The Sun Shines on Sydney Again
Steve Kibble
Greetings KRew
After what seemed like weeks of continuous rain we have the sun back shining on us and I must say it was nice yesterday morning and this morning to finish run sweaty and not looking like a drowned rat. I’m know that you like me did not allow a few drops of rain or even torrential rain stop you from putting on your shoes and heading out the door to either join friends for a run or to run alone.
This Saturday we are all planning on heading to Willoughby parkrun to help Matt celebrate his 100th parkrun and following that, the keen will also head to North Sydney for the double header (remember though only one of the runs count) and on to brunch at the Library café in North Sydney.
More immediately though is the KRClassic tonight, as usual Joy and I will get there about 6pm to welcome you and we are still running out in smaller groups so as to spread the Red Shirts out on the bridge, although as restrictions are really coming off we are heading back to the group start at 6:40pm. But no matter whether you want to start a bit earlier, or at the more traditional time of 6:40pm, I will be there to see you, and Joy will be there with her car to store your bags should you need it. Can I ask that you please have your bags stored by 6:40pm so that we can all head out for a run across the bridge?
And can I also ask that you please register your attendance at this link:
https://kirribillirunners.org/covid/
Or I will have a QR code tonight for you to register as you arrive.
Each week we have still been try to do the picnic in the park (rain and cool evenings are not helping) and it is getting more popular with the KRew post the KRClassic, so grab your preferred bevy and pizza and come and join us under the bridge. Also as the COVID rules are relaxing a few of the KRew are starting to head back to the Kirribilli Hotel for a beer or two before pizza which is great. So whatever you choose I do hope that you can stay socialise with the KR post the run!
This week I'm chatting with one of the newer runner Josh and who is also more recent convert to the joy of running.
Your name and/or running nickname?
Most people call me Josh, some friends call me Ando (from a time when I was on a course and my roomie was also a Josh!)
How long have you been running?
I’ve been running, mostly Parkruns, since January 2019. My longest run was the Blackmores Bridge Run in September 2019. Vanessa (my wife) is still angry that I fuelled up for the run with a coffee and almond croissant while she had begun the half marathon, which started an hour earlier. Vanessa and I did lots of local runs around Kirribilli and North Sydney during the pandemic.
What inspires you to keep running?
Several things inspire me to keep running - being with Vanessa helps - it’s nice to have a shared fitness activity rather than us exercising separately all the time. In the past, I hated running and never thought I would be able to run for any significant distance. The fact that I could learn to run and also improve both my technique and times has kept me coming back. Running is very much a love / hate thing for me, but I appreciate what it has done for my fitness, how it has improved the other exercises I do (strength training and powerlifting) and how there is a community of fantastic people, both at Parkrun and in KR. The drive to keep improving and to continue to enjoy the benefits is what keeps me coming back.
What’s the coolest place you have ever run?
The coolest place I have ever run would be the Nambour parkrun - a 5k circuit on trails in hilly terrain and it is said to be Australia’s toughest parkrun. It’s incredibly scenic but I did miss out on seeing the emu that apparently hangs out with the runners most weekends. I have been to some other cool places, such as up in the Himalayas in Nepal, but haven’t run in those areas. I have ridden my mountain bike above 5000 metres elevation though!
How do you feel at the start of a run?
I feel a sense of anticipation but also trepidation at the start of a run - I call the first 300m - 500m “the doubting” - it’s the time when I feel my body adapting to the constant motion of running, rather than just standing still or doing bite size chunks of movement, and psychologically there is the temptation to stop, contrasted against the thought of what lies ahead, and the distant reward of finishing.
When you see another runner coming towards you, what do you do?
Depends how I am feeling. Sometimes a quick nod, I always make sure I don’t collide with them (Vanessa says that because I’m solid, people just bounce off me). Mostly I ignore runners coming towards me - not out of rudeness, but just because I am in the zone and focusing on doing the run properly and not getting bogged down.
What’s the most interesting thing that has ever happened to you whilst running?
Running with my brother’s dog, Reggie at the Toowoomba Parkrun in Queensland. I had just started the run when suddenly I felt the lead go slack - Reggie had slipped out of his collar and away he went! If a dog could laugh he was definitely laughing. Some other runners formed a circle around that bad dog and Vanessa tackled him. Reggie got his revenge by stopping shortly afterwards and dropping a massive pile of dog turds. It smelt so bad I vomited! Thankfully this was outside a public toilet that, amazingly, had a full soap dispenser. I washed my hands, finished the run and got my time.
What do your friends think of your running?
Depends on which friends. Some of my friends don’t know that I go running, while others are a bit bemused and some are enthusiastic. The friends I have made through KR and Parkrun are definitely supportive and make me feel like part of the team.
What do you do with your clothes immediately after getting home from a run?
I either throw my clothes in the washing machine or rinse them and hang them in the bathroom. If I didn’t, then Ness would kill me (at worst) or refuse to have any physical contact with me (at best). Neither option is great.
What’s the one thing you wish you’d been told before you started running?
Two things actually. That you get hooked on buying more running shoes and that you start thinking about where you can go for a run when you travel for work or leisure.
Thanks Josh for sharing what a lovely story of running with your wife, talking of which, next week I will chat to Vanessa to learn about her running journey.
ChrisO #HealthTip
How Valuable Is Your Running Technology?
During the week I met up with some of the KRew for a run and one of the runners had a new watch. It was flashy and full of functions and it got me thinking about the technology I use whilst running and how valuable it is for my running performance.
You see thinking about it I use a range of technologies, these include; a sports watch, online applications, gels, advanced shoes and clothing.
My watch is a multi-sport one that allows me to record, swimming, running and cycling activities and synchronise it online with a running log. It has a lot more functionality than I use but like all runners, I always enjoy checking out the stats at the end of each run and get excited as my fitness and performance evolves and improves.
Although there are a lot of articles that discuss different running gadgets, I found this audio transcript to be more aligned to answering the questions that I had. It’s an interview with a running coach and focuses on the value of the GPS watch. For the rest of the answers I encourage you to ask around at your next run.
https://www.active.com/running/articles/how-valuable-is-your-running-technology
Thanks Chris for sharing some good advice on the technology that we use everyday and sometimes don’t even think about.
Well that’s a wrap for another week.
Remember to take care of yourself and others.
Happy trails,
Steve
Director
#kirribillirunners
#rundrinkrepeat
#krclassic
#krvirtualrunclub
