A bit of extra material has come in since Dec 2nd so this is a bumper edition ie full of bumph
Just an article to keep things ticking over ....
The Club Captain said the blog was "languishing a bit " , but it usually does at this time of year when team racing tapers off .There is track and various non -Center races , all of which will be covered in good time .
The Club's Half AGM went off well this week and all offices for the next Winter season were filled.
There was lively discussion on various issues .A motion was passed to standardise the club singlet design . An amendment to the motion was then proposed by the President who used his power to pass it without a vote (as per Constitutional rules ).
Also, the Secretary (me) had his minutes corrected by John Gamblin who observed that it was incorrect to report the result of the Life Membership vote as achieving 75% .The ballot result , being a secret one, could not be enumerated, said John (paraphrase) ; but in my defence it was true that 75 % , at least , must have been attained (which was , of course, my tendency).
Interesting that ructions in CHCH Avon are pretty harmonious .A recent article in the papers described how Tennis Canterbury ousted it's Patron at it's recent AGM. It would be unheard of in our club to oust any officer for the sheer scarcity of replacement candidates .Not unexpectedly , a financial dispute was behind the dumping of the tennis official who had dismissed concerns about a hefty pay-out as 'ancient history '(words to that effect).The committee disagreed and expressed a "no confidence" vote in him . It was thought that disturbances to the sport resulting from the earthquakes brought this all about .
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All club members are asked to have a think about the design of our singlet . We are in the process of standardising to one design. Currently our runners can wear the pre '95 blue singlet with the orange band horizontally around the chest and back (with Christchurch Avon in black letters )
Or the 1995 design (so called 'vertical ' ) which is blue at the back , white at the front , and with orange side panels.
The older singlet has a certain striking simplicity , is almost unique in NZ and just happens to conform to IAAF regs in that it has dorsal/ventral symmetry.
The 1995 design is more modern and still looks quite good- especially from the sides and rear .I personally have never liked the vast expanse of white on the front .
We will be moving to buying only one design and encouraging everyone to use it perhaps with some financial assistance to 'trade up' . Probably both designs will remain legally usable , just as even now some members of the club like to appear in even older designs from pre -amalgamation days (GB!)
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All club members are asked to have a think about the design of our singlet . We are in the process of standardising to one design. Currently our runners can wear the pre '95 blue singlet with the orange band horizontally around the chest and back (with Christchurch Avon in black letters )
Or the 1995 design (so called 'vertical ' ) which is blue at the back , white at the front , and with orange side panels.
The older singlet has a certain striking simplicity , is almost unique in NZ and just happens to conform to IAAF regs in that it has dorsal/ventral symmetry.
The 1995 design is more modern and still looks quite good- especially from the sides and rear .I personally have never liked the vast expanse of white on the front .
We will be moving to buying only one design and encouraging everyone to use it perhaps with some financial assistance to 'trade up' . Probably both designs will remain legally usable , just as even now some members of the club like to appear in even older designs from pre -amalgamation days (GB!)
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A bit of old news about the recent Frontrunner 5 km series of races . The reason there were no results for the second race is that the timing clock wasn't going properly and no times were recorded .Running 5 km flat out and crossing the line to see that the clock isnt going is not what a competitive runner likes to have happen .
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Craig has supplied this video of the two Junior teams who ran at the recent National Road relays .All these young guys will be eligible for the Junior relay for some years yet , so 2013 NRR will be interesting.
Note the creative use of masking tape on the team van's panels and insignia : )
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There has been some discussion on the benefits of beetroot juice for extending endurance for trained athletes .Check out this article for information by a leading researcher .
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With the sun finally starting to burn , I discovered some information about UV damage to eyes when unprotected by glasses. Apparently the eyes are the only internal tissues of the body exposable to UV light .UV damage is cumulative and irreversible .UV accelerates the appearance of cataracts (stringy opalescent clouds in the eye).
Glasses should block both UVA and UVB rays . Wear glasses when out running or biking especially when sun is slanting in early morning and late afternoon , as well as in the middle of the day ie all day ..
And a new book lifts a lid on the pharmaceutical industry .New drugs are often touted as being backed by successful clinical trials, but the author of "Bad Pharma " says results are often presented in very misleading fashion. Inconclusive and negative trial results are ignored , doctors get glowing accounts and we quaff them (the pills ) . Internet research everything nowadays .
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Iain Chinnery and I took a drive down to Timaru on Sat 24 Nov to take part in the Athletics meet at Aorangi stadium . It was a superb day for running with light winds and pleasant early summer conditions . It was the first day of the year where I felt the sun was hot enough to require taking shelter from . From an athletic point of view there was a lot to report .Many CHCH Avon runners were down there . Almost all of Craig's squad was there and a few of the new young female sprinters. Then there was Iain and me . Iain was there to do a 2000m steeple event . I agreed to do a 3000m to justify my travelling .I suspected Iain was fit enough to do the 'double' and he did .I got soundly thrashed .
Iain later initiated an enquiry because he felt the Steeples setup wasn't as per regulation. Reading the IAAF rules below I think he has a point .
Iain wrote :
Some of our Junior track runners are posting outstanding times over various distances .Sean Eustace went under 9 mins for 3000m at age 15 . Others are running low 9 min times at similar ages . Matt Dryden ran a solo 2000 m S/C in 6.34 .This is all very exciting because these guys are getting better all the time while still very young .Nick Merrett also ran a 9.03 3000m . The swathe of CHA PBs on Saturday was probably due to the switch from grass to mondo .I will do a more thorough report on track running soon .
Three other of the club's speedsters haven't been seen yet ie Andrew Stark, Alex Manton and Scott Bridgman .Andrew indicated his achilles tendon may sideline him for some time.Alex and Scott were looking for a coach within the club - a very rare commodity unfortunately . Anthony Rogal hasnt been seen on the track either .
There was quite a big article by Tony Smith in the Press a while back on how Canterbury athletics was adjusting to using Rawhiti as it's track base .The grass being lumpy and unlevelled largely rules out record attempts at most events .The grass is somewhat more forgiving on runners shins, but slower .Top hurdlers are avoiding Rawhiti altogether as injury is too likely .Many athletes are making weekly journeys down to Timaru to join the small club meetings on the all weather track there. Of course Timaru hosts the whole region once every 3 weeks.
The Lovelock Classic programme for 5th January 2013 is now on the Website. Click on Link below.
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Humour section .
What do readers think about this ? Despite the chap's claims that he chose a site where being seen was unlikely , the fact that he was seen (by a woman ) proves that his precautions were inadequate . I cynically believe that he chose the site precisely because there was a low (but distinct) chance of being seen ! I further believe ,contrary to claim , that there was an element of exhibitionism . I think that in his inner mentations he considers himself a rather splendid specimen of masculinity and that the world needs to learn of it ! If I was in his case I would take a day off to reflect on why I was really doing this and pursue some other avenue .However the court of appeal saw it differently. Read on :
"Andrew Lyall Pointon, 47, was out jogging in just a pair of shoes when he was seen by a woman at 8.30am in a forest near Tauranga in August last year.She complained to police and Mr Pointon was arrested three days later as he completed another naked run in the forest near the Oropi Bike Park.He was charged with offensive behaviour and found guilty in Tauranga District Court last December.An appeal was thrown out in June, but a second appeal was yesterday upheld by Justice Paul Heath in the High Court at Tauranga.
" The lawyer for a man cleared of charges for jogging in the nude says the case is proof of New Zealand's growing tolerance.
Bott said he did not believe the case would lead to widespread nudity."All it does is encourage people to understand what is simply people expressing themselves and be tolerant of that."It promotes mirth, rather than condemnation."Bott - a lawyer who specialises in civil liberties cases - added he would not be taking up the pastime.
"The last thing you'd want is a melanoma on your bits."
Pointon's lawyer Michael Bott said Judge Heath's decision is a matter of common sense and largely reflects New Zealand's attitudes. "It's a perfectly sensible decision."
- Herald on Sunday
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The Kepler Challenge this year was won by Luke (Vajin ) Armstrong .Luke is a well -deserved winner .Here is an extract from an article in which his exhilaration is apparent .A few hints on how he prepares himself mentally are given too. That unusual name, Vajin, which means, among other things, swift, hints at the alternative aspects that Armstrong brings to his running.
He uses meditation to block out the exhaustion and there's little doubt that it works because as he crossed the finish line at the Lake Te Anau control gates on Saturday he looked like someone who'd arrived back from the dairy with a loaf of bread and the paper.
"My race today went perfectly," Armstrong said at the finish.
"I was hitting the splits I wanted to all day, I was feeling strong and it was nice having some company on the climb to the Luxmore Hut - me and Martin Cox were running together."
There was some excitement among those huddled against the rain at the control gates finish line as the final 10km promised a duel between Armstrong and Australian Tony Fattorini, but it wasn't to be.
"You are out there by yourself, running through some beautiful forest and it's nice because I like to stay relaxed.
"For me, running fast is all about staying relaxed - if I'm thinking about other people or I'm stressed out, you get that tension and it slows you down.
"After the Luxmore Hut, I broke away and just ran by myself for the rest of the day," Armstrong said.
"It's just really satisfying to run from the front and really execute my plan. I prepared as well as I could and I was hoping to run sub-five [hours], so 4:55 is awesome."
With three wins to his credit, and leaping the five-hour barrier that separates the best from the very good in the Kepler, Armstrong's next target must surely be the race record of 4:37 set by Phil Costley in 2005.
Armstrong admits it may take him a few more attempts to be able to chip away at that mark, but for now he's happy with taking another crucial step.
"It's something you really appreciate if you have to work for it. I've been here two times before and been just over five hours so I know it's not easy to do. I put my heart and soul into it and really prepared."
(everything in green is lifted from web article-ed )
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Dear Christchurch Avon Athletic Club Members,
Our next race is the Self-Transcendence Christmas Dash on Sunday 16th December in Hagley Park South. Kids chase Santa round the course in this fun seasonal event!
Registration area is along Deans Ave, south of the Riccarton Roundabout. Registration and race number collection opens at 8:15am and both races start at 9am.
As always we encourage runners and walkers of all abilities to come out and have a go. The event will be followed by prize givings, spot prizes and a post-race breakfast.
More information is available at http://nz.srichinmoyraces.org/christmas-dash-2010.
Entry Options
- Enter Online (please note that online entries close at 9pm on Friday 14th December.)
- Reply to this email by 9pm on Friday 14th December letting us know which race you would like to enter, and you can pay (cash only) on the day without incurring a late entry fee.
- On the day entry is available from 8:15am and will incur a $5 late entry fee.
Please note that all entries must be recieved by 9pm on Friday 14th December. Any later entries will incur a $5 late entry fee.
Entry Fees
Event
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U20/student
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Adult
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60+
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Kids 3.3km (U15)
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$7
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N/A
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N/A
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10km (15 years+)
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$14
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$18
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$14
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If you have any questions please feel free to reply to this email.
Happy training and we hope to see you there!
Vajin Armstrong
Race Director
Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team
Please note that the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team is very careful about protecting you and your information. For your convenience we will use email to contact you about our upcoming running and walking events unless you advise us to remove you from our mailing list.
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Very nice and helpful information has been given in this article. I like the way you explain the things. Keep posting. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement .Being from Tauranga I assume you are referring to the reference to the nude jogging issue .Bear in mind that I dont have any facts other than those that arose from the case , and my 'explanation' is only my opinion.I also speak only as an individual in my club, and not for the club itself . He's probably totally harmless and is keeping fit : ) .
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