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President’s Tan Talk – April 2022
President’s Tan Talk – April 2022
For the first time in a long while the April Tan Time Trial started and finished in Birdwood Avenue, due (we were told) to a clash with another run, which we actually saw no evidence of on the day.
The change of scenery in some ways seemed fitting, as we gathered post-run to remember and acknowledge Eileen Helmers who, with her late husband Frank, were “the grandparents of Victorian Road Runners”. Here is what I said:
Victorian Road Runners is a running club, but it’s more than that. It’s a little community, where you feel welcome from your first day, and you quickly feel that you matter, that you truly belong, whether you’re fast or slow, young or old, a first-timer or a long-timer, and Eileen’s contribution to that sense of connectedness over many years is immeasurable, and obvious to those of us who were fortunate to see Eileen in action.
Each month at the Tan, after I’d sent off the runners and walkers, I’d look forward to a cuppa and a natter with Eileen, enjoying the warmth of her nature, sharing our thoughts, having a laugh or two. Is this important? It always was for me. Bill Noonan, Brian Toomey, Peter Nicoll and many, many others would tell you the same thing.
Bill Noonan told me that one day when he was president, and had had a rare “unpleasant interaction” with someone, Eileen said with a smile “Don’t worry love, I’ll get you a cuppa”. Eileen was Bill’s ‘go to person’ for Bill as president, as she was mine.
There is a very old James Stewart movie called “It’s a Wonderful Life” in which a bank manager (who has died) is feeling that he didn’t achieve much in his life, and is visited by an angel, who shows him the many positive differences that he made to many, many people’s lives. Think of the thousands and thousands of times, over years and years, that Eileen has brightened someone’s day, and helped them to feel that they matter, that they belong.
Is that important? What is more important?
On behalf of the thousands of people whose lives Eileen brightened with a cuppa and a friendly, welcoming chat, I say thank you, Eileen, we were all better for having known you.
After I spoke, Bill Noonan and Peter Nicoll both added some personal reflections on Eileen, and in subsequent conversations with other VRR members there were other comments on Eileen’s warm, caring nature. Vale Eileen Helmers.
VRR AGM
As all members would be aware, VRR AGM’s are always very short, so in a year when we were for the most part reduced to Virtual Tan Time Trials and no fun runs, the AGM was over even more quickly, there was little to report. The main item was to thank all of the VRR members who had taken the time to send us reports (complete with some great photos!) of their virtual runs, so that we could share their stories with other members, maintaining a virtual connection which I know from feedback was much appreciated.
Our able treasurer Doug Stokes advised that we had incurred a loss of around $600 for the year, which we are well able to cope with, a great outcome given that we charged to subs and “kept the show on the (virtual) road” over the year. Great effort by Doug.
Finally, a big thank you was extended to our great volunteers who quietly do what they do for the club. While it may look effortless it actually isn’t, and we extend a big thank you to those who do the hard yards.
ANGELA TAYLOR MEMORIAL RUN / WALK
An urgent request for volunteer marshals for this important event on our calendar, coming up in just two weeks on Sunday 24 April at Albert Park. At this point we need at least 8-10 marshals, and given the importance of this event, which we founded more that 30 years ago, please help us out, contact me by email (vrrpresident@gmail.com) or phone (0411191115). We need you from 7:30am for about two hours.
Michael
VRR President |
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| VRR Running Reflections
(As part of VRR’s 40th birthday celebrations in 2022, we are encouraging members (both new & old) to share what running means to them.)
VRR Life Member, John Morris provided this contribution to our collections of Running Reflections.
Funny Things, Marathons
Around 1984 I had run a few Tans, a Winelands fun run and one Big M Marathon. I had good memories of that marathon, recalling the camaraderie with the other runners on that early morning train trip to Frankston, the anticipation felt at the starting line, then the course itself, the crowds cheering us along the way, brass bands, the welcome drink stations, catching up with and encouraging other runners, some Road Runners, some strangers. |
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| Then, finally the long awaited St Kilda Road, the finish line in sight, and the welcome waves and cheers from my family as they watched me and heard my name called as I crossed the finishing line. Afterwards, I recall sitting in an outdoor hot tub and feeling a certain sense of achievement after the many hours of training we had all put in before the race.
Many more Tans and many more Stride Outs listing future events. But it was a listing for a marathon in Richmond, a small town near Hobart which caught my attention. Tasmania! Although I had visited the state several times, once to walk Cradle Mountain, the idea of combining a marathon with a holiday seemed a great idea and my wife agreed. It was a win, win situation so we went ahead and booked a cottage near Hobart for our stay.
On the day of the marathon there were about eighty runners for an out and back course up a country road with a couple of side roads where sprinters and younger ones turned up to complete the 5 km. This was nothing like The Big M, nothing at all! Instead of sunshine and brass bands, here it was bleak, gloomy and lonely, with icy winds blowing. This was in stark contrast to the landscape from Frankston to Melbourne, but I like a challenge and being British, have experienced a lot of weather like this.
After running a few more isolated kilometres, I almost caught a small group of runners ahead, only to see them turn off the road and complete the half marathon before I could catch up. Then I was on my own.
The weather deteriorated rapidly, with sleet and rain as I reached the 30km mark. Here I began to walk for a while, soaking wet, and I noticed my legs were covered in mud and slush and the temperature had dropped rapidly. There was no choice but to jog at this point, just to keep warm, to stop from freezing and reach the finish line. There was no choice. I was on my own.
Pushing through, feeling frozen, finally the finish line came in sight, much to my relief but this was not as I had expected. Not at all. There was nobody there! Only one lonely official huddled under an umbrella and my wife, Judith, in the distance. Just us, the three of us.
Shivering as he apologised, the official explained he had run out of medals and also out of certificates. There were none left! He could not have been more sorry, he said. He kindly ushered me into the club rooms where I headed for a warm shower to thaw out after the ordeal, only to find the water was freezing cold. To think I had given up a chance of visiting the Brewery and Cadbury’s Factory so I would be super fit for the run.
“Never again”, I decided. This had not been a good idea, at all. In fact, I made a firm decision that this would be my last marathon. You learn from experience.
Once back home it was good to be back at The Tan, back with the Road Runners, enjoying the regular runs. Manageable! Life returned to normal and I put the memory of Tasmania well behind me. Put it down to experience.
Many months later I was reading Stride Out when I happened to see a marathon advertised at Halls Gap. Not for me, I thought, although it crossed my mind that this could be combined with a family holiday to The Grampians, one of my favourite places in Victoria. What a good idea! I filled in the entry form with enthusiasm and began my training all over again. What a poor memory!
Funny things, marathons.
P.S. Have completed about forty five marathons since. (Slow learner!)
John Morris |
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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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CHANGE OF START LOCATION FOR THE MAY TTT
The Tan Time Trial on Saturday 7th May 2022 will revert back to the usual start position at the Pearls of Wisdom on the Yarra side of the Tan.
ANNUAL DINNER IMPORTANT NOTICE
Due to the current Covid situation the committee has decided to postpone the dinner until later in the year. Possibly some time in October/November. Hopefully by that time things on the Covid front will be much better.
REMINDER
The committee has decided that in the future “virtual tans” can only be completed if the club is not permitted to hold the official Tan on the first Saturday of the month at the Tan track due to DHHS Covid 19 restrictions.
There will be no membership renewal fee for the 2022 year. |
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| And just for the Dad’s….
What do runners do when they forget something?
They jog their memory.
How did the barber come first in the race?
He took a shortcut. |
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