Pink run for a great cause

This morning was probably one of my favourite runs of the year in the Mothers Day Classic run for breast cancer. Although the event is only 8K, it is greatly important to me due to losing someone close to me a few years ago due to breast cancer. Since then I have no hesitation to get involved with supporting any event that helps to benefit the breast cancer foundation.

Aside from attracting a very strong field, it is one of those great events that bring out families and friends who just want to spend time remembering their loved ones that have passed on and lending support to those that are still suffering.

It was also very pleasing to see that so many unexpected volunteers appeared out of the woodwork to support the day, including the Sydney Roosters Cheer Squad who definitely brought smiles to the many young blokes stood on the start line.

Results are largely inconsequential on this day - it is primarily about the memory of those that have gone before (and very often too young).

Running together (while remembering loved ones departed) - stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

The ultimate human Race!

A podium again - even in the old age

This morning I headed off on my long run and also popped in to the local Alzheimer’s fun run 7.5km this morning. I have run this event previously, but not for a few years.

With the sun out on the water as I ran the 14KM into the start of the race, it was a great day for it and with 1000 people turned out to run, I was up for a great time day out. Lining up at the start with 140 odd kilometres in my legs already, I was not sure of what time to expect.

Long story short I managed to finish up third overall and won a bronze medal and a t-shirt. A great day out and a great community event. Great to stand on the podium again in the older age.

Running together (while managing to podium in old age) - stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

The S and C words..

This Thursday in Sydney saw the Nike Centennial Park ‘She Runs the Night’ event. Open only to ladies and run over a rather unusual distance of 13KM, I headed down to support some of my friends and others that I have been coaching with their running.

It really is a marvel to see how a big marketing machine can be swung into action to sell an event to 3500 women at a rather hefty profit on a cold Thursday evening. Regardless of how they did it, I suppose having that amount of people walking and running through the park was better than them just sitting at home doing nothing.

One of my friends asked me after the run how she could improve her speed. Now I could have replied to her with the standard ‘You have to do speed work or intervals.. Blah Blah..’, but instead I chose to advise her to join a CLUB or a SQUAD where she would be exposed to a supportive environment and be able to run with runners faster than herself and hence improve on her speed.

Now the reaction I got from her was something to behold. It was as though I had just advised her that aliens had invaded and that we were about to killed by them.

I spent some time explaining to her that there was nothing to fear from joining a running club and that the people at the club would be most welcoming of her and she would be able to race more frequently amongst others and make new friends.

In the end she relented to try and see at least one squad. I would be interested to hear of other stories where people have encountered similar aversions to squad or club running.

Running together (while building the future of the sport) - stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller