Archive for May, 2008
May
29
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Races and Results 
I have arrived in the Belgium city of Ghent with my family and training partner, Ryan Foster. The sporting facilities are fantastic, I have access to an indoor and and outdoor athletics track, gym, pool, trail around the lake and other things like roller-blading track and an indoor cycling veledrome. I’m almost over my jetlag, however having two sick and jetlagged children around doesn’t make it easy. I’m off to Spain tomorrow for my first race, a 3000m at Zaragosa. I don’t race until 9.30pm, but it will still be daylight.
Donna
May
19
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Races and Results Donna’s Olympic preparation continued with a win in the City to Casino 7km fun run. She finished 4th overall in the short distance in a time of 22min49sec.
May
16
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Newspaper Articles The Australian 11-05-08
Words of Late Coach Drive MacFarlane to Glory far from Island Home
May
16
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Newspaper Articles Sunday Tasmanian 11-05-08
Donna’s Still the Steeple Queen
May
11
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Newspaper Articles Herald Sun 11-05-2008
Grieving Donna Records World-Class Time
May
11
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Newspaper Articles Examiner 11-05-2008
Donna in Blistering Form Defending her Qatar Title
May
10
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Races and Results The week long wait for my race in Doha, Qatar has ended with me winning the 3000m steeplechase. I ran 9.31.47, to finish ahead of the two Kenyan athletes who placed 4th and 3rd respectively in the Osaka World Championships final. The first time I hit the front of the field was just after the last water jump, so it was a sprint finish to the line. The conditions were hot (not surprisingly) and a bit windy. I was drug tested after the race, and I fly home in a few hours. I wish I was there already!
Donna
May
10
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Races and Results For the second year in a row, Donna has taken out the Steeplechase at the Qatar Super Grand Prix. In what has become one of her favourite meets, Donna held out a quality field – including last year’s Osaka World Championship bronze medallist - to win the event in 9min31.47. The win gives Donna 2 wins from 2 races for this event in the World Athletics Tour and cements her world standing at No 1 early in the season.
Official Doha Results Here
May
09
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Races and Results I like jogging around in 36 degrees. It’s when it’s 42 that you notice the difference. I’ve been doing some easy morning runs around the hotel resort, but the minimum overnight temperature here is 28 degrees so there’s not a cool time of day to exercise. The atmosphere in the hotel is much better now- athletes have arrived, the masseurs are working, food is plentiful and bottled water is free. I race tomorrow (Friday) night in the steeplechase. It’s a good field, headlined by the Kenyans- one is the bronze medallist from the World Championships and the other is the World Junior record holder. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do.
Donna
May
06
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Races and Results I arrived in Doha, Qatar yesterday, after a total 19 hours travelling. Things didn’t start well. My luggage didn’t turn up, the hotel room wasn’t ready, I was the first athlete here and the Arabian guy who chauffered me from the airport didn’t mention that no food was provided for me that day. I’ve been taught not to let anything phase me on trips like this, but I didn’t cope particularly well! My luggage eventually turned up, 24 hours later. It’s 41 degrees now and not too bad. I ran 5km this morning and I’ll train at the track tonight- I just tell myself I like the heat.
Donna
