Monday, 24 March 2008 - Stawell Gift Day 3

While this was "Finals" day at the Stawell Gift the only thing on my mind was the two mile race

After my usual warm up, I lined up next to a veteran of pro running Greg Barton. As is usual in pro running, my competitor was going to snub me - so I shook his hand instead and wished him the best of luck

The race had a big field of thirty runners with some real quality. I started off far too quick and went through the first lap in 72 seconds. I know this because some naughty person was calling out lap ratings on the bend. Was feeling like I was pushing the pace hard and 75 second laps through the next two was a pretty good indication

Neverthrless, this tactic of a hard start was paying off - I was working in with my fellow starter Greg Barton and together we were about to overhaul the last two frontmarkers and take the lead. This was just as we were starting our fourth lap. Suddenly I was going head over heals and some prick had tripped me up from behind. I rolled over on the ground and one of my shoes had fallen off. I was thnking get my shoes back on before I wiselyt decided instead to rip the other one off and continue running

I had no idea where I was now placed in the field, assuming I was middle of the race. Just tried to finish off as best I could and 200 metres out from home I could see there weren't that many in front me. So I somehow found this kick that I hadn't had all season and past two runners to finish in sixth place and take home $80

Given it was my last run for the season, I indulged myself in a couple of VB's and a meat pie afterwards

A steak sandwich for dinner and once the children were settled, I skived off to the Stawell Gift Hotel for a couple of stubbies,. Stumbled in the motel door around midnight

And thus ends my summer season

TOTAL DISTANCE = about 7 kilometres