Technical Club entered the AMA run and came home in 32nd place running the longer course. Any Auckland Masters who want a run that takes you outside your comfort zone, this is it.

Athletics NZ Cross Country Champs held at Waikanae on Saturday 7th August
We had two AMA members taking part who were selected to represent Auckland they were Sue Parcell W40 and Brett Laurent M50. Good results for both with Sue finishing 5th W40-44 6km in 26.53sec and also a member of the winning Auckland MW35+ relay team of Rachael Penny, Kristine Reid, Lesley Ryan, Sue Parcell. Brett finished 10th M50-54 8km in 34.50sec. Well done to you both.


3rd August 2010

"The Importance of a Fast Start"

An amazing, true story from John Lester
(one of our members based on the Gold Coast):

I had to go to the local service station to get the newspaper for the TV guide. It was 7.45 in the evening. Just as I was approaching the shop, 7 boys (aged 14-18) came out of a unit complex and one fronted me and asked for a light. Another was standing to my side and the rest were behind. I explained I did not smoke and he then demanded my Nike Free shoes. I said "Hey guys, I am 67 years old and don't need to be beaten up, so if you want my shoes that bad you can have them".
 
With that, I bent to undo my left shoe which put me in my 3-point start position. I took off at speed and was chased for approx 120 metres and only slowed to look back after 200 metres and saw two of them walking back.
 
When I race, I never sweat but on this occasion I could have wrung out my polo shirt and fleecy top. I would have beaten the world champ on this occasion. "Phew..."
 
Also the same evening, a group of 14-18yr olds caught a taxi from Surfers to Burleigh and pummeled the driver as he drove. He pulled into a service station and when they got out he quickly closed all doors. They then picked up a fire extinguisher and smashed his window and punched him in the face. They then sprayed the foam into the service station. Could have been the same idiots!