Sunday, February 17, 2013

What is a 440?!


Once upon a time (4:40am to be specific): Busselton Half Marathon 2013

Once upon a time there was a group of reasonably sane women.  They used to run around the bridges on a Saturday morning and catch up for coffee afterwards.  Somewhere along the line, some of them decided that they wanted to run a half marathon.  Two people here, three people there, a bit of conscription and suddenly the 440s were born.

The bridges have always been there.  Most of us finally discovered them during R1 or R2 2012, and started running regularly or semi-regularly around the loop on Saturday mornings.  Well, "running".....we had never run before, so we started with the Couch to 5K app, and went from there.  The Saturday run around the bridges became the "long run" of the week that kept us accountable, and kept us on the running program during the week, so we could keep up on Saturday!  The Perth Crew spirit was part of it, better runners helping those new to it.


Why run a half?  Each of us has our own story and reasons.  As with so many things, you have to find the thing within you that drives and motivates.  Ask any of us and I think you’ll get a different answer.
 
For me (Kate Robertson) it started earlier in 2012 listening to Joyce Keenan and Theresa Scott talking about doing a half marathon and my being very clear that I wasn’t.  These girls, along with Vanessa Baker and Kitty Drok, had helped get me started running the bridges by kindly doing intervals with me until I was fit enough to get around and I was in awe of them and their mid week runs.  In a separate conversation, Faye Stewart and Karen Branch had decided to enter the Busselton half marathon with Sharon Chetwynd.  Sometime late November I’d had a good run and at precisely the right moment they came over to me and said I should do the half with them.  High on adrenaline and lack of oxygen I agreed.  The different conversations became one.  Karin Smith was approached to train us and help us get there, which she kindly agreed to.  Meroe Mozzaka (I’d never have even started Bridges without her encouragement) started doing long runs with us and carried on with our mid week training.  Kitty had long been the backbone of the Saturday Bridges, but glute issues were restricting her distance.  She continued with mid week runs (and leading and supporting the Saturday bridges runners) and provided invaluable support to the rest of us both in the leadup and on the day, as well as running her own 10km event.

Saturday breakfast continued to be an important part of our training regime...


The term 440 was coined somewhere along the line, in a conversation between Karin and Faye about the time of day you have to get up to go running at 5.30.  It stuck, became a bit of a mantra, and once Karen had T-shirts made for us it was official.


Having Karin agree to come and assist us was a huge part of our success.  She knows the distance of every run in the metropolitan area, and has serious cred having completed a marathon.  She’s been supported through her own running journey so knows when to push, when to pull, and when to offer a good stiff drink.  She is a mine of information and we have been grateful at every step for her friendship and support.


Gradually we increased our distance.  14 km, 18 km.  Sometimes we could all run, sometimes we couldn’t.  Tuesdays and Thursdays there was usually someone running the bridges as a fallback if you were looking to train.  Injuries and accidents came along and gave particular challenges to individuals.  Even when we couldn’t train together we stayed in touch as a group; supporting and encouraging as required, getting each other mentally ready for what was going to physically challenge us.  Trust us, the head game was the hardest to win. 


The run itself?  That’s almost incidental, and again is different for each of us.  It was long. But at the turn around for the half there was a sea of faces screaming encouragement.  So you pick up and go again.  Because the path was out and back twice, we passed each other and other Perth Crew members and there were high fives and well dones and keep goings.  And coming into the chute?  Goodness me.  Hearing people smiling and cheering and calling your name lifted the spirits more than you could imagine.  Don’t forget, we weren’t the only Perth Crew runners or supporters.  And then, as each person finished and recovered they headed out to bring in the next lot.  By the last person, we were all there in a line, finishing as we had started out – together.  


I was asked the next day by a Busselton local if I was “one of the girls in the red shirts”.  You betcha.  The crowd went nuts as we came down to the gate that last time.  I think there were more cheers for the winner and maybe for the 72 year old man that finished the half, but that’s about it.

This was more than a run.  It doesn’t matter if it was our first, our 50th, if it was 10km or 21.2km.  It’s the camaraderie, the commitment, the joy of achieving, supporting each other, and forming friendship bonds which will last far beyond a single event.  It’s inspiring and being inspired.  It’s Perth Crew.


Written by Kate Robertson, 12wbt Perth Crew Member

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Perth Crew Merchandise

The story of how Perth Crew chose RED as our colour goes back to the pre-season of Round 1 2011 for Mish's 12wbt. Mish & Commando came to Perth for a book signing & Biggest Loser tour & we were figuring out how we would find each other so decided we'd all wear one colour, and seeing as Mish's Biggest Loser team was red that sealed the deal!

We then totally ROCKED out at the Round 1 2011 12wbt Finale in Melbourne debuting our Perth Crew shirts! There wasn't many of us at that finale...but here we are...





From there the SEA OF RED grew and grew at finales and local fun run events in Perth. Our "blinglets" as they have fondly become known as were then debuted at the Sydney finale in Round 3 2011 with "It's the Perth Crew RUN" on the back which was a quote from Mish when referring to how crazy we are (in a GOOD way right Mish?!!). Maybe us arriving en masse at finales like this had something to do with it?!





MANY a time one of us has been walking or running around the river and seen another red top or cap and stop to say hi, and there is nothing better than doing a fun run and seeing another Perth Crew person and finding that extra strength to keep on going!!



The truly AMAZING Sally Wegener looks after all of our Perth Crew merchandise, and has done so from the very beginning. You can now purchase singlets, blinglets, t-shirts, caps & visors!

Singlets & Tees are $30. They have "JFDI 12wbt" on the front, and "Perth Crew" on the back.

Blinglets are $40. They have "Perth Crew" in diamontes on the front, and "It's Perth Crew RUN - www.12wbt.com.au" on the back. 



And the caps & visors are $15. The cap has "Perth Crew" on the front and "JFDI" on the back and the visor has "Perth Crew" on the front. 



To place an order, check out "Perth Crew Gear Orders" in the "Files" section of the Facebook group. Go Perth Crew, INSPIRE & BE INSPIRED!!!


Written by Sarah Buck, 12wbt Perth Crew Admin

Monday, November 5, 2012

The Melbourne Marathon - Moira's Story

The Melbourne Marathon is an iconic running event and it celebrated its 35th anniversary this year. Five Perth Crew members were part of a 300 plus contingent that travelled over from Perth to participate in this exciting event – Andrea Bell (marathon), Karin Smith (first-time marathon), Leanne Bank (half marathon), me (first-time half marathon) and Sarah Stopher (injured but still ran 5.7 km). More than 32,000 entries were received across the five events and Melbourne turned on a near perfect day with warm but still conditions - reaching a balmy 22 degrees. 

After having spent the Saturday day preparing our gear, taping up knees, picking up race bibs, hydrating, getting nervous, carbing up…….all of us were down at the MCG early on race day. There were so many emotions and nerves but we were all excited to be at the “G” and see it all set up for the event ahead.

Hot air balloons in the morning
My knee all taped up

First off at 7 am were the marathoners. Sarah and I escorted Karin Smith to the starting line on Batman Avenue. There were hot air balloons everywhere and a fantastic atmosphere. Karin was so nervous but she had worked so hard and despite a last minute health scare for her leg, she was ready and with one last hug we said “see you for lunch” and off she went. We KNEW once she started that she would make it to the end. I’m not sure she was so convinced but we certainly were. Once the marathoners had left – my nerves really hit. I had an hour to get myself prepared, my bag dropped off, a last loo stop, a warm up and a stretch etc. Then it was down to the start line for me too.

The start was really exciting. There were quite literally 1000’s of runners heading towards the city then past Flinders St station and onto St Kilda Road. I was pumped!!! After about 4 km, I pulled back my pace and let the excitement settle and started taking it all in. St Kilda Road is magnificent. The Arts Centre, the Shrine of Remembrance, the Botanic Gardens, Commercial Road and up to the Junction…….the heart of Melbourne. As we ran up St Kilda Road towards the junction, the half marathoners started to cheer because the leading marathon runners were heading back towards the G (they had already done close to 30 km). It was so inspiring to see these guys, the focus in their eyes was amazing and they were running faster than I can sprint. I was struck by the incredible spirit, camaraderie and support that all the runners were showing to each other. 



By the time I got around Albert Park Lake and was back on St Kilda Road, I was starting to fatigue a little. Suddenly I felt an arm come around my shoulder and it was Andrea Bell saying to me “you can do this”! This was one of those classic Perth Crew moments and it felt like a warm hug enveloping me. I could do nothing but whimper as Andrea charged off to finish her marathon. She looked back a bit worried but I was fine and it was JUST the boost I needed to JFDI. Eventually I hit the 20km mark and there were photographers everywhere so time to get my “sexy on”, get the sunnies off and start flashing a few good smiles!! One last down hill bit and it was into the “G”……my goal was to be upright when I ran across the line and that I did!  I ran into the G - OMG OMG OMG!! Time to stop and give my legs a good slapping (literally) so I could still walk and wait for everyone else.


We were getting updates on Karin’s progress and we knew she was not far away. Unbeknown to us – Andrea Bell had gone back to the course (after running 42.195 km) and found Karin and ran the last km with her. The emotions were flowing thick and fast for Karin and to have Andrea with her on that last bit was another amazing Perth Crew moment. Karin crossed the line knowing she had done it – she had run a marathon!!! 


Karin getting her Marathon Medal

We all did it!! It was a special day and a special race with a little pirate and a little angel watching over us as we ran.

Karin & I
Karin & Sarah

Sarah did a PB, Karin and I “popped our cherry” for the full and half marathon and Leanne and Andrea smashed it. Throughout the event, we were getting a stream of messages and posts from Perth (and beyond!) wishing us luck and cheering us home – I love Perth Crew!

Written by Moira Clay, 12wbt Perth Crew Member

You can read Karin's marathon story here!