Date: Tuesday, 6 January 2015

From: Gerald

A postcard from New York

As most of you know I have moved to Sydney now but still doing the running and the odd feral trail run. Decided I had another marathon in me and the biggest of them all was New York. What an experience. Yes 3 deg and 40 km/hr winds and a 3hr wait to start, but when the gun went off we went up the Verrazano bridge and the whole New York skyline in front of us was brilliant. And right from the start people cheering, screaming, clapping and as I ran along crowds grew, 6 deep in places.

2 million spectators along the course. Great way to see the 5 boroughs of New York. Felt like I was floating. That was until I reached the Queensboro bridge at 25km. Cramps in the thighs made it a painful walk/ shuffle to the end, many others also succumbed to cramps. The last 7km though difficult was fantastic. The absolute roar of the crowd was unforgettable. Through Central Park with autumn leaves, beautiful. The legs are painful and stiff as I write this. Do I have another marathon in me? Bring me back to New York anytime!

Date: Thursday, 4 December 2014

Just a short postcard from the top of Noorilla Street.

We met as normal at the bottom of Collina Oval and because it was his birthday we let Heff lead the training group of Adam, Derek, Rodney, Vince and Brendon. Things wore looking grim as we were led on a gruelling hill session consisting of Holmes, Doolan, Lawford and McNabb Crescents. The pack howled as he indicated right off Macarthur for a sprint up Mallinson Street.

At the top we headed west toward Noorilla Street and weren’t surprised when Heff entered his driveway, we figured he was done for the day, we were surprised as he ushered us into where, beautifully presented on the veranda, was freshly baked banana bread from the "Master Heff" himself along with fresh orange juice, the good imported stuff from Brazil as Vince pointed out. Brendon also pointed out the Brazilian stuff has no hair in it.

And now we know Heff's little secret about running "to all those out there that just don’t know the secret to improving their running performance...................stop half way for banana bread. I know my performance (motivation) was definitely enhanced when I was running toward the banana bread."

The pace on the run home was considerably slower (about 8 min/km) as those who have had a run just after eating would know!

Date: Tuesday, 30 September 2014

From: Rod

Reebok Ultra Beast

Date: Saturday, 20 September 2014

Lagoon to Lake

Wagga Wagga produced a cracker of a day for the 2014 Lake to Lagoon, a crystal clear day with a top of 17 degrees for the run.

There were 15 Feral Joggers amongst more than 1200 runners plus another 900 or so cyclists and as usual we were well represented on the dais.

Jessie Wythes (45^th) finished 2^nd in her category while Aiden Fattore and David Heffer (36^th) were 3^rd in their respective categories.

Aiden finished in overall 8^th and Rodney Savage was not too far behind in 10^th. Janet Mazzarolo finished just outside the medals in 4^th and Julie Duncan smashed her target time of 50mins by almost 90 seconds to finish 10^th in her category.

After the presentation it was off to the Union Hotel where the parmies were above par and the beers even more so.

In more good news, Aiden and Heff also now hold the record for the most long-necks consumed between Wagga and Griffith, well done fellas.

Date: Saturday, 31 May 2014

From: Rodney, Adam, Janet, Wendy, Elizabeth, Aiden and Brendon.

Nail Can Hill

Another year, another set of victims for Nail Can Hill. This years travelling group joining Rodney and Adam included Janet Mazzarolo, Wendy Minato, Elizabeth Heffer, Aiden Fattore and Brendon Sinclair.

As we assembled at 5am news broke there was a late scratching from the team. Good news for those travelling in Rodney’s Prado. It meant their business class seats had been upgraded to first class. A quick head count later revealed the Prado had seven seats available for the seven bums that were present and the first class leg space was quickly reduced to economy.

We set off for Albury and true to form Rodney failed to negotiate the first set of traffic lights immediately striking out on a red. Half an hour later in Leeton later it was strike two.

The early morning conversation was patchy and a joke telling competition was agreed on to help pass the time. Elizabeth’s first effort threatened to collapse the contest but she managed to save it with her second attempt.

We reached Lockhart for a pit stop and the “Disabled/Women” sign on the facilities had Janet doing laps of the block searching for the “Women Only” sign not realising it was reserved for women AND the disabled.

We arrived in Albury and made our way to the finish area and reluctantly exited the vehicle to be greeted by 7 degrees which reduced to an icy 3 by the wind factor. We switched into our running gear and grabbed a bus back to the start line to collect our race bibs and then found a sunny sheltered area to prepare for the start. Before the race we caught up with the ferals who’d travelled separately. Anthony Salmon had arrived days earlier to test some new shirts on the course, he was with his brother (a really nice guy, not at all what you’d expect). Ex-Feral Paul Childs, Peter Pearson, Jeremy Woodhouse and Simon Bonny were there too. We all posed for the obligatory pre-race photos and made our way into the warmth of the 1290 strong starting pack.

If you have read Anthony’s Nail Can Hill postcards from previous years you’ll know just how brutal the 11.3km race is. It’s not until you reach the base of the climb and look up for the first time that you really understand just how steep these hills are and they just keep coming. The minute you think you’re at the top, you round the next bend only to find another hill. What you forget though is that you have to come back down and the descent is far harder to negotiate and way more dangerous.

Most were happy with their respective results which are listed below and include 7 PB’s and outright 3^rd in the team’s event. Adam was filthy about the team coming as low as third (he’s not used to being much less than second) claiming it was Aiden’s fault for not registering in the team.

With the “Nail” part over it was off to the Albion Hotel for some “Cans” and a parmy. Soon after, we all piled back into the Prado to begin the return journey. 60km into the trip Aiden couldn’t hang on any longer and Rodney pulled over near some dry looking trees. We’re not sure what caused Aiden’s “stage fright” maybe the 150 decibels of the Prado’s horn playing for all passing traffic to hear. His failed attempt forced another stop, this time at the Walbundrie Pub so Aiden could have some privacy. As we entered through the swinging doors the piano player stopped and the two locals looked us up and down.   The publican said the bathroom was for customers only so Brendon obliged by buying a round of soda waters. With his establishment rarely that full the publican hurriedly lit the fireplace in hope we may be in for a prolonged session. Rodney noted the pub menu would be a definite option for lunch next year with plenty of favourites to choose from at genuine 1982 prices.

We finished our “water’s”, dragged Wendy away from her new mates and hit the road for home with plenty of laughs and some great memories.

Teams event