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Victorian Road Runners
Celebrating 40 Years Running 1982 -2022
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President’s Tan Talk – April 2023
As is almost always the case, the weather on the first Saturday in April was great for running: cool, dry and still. After our 7:30am start a large group from Glen Huntly joined us at the Tan to run in memory of Phil Hutton, and we were pleased to have them with us. Many familiar faces.
Angela Taylor Memorial Run / Walk
A big thank you in advance to Bill Noonan, Peter Nicol, Monash Swami and his partner, Kevin and Stephanie Armstrong, Ken and Steve Miller, Ken Smith, Anthony Doran and Jeff Wheeler for volunteering to be course marshals. All VRR members are aware of the importance of this annual event that we have been organising for more than 30 years, and it is coming up on Sunday 23 April at Palm Lawns. Please join us on the day, either to run or to marshal. (If the latter, text me that you’re coming, and be there at 7:30am.)
VRR AGM
Our AGM was held at the Tan, with the key points being:
- A very big thank you was expressed to Doug Stokes for his great work as treasurer, not only in “doing the job”, but in always contributing his thoughts and ideas.
- Rowan Role was elected unopposed as treasurer, and we thank Rowan for stepping up
- Lynn Kisler, Peter Nicol, Rod Opie and I will continue in our current committee roles, as will Graham Prossor (Stride Out etc), Graham Edwards (results) and Helen Myall (photographer) in their current roles. Many, many thanks to these much valued contributors to the club.
- Financially, in simple terms, we have around $26,000 and some ageing assets (no, not us, the running clock and some other bits and pieces!) and after a hiatus in collecting fees during Covid we are now back to collecting annual fees again.
VRR: Looking back, looking forward
We are all aware that “things have changed significantly” in running over recent years. Park Run is a great innovation, which we welcome in providing people with opportunities to run each week at venues close to home and elsewhere, which is fantastic.
More recently, COVID has had a number of impacts. VRR got through it very well, with initiatives like Virtual Tans, stories in Stride Out complete with photos and maps, which helped to keep us connected.That said, COVID made many people nervous about running with other people, and in some instances saw some of our members “break the habit” of regularly running with us, impacting on our numbers: it is what it is.
Equally importantly, which not everyone would be aware of, getting event permits and even getting permission to provide a cuppa and some food at the Tan and at fun runs has become ridiculously difficult, and the absence of those things is a significant loss for our members, diminishing the experience of running or walking the Tan then having a cuppa and a chat with your running mates.
So, looking ahead, and at this point expressing only my own perspective:
- We need to look at what steps we can take to at least be able to provide you with a cuppa and refreshments at the Tan, which we are determined to do (and)
- Given lower numbers of runners (and volunteers) at fun runs, and increasing difficulty with getting permits for events, we need to decide what we have the realistic capability to do in terms of fun runs into the future. I personally will be very disappointed if we cease conducting some of the fun runs that we’ve conducted for decades, but “we can only do what we have the capability to do”. (This will be a discussion for the committee, but anyone who wants to express a view should feel free to contact me.)
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| Greig McEwan’s Antarctic Adventure This photo may suggest that VRR member No 1 has put on a lot of weight, but actually it’s the many layers of essential clothing Greig is wearing to keep warm on his recent trip to Antarctica. We are looking forward to the future of Greig’s pictorial highlights package in a coming issue of Stride Out, can’t wait Greig… |
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| Tony Freegard’s Medical Adventure Our irregular correspondent Tony Freegard’s article below tells (in reasonably graphic detail) the story of a very different recent adventure, of a medical nature. As with all of Tony’s writings there are smiley moments of clever humour, while at times telling a largely serious story.
I look forward to seeing you at the Angela Taylor Memorial Run / Walk on 23 April, or at the next Tan.
Good Running,
Michael K.
President |
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| Greig McEwan’s Antarctic Adventure This photo may suggest that VRR member No 1 has put on a lot of weight, but actually it’s the many layers of essential clothing Greig is wearing to keep warm on his recent trip to Antarctica. We are looking forward to the future of Greig’s pictorial highlights package in a coming issue of Stride Out, can’t wait Greig… |
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| Tony Freegard’s Medical Adventure Our irregular correspondent Tony Freegard’s article below tells (in reasonably graphic detail) the story of a very different recent adventure, of a medical nature. As with all of Tony’s writings there are smiley moments of clever humour, while at times telling a largely serious story.
I look forward to seeing you at the Angela Taylor Memorial Run / Walk on 23 April, or at the next Tan.
Good Running,
Michael K.
President |
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VRR PHOTOS
This month we welcomed back our regular VRR photographer, Helen Myall, after a break last month.
Many photos are taken at each of our events and the one’s below are just a VERY small sample.
ALL the photos are posted on Facebook.
To access Facebook you can use your internet browser and type in the following address:
www.facebook.com/VicRoadRunners/photos |
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Helen Corcoris was tenth overall in the 8km TTT.
She certainly looks like she’s doing it easy here! |
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| Bruce Higgs, proudly displaying his 2005 Tan Twelve Timer t-shirt whilst on the 8km loop. |
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| We haven’t seen a lot of Andrew Mathers recently, so it was just wonderful to welcome him back on the 4km TTT this month. |
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Chris Grafen brought his son, Nicholas, along this month so that he could enjoy the VRR experience.
Chris ran the 8km and Nicholas the 4km.
I suspect that Chris was happy that they weren’t both running the same distance as Nicholas set a pretty hot pace and was second overall in the 4km.
Dad you just have to accept it! |
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| Monish Swami is a ‘newish’ VRR member and is already starting to put in some very respectable times over the 8km course. |
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Kim Cao is a non member, who we would love to welcome into the VRR ranks.
We hope that you enjoyed yourself. |
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Don’t forget that the Angela Taylor Memorial Run/Walk is on Sunday 23rd April at Albert Park Lake.
VRR has been a supporter of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation’s annual Angela Taylor Memorial Run/Walk since its inception.
Please support this event either as a participant or as a volunteer marshal.
(contact Michael Kennedy if you can assist –
vrrpresident@gmail.com). |
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VRR member, Tony Freegard (aka – Agent 99)
has contributed a number of articles for Stride Out over the past few years.
All with Tony’s unique sense of humor.
Tony hasn’t been able to get along to recent events, but I’ll just let him tell you all about it. |
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Micturition, Costive and TURP
Everyday terms that I am sure you are familiar with, if not please read on.
TURP
Being the contrary fellow that I am, I’ll take the last item first. If you desire a medical explanation for the acronym, in the words of Adam Bandt, “Google it mate.” I underwent this procedure recently and it involves attacking a rather sensitive appendage of the male anatomy with a drilling machine, boring a hole through an obstructing organ which is performed by a person proficient in such techniques (amazing how some people pass their time). The thought of this is almost too much to bear, and in the pre-op interview I was advised that I would receive a spinal injection and would remain conscious throughout, so I could join in the fun. Fortunately, I received a last-minute reprieve and the clinicians decided to knock me out. So keen were the hospital staff looking forward to this performance I was booked in with two appointment dates, however, due to dwindling ticket sales we settled for just one performance. I was also allocated two different arrival times to present at Surgical Admissions, both of which proved to be incorrect, leading the Admissions Clerk asked why did I arrive so early? As luck would have it, someone had dropped off the perch and an opening appeared, so I was rushed through prep to meet my destiny. Just so happens the assistant anaesthetist recently ran Melbourne Half and was well chuffed with his time and I occupied him in happy chit chat in a feeble attempt to delay the inevitable. Strange thing lying prone on the work bench prior to a procedure in the operating room, there seems to be a cast of thousands milling around without much to do. Then some secret signal from above triggered a flurry of activity, someone on my left is explaining how they will be injecting certain substances into my arm that will transport me to a place you will not find on Google Maps, another is sticking things on my chest to hook me up to the machine that goes “Bing,” and in the background I imagine there’s a bloke with a whet stone sharpening the implements of destruction (thoughts of Pink Floyd’s “Be Careful with that Ace, Eugene” comes to mind), as for all the others I can only speculate, maybe the coffee machine needs warming and the cucumber sandwiches are yet to be cut for the mid op break.
As the fog lifted post op, I found that I had been removed to Surgical Admissions, not the reception area, but a ward curiously of the same name. I was curtained off from my fellow cellmates and was pleased to see that I had been allocated a window seat offering me a panoramic view of a concrete wall in an unpleasant shade of industrial grey. As I familiarised myself with my surroundings from a horizontal position, I found I was manacled to the slab by a variety of devices. Firstly, a blood pressure chuff permanently attached, relatively harmless. A drip post supporting a large bag of clear liquid (which could have been gin, could have been vodka, no sampling allowed) that was attached to a pump delivering this substance to my bladder via a triple catheter (a double has one egress tube and one mystery (what is the function of the mystery tube, I was told by a clinician, “That’s for us,” close of conversation)), whereas this device has both ingress and egress tubes and of course the mystery. Then the most curious, I referred to it as the seasickness machine, my lower legs straddled these rollers that maintained almost perpetual motion, to prevent fluid pooling. The only movement I was permitted was to sit up with the aid of the electric bed, and I should look forward to remaining thus for the next 18 to 20 hours. Did I mention the gin & vodka cocktail is pumped into my bladder to prevent blood clots and infection, inducing a constant urinal flow ex catheter.
As the effects of the anaesthetic worn off the cheeky meter kicked in and I heard a message over the hospital loudspeaker system, “Would the driver of black BMW registration such and such please move your vehicle immediately.” I identified a means of escape and apologised to the nurse and told her I needed to get up and move my car, she was panic stricken and declared I could not possibly leave the bed and asked why did I drive to the hospital? Only joking. Another avenue of fun presented itself when my Covid PCR test results arrived, I told the nurse (a different one) that thankfully I was negative, but unfortunately, I was to be shunted off to maternity, she looked nonplussed, because the test showed I’m pregnant.
During roll calls I was staggered at the long lists of medications my cellmates recited ad nauseam, these people must be really sick. When interrogated, I felt a fraud as I’m medication free so what misdemeanour lands me here?
The triple catheter was scheduled to be extracted at midnight, as I have stated in a previous diatribe, aren’t nightmares enough? I slept little in anticipation, at the witching hour the nurse torch and extraction equipment in hand arrived and efficiently went about her task. “I’m letting the balloon down now,” she said, what balloon? If I had one, it had deflated long ago. This only lasted a nano second, as the catheter was extracted, I felt like I was being turned inside out. Aaagh!
Micturition
Not since potty-training days has my personal micturition been such a popular conversation topic. I feel like an overanxious parent labouring the subject at play group. And why do healthcare professionals use the terms “pee” and “wee?” Are my adult ears too precious to cope with the word “urine?” One doctor referred to my “water works,” I told him that I did not have my Yarra Valley Water account number to hand.
In a previous article I referred to “Yuck,” which is the official description for a combination of diluted blood red and urine yellow, it’s a disgusting orange which has been banned from all good colour spectrums in the interest of human ocular health. Regardless, since I had not much else to do, along with the nursing staff (no that doesn’t read right, I had not much to do, the nurses were flat out busy, bless ‘em), monitoring “yuck” became our preoccupation. I noticed with interest that the urine exiting the catheter initially was high on the “yuck” scale, but after hours and litres of the gin & vodka cocktail pumped through my bladder, we agreed that once the flow adopted an acceptable Rose’ hue the drip and the seasickness machine could be detached.
Catheters had been inserted for the last 3 months, and the old muscle memory thing had me worried how a flaccid and erstwhile redundant bladder would return to active service. One consulting doctor advised me to expect “pee and blood all over the place,” this did not instil confidence. Like the tension that builds in an airport lounge thriller, so to my first post catheter micturition, would it be painful? Would it be bloody? Would anything happen at all or would an uncontrollable torrent like Niagara Falls splash to the floor. Bit of a non-event really, a humble dribble of faintly pink urine issued, which quickly degenerated to a few pathetic drops. Regardless, I proudly presented what I had produced to the nurse for assessment. Then I was given an ultra-sound (I will spare you the is it a boy/girl gag) to determine the volume remaining in the bladder. Still 80% full, come on Tony you must do better. Drinking plenty of water, walking around without a catheter (a novel experience), and a will to succeed finally bladder voiding rates improved and the urine pinky tinge lightened to the acceptable range. YipPEE, I can go home.
Prior to release I was presented with my discharge papers, complete with parole conditions, yet the doctor detected the seeds of rebellion fomenting upon my countenance and issued a stern warning that compliance was not negotiable, as we must avoid an internal bleed. Of course, this meant no running or strenuous exercise for a period of six weeks, and no driving for a week. When my ever-thoughtful neighbour Lionel greeted me home I delivered the bad news, he was on mowing duties for the foreseeable future, and he was also my personal rideshare driver. No heavy lifting. What’s heavy? During an aftercare interview with a most helpful nurse, we settled upon the internationally accepted and ratified measure, carrying a carton of beer to and from the car is OK.
Life without a catheter was a strange feeling when answering the call of nature, like driving along an unfamiliar roadway and Maps is on the blink, the urine is keen to escape, but it is not sure of which way to go.
Stage fright is a phenomenon which us blokes experience when presenting to the urinal, when with all best intentions nothing seems to happen. This pressure to performs intensifies according to the busyness of the facility. As my brethren come and go beside me, I am left to peruse the often obscene and mispelled graffiti (I am reliably informed that the graffiti in ladies’ loos is much better, as the pictures are nicer), yet I am keen to avoid the urge to increase pelvic pressure which may induce an internal bleed. I pushed just a little bit harder and oh no! That’s real blood there, what have I done? I decide on a dual course of action, firstly return to the bar and order another beer, and secondly find a comfortable seat to enjoy the remainder of the Box Hill Milers Club meeting. Once home, I was in the clear, that is my urine was, well normal.
Post TURP it is normal for tiny bright red floaties (technical term) to appear in the urine. This is not life falling off a cliff bit by bit, but scar tissue deserting the scene of the crime. Imagine my dismay when a floaty of battleship proportions appeared patrolling with authority the perimeter of the water closet. I hastily flushed the cistern to release this man of war to a more befitting maritime environment.
Costive
Every day the nurses would cheerfully enquire, “Have you opened your bowels this morning?” And I would respond, “Why, is there something in there I should see?” Regular bowel movement is essential when a catheter is inserted, as constipation can lead to excessive pressure in the pelvic region that can cause the catheter to be expelled. To avoid this nasty experience, I stuck to my mainly high fibre diet of fresh fruit and vegetables, oh so sanctimoniously.
A Big Thank You
To all staff, both clerical and clinical, from GP clinic to various screening facilities and hospitals, you have been wonderful and treated me with all due care with a smile, under very difficult conditions. All strength to your arms.
Thanks for reading,Tony Freegard
Agent 99 |
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The May TTT will have the usual 7.30am start at the ‘Pillars of Wisdom’ and is on Saturday 6th May 2023.
Refer to the website (vrr.org.au) for more details |
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2023 of the
Victorian Road Runners IncSaturday, 2 April 2023
Present – A list of members attending the AGM is attached (refer Attachment A).
Apologies – Nil
MINUTES
VRR President M Kennedy (#58) opened AGM at 8.26am
- M Kennedy thanked the Treasurer D Stokes (#132) for his work as Treasurer.
- The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Saturday, 2 April 2022 were confirmed. Moved D Stokes (#132), seconded L Kisler (#275).
- The Treasurer D Stokes (#132) reported a loss in 2022 of $1,656 declining from $599 in 2021. Revenue for 2022 increased to $7,583 and expenditure also increased to $9,239. Moved D Stokes (#132), seconded J Kisler (#509). Financial statements accepted.
- Office bearers were re-elected to the same positions as 2022 as follows. Moved Michael Kennedy (#58), seconded L Kisler (#275). The motion was passed.
- Michael Kennedy (#58), President
- Secretary, no appointment
- Rowan Cole (#141), Treasurer
- Lynn Kisler (#275), Vice-President Running
- Peter Nicoll (#325), Secretary Running
- Rod Opie (#270), Statistician.
Meeting closed at 8:32am |
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Birthdays
VRR extends birthday greetings to the following members who will celebrate birthdays in April.Cynthia E, Russell B, Stuart R, Sue H, Russell K, Brendan C, Nick M, Robert S, Petrice F, Sean L,
Max H, |
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| If we missed your birthday we are very sorry. Please let us know so that we can acknowledge you in the next Stride Out. |
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VRR LIFE MEMBERS
Stephen Barker, Kevin Browne, Sally Browne, Tony Doran, Graham Edwards, Jenny Field, Peter Field, Vern Gerlach (dec), Peter Gunn (dec.), Don Hampshire, Eileen Helmers (dec), Frank Helmers (dec), Betty Horskins, Graeme Horskins, Mike Kennedy, Lynn Kisler, Greig McEwan, Ross Martin (dec), Vin Martin, John Morris, Helen Myall, Peter Nicoll, Bill Noonan, Brian O’Dea, Rod Opie, Graham Prossor, Melissa Sirianni, Doug Stokes, Brian Toomey (dec.), Stuart White, Robert Wilson, Judy Wines, Tom Worrell (dec) and Val Worrell. |
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Can you ask your running friends if they are receiving their email copy of Stride Out.
If they aren’t, can you get them to send me an email (gprossor@bigpond.net.au) asking to be put on the distribution list. |
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VRR LIFE MEMBERS
Stephen Barker, Kevin Browne, Sally Browne, Tony Doran, Graham Edwards, Jenny Field, Peter Field, Vern Gerlach (dec), Peter Gunn (dec.), Don Hampshire, Eileen Helmers (dec), Frank Helmers (dec), Betty Horskins, Graeme Horskins, Mike Kennedy, Lynn Kisler, Greig McEwan, Ross Martin (dec), Vin Martin, John Morris, Helen Myall, Peter Nicoll, Bill Noonan, Brian O’Dea, Rod Opie, Graham Prossor, Melissa Sirianni, Doug Stokes, Brian Toomey (dec.), Stuart White, Robert Wilson, Judy Wines, Tom Worrell (dec) and Val Worrell. |
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Can you ask your running friends if they are receiving their email copy of Stride Out.
If they aren’t, can you get them to send me an email (gprossor@bigpond.net.au) asking to be put on the distribution list. |
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| RUN CALENDAR AUSTRALIA
Run Calendar Australia now list VRR runs plus lots of other runs.
Visit their website at runcalendar.com.au
or tweet them – @runcalendarau |
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