Have you ever had a day where you wake up and just know that this will be a fabulous day, when you can just feel it in your bones from the moment your eyes open. Well, today was that day.
As usual the night before I don't sleep very well. I wasn't nervous about the race, YET - but I am always scared I am going to sleep through the alarm. I toss and turn the whole night through. So when the alarm did finally go off at 4:30am, I was well and truly ready to get this ball rolling. I had all my stuff ready to go last night so all I needed to do was have a shower, get dressed, have brekkie and go to my friends house at 6am. I was bludging a ride - thanks Mel, Michael, Sienna and Phoenix.
We arrived at Centennial Park at about 7am and got around to picking up our bibs for the race. This series was so well organised - not a single hold up anywhere, everyone was lovely. The only bad thing was "it was freezing" again. Actually 4 degrees celsius to be exact - but it didn't last long thank goodness.
The Half Marathoners took off first, I can't believe in less then 100 days I will be doing a Half too and the thought got a bit scarey. So I quickly banished the thought and stayed focused on my soon to be 7km. There wasn't as much hype in this run as there was last Sunday - everyone seemed quite composed - except for me. I get really excited, I can't help it - I talk to people around me and smile at them. I'm sure they think I'm a bit weird - but I really cant help it. This is just so much fun. And I do get people smiling along with me even if at first they don't want to.
So as the starters hooter went off I remember saying to Mel "lets not get caught up in the initial rush, set your own pace and stick to it". I was alot better at it today - I let people pass me because I knew in my head that I would see them again, and I did. My pace was so dead on normal that at the 1km mark I looked down at my watch at it read 5min 30 sec, I was happy I was on target. At the 2km mark once again 5min 31 secs - and I was feeling fine. I remember looking at Mel and just smiling and knowing that today was a good day.
As I continued running I started to feel lighter on my legs and I just started to inch away from Mel. I knew she would want me to run my own race and push myself so I just focused on the path ahead and kept going. I don't remember seeing the 3km marker but as I hit the 4km mark I was dead on 22minutes - 5min30sec pace was holding steady. I think it was about this time the HM guys started to lap me - I could hear them coming like race horses in the distance. Boy, can they run - magnificent to see. My friend Mel's partner Michael was running this race. Gee's he is quick and not a single look of fatigue on his face - I wish.
Anyway it was about the 5km mark I decided to play my game again. I wanted to see how many I could catch and overtake and I am happy to report that I overtook about 9 runners. Last Sunday I could feel myself having to race to overtake, today it just happened. Everyone I set my sight's on were mine. Even running up the hill I overtook 2 - how cool. The home stretch was the best though - I overtook 3 there and I finished nice and strong - striding out nice and long. I finished with an unofficial time of 38min 42 secs. Mel was not far behind and I cheered for her right over the finishing line. Below is a photo of Mel and I just after the race:
It was the best morning and once again I can't wait to do it again. Only next time I want to do a 10K race. I need the distances to start increasing.
I know about 2 or so posts ago I mentioned the fact that I needed new runners and that I was going to buy some overseas - well my husband, whom might I add is the most supportive husband ever told me to go out and buy some ASAP yesterday as I needed them for today. He didn't want me to wait and then hurt myself, so here is what I bought and ran with today:
Asics GT 2150's - bliss - the only word I can use to describe how beautifully comfy they felt. I didn't have any red areas of pressure on my feet and they felt really quite light on. A great buy but a bit expensive here in Aus. But they sure are PRETTY.
As usual the night before I don't sleep very well. I wasn't nervous about the race, YET - but I am always scared I am going to sleep through the alarm. I toss and turn the whole night through. So when the alarm did finally go off at 4:30am, I was well and truly ready to get this ball rolling. I had all my stuff ready to go last night so all I needed to do was have a shower, get dressed, have brekkie and go to my friends house at 6am. I was bludging a ride - thanks Mel, Michael, Sienna and Phoenix.
We arrived at Centennial Park at about 7am and got around to picking up our bibs for the race. This series was so well organised - not a single hold up anywhere, everyone was lovely. The only bad thing was "it was freezing" again. Actually 4 degrees celsius to be exact - but it didn't last long thank goodness.
The Half Marathoners took off first, I can't believe in less then 100 days I will be doing a Half too and the thought got a bit scarey. So I quickly banished the thought and stayed focused on my soon to be 7km. There wasn't as much hype in this run as there was last Sunday - everyone seemed quite composed - except for me. I get really excited, I can't help it - I talk to people around me and smile at them. I'm sure they think I'm a bit weird - but I really cant help it. This is just so much fun. And I do get people smiling along with me even if at first they don't want to.So as the starters hooter went off I remember saying to Mel "lets not get caught up in the initial rush, set your own pace and stick to it". I was alot better at it today - I let people pass me because I knew in my head that I would see them again, and I did. My pace was so dead on normal that at the 1km mark I looked down at my watch at it read 5min 30 sec, I was happy I was on target. At the 2km mark once again 5min 31 secs - and I was feeling fine. I remember looking at Mel and just smiling and knowing that today was a good day.
As I continued running I started to feel lighter on my legs and I just started to inch away from Mel. I knew she would want me to run my own race and push myself so I just focused on the path ahead and kept going. I don't remember seeing the 3km marker but as I hit the 4km mark I was dead on 22minutes - 5min30sec pace was holding steady. I think it was about this time the HM guys started to lap me - I could hear them coming like race horses in the distance. Boy, can they run - magnificent to see. My friend Mel's partner Michael was running this race. Gee's he is quick and not a single look of fatigue on his face - I wish.
Anyway it was about the 5km mark I decided to play my game again. I wanted to see how many I could catch and overtake and I am happy to report that I overtook about 9 runners. Last Sunday I could feel myself having to race to overtake, today it just happened. Everyone I set my sight's on were mine. Even running up the hill I overtook 2 - how cool. The home stretch was the best though - I overtook 3 there and I finished nice and strong - striding out nice and long. I finished with an unofficial time of 38min 42 secs. Mel was not far behind and I cheered for her right over the finishing line. Below is a photo of Mel and I just after the race:
It was the best morning and once again I can't wait to do it again. Only next time I want to do a 10K race. I need the distances to start increasing.I know about 2 or so posts ago I mentioned the fact that I needed new runners and that I was going to buy some overseas - well my husband, whom might I add is the most supportive husband ever told me to go out and buy some ASAP yesterday as I needed them for today. He didn't want me to wait and then hurt myself, so here is what I bought and ran with today:
Asics GT 2150's - bliss - the only word I can use to describe how beautifully comfy they felt. I didn't have any red areas of pressure on my feet and they felt really quite light on. A great buy but a bit expensive here in Aus. But they sure are PRETTY.
interesting article.
ReplyDeleteNice run! You did a nice job with the easy start/strong finish.
ReplyDeletecool run, cool report as usual. Nice new running kicks as well.
ReplyDeleteRichard: thanks for stopping by - glad you liked.
ReplyDeletemisszippy: thankyou, that was my aim today, so glad I listened to myself :)
Patrick: thanks heaps. As for my runners I LOVE them.
Doesn't it feel great to finish strong and pass the fast starters down the stretch? You ran a great race!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS!! You are so far ahead of the game, to mentally say "dont get caught up with the opening rush" and still be able to start how you wanted, that takes some people years to figure out. Congrats again
ReplyDeleteVern: it sure does. Makes me realise I have a bit of sticking power and that when the going gets tough - I just keep going.
ReplyDeleteBDD: I just realised how important it is to not get tired too early in the game and that I end up feeling stronger as the race continues.