Beijing Bound 30-04-2008

Beijing Bound 30-04-08

Donna’s Devastating Loss

Farewell Max Cherry

Tasmania has lost a sporting legend.  I have lost my coach, my mentor and my good friend.   The sudden death of Max Cherry has come as a shock to all who knew and loved him.  In spite of his 81 years, his passion for life gave him a sense of immortality.  Max gave me so much- there are no words to describe the magnitude of his influence on my life.  He was still teaching me right until the end.  We were at the athletics track the day before he died, and he reminded me to run hard right through the finish line, to avoid getting pipped on the line.  Max was always working on me- my strength, my speed, my technique and my confidence.   He used to tell me, ‘If Max believes in you, you need to believe in you.’ We were a pretty good team and we worked hard to achieve some challenges that could have been branded impossible.  We shared some amazing times together, and while I am devastated to have to say goodbye, I feel privileged to have known and loved him.  I will not forget him, nor the things he has taught me about athletics and about life.
-Donna

Tough, fun racing

I can’t underestimate the value of racing against the men in Hobart.  I’ve already had some great battles in the Bridgewater road mile, the Bellerive Beach run and the loop around the airport.  I’m still in heavy training though, so I don’t have the luxury of feeling fresh.  I know all this work now will pay off later- and I do enjoy the racing.  I’ll do a cross country relay and a fun run this weekend.  It’s a great time of year. 

Donna

Winter Season Underway

With four weeks until I travel to the Middle East for my first overseas steeplechase race for the year, I have started competing in the Hobart cross country season.  I love racing away from the track, it’s what motivated me to start running again in 2005.  There is at least one race every week at the moment. 

This week I’ll start in the inaugural Bridgewater Road Mile on Thursday the 10th April at 6:00pm.