Hard Life Lesson

After school and work, we drove up to Sydney on Friday evening for the weekend as Ella had qualified to compete at the Australian Track and Field Championships for hammer! It was an extended family affair with Mia also qualifying for hammer and Luca for the 400m. So most of the Hogg clan were there - our whole family; Susie, Patrick and Mia; Cathy and Luca and also Nana.

Our (Andy, Susie, Patrick and myself) morning started with a run exploration of the Sydney Olympic Park precinct including the Badu mangroves, Wentworth Common and the Brickpit Ring walk! We ran past not one but two park runs located within a kilometre of each other! The boys climbed several look out type towers and we ran in circles up Bay Marker - a 20m high mound that apparently was made for the Olympics (there are 4 other geometric forms that are arranged to resemble the Southern Cross). We didn't find any others.

We did come across at the Brickpit Ring walkway though. Once the site for a state brickworks, the area is now an urban nature park that serves as water storage and a frog habitat. Anyway we stumbled across and then around the elevated circular walkway overlooking the pond below.

After a quick shower, the gang headed out for brunch at a local cafe - Abottoir Blues. A great spot with delicious food and good coffee. From there we wandered over to the track so Ella could pick up her bib number and meet with team managers. With over 5 hours til her event we went back to the hotel to hang out.

We arrived back at the track with plenty of time so we can follow the rules and there are lots of them associated with athletics competitions.  

Ella and Mia headed off to warm up in time for their check in. Athletes have to check in 45 mins before their event starts when their uniform, shoes and numbers are all formally checked. They walk out in a single file with an offical in the lead and one bringing up the rear! Actually officials who are associated with offical duties also walk out in a line to their event!

We leave the stadium to circumnavigate the track and position ourselves adjacent to the hammer circle. The girls have a couple of warm up throws and then the competition begins. There are 15 competitors, 3 from the ACT,  in the U16 girls 3kg hammer throw. 

Ella's first throw looks a solid distance for her but lands just outside the sector line while Mia has a good first throw. For the next throw Ella hits the cage for her second foul while Mia goes further to record 39m.

Meanwhile the U15 girls 400m heats have begun. Luca is in the first of three heats and runs 66sec finishing 7th.

The third throw Mia has another solid effort. We all hold our breath as Ella throws and unfortunately her third throw hits the cage. Ella sadly finishes with three fouls. 

Bitterly disappointed with her performance, Ella spills a few tears while waiting for everyone to have their last throw. She is not alone in not recording a throw - there is a QLDer who is in the same boat and is also in tears. Several girls provide comfort - in particular the other ACT thrower lets Ella know how she knows how she feels as she did the same thing last year.

The group is gathered together to announce the top 8 places who then qualify for another throw. Ella and the other girls who didn't make it are lead off the track. Mia places 8th and qualifies for another throw but is unable to improve her distance or her place.

We are disappointed for Ella and today's performance however we are so proud in how she handled herself. She demonstrated great maturity in processing her feelings and being able to continue to watch and support her fellow team mates.

We also reminded Ella of her fantastic improvement in such a short period of time. Having only learnt how to throw the hammer in October last year, she has managed to improve her PB by over 10m and attain a national qualifying standard. Her current technique has her completing one turn while some of her competitors are doing 3-4 turns. We are happy that she is happy and having fun at training and aiming for higher things.

We enjoyed dinner at a Japanese restaurant with ice cream to finish off. 

The next morning after a run and breakfast out, we returned to the track to support Mia Z in her hammer throwing competition. She finished her season with a PB! Then for us it was back in the car for the return trip home.