Saturday, July 25, 2009

Win at Asics Run for Gold

Well what a perfect morning for running at the Asics Run for Gold!

The temperature and still day was conducive to fast times and all the Front Runners seemed to knock out PB's or very quick times.

I was very happy with my form and ran 31.04 to take the victory and race record in the process.
Special congrats to my brother Ryan who after only a few months of running smashed the 40 minute 10k barrier.

Finally, last Wednesday was a fitting tribute, celebration and goodbye to the late and great coach Vic Nolan. May he long enjoy watching down on the successes of his many athletes as they continue to embody the discipline and values he instilled.

Running Regards
Radar

Friday, July 24, 2009

Great to be Home

Howdy all

It has been three weeks since arriving home in Perth and I must admit I enjoy the balance of returning to The Body Station Physiotherapy and coaching with the Front Runner Group.

While I was away, the Front Runner group continued to grow under our awesome Woman's Only Coach, Kathy Garnett and WA's best ever distance runner (2.13 Marathon) Ray Boyd. The group has the perfect mix of structured and periodised training, quality company and co-operation. We have now expanded to South of the River training so check out www.sebsports.com.au/frontrunner for more details.

Personally, I love getting back and training with mates like Paul Mackay, Ray Boyd and others here in Perth. They are great company, consistent, motivated and hard working. I was also lucky in Europe to have fellow Aussie, James Attard, Spanish Long Distance Tri Champion Mikel Elgazabel and the PEC Team in France. No individual can achieve their best without collaboration and I feel lucky to have such quality company on the training track.

I will gauge my fitness this weekend in a 10k Run for Gold and then continue the push for my first Australian and World Title in August and September respectively.

My advice for winter- commit, share the work and get it done rain, hail or shine

Regards
Radar

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Featured on 2010 World Duathlon Championship Press Release


Howdy Folks


The ITU website http://www.triathlon.org/ has just been updated with the launch of the 2010 ITU World Duathlon Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland and the selected photo to promote the event features me pushing in front of the late and great (8 time World Champion) Benny Vansteelant from Belgium.


The direct link is here http://www.triathlon.org/?call=TVRBMg==&nwsid=2518 (photo attached). It really captures the essence of Scotland and brilliant race venue at Holyrood Park.


Regards

Radar

Monday, July 6, 2009

OUCH....GP 4 Team Time Trial




The 4th French Grand Prix, a 2.5k run/15km bike/2.5k run Team Time Trial, was a show of force for the Mulhouse MEN IN BLACK.

Basically of the 5 athletes in each team, 3 have to cross the finish line together. We had a great team, consisting of World LD Duathlon Champ Joerie Vansteelant, ITU Short Distance Bronze Medallist Sergio Silva, Tommy Degham (4th French Duathlon, 5th French Triathlon Champs 2009) and Belgian up and comer Nic D'Harveng.
After finishing the first run 6 sec in defecit to leaders Marville, we went to business on the bike and Tommy absolutely ripped the course apart. We dropped Sergio and Nic after 2k and covered 15.5km in just under 20 minutes......In the last 8k of the bike I could not get around Tommy or Joerie as we jetted the straights at 50+ k/hr to average 46k/hr+ for the distance. We posted the equal fastest final run to take a dominating victory and I must say the format and race was really sensational. A great finish to the campaign.
Flying home today and can't wait to be reunited with the family

Regards
Radar

Sunday, July 5, 2009

RIP VIC NOLAN

I am shocked and deeply saddenned to have just heard the news that my first ever running coach, Vic Nolan has quietly passed away in his home.

Vic was an outstanding man, of the old fashioned style, direct and to the point. He could never be accused of being politically correct! He always coached for free and for over 40 years has coached hundreds of youngsters for the pure love of athletics. Many of his athletes have won State Championships, National Championships and represented Australia in International Competition.

But as one of his most famous quotes went:
"I am never satisfied, if I were satisfied you could sack me!"

So he continued coaching to the end. His trademark stopwatch and whistle resounded out the window of my Physiotherapy practice as he continued to coach his young athletes between 4 and 5pm Monday to Friday at Willetton Reserve. He never missed a session and remembering what he put me through I would always smile at the quick humour and hard yards he used to put the youngsters through.

As an athlete, he achieved multiple State Championships himself and narrowly missed selection for the Commonwealth Games. He was also often confused with the great Emil Zatopek due to his balding scalp and hard, grimacing technique. He always used to comment "if you haven't fed the crows you haven't run hard enough".

Vic was truly a great man and his generousity and passion will mean that he has made a lasting imprint on hundreds of young lives he touched and helped to develop, showing them an understanding of the benefits and rewards of commitment, hard work and discipline.

I feel lucky to have benefitted so greatly from knowing him. He gave me far more than I could ever have given him back. He opened my eyes to the size of the athletics world, my personal abilties, to the opportunities sport presents and played the greatest role in making me the athlete I am today.

He will be greatly missed and may he rest in Peace
Thanks Vic

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Training in Clermont and Chaumont

Been tough being away from Sebastian and Lianne this week.

Besides training I have been very bored so turned to watching MTV and practising dance moves.....I have been working hard in my favourite frequency range and some of the old magic will be coming back for a handful of weddings later this year!

The training has been big on volume and lower intensity, partly to rebuild base after so much racing and also to let hamstring mend and strengthen it up again.

This weekend we have the French Grand Prix in Chaumont over the Team Trial Super Sprint Format- 2.5k Run/15k Bike/2.5k Run- this will be very intense and hopefully Mulhouse can get our first win for the season

After that, flying out of Paris Monday and can't wait to get home Wednesday

Regards
Radar