Saturday, July 12, 2008

A Bad Hair Day

I've been to Hollywood, I've been to Redwood
I flew to Paradise for a run of gold
I've been in my mind, it's such a fine line
That keeps me searching for a run of gold
And I'm getting old.

My 10k race at Surfers Paradise didn't go as planned. I finished in 45:15. I was expecting to run 2 minutes faster. My mate Jim had recently run 43:14 at the Canada Day fun run — if I'm on song, I can duke it out with Jim.

So... I couldn't even eke out an M50 PB. The hill in the final kilometre quashed that last-minute idea. On the day, I was simply bad — Anton Chigurh on a bad hair day. That bad.

I'm not sure what went wrong. I raced hard from the start, but I wasn't generating any speed. My first kilometre was 4:14 net — quick enough, but by 5k (22:11), I was behind schedule and just got slower. The encouragement of Em and others lifted my spirits, but not my speed.

I finished dazed and tired — just like in 1995, but also confused. Perhaps I'd caught a bug. From Plu maybe, or Katy? Or CJ, or Strewth? It would be rude to blame friends, so I'll choose our starry-tattooed young waitress from Saturday lunch. She did get rather close when leaning over to place the second round of coffees on the table.

Q1. The surf flags are blowing
Q1 at Surfers Paradise is the tallest residential building in the world

I should have given the 10k a miss and gone for a surf
I should have given the 10k a miss and gone for a surf

Me by phone
A phone self-portrait on the beach at Surfers Paradise

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

but remember, anton's bad hair is a fluke; he's a spanish stallion and you'll find your inner spanish stallion for another 10 k race.

i blame cj. it's always the cj. isn't that the start of mad cow?

sorry it wasn't your day. i bet we were all inhaling wee beasties that attacked our immune system immediately.

at least i got to see my cranberrians. i think that's why i did well. vitamins Cj, E, and S12.

Runner Susan said...

always blame the waitress . . .

i've never been surfing, but i'd try just about anything to avoid running right now.

if i came within 2 minutes of a goal, i'd be so happy . . . maybe next time.

Stephen Lacey said...

Never mind. Just wait until you've finished all the base building and gone through a few phases and maxed out your pace for heart rate and done some speed work ... then you'll be really on fire.

Sounds like that waitress left quite an impression on you ;-)

plu said...

I am happy to take the blame , @1b as well as my Mum and Dad have gone down with it.

Though I do remember you saying you might have had a virus before you arrived :-)

cheers Plu

Robert Song said...


Long may you run.
Although these changes
have come
With your chrome
heart shining
in the sun
Long may you run.


Your day will come.

Anonymous said...

oh and hey!
whooooo was the one who finally pulled the waitress aside to ask her the questions you were too timid to ask?

yes, that's right, ME!! sometimes it's good to be a pushy yank. manners schmanners. she's inked; you're curious. time to call in super katy!

Sling Runner said...

Perhaps you just had an off day. Agree with Stephen L that once the base building is complete and you start incoporating speedier stuff, your race times will come down significantly.

Superflake said...

It was the two coffee's. One is more than enough at lunch. Well at least C2S is your next long race. Better get some hill work in.

Cirque said...

Sorry to hear that Ewen, but I hope the rest of the weekend was enjoyable :)

jojo said...

bummer
but there will be another day! oh and your 'dud' time is still faster than this slugs pb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol!!

Shane said...

There was definently something going around SE Queensland over that week. It's a shame that it affected your race, however unlike me at least you finished and got a T-Shirt for your efforts ;-)

strewth said...

Definitely the waitress - cj is innocent! The waitress had a starry look about her!! And hey you came 9th in your age group - that sounds pretty good to me - well done - you will do a PB on your home turf!

Samurai Running said...

Too bad Ewen but like Robert Song said "Your day will come" your training is so good it will manifest in a good race sooner or later.

As for the waitress, I don't think viruses can be passed from nipple to ear! Just how close did she get?

Still, Laurie used to tell me "Language was a virus" you could have your answer there.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=4FeyGTmw0I0

TA and the Gnome said...

It's never fun to have a bad day, but bad days pass and fun days keep coming. See you at C2S :-)

Grellan said...

A better 10k is in you Ewen just waiting to get out. Don't resist, it'll come.

Stu Mac said...

Isn't the tallest residential building in Australia in Sydney???

Dubs said...

damn waitress. ;)

Well if you are going to bonk, might as well do it with nice scenery. I would chalk it up to a just ending your base building. I'm doing base work now, which I know will slow me down (but will pay off later), I'm anxious to tack on some strides to remind my fast twich what to do. Once you get into some faster work, you will drill down those times quick.

Beautiful location!

Steve Stenzel said...

Dang. Nice job anyway! I mean, you WERE within 2 minutes of your goal!

Unknown said...

Every athlete has bad days for no apparent reason. Just chalk it up to one of those and move on.

jen said...

Sorry it wasn't what you expected, but great job getting out there and giving it your best. Good luck next time!

Great photos, too. :)

Dubs said...

wow - looks like some tough hill workouts you have been doing - per speedy geoff's blog. :)

Tesso said...

Give me the name of the joint and waitress and I will go and give her a belly punch from you.

I still think you did a good time. Hope you had a good time too.

Ewen said...

You are right super katy. It was you who discovered the mystery of the disappearing stars. Thanks!

Scott, she didn't get that close. Her language would have impressed Laurie - she spoke perfect Queenslander.

Stu, I've asked Scott about that. He's the expert on all things huge. Q1 is the "world's tallest all-residential building when measured to the top of its structural point (spire), but is the world's second tallest behind Melbourne's Eureka Tower when measured to its roof height and highest inhabitable floor.

Dusty, I haven't been doing the hill sprints. I like Monday to be a long easy day, so I run with Geoff, then do easy running while the others run fast.

Tess, she's upstairs, Australia Fair - thanks for passing on my regards. I had a good time, just not a fast time :)

trailblazer777 said...

A surf is often a good option!
Great photos! 45 for a 10k is still pretty solid, I havent run that for a few years, sometimes it just doesnt happen on the day too. Hopefully some even better runs soon. Hopefully see you in Melbourne. Keep at it! You are going well.

Sky said...

Your 10k sounds just like mine - missing even the most meager of accomplishments...

I've learned it's okay to just chalk up a bad race as being a bad race and move on. Move on to the next bad race, that is.

Hopefully you'll get a better zip in next time.

Sky said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lulu said...

I think it's something in the air at the Gold Coast! That little hill at the end of the course was not what I needed to see either!

Hope the next race brings you better results.

Bruce said...

Hey Ewen, nice pics from Surfers, sorry the run didn't go as planned. Wallabies looking good for the game this weekend. Our cup could be in danger this year? Took a kiwi to lift them eh.

speedygeoff said...

ewen wins the popularity prize for the speedygoose with the most comments per post. i know your secrets but. (a) post only once or twice per month at the most. (b) comment on everyone else's blog in the whole wide world.