The Snake Bite 006

News and stories from Vipers Run Club—committee updates, coaching tips, what's on this month and Viper of the month awards.

Mar 06, 2024

We’re marching into March after a big start to the year. Lots going on in February and plenty more to come!

Volunteers needed!

Queenscliff Surf Club is hosting the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships in March and they need our help coordinating parking during the event. The surf club has generously allowed us to use the clubhouse for free this year and it would be great for us to give something back.

The event runs over two weekends (9-10 and 16-17 March) and they need four volunteers each day to direct cars between 6:00–9:00 am. Parking will be provided for each volunteer and you’ll also receive a BBQ and drink voucher.

Slide into Matty’s DMs if you can help out.

First-aid course

There’s still time to sign up for the Vipers First-aid course next month. Learning how to treat a snake bite or perform CPR could save your own life or someone else's in the community. As community leaders we should all invest in keeping each other safe.

The course will be held over two Monday evenings (15 and 22 April), from 6-9pm at Queensie SLSC. Vipers will cover half of the cost for any member wishing to get certified, you will only need to pay $40.

Friday yoga update

Friday yoga will be cancelled for the next 2 weeks due to the Surf Life Saving Championships taking over Queensie SLSC.

When yoga resumes, we’re going to trial a new Monday evening time slot starting at 7pm from 18 March. We’ve had feedback that Friday mornings conflict with the Cranky’s Social ride and that people would prefer to do a recovery session on Monday (after their longer efforts on the weekend). Let us know what you think!

The Vipers Committee,

Andy, Anton, Chris, Dean, Marcelo, Martin and Matty

🫡 From the coach

Matty

Viper Thursday Sessions - March

Increasing intensity:

Oval Session
6 × 2 minutes on + 1 minute jogging recovery
4 × 1 minute max effort + 2 minutes jogging recovery

Hill Session
1 × 2 minute effort + 3 minute recovery
6 × 1 minute max efforts + 2 minute recovery
1 × 2 minute effort + 3 minute recovery

Fast and relaxed is the name of the game

Download this month’s sessions

Save the .json file, import via Garmin Connect and send to your device.

📅 What’s on in March

Check out the Vipers R.C. Calendar for all regular session details and March events.

Mountain Mission #2

Date: Saturday, 9 March
Location: Perrys to Lockleys Return

Get involved in the next Vipers Mountain Mission! The group will be running from Perrys to Lockleys and back (about 18km). It’s one of the best climbs in the Blue Mountains, rewarded by stunning views from the top.

Join the Vipers Trail Club on WhatsApp for more details on this run and future Mountain Missions.

NSW Surf Life Saving Championships

Date: 9-10 March and 16-17 March
Location: Keirle Park & Hinkler Park

Queenscliff SLSC are hosting the State Championships and need some volunteers for the day. See the committee update for more details.

Six Foot Track Marathon

Date: Saturday, 9 March
Location: Blue Mountains

The grueling Six Foot Track Marathon is on again in March—a 45km trail stretching across the Blue Mountains from the Explorer's Marked Tree, near Katoomba, to the Jenolan Caves.

Good luck to all of the Vipers competing—Jared Pentecost, Martin Dunk, Stephen Towler, Jody Wall and Harry Morton.

Buffalo Stampede

Date: 23 & 24 March
Location: Bright, Victoria

The Buffalo Stampede Festival brings over 1,600 trail runners from across Australia to Bright in the North East of Victoria, Australia.

Vipers will be well represented with solo racers (Andy Lee, Martin Dunk, Dean Isreb, Andrew Pollard, Ollie Sheather, Matt Brown, Hugo van den Burg) and the 100km Team Relay (Alex Bate, Jared Pentecost, Andrew Fell, Matty Abel).

Vipers Dinner

Date: 28 March
Location: TBD

We’re working on another social dinner towards the end of the month. Save the date (more details to follow)!

🎈 March birthdays

Happy birthday to everyone celebrating in March!

Benjamin Billy (11/03)
Corey Allen (13/03)
David Topham (18/03)
Miles Thomas (20/03)
Roddy MacLean (24/03)
Paul Darmanin (24/03)
William Deer (29/03)
Matt Baseley (30/03)

🐍 Month in review

🏃‍♂️ Manly Dam Twilight Run

Corey Allen

On Saturday 24th Feb we hosted the first of what we hope to be many Viper Twilight runs at Manly Dam.

Around 20 Vipers ran the 8km loop at a pretty chilled pace around the Manly Dam inner circuit, which starts at the Wildflower Walk section of the Dam and travels clockwise (the only way to run around the dam) to finish across the dam wall bridge. Martin prepared the BBQ with snags and plenty of tasty beverages for everyone afterwards.

Matty put together a fun dads and kids loop around the carpark section of the dam with interesting facts that Dean led to keep the kids entertained while we ran the loop as well.

It was a great afternoon of running and chilling with mates, and a nice way for those non trail Vipers to dip their toe into the amazing world of trail running.

Many thanks to Matty and Harry for helping to put on a really fun afternoon.

🏏 Vipers Cricket Day

Ben Rubio

Passmore Reserve was the location for the third annual Vipers Cricket Day. With the sun shining and the scent of freshly cut grass, we were all set for one of the most anticipated events in the Vipers’ sporting calendar.

A real excitement was building for what was poised to be yet another thrilling encounter. Pre-match nerves were ironed out and opposition weaknesses were analysed during an early nets practice held a week prior.

The two “randomly” selected sides were ably led by Harry Morton (Haz Ball) and Matt Brown (Piers Morgan’s 11), with both teams exuding a lot of enthusiasm and a varying degree of hand-eye coordination. The toss was won by M. Brown, who decided to bowl first, even after admiring the flat concrete pitch before the game.

The first ball was given to speedster Matty Nelson, who galloped in from the Manly Vale end and peppered the opening batsmen (skipper Morton & stalwart Baso). With the no LBW rule, the opening pair were lucky to see off the new ball unscathed and they were able to set a fantastic foundation for their team to go on and score an impressive total.

There was a gourmet sausage sizzle that was kindly put on for the boys, which allowed for a pleasant half time tea and both sides to gather their thoughts before re-entering the arena to decide the 2024 champion.

The second innings saw a lot of grit and determination from Brown’s boys, but with some consistent bowling—and an impressive caught & bowled from Josh Bailey—the run rate soon became out of reach and the game concluded, with Harry Morton lifting the trophy this year.

After the game, we heard from the winning captain, “Credit to the boys in one of the great Viper calendar events. Simply marvellous.”

A big thank you to Chris Donovan for umpiring the whole game and, of course, Josh Bailey for organising the day.

👨🏻 Dinner for Dads

Ravi Rudner

The Viper Dads had their first get together on Tuesday 26th at Ruby Lane. A well overdue catch up and opportunity to share stories and learn from each other. We were treated to a Hot Sauce and Beer tasting over some chicken wings and fried cauliflower expertly curated by Guy (That Hot Sauce Shop), Garrett (Four Pines Brewer and chilli fanatic) and Phil (Ruby Lane). More often than not when I’m elbow to elbow with fellow Vipers it’s my legs and chest that are burning, so having my mouth on fire instead was a real break from the ordinary and a welcome opportunity to dive into some real talk with mates.

After the food and drink was consumed we broke up into groups according to the age of our kids and shared war stories and proud moments. It’s not often that we get to do this and while none of us (that I’m aware) are trained parenting experts there was a great deal of honesty and respect shown on the night, something I’m proud to say is very common when Vipers get together.

We finished up with a “fireside chat” that reconnected the whole group.

I’m so grateful for this group of men and their willingness to grow and look forward to our next gathering.

If you’re a dad or a guardian to children and not yet part of the chat group get involved.

As a way of saying thanks to Guy from That Hot Sauce Shop in Manly I encourage you all to drop in there (a few doors down from Pace) and check out their products, let him know you’re from Vipers Run Club too. I know he’ll appreciate the support. Also a massive thanks to the Viper committee for subsidising the event.

📚 Vipers Book Club

Tom Ovenrud

On Tuesday 13th February, 13 of the Viper’s Intellectual Society (otherwise known as “Runners That Read Good”) convened at a very well laid out boardroom seating arrangement courtesy of our new partners, Hotel Steyne Manly.

The book of discussion was ”Red Notice” by Bill Browder, a true story of high finance in Russia, murder and a fight for justice. The group gave the book a rating of 8/10… however, the level of discussion on this book was a clear 10/10! Amongst other topics we had detailed discussion on the ethics of western capitalism and opportunism in eastern countries, as well as morally what constitutes good or bad and how perceptions of this change over time/cultures/geographies….and how bloody lucky we are in Australia!

Next up, Steve Emery has selected another great read ”I am Pilgrim” by Terry Hayes, with the group meeting around early April. If you are interested in joining the Viper’s Book Club this is a great book to come in on… a true page turner… so come one down for next one for a great opportunity to get to know your fellow Viper out of run gear.

🔼 Vipers Tri Club

Tom “TB” Bonnafoux

After another solid performance at the Cronulla Aquathlon last month, the MVTC crew is now well ahead of their nearest competitor in the Interclub Championship. Next stop is Penrith, for the Nepean event in 4 weeks time.

🏊‍♂️ Vipers Slippery Swim Club

Jo Lequien

The big 4! Robbie, Will, Ben and Jo participated in the Cole Classic on Sunday, 4 February for a huge 5km swim distance! Shelly → Freshwater → Manly with more than 5,000 participants—what an epic swim!

While the swell was terrible on the day before, the conditions became a bit better on D-Day. It didn’t stop Jo looking as pale as a ghost at the end of the race—his partner (who also finished the 5km with him) said “JoJo, you looked similar when you did the Rotor attraction in Luna Park 😂” — a very interesting washing machine spirit around Freshie.

But that didn’t stop our 4 warriors from completing it! The good trick shared by Will: bringing a Maurten inside your Budgy Smugglers and take it at the Freshie corner! And it looks like it worked for all our Vipers!

Lots of smiles, an amazing towel at the end (for the one collecting all the race towels) and some good Vitamin Sea for the month!

🏆 Viper Awards

🐍 Viper of the Month

Viper of the Month for February 2024 goes to one of our newer members, David Mason. David has epitomised the Viper Values since joining the club and has turned up on Tuesdays, Thursdays and at socials and given it his all. His commitment has been second to none and this perfectly displayed in our special session last Thursday where he dug seriously deep to get the session done!

🏅 Racer of the Month

The start of February brings with it one of the favourite local races on the calendar, the Dee Why to Manly Sun Run. It was great to see so many Vipers hit the pavement but the performance of the day goes to Andres Briones, who smashed out a Top 50 finish all while dressed as a teletubby! The photos of all the elite athletes sprinting up the hill at the start being hunted down by a teletubby in Alphaflys will live long in the memory!

🤝 Viper Partners

We’re grateful to this month’s generous partners for their ongoing support.

Anton Exton, Ben Rubio, Corey Allen, Dean Hudson, Jo Lequien, Matty Abel, Ravi Rudner, Tom Bonnafoux, Tom Ovenrud

If you have any ideas for future issues or want to help out in any way, reach out to Dean.

Snake Bites and Lightning Strikes