Melbourne 2006
Guernsey Athletes at the Commonwealth Games

Sunday 19th Feb - Lee Garland

Victorian State Championships (and open meeting)
3000m steeplechase result - I was 10th in 9:35.35. A bit faster than 2 weeks ago, but not as quick as I'd hoped. I went through 1KM in about 3 min, 2KM in about 6:10 and then just about made it round the last KM!... It was a great race to be in, and if I was in better shape, I'm sure I would have been dragged around to a good time. A few guys ran just under 9:10, including one 17 year-old Australian who was running his second ever chase, and made it into their team for the world junior champs. The race was won by Stuart Stokes (England) in about 8:40. If you watch the chase at the games, look out for the smallest steeplechaser in the world from Papua New Guinea!

The meeting was a try-out for the new track and stadium set-up at the MCG. We went through all the security and check-in procedures that will take place at the Commonwealth Games, so the whole experience was pretty awesome - just lacking a crowd! 2000 spectators don't create much of an atmosphere in a 90,000 seater stadium. I had a climb up to the top of the stand - its a long way down! If you're coming to watch the athletics, bring some binoculars just in case.

Next up for me is meeting a jet-lagged Mezza on Wednesday, then off to Sydney for some sight-seeing and possibly another race. I'm struggling a bit with sore legs after races so I might need a break.
Best wishes to everyone, glad to hear we beat Jersey in the X-country!

Saturday 11th Feb - Lee Garland

Hi - Did a 3k race today in Melbourne - finished up somewhere in the middle of a field of over 30 in 8.52. Near enough a PB... Official result should be on www.athsvic.org.au soon. Ran 70s for the first few laps then dropped to 72s. Tried to pick up pace on last 2 laps, but only managed one lap at speed, last lap was a bit slower. So, I'm running OK - just got to sort out my hurdling! Saw Chris Giles, completely by chance, in Sydney a couple of days ago - weird! Next race at the MCG - the games stadium - on Sunday 19th - 3k steeplechase. Lee

Monday 6th Feb - Lee Garland

My New Zealand adventure is almost at an end. I fly to Australia tomorrow to visit Chris and then go on to Melbourne for a couple more races. My week backpacking was great fun. I stayed at three lakeside resorts on my way down the South Island - Lake Tekapo, Wanaka and Queenstown. All 3 were really picturesque and I had great weather to appreciate the scenery. My training runs were painful in the heat, but it made a nice change from the wind and rain back home, and there was always the lake to dive into afterwards to cool off. I got to know loads of people on my way round - some Germans, English, Ausralians, Americans (who won their trip to NZ on the US 'Fear Factor' show) and a Colombian, plus some Kiwis. Got a sports massage from a guy who was on the bus with me - which helped sort out my aching legs!

In between the travelling and training I managed to fit in a spot of river boarding - like white water rafting but on a body board. We went along the Kawarau river, used in the Lord of the Rings movies, and under the bungy jump bridge.

Finally made it to Dunedin on Saturday, for my race on Sunday. It was the Otago Championships - like our county champs. I was able to run as a guest and won in 9.38. In front from the gun, slowed a little mid-race but picked up the pace on the last lap. Not as fast as I'd have liked but OK for a solo run in cool, windy conditions. Much better than last week. Made the Otago daily times today!

This morning I ran up the steepest street in the world (official - has been in the Guinness Book of Records). Before watching some masters football and getting a lift back to Christchurch.
Now getting packed for the next part of my trip. My next message should be from Oz, and I should have a new mobile number soon. In the meantime I'll be back on 07781 102751 if you'd like to text.

Monday 30th Jan - Lee Garland

Hi - Hope everything is going well.
Been chilling out the last couple of days and getting sorted for my next trip. Sunday morning was church, prety good, followed by an afternoon in Akaroa, a bizarrely French kind of place, with Le Mini Golf etc on offer. Apparently the French landed here and were just a bit too late moving on or NZ would have ended up French. Today was mostly shopping, training and bbq in the evening sun. Tomorrow I'm off 'backpacking', making my way down to Dunedin for a race at the weekend, another steeplechase.

Anyone interested in seeing some race pics from the NZ champs can find them at www.nesport.co.nz. I feature on pages 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 in the NZ athletics champs gallery.

Saturday 28th Jan - Lee Garland

First steeplechase didn't go so well - finished 6th in 9.48. (New Zealand Champ's race). Rather slow. Hopefully I'll get better with a couple more races and some decent training. A bit frustrating as conditions were good and I could have been in the medals if I'd run well. Looking at doing another race in New Zealand next weekend instead of the Sydney race if I can change my flight. With my current form, it may be good that I can't do the Aus champs! Yesterday I saw a whale on a whale watching trip - pretty cool, but it was rather rough, so I was feeling a bit green the rest of the day! Hope its all going well back home.
Will send another update soon!
Lee

Thursday 26th Jan - Lee Garland

Been kayaking with seals today at Kaikoura, saw loads and got close enough to smell them! Saw a couple of blue penguins too. Kayaking the pacific was quite exciting with a rough bit as we headed out to find the seals. Nearly lost my shades but managed to return in one piece! Hopefully will see some whales tomorrow. Then racing the next day. All's good so far
Lee

Tuesday 24th Jan - Lee Garland

Lee came 10th in the 5000mtr race 16:10

Monday 23rd Jan - Lee Garland

I made it to New Zealand - wasn't stopped at customs or anything, and only missed one flight. Had to 'declare' my running spikes as a potential threat to the Kiwi environment though...

I'm gradually getting over the jet-lag. The journey was rather long and sleeping on the plane isn't that easy so I spent most of yesterday catching up. There's a 5K race on tomorrow, so I think I'll so that as a warm-up for the steeplechase on Saturday morning. I'll be racing on Sat at 11 am - that's 10pm Friday night, Gsy time.

I hope its all going well back home and it's not too cold. Bit of a scorcher over here today!