Warwick Pentath-Run 2006
There was no way I was going to miss this event, I didn't care how long it took me. And to be honest I didn't care if it set my recovery back a couple of months. I was going to finish it even if I had to crawl! Though saying that I did kinda have a goal :-) Sub 4 hours would be fantastic though likely unachievable so I set my sights on sub 4h19m (ie just one hour slower than last years total).
****
Breakdown of each race ...
Warwick to Yangan 1/2 Marathon
The plan was to walk every time I hit a water station, or sooner if my knee hurt. I stuck to this and even stopped at one stage and stretched. Both times I saw Al (Mr Clairie) parked I grabbed my magic numbing stuff from the car and sprayed my knee. Leading up to the run down to the finish I'm told I had a police car with its flashing lights behind me and several cars were behind it. I had no idea! With about 100m to go Glenno was just in front of me so all our training buddies let him know and he stopped and waited for me to catch up so we could cross the line together.
Time 1h55m05s
X-Country 4.6k
This has always rated as my least favourite run of the weekend and this year was no different. The course this time was harder with more difficult jumps. The only high point was spotting a girl from my category early in the piece and getting in front of her and staying there. I thought she was about to pass me with 50 meters to go as I heard these really heavy footsteps behind me. The pic below shows it was somebody just a little younger :-)
Time 24m25s
5k Road Race
I usually love this one but the knee was starting to hurt. But that wasn't the worst thing. What really got me down is I realised how much fitness I've lost. I just did the best I could and hoped I'd run under 5 1/2 min pace which thankfully I managed.
Time 26m19s
10k Killarney Ascent
This was Sunday morning and basically from the first step my knee hurt. It wasn't really bad though and I got myself to the first water stop around the 4k mark before my first walk. From then on it was probably 5 mins running, 2 mins walking. Around 7km I caught up with Tara who was having a problem with her knee so we walked most of the remainder of the way, running occasionally but not too far. With about 500m to go the boys came out and cheered us on and ran in with us. For a laugh we crossed the line running backwards.
Time 1h11m17s
1500m Criterium
Tara and I decided we'd cruise this one together. Being a straight out and back it was a ball cheering people flying back in the opposite direction. We weren't worried about our time or trying to run fast .... until I spotted that same lady from my category so we picked up the pace a bit and made sure we passed her and stayed in front.
Time 7m45s
These were my watch times so could be a second or two out. But with my bad adding up that comes to 4h4m51s.
****
So I made it, and only a little worse for wear. I've now done all five races at all four Pentath-Runs. Its an achievement I share with my training buddy Glenno (who is battling gladular fever), CR Fat Bloke and just three or four other guys.
Its almost impossible to sum up the Warwick Pentath-Run in one blog entry. I really want to make special mention of all my fellow bloggers but will do so seperately, this is long enough already. Its just such a fantastic weekend. So much happens, not just the running but the socialising.
It may be a long way to travel to get there, and a long way to run, but its all over way too quickly.
****
Breakdown of each race ...
Warwick to Yangan 1/2 Marathon
The plan was to walk every time I hit a water station, or sooner if my knee hurt. I stuck to this and even stopped at one stage and stretched. Both times I saw Al (Mr Clairie) parked I grabbed my magic numbing stuff from the car and sprayed my knee. Leading up to the run down to the finish I'm told I had a police car with its flashing lights behind me and several cars were behind it. I had no idea! With about 100m to go Glenno was just in front of me so all our training buddies let him know and he stopped and waited for me to catch up so we could cross the line together.
Time 1h55m05s
X-Country 4.6k
This has always rated as my least favourite run of the weekend and this year was no different. The course this time was harder with more difficult jumps. The only high point was spotting a girl from my category early in the piece and getting in front of her and staying there. I thought she was about to pass me with 50 meters to go as I heard these really heavy footsteps behind me. The pic below shows it was somebody just a little younger :-)
Time 24m25s
5k Road Race
I usually love this one but the knee was starting to hurt. But that wasn't the worst thing. What really got me down is I realised how much fitness I've lost. I just did the best I could and hoped I'd run under 5 1/2 min pace which thankfully I managed.
Time 26m19s
10k Killarney Ascent
This was Sunday morning and basically from the first step my knee hurt. It wasn't really bad though and I got myself to the first water stop around the 4k mark before my first walk. From then on it was probably 5 mins running, 2 mins walking. Around 7km I caught up with Tara who was having a problem with her knee so we walked most of the remainder of the way, running occasionally but not too far. With about 500m to go the boys came out and cheered us on and ran in with us. For a laugh we crossed the line running backwards.
Time 1h11m17s
1500m Criterium
Tara and I decided we'd cruise this one together. Being a straight out and back it was a ball cheering people flying back in the opposite direction. We weren't worried about our time or trying to run fast .... until I spotted that same lady from my category so we picked up the pace a bit and made sure we passed her and stayed in front.
Time 7m45s
These were my watch times so could be a second or two out. But with my bad adding up that comes to 4h4m51s.
****
So I made it, and only a little worse for wear. I've now done all five races at all four Pentath-Runs. Its an achievement I share with my training buddy Glenno (who is battling gladular fever), CR Fat Bloke and just three or four other guys.
Its almost impossible to sum up the Warwick Pentath-Run in one blog entry. I really want to make special mention of all my fellow bloggers but will do so seperately, this is long enough already. Its just such a fantastic weekend. So much happens, not just the running but the socialising.
It may be a long way to travel to get there, and a long way to run, but its all over way too quickly.
posted by Tesso at 9:21 PM
19 Comments:
It sounds like a terrific event, an interesting concept. It's a shame about your knee, do you think you've aggravated the problem somewhat in taking part. Not a bad time for the half marathon considering things.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
As Steve said, it looks like a very interesting concept and something I would like to do one day. I wonder if it will catch on. Make sure your knee gets a little TLC Tesso so we can see you back at full strength soon.
Tesso, what a gutsy effort. Thank you for talking me into coming up to Warwick - it is a fantastic weekend & I've already decided to come back next year. It was great to catch up with you :-)
The weekend wouldnt have been the same without you, I am so glad you were there. It was just so great seeing you out there and you did amazingly well all things considered, you truly are inspirational and I am already looking forward to next year when I know you'll be back to your usual speedy self and bringing home the bling :)
Sounds like a tough weekend. Hope the knee is recovering well. I'll have to add this race to the list of things to do.
Congratulations on really toughing out all 5 events and keeping your record unbroken under the circumstances :)
I hope I can get there next year - it sounds like a great weekend all round.
Sounds like a great weekend and great that you were able to compete the whole way through. Congratulations!
Well done Tess. Sounds like a great weekend.
You should have pushed that little brat over. ;)
It was wonderful to catch up with you as always Tess - but it was even more exciting to see you plowing through the women's field on each and every race in the face of injury! Hope you had enough boot space for the bling on the way home.
Can't wait to see you running again up at GC! :)
it wouldn't have been anywhere as a good a weekend if you weren't there ... thanks
Tesso, I'm very happy for you that you were able to tough that one out and keep your record intact. Get the knee right and come back next year for a crack at that PB.
Huuuuge congratulations Tesso - the Team J spirit burns brightly within you - how splendiferous to finish all 5 events 4 years running considering the barriers you have had to overcome this year.
I read in Clairies blog that you are the "Warwick PR Chick" - well you've just about got me convinced.....
Well done mate and great job.
Proud of ya Tesso, very gutsy indeed. I've gotta get up there for Warwick one year. So Tamborine Trek next? ;-)
Well done!
You're right - she's just a little younger.
Well done on your streak Tesso. A great achievement considering your injury although I'm slightly disappointed with your slack 1500.
W is on my 'to do' list!
You're doing a great job in promoting this weekend Tesso. I have just added it to my TO DO list. You are one gutsy runner and a real inspiration. Well done!
Tesso you are beautiful, so irrepressible. I just love that picture. It paints a thousand words.
Way to go Tesso. Glad the knee didn't hurt too much. And you have to teach those young-uns from the country some manners next year.
What an astonishing lady you are, Tess! I hope you're none the worse for running in all events, so take time out now to recover well.
Thank you so much for comments about Sunday's half marathon.
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