Run 4 Kids 2008

[running sweetlee]

I suppose I just wanted to add a bit of personal experience, since I sensed some disappointment. I know what its like to be expecting one thing and getting another.....





I'll also add that I like the colour much better this year.

I love the colour as well. I have been trying to decide whether to run in it or not but think the next size up would be better. I ordered the x-small and although it fits, I think the small would be more comfortable to run in. I did email admin last week to order another one but I haven't heard back. I guess they are really busy.



Carbo load......... I carbo load all the time, even when I am not running

[supersam]

Got my race number yesterday Blue 2837



Can't really say what time I'm going for. The distance won't be an issue, but my speed seems to be getting worse. Hopefully I can sneak under the 1hr.

[runningaway]

Come on Sam- I expect to see you at 9.10am in the finishing drink station.



Had volunteer information session tonight- over 27400 entries- but they said there was a decrease in the long distance numbers and a significant increase in the short distance numbers.



I am helping the other volunteers sign in and then heading over to the finishing drink station- disappointed I don't get to wave at you all on the course.

(I am hoping one of the ping pong bat wavers calls in sick and then I can step into a much more public role! I promise no Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding situations to secure that coveted role)



The course looks like so much fun- they have taken out the Latrobe St hill (and replaced it with a Collins St one- much classier!) and you run along Docklands Esplanade instead of trudging past Spencer St Station.



I want to run. Stamps feet. Just watching the short DVD they did of last years race and watching those elites just sprinting along was amazing- I think they were home by the time I crossed the start line last year.



Hope the training is coming along well everyone and I will see you all at Transport- with that champers ready for you Jaykay!

[running sweetlee]

It all sounds so exciting and I am officially in Run 4 Kids mode now, I can't wait.



Looking forward to catching up with everyone at the Transport and I hope Jaykay will save some champers for RJ and myself!! Oh hang, aren't "the girls" doing another 15kms after event We'll save some for you guys..... thats if we finish before you

[Stu Mac]

Entered but not running due to injury, currently I am in my 5th week of NO running and don't see Karen at OPSMC until Wed arvo and I don't think running 14.14km will be the smartest move, so no R4K for me, second year in a row (last year I was drunk and celebrating my 40th).



Western Aths have been allocated some AV duties associated with the event, so I have volunteered and will be at the start/finish area with all of the other AV helpers.

[runjanerun]

..am a bit nervous coming into this race

..am feeling very very underprepared(the last 2 weeks have been having a break between summer and winter season) and well...even 8kms seems like a long run this morning..lol

[ajh]

Any suggestions for a designated Ausrun pre-run meeting place ?

[runjanerun]

andrew..since youre my running buddy - ive pm'd you my mobile



..but yeah where is evryone meeting and what sort of times are people aiming for....



..im probs starting with 4:45min/kms to start with..but not sure if i can maintain that..as mentioned earlier..very underprepared.. need to not let this silly cold get a hold either

[Jaykay]

Is this years start the same place as last years?



If so, we could meet at the Rotunda as we did last year

[frankie]

My number just arrived



4607

[ajh]

I think the rotunda is a good meeting place.

[running sweetlee]

Weather forecast for Sunday at this stage is a high of 20 degress sunny, and a low of 10 degress. It sounds like a perfect running morning

[Stu Mac]

As I mentioned above, I am not running and will be one of the smiling officials (well anyone who knows me, smiling may be pushing the realms). I will be on the starting line in the green zone??? and then in the finishing chute for the longer event.





See you there! Then I'm off to Albert Park for a Club BBQ, we have more than 60 CLub members/parents/partners who are participating.

[ReneeD]

Hey All! Just wanted to wish you all good luck for Sunday! Dont like the look of the weather and since I've never run in serious rain before, any tips greatly appreciated!!! I'm guessing chaffing is the most common complaint????? Anyhow see you all at Transport about 90 minutes after the start!!!!

[tiger boy]

Renee - Yep, chafing can be a big problem in serious rain, so if you have anything to put on those areas, it is a good idea.

Also, the other thing to be careful of is when you change running surface, some are more slippery than others. e.g. - If you are running on the road, and there is a manhole cover, or tram line etc. if you are not careful these can prove hazardous.

But you should be fine if you stay aware of your surroundings.

See you at Transport.

[running sweetlee]

Good luck ausrunners for tomorrows run and have a fabulous day



RJ and I will be at the Transport afterwards and we will be either celebrating a great run or drowning our sorrows

[frankie]

Good luck to everyone for tomorrow. See you all at the transport hotel

[Clarkey]

Have a great run tomorrow!!



Remember to hydrate well during today and tonight.

Don't eat anything new tonight or tomorrow morning.

Don't wear any untested running gear - no matter how tempting.

Get to the start with plenty of time to ensure no 'unexpected surprises' lead to a pre-race panic or rush.

Find toilets away from the main start area to avoid queues.



Once in the race do not get stressed in the first km or 2, there is a large field and trying to dodge your way to a faster start will not only tire you more but the frustration will sap energy too. You will find your running space quickly enough to allow a good rhythm and strong race.



If you miss a drink station do not panic. Your proper pre-race hydration will keep you in good shape.

When the going gets tough use the runners around you to your advantage, jump onto the heels (not literally) of the runner in front and let their rhythm drag you along. Or sit just behind the shoulder of a runner who gently passes you. Trying to follow the runner who flies past is not realistic.



Use a count down in the final 5km to get you energised for the finish. Each marker is one closer to the end.



Most of all - enjoy the run!!

[eat em]

What Clarkey said ......



Have fun ....

[DuckGirl]

Just sitting here waiting for JK so we can get in there early and do our 15k warm up before the run.... We are using this as our long run so have to do a few k first.



Good luck everbody, the stars are out and I cant see any clouds so we might have a nice morning.



Run well.

[runningaway]

Beautiful day for a run! A bit cold if you were just standing there shouting encouragement.

Standing at the corner of Harbour Esplanade and Latrobe street in a discreet little flouro yellow jacket I got to see everyone come sprinting past- Tigerboy, Jruns, Sam, (missed Andrew, Em and JoJo- they mustn't have seen me or surely they would have said hello too? ) Sweetlee, Kathrynoh and Jaykay and Duckgirl (sorry if I missed anyone). It looked like a lot of fun!

[Em]

Despite not being 100% I turned up to give it my best.



I had an easy 2km warm up to the start line where I met Jo, Andrew and John. Fortunately things got underway on time so there was no long wait in the blue zone.



I honestly and truly thought that I would fade and just jog out the distance but somehow Andrew, Jo and I held together as a group and although we were not able to cross the line together because people were in the way we still managed to finish within seconds of each other.



Massive thanks to Jo and Andrew, if it wasn't for you guys I am not sure I would have run as well, we were a great little group and the support was fantastic



It was also cool to meet some Ausrunners out of the course, I introduced myself to Wombat out of Hell just off the Bolte and MightyPieBoy recognised me just past the 10km mark. And of course a special mention must be made for little Rupert running with his cute yellow balloon



We all saw Sara but she was too busy cheering for runners from the "other" forum to notice us



So considering my low iron and general blah's I was stoked to finish in 67 minutes when I was thinking that 70 minutes would be a stretch.



Thanks again to Jo and Andrew, we were a great team.



Oh yeah, I also ran a 7km cool down.

[Rowey]

I had a great time and basically enjoyed every part of the run. The whole morning came together so well, and I just love the buzz you get from surging close to home.....through Docklands and along the river was such a blast.............



........the last 14 k's of an 80 k week.............. v happy!



Well done to all the finishers.....





(some feedback to the organisers- km split markers would be good, and a longer finish straight- I felt that final 300 or so was chaotic with all that change of slope and direction, also with signs showing how far to go - 1km , 500m etc .....)- didnt take any gloss off my day though....just some ideas for next year...



don't you just love running!!!!!!



(rock and roll ain't noise pollution.............)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=volIlLCZ3nM





up next- Puffing Billy !!



cheers



rowey

[mightypieboy]

Another wonderful day for what is quickly becoming a highlight each year for me. A nice, chilly start saw some numb toes during my warm up run but once the sun came out it was perfect for running.



The start seemed a lot smoother this year and we left spot on time. I was stuck way up the back last year so was pretty happy to make it across the start within a minute of the gun.



I've had a pretty ordinary build up to this with the last 4-5 days in bed with gastro so was happy just to make it to the start. My running buddy Darryl dragged me through the middle stages and we were able to maintain a fairly consistent 4:40ish pace until I just ran out of gas with a couple of k's to go. I didn't even have enough in me for a sprint to the line but was still pretty happy with my time considering - around 68 minutes.



I saw Sara cheering away but she can obviously be excused for not cheering for me as she has no idea what I look like. It was around there that I saw Em, Jo and Andrew and had a brief introduction between gasps. I also bumped into JH outside Transport. I was annoyed it wasn't opening until 11 so didn't get to come and meet everyone and had to head over to Y&J's for our post-race bevvies.



All in all a great day and a wonderful event. The post-finish organisation was much better than last year with a long 'filter' into the sponsors area as opposed to last year's sweaty, slow moving mass. My one criticism would be the lack of water straight after the finish.



Congratulations to everyone who took part and thanks to all of the volunteers out there.

[kathrynoh]

I had a very grumpy R4tK - have had a bad head cold for the past 2 days so it didn't take much to irritate me. I went into not wanting to push myself too hard, being sick and all, but ending up getting my goal time anyway (my goal was to beat my City to Surf time from last year).



It was great catching up with everyone after the run - some really great results and everyone seemed happy with their times



Yet again, another well organised event. It's impressive considering the number of people entered how smoothly stuff like the bag collections etc are. Only real issue was with the start, people in red zone pushing forward etc.