Donna MacFarlane

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Archive for the ‘Races and Results’ Category

Jul
17

Happy to help

Posted under Races and Results

I was jogging my last lap around Risdon Brooke Dam today, and I caught up to a boy of around 10 or 11 years old who was thumping along the track. 

He seemed pretty friendly.  I asked him if he’d like a running tip.  He smiled and said, ‘no, I’m right thanks.’ I guess you don’t know what you don’t know  :)  

Donna

Jun
25

Heroes one day…

Posted under Races and Results

I feel sorry for the Socceroos- some of whom are arriving home at the moment to greet their families and the media.  It’s a difficult time!  I wonder if they will stay up all night to watch the remaining games.  That will test their commitment! 

I’m intrigued how the North Koreans will be treated on their homecoming.  It’s hard to see a silver lining in a 7-nil loss.  I guess they could put it down to a character building experience.

My children both play soccer in the morning.  Hopefully the scorelines will be better than last week’s 10-1 loss! 

Donna

Jun
10

Soccer training

Posted under Races and Results

It’s school holidays at the moment and my two children have been playing soccer with a couple of talented Dads and some other young kids for fun.  On Monday I watched and then ended up waiting in the car when my fingers went numb from the cold.

Today I joined in (and I have a blister to prove it).  I enjoyed it, but I did accidentally kick a ball into the face of a 9-year-old ‘teammate.’ I really was trying hard not to be competitive.  

Donna

May
16

City to Casino fun run

Posted under Races and Results

Running for fun is working well for me.  I knew I was getting fitter when I didn’t struggle up the stairs at work the other day.  I’m really pleased with how I ran in the 7km race today.  My time was only 34 seconds slower than the time I ran in 2008 (3 months before the Olympics).  Next fun run…Kingston 5.3km next weekend. 

Donna

May
09

Mother’s Day gadget

Posted under Races and Results

My husband bought me a present for mother’s day this year- a watch with a GPS function so I can see my distance and pace.  Now I can find out how far I run in an hour for example or how fast I am running at any given moment.  I ran with it yesterday- fascinating!

Donna

Apr
29

When running is a health hazard

Posted under Races and Results

To say it’s been windy in Hobart lately would be an understatement. 

A couple of days ago I was feeling tired but decided to go for an easy jog in the hope it would revive me.  As I live close to bushland, I drove to an area where I didn’t think there were as many huge gum trees likely to take me out.  But I only ran for 41 seconds before a branch came out of nowhere and stung as it hit the back of my leg.  I hurried back to my car feeling a bit foolish!

It wasn’t actually my shortest run ever.  When Gabriel was a baby, I spent ages getting ready to run around an oval one day.  I set him up on a blanket with toys and snacks where he could see me.  He just screamed and I couldn’t console him, so I had to pack up and go home.

Donna

Apr
23

Night Ride

Posted under Races and Results

I had the choice last night of staying home and watching TV or riding my bike in the dark.

42km later I was glad I made the decision to ride.  It was my first night ride but I had a new light and I was with 8 other people -there is no way I would have gone on my own! I knew I had to give it a go while the weather was still pretty warm.  Once winter kicks in it will be much harder to get started. 

Donna

Apr
12

On the road

Posted under Races and Results

I travelled to the East Coast of Tasmania during the Easter holidays with my family.  My parents used to have a shack at St Helens so I spent a lot of time there when I was young.  I was sick in bed for a couple of days which spoiled my running plans, but I did manage to run at the Peron sand dunes.

I ran in the first cross country race of the season at Bellerive Beach on Saturday and in the 8km fun run at Oatlands on Sunday.  I must be getting fitter! 

Donna

Mar
27

Ambassador for Physical Activity

Posted under Races and Results

I’m one of 11 new ‘Tasmanian Physical Activity Ambassadors.’  The program was launched in Hobart last week and aims to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles. 

Despite my athletic achievements, being physically active doesn’t come naturally for me.  I enjoy it once I get started, but that can be the biggest hurdle.   

In the last week I completed a triathlon (I got so cold my fingers wouldn’t work to unclip my bike helmet), I walked to work a few times (admittedly it only takes 6 minutes), I also ran and rode my bike.

More information about the other ambassadors and the program is available at http://www.getmoving.tas.gov.au/article.php?article_id=163

Donna

Mar
15

Season’s End

Posted under Races and Results

I was so pleased to see the calm river we’d be swimming in for the triathlon at Beauty Point (just past Beaconsfield), unlike the surf we’ve been used to in the South.  The start was a bit rough…I copped someone’s foot in my jaw and there were arms and legs everywhere at one stage but on the whole it wasn’t too bad.

I found the ride hard…30km is more than I’m used to.  This is the first course I’ve done that was a loop, and it meant I had no idea where I was placed in relation to the other competitors. 

I finished second female in 1hr24.55.  There’s only one more triathlon I’ll do this season…the club handicap race next weekend.  I would like to race in the long course at Coles Bay, but I haven’t done enough training for that one.  Maybe next year.

Donna