Sam & Katie catch up with Stefan Deane-Smith. Stefan boasts PBs ranging from 1:53 for 800m through to a 70 minutes flat for the half marathon on a hilly Auckland course to come 3rd in the NZ Half Marathon Champs. Growing up in New Zealand, he ran competitively after starting out in a variety of sports through school. At his peak, he logged 160–200 km per week before stepping away from the sport for a time. After moving to Australia, Stefan gradually returned to high-level running and is now focused on the marathon—with the Gold Coast Marathon on the horizon and Valencia later this year.
Training Highlights
Katie hit the track for a 7 x 1k session, progressing from the high 3:30s down to 3:15/km, then backed it up with a tough threshold session in windy conditions later in the week—totaling 125 km.
Sam struggled through sessions with a sinus infection but took confidence from an effortless 2-hour long run at 4:26/km pace, finishing the week with 95 km.
Stefan recovered from last week’s Ballarat Half Marathon with steady running and a strong hilly tempo around Lake Illawarra, clocking 103 km for the week.
Café Kit of the Week
Nike Vomero 18
BlackSheep Running Tee
Clif Bloks Energy Chews
Round the Club Shoutouts
Craig Turner – Kiama Running Club
Phoebe Adams – Narooma Run Club
Georgia Deane-Smith – Wollongong Track Club