60 replies to this topic

[Long Arms]

thanks for the kind words everyone. Benny and Lara have been over the moon since the race. Both are now looking forward to chasing medals at the Commonealth Games in Delhi. However, Lara still has to be named in the team when they finalise it next week.

So I was able to briefly celebrate the double victory at Bondi on Sunday, but have gotten back to the reality of trying to ensure Lara simply gets a run in Delhi. There is not a lot I can do apart form talk to a few people as I am not a selector. With her seven B qualifiers over 5km/10km we hope the selectors think she has done enough. Based on her 32.20 at Zatopek she is actually ranked 4th in the Commonwealth out of the girls who are available to race the 10000m. Jo Pavey form England is out with a stress fracture and Lisa Jane Weightman from Australia (who beat Lara by 0.1 at Zatopek) is racing the marathon at the games. Add to this, Lara is at her best in hot, humid conditions- just like it will be in Delhi. In short, she is a strong medal chance.

Susie Power- young lady; I have always been a huge fan and you did a great job in your debut on Sunday. I was watching you on the giant screen at Bondi Beach whilst waiting for the leaders to emerge. Not many people picked Benny before the race and you were one of them. Keep up the enthusiasm for commentating. You will improve with every call.

[thomo]

Great coaching Long Arms. You put the icing on the cake of two such talented people.

I also know from Horrie and Bluebel's postings you also look after people of all levels who are prepared to put in the hard work. These people aren't going to the Commonwealth Games but are aiming & focussed on doing their best. That is what seperates you from AIS type coaches. Congratulations.

BTW, I am wondering why Lara wore gloves for the full C2S. I would of thought they could of been discarded very early in the race.

Edited by thomo, 11 August 2010 - 10:23 AM.

[Long Arms]

hi Thomo,

I guess temps were pretty cool on the starting line on Sunday morning. Lara prefers to feel a bit too warm ratehr than a bit too cold. She is actually most competitive when conditions are hot.

[miners]

thomo, on Aug 11 2010, 10:20 AM, said:

BTW, I am wondering why Lara wore gloves for the full C2S. I would of thought they could of been discarded very early in the race.

extra evidence to convince the selectors of her preference for hot/humid running conditions?

(edit to acknowledge Long Arms' comment)

Hey, check out the big brain on Brett!  Maybe I should take up coaching - or a PR-role for athletes media appearances at least  

Edited by miners, 11 August 2010 - 01:37 PM.

[BowLegs]

thomo, on Aug 11 2010, 10:20 AM, said:

Great coaching Long Arms. You put the icing on the cake of two such talented people.

I also know from Horrie and Bluebel's postings you also look after people of all levels who are prepared to put in the hard work. These people aren't going to the Commonwealth Games but are aiming & focussed on doing their best. That is what seperates you from AIS type coaches. Congratulations.

Definately agree with these sentiments. Despite the fact that Long Arms does have a pretty impressive elite stable, he doesn't turn away those that aren't up to this level but are prepared to get out there and get the best out of themselves, I always admired this.

9 years ago I was one of the first athletes he coached. Young, naive and new to the big smoke of Sydney, he wasn't only my coach but one of the few friends I had up there being new to Sydney, which I was thankful for. I would have considered myself a reasonable runner without being elite or a superstar, however he perservered with me for several years. Unfortunately as it turned out I have some major biomechanical issues which prevented me from doing the volume of training required to take this next step up and as a result had to give away competitive running to a large extent (though I still do enjoy a bit of running on a greatly reduced training load).

This was very disappointing at the time however Long Arms's influence, with his passion and drive for coaching runners is what inspired me to go and give coaching a go myself. As a result I now have a squad of around 15 junior athletes and am loving it and never look back. Add to this he is just as attentive to any advise or assistance I ask of him in regards to my coaching (living several states away) as he would have been when I was one of his athletes.

Congrats to Long Arms and his athletes, Ben and Lara, much deserved.

Edited by BowLegs, 11 August 2010 - 03:03 PM.

[Long Arms]

It is always nice to hear from former athletes in the squad. Bow legs- you are doing an awesome job coaching in Tassie. . If any young Tassie runners need a coach, look up bow Legs (Jy Webb). Keep it up Bow Legs.

[JustinS007]

Long Arms, on Aug 13 2010, 03:33 PM, said:

It is always nice to hear from former athletes in the squad. Bow legs- you are doing an awesome job coaching in Tassie. . If any young Tassie runners need a coach, look up bow Legs (Jy Webb). Keep it up Bow Legs.

Always dishing out the praise coach!  Even though you get a bit here on CR it can never be considered enough.  Fingers crossed for Lara and the Commonwealth Team.  Can't wait to see how she gos over the next few (or 10!!) years.

Well done again on the great quinella (of sorts).

[Easy Tiger]

Lara is a star, she appears super relaxed but is ferocious and always lifts for the big races. She is a definite medal chance, 7 B qualifiers, give her a shot.

[langswm]

I see Lara has missed selection for the Commonwealth Games Team. Another "quality" decision by AA?

[youngrunner]

Disappointing. She should have got a shot for sure based on the B qualifiers alone, but then combine that with genuine medal chance plus the experience of competing at a big meet and its crazy not to. We should be thinking ahead to 2012 and getting as much experience as possible into our runners.

Ah well, I'm sure there are people smarter and paid a lot more than me to make those decisions.

[HillsAths1]

Some of AA's decisions have to be questioned.

Lara is a quality athlete and as a young athlete on the rise should be given as much assistance as possible.

Other athletes who should have been in the mix Kaan and Nipperess, do not appear to have been considered as possibles with an eye to blooding for London 2012.

Pretty crap decisions IMHO.