I have had 64 Singlets printed which have been heavily discounted due to a generous sponsorship by Mizuno. The $15 fee covers what it cost to have the singlets printed.

All PCRG members who posted a Gold Coast goal on my site prior to May 5 can purchase a singlet @ training on May 9/11 and 12.

''Susan, I know it's a bit crushed, please just take the photo''.

I work as a Systems Analyst for OneSteel IS. I live in Camp Hill, have lived in Brisbane since moving down from Townsville in 1986 and joined PCRG in March 2006.

My favourite restaurant is probably MacDonald’s. Having 3 young kids it is hard to find something that better accommodates them. Even the finest steak/lobster is no good if your child is running through the place taking out fellow patrons.

My earliest childhood memory is sticking a garfish in my older brother’s ear while he was pulling other bait out of the fishing net. I remember his reaction as surprisingly energetic. Why did I do it? It seemed like a good fit.

Now that I am an adult and I have my own kids I am learning to be respectful of my genetic connection (and to be honest with my own childhood memories) when they do and say things that they shouldn’t. Maybe they will be good runners.

My favourite movie is The Incredibles. I am still a kid at heart, but also having kids I can empathise with the characters. What proud parent wouldn’t want to have superhero children?

Brisbane City is just about perfect, because of the climate mostly, but it’s the right size and near to so many wonderful places.

My regular holiday destination is Coolangatta. Easily pleased, but it too is just about perfect.

If money was no option I would have no excuse for my sloppy attire, but seriously, I would love to actively pursue alternatives to our reliance on fossil fuels to make sure the planet is still beautiful for my kids, and their kids.

It frustrates me when I get injured. It is not necessarily the most frustrating thing in my life, but cruel to the extent that running is the best way to get free of your worries, and get your head right. Injuries preclude this, and fitness dwindles, then coming back is harder than ever. The race to get back to your best makes you prone to further injury, a vicious cycle that has dominated my running career.

I have been involved in running since I was a kid who was teased for being fat so I started doing laps of the estate. Someone who ran nearby invited me to join Townsville Road Runners and I never looked back. I have been running on and off ever since (too much of the latter) and my most memorable running experience is a 20 year ghost (80min half Marathon when I was 15). I plan to update this entry before too long. It is getting harder to remember every year.

I enjoy distance running because it is such a natural high. It is a battle every time I run, but I know that while I’m still running, I’m putting distance between myself and that fat person I used to be.

My favourite run is along the beach at dawn, from Coolangatta up to Elephant Rock and back, then finishing off with a swim in the surf. I love running with others, but sometimes you just have to run alone.

Motivation is something you can find anywhere. I was over 105kg 2 years ago, and told my ENT specialist (and anyone who’d listen) that I wanted to do the Noosa Triathlon again (last time 1991). He basically told me to forget that dream. I thought of his words every morning I got up to train, and as I struggled to get to the finish last year I thought of every person who had an opinion encouraging or otherwise. Prove the knockers wrong, and take strength from those who were supportive.

Injuries are my greatest obstacle. The worst thing is, that they are mostly avoidable.

Two years ago I lost 20kg. It was a turning point in my life because otherwise I fear what would have happened to me. I never really stopped running, but changing my diet and my priorities allowed me to turn the corner, and run more consistently (more often). It was finally listening to professional (dietician’s) advice that made the difference. And now I don’t stop breathing in my sleep anymore.

PCRG came as a huge surprise to me. I had always thought that I would never find another group like the old Townsville Road Runners. Brisbane had consistently shown me that people don’t care as much in the “big smoke”, but the PCRG is a credit to Brisbane and Pat himself. From day one, I felt like I was running with friends.

I prefer running in a friendly group because there is enough to worry about without having to feel anxious about other people.

Running is quite difficult with 3 young kids, and being a triathlete, and having 2 other disciplines (cycling / swimming) to fit in makes a big ask on the whole family. It means a lot of sacrifices, so a supportive group is a huge benefit.

The best advice my father gave me was to “not put off ‘till tomorrow, that which you can do today”. It is easy to miss a run, roll over in bed and promise yourself that you will make it up tonight/tomorrow, etc. You know in your heart, that you have already broken too many promises, and it gets easier every time. Grit your teeth and do it, it only takes a moment to push through. Another gem of wisdom, this one from an old boss who never told me anything else worthwhile: “The important things in life are often not urgent, and the urgent ones are often not important”. Your health and fitness is important, but not necessarily urgent until it is a threat. Make it a priority.

What inspires me is often something that is not inspirational on its own, but something that you relate to at the time. An action or gesture, a story, or a song that says the right word with the right emotion can make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. It’s about relating to the situation. I admire and watch in awe at the brilliance of our best athletes, but it is hard to translate it to my own performances. My peers are my best yardstick. A team will usually fire up collectively. Go team!
I will admit to some regret for the years I lost to procrastination, self-doubt and stubborn disbelief that I would ever get fit again. It seems to be taboo to admit to any regret, so to keep it positive, I’ll admit to yet another taboo, a sense of pride for getting through it all.

I will post your Gold Coast 2006 Goal on my site as well as on a board which will be displayed at the group sessions.

I encourage you to accept the challenge.

Please get out your diaries, your PATHWAY to success will involve these important dates.

I thoroughly enjoy taking the Sub 3hr group at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon each year.

Pacing runners and helping them achieve their goal is a rewarding experience.

The 3hr journey and above moment at the finish line is what will motivate me to increase my running volume over the next 10 weeks.

Gerard Gosens has been blind since birth however he has never let this interfere with his ambitions to succeed.

Gerard is a well sort after motivational speaker and he will be kindly donating his time to leave you inspired during the closing (and crucial) stages of your Gold Coast campaign.

Possibly you (or your company) would enjoy being a PCRG 'Countdown to Gold Coast' 2006 sponsor.

There are also opportunities available to be a naming rights sponsor for a PCRG post training session breakfast and/or a PCRG seminar.

Motivation Mojo was over flowing at the 3k Time Trial and with a little over 7 weeks till the Coast we ALL have ample time to make more of a difference!

If you nominate PCRG as your team you are entitled to a 10% discount.

NB:
Group entry closes Friday June 2.

Make sure you visit INTRAINING @ Park Rd Milton for all your running needs.

Thank you INTRAINING for being a PCRG sponsor.

Australia's newest and most comprehensive running magazine.

The April/May Issue of R4YL is OUT NOW.

Look out for the basics of Mountain Running, the Beautiful side of Sarah Jamieson, Vegetarian versus Meat Lovers diets, Commonwealth Games Preview, National Track and Field wrap up, Returning from Injury, plus a plethora of others assortments and of course all of the usual race results and reports.

Thank you R4YL for being a PCRG sponsor.

The Brisbane Running Buddies and the Regatta Runners are running from The Regatta Hotel this Saturday starting at 6am, running varying distances from around 8k up to over 30k.

Brekky/coffee afterwards at The Regatta. All are welcome.

Contact tfabian@bigpond.net.au if further details are required.

There is a strong chance there will be a group leaving from The Ship Inn @ 6am each Sunday, up to Gold Coast.

Thank you to pb sports nutriton for your ongoing support in providing product which is used at the group sessions.

Thank you ''The Ship Inn'' for being a PCRG sponsor.

INTRAINING stocks an extensive range of MIZUNO shoes and running apparel.

Thank you MIZUNO for being a PCRG sponsor.

If you fail to follow a sensible diet your body will not gain full benefit from all of those enjoyable and challenging runs and you won't recover as well as you possibly could.

Kerith Duncanson is an accredited dietician as well as a former International class runner. An online dietary assessment by Kerith may assist you to achieve your goal.

Kerith offers 20% off her advertised fees to any runners involved with me through online coaching or any runner who is a regular member of PCRG.

You can purchase your Fuel Belt from INTRAINING.

Thank you FUEL BELT for being a PCRG sponsor.

Tue May 16: Hills, Botanical Gardens.

Thurs May 18: 4min/2min/4min/2min + 4min OR warm up with group/stretching and strides - 20min out and back light run - warm down with group.

Fri May 19: 4min/2min/4min/2min + 4min OR warm up with group/stretching and strides - 20min out and back light run - warm down with group.

Thank you ''Auscript'' (Peter Wyatt) for being a PCRG sponsor.

A regular massage will help prevent niggles turning into injuries. I totally recommend Karla.

Thank you Karla for being a PCRG sponsor.

The Qld Half Marathon and 10k is the next goal noted on our ''Countdown to Gold Coast'' campaign calendar.

You can enter online.