bluesbuffett

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Bling! Bling! Hello? Who is it?

It's me, the proud owner of my first ever running medallion.

Today was St Mary's South 8k Fun Run.

This is a terrific community event. I say a bit more about it here.

For me personally, I was really happy with my race, even though it turns out I ran faster in 2007; back then I had the speedy Thalia pushing me hard through to a quick finish. Today I went out solidly and kept increasing my speed, dropping off runners along the way. I like to go out at a comfortable pace, then pass others rather than them me. It worked: no-one went past me after 500m and I targeted about twelve runners to catch.

My time of 37:43 got me 3rd place in 50-59 group, an engraved medallion and a photo up on the podium. How cool is that?

It really is a great event to get to: $10 entry with stacks of benefits.

It was great to catch up with regular CR's KatierR, slowmc, BeesKnees and meet Lotsahare, Bert, greyhoundracer and Freezer.

I hope they post the photos soon...

"exit, stage left"

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Future leighway in Federal Politics

SMC #1 season 2010/2011 started in trying conditions: cool and drizzly 13 degrees.

Fortunately the 10k race missed the rain: at least those that finished in under 55 minutes. Then it belted down.

I managed 51:15 (split 26:00/25:15) with a 4:47 last km. Second best run in four years of SMC (and only three seconds behind my best in four years). My first two SMC's saw me go under 50 minutes, so I'd like to get back to that. I reckon it's achievable on a decent day with a motivated mind.

Today I went out in a reasonable 5:12 pace for much of the race, and came home rather well: last three km's were 5:02, 5:02 and 4:47 as mentioned.

A decent turnout, with quite a few CR friends doing the long run - and no doubt getting pretty wet.

The big news in the world of books is Lindsey Davis' new Falco novel "Nemesis" (#20): it promises to be a thriller, with a major character dying. I've got a library copy so next week should see me dive straight into Rome AD 70. She's just released "Falco: The Official Companion" too. Covering Falco's world over the seven years of the novels (and 21 years of books), it's one I'm going to buy - trying the Book Depository for the first time.

Oh, and musically, I'm looking to get the John Denver "Live In Australia & Japan" DVD. I've been listening to him on my iPod lately, and his songs don't age. There's a kind of optimism that's infectious. Then there's the fact that "Annie's Song" was played at our wedding in 1998.

Politics is generally pretty grubby. Sometimes we elect people who are there not for the pension, but to try to do good things - however you define that.
One new MP in that category is Andrew Leigh.
He has a brain, and he has a blog. It's good reading.

I'm sufficiently satisfied with the Federal Election outcome to think that we might yet have three decent years. Independents holding the Government to account is good; holding Abbott & Co. to account is even better. Now to sit back and watch the circus. Da mihi sis cerevisiam dilutam.

"exit, stage left"