Achilles Running Club Sydney

In this Edition:

• Social Breakfast*
• Annual general meeting*
• Welcome to new members*
• City to Surf*
• Other Events*
• Guide Training*
• Achilles T-shirts and Sweaters for Sale*

SOCIAL BREAKFAST AFTER TRAINING - 16 SEPTEMBER

Time for another popular social get-together. THIS COMING SUNDAY, September 16th. This is a chance to relax after training enjoy good food and catch up with some general banter. So if you have a spare hour after the usual Sunday run, come along and try out the crispy bacon, eggs, toast, cereal and wonderful coffee tea and orange juice.

The breakfast is buffet style, costs around $11.50 for a continental and $13.50 for a full cooked one or you can just order something to drink - whatever your fancy! No need to book, just come along.

NSW Rugby League Club
Address - 165 Phillip St. Sydney
Time - approx 9.40am until you have had your fill.

(NB! No training on Sunday 23 September due to the Sydney Marathon and road closures).

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Achilles RC Annual General Meeting is coming up soon. We are very keen, as always, to have new people join the committee and so get new ideas and help to help Achilles to move forward. As with each year, all committee positions will be vacated and up for nominations. If you would like to contribute to Achilles as a committee member and have the time, we'd love to have you nominate for the committee.

Committee meetings take place on a Thursday evening once every about 6 weeks (venue the same as that of the AGM). They start at 6-30 and are usually finished by 8 pm.
If you want to know more, please phone either Charlie 9636-3727-(a/h) or Ellis 9664-4824-(a/h).

Date : Thursday 11 October 2007
Venue : level 6, St Martins Tower, York Street Sydney CBD (opposite QVB) (offices of NEW HORIZONS Computer Training School)
Time : 6-30pm

Even if you do not want to become a committee member, please come to the AGM to either give your input, or to hear more about the club. Looking forward to seeing you there.

NEW MEMBERS

A very warm welcome to Alison Fallon and Rebecca . These two very able runners didn't waste any time in guiding in events when piloting Matthew and Charlie in the City to Surf - probably the toughest initiation event to available! Great to have you both at Achilles.

CITY TO SURF

Once again, Achilles had a great contingent in this years City to Surf. As has become tradition, the weather was excellent, 18 degrees at the start with a light breeze. By the time most of us finished, the temperature was in the 20s, but as usual, no hint of rain. Our members were very visible with their new club t-shirts, bright yellow sleeve seen far off weaving through the crowds. Matthew Levy, together with our newest member, Alison Fallon led the Achilles team finishing in 69 minutes. The rest of us crossed the line in regular intervals and all of those we spoke to agreed that once again, City to Surf was an ewxcellent experience. Thanks to Kinberley Clarke, the Kleenix tissue (amongst their many products) for sponsoring our entries into this fabulous event.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

Membership renewal is due once again ( July each year). Annual fees are $20. It is vital for our club that you all renew your membership. Besides your fees for being used for general running costs, we are trying to secure corporate sponsorship and the bigger our paid up membership is the better. Please forward your membership fees to PO Box 240, Randwick 2031 or give them to any committee member at training. Ted will forward a receipt to you. If your contact details have changed in the last year, please make sure that we have your updated information.

Please note: anyone joined the club in or after February this year is financial through till June next year.

EVENTS COMPETED IN BY OUR MEMBERS

Oxfam Trailwalker

First timer Doug Ritchie joined Neill McCarthy, Charlie McConnell and Ellis Janks for this years 100 km Oxfam Trailwalker. Over a new (tougher) course and in rain (first 20 hours) this happy team conquered the event in 43 hours and 34 minutes, arriving at Brooklyn at 5-34 am, tired and sore but very satisfied. Congratulations to all four and avery big thanks to Trudi, Milorad, Lola and Marilyn for their help along the way as support crew.

Sydney Tower Run-Up

Nick Gleeson was the only Achilles member to enter this "fun" event, climbing the stairs to the top of the Sydney Tower. Together with his pilot Sarah, he reached the observation deck in a slightly slower time than his previous attempt several years ago - which has got him determined to train hard for next years Run-up! Well done to Nick and Sarah for their great efforts.

Sutherland to Surf

Once again, Karen Parker and Charlie McConnell ran the 14 km Sutherland to Surf race as a warm up for City to Surf. Well done to them on yet another successful run.

TRAINING FOR GUIDES

As a commitment to the ongoing safety and enjoyment of Achilles members, short and informal training sessions have been organised for the benefit of all volunteer guides, even those who have had years of experience at Achilles.

Sessions will take about 20 minutes and will be done before or after Sunday training. Participation is completely voluntary and don't worry, there are no tests or evaluations after the session.

The course will concentrate on the most appropriate methods of guiding a person ( Sighted Guide Techniques) who has vision impairment or a total vision loss. Explaining the need for effective communication, recommended techniques for various environmental situations will be done. If you wish to (voluntary), you will be given the opportunity to walk/run (with a guide) in blindfold. The expectation is for you to gain a better understanding of the difficulties involved when moving around with a vision impairment.

Doug Ritchie will facilitate the sessions. Doug, who works for Guide Dogs, brings a wealth of experience to this course. Doug has been a long time guide/member of Achilles and has assisted in numerous events.

Doug will be delighted to hear from you to pre-arrange a session. Contact him at dritchie@guidedogs.com.au or at Sunday training.

T-SHIRTS AND SLOPPY JOES

The new (yellow sleeved) t-shirts are available at $20 ($10 if you are not in employ)and sloppy joes ($25) are still vailable. We still have a limited number of the "old" t-shirts (white sleeves) for $10 each.