Something happened yesterday which is more important to write about than my new training plan. It was the day of the Canberra Marathon and 50k Ultra. You couldn't have wished for a more spectacular and sparkling day to be enjoying the autumn sunshine.
I wasn't running the marathon. This year I was happy to finish my long training with the Six Foot Track trail run. Norma was racing the 50k so I decided to run around to various parts of the course, taking photographs and offering encouragement.
Horrie was running with her. His main job was to control the autograph hunters, CoolRunning cheer-squads and paparazzi. He was also timing the running and walking parts of Norma's race. The basic plan was to alternate running for 22 to 23 minutes with walking for 3:40 to 4 minutes.
It's fine to have a plan but the success of any plan is in the hands of the athlete. Norma, with the guidance of Horrie, executed the plan to perfection. The plan said the finish would be reached in 6 hours 35 minutes. Norma ran 6:32:28 to set an Australian W75 record for 50 kilometres. It was also a PB by over 20 minutes.
It could have been just another run on any Sunday past the familiar cow paddocks east of Mittagong instead of the last chance to set this record. She'd completed another long run. It was a good one.
I wasn't running the marathon. This year I was happy to finish my long training with the Six Foot Track trail run. Norma was racing the 50k so I decided to run around to various parts of the course, taking photographs and offering encouragement.Horrie was running with her. His main job was to control the autograph hunters, CoolRunning cheer-squads and paparazzi. He was also timing the running and walking parts of Norma's race. The basic plan was to alternate running for 22 to 23 minutes with walking for 3:40 to 4 minutes.
It's fine to have a plan but the success of any plan is in the hands of the athlete. Norma, with the guidance of Horrie, executed the plan to perfection. The plan said the finish would be reached in 6 hours 35 minutes. Norma ran 6:32:28 to set an Australian W75 record for 50 kilometres. It was also a PB by over 20 minutes.It could have been just another run on any Sunday past the familiar cow paddocks east of Mittagong instead of the last chance to set this record. She'd completed another long run. It was a good one.
[My other photographs from the weekend are on CoolRunning]
16 comments:
Love your work Ewen - well done mate!
Congrats Ewen. Well done with Norma mate.
Ewen, Norma is extremely lucky to have such a loyal and devoted friend like you. For the ongoing coaching and guidance you provide her and taking her out to run 6 Foot Track is very special. And your Race Plan for this event was perfect. It was a privilege to work with you as part of Team Luckylegs. And thank you for running at least 25km with us yesterday.
Well done on your guidance and contribution to an awe inspiring event Ewen!
Proud coach that.
How a nice way to spend the day supporting runners!
Watching this should be also great!
Thats awesome and inspirational!
Great coaching Ewen!
Coaches are special people, I know mine is special to me and I bet you are to Norma.
well done!
Great stuff Ewen and sorry I didn't get to meet you on Sunday. It was a great day with so many people achieving their goals.
Hope to meet you one day soon!
Wow Ewen, you can add 'coach of Australian Champion' to your CV now.
Congrats on what you have achieved with Norma. Awesome stuff.
Ewen,
I concur with all of the above comments.
Great to see the picture of Peter James making the presentation to LL. Peter has been in charge of the Canberra Marathon Awards for many years. He has a natural ability to ensure that every finisher is fully acknowledged for achieving something special.
Hi Ewen,
Great to read about the Canberra marathon ... my mate Garrett has entered the McNaughton Park 100 mile trail run (it's Sunday and am not bothering with the translation to km) this weekend. He's hoping to complete it in around 30 hr!
Good to talk to you over the w/end. I'm sorry I won't be able to join you on the West Coast hol - but will look forward to hearing about it.
Anne
Lovely post by a wonderful coach. You, Norma and Horrie make quite a team! Fantastic!
I copuldn't think of a comment until now : It was the perfect run!
...and, like Horrie, I also think that Norma is extremely lucky.
Hallo :) I'm finally catching up on my blog reading!
Great post, great stuff :) You, LL and Horrie are special!
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