Just when I think things can't get any better - they do. I feel like I am living someone else's life, like all this good fortune belongs to someone else. The feeling is just so overwhelming.
Let me explain. Last night at track would have to have been one of my biggest highlights since starting training for my 70.3. Four months ago I was only running 2kms at any given time and running probably at a 6min/km pace if not slower and needing walk breaks. Fast forward those 4 mths and I am now running at my longest run - 14km and averaging on those long runs a 5:30min/km pace. But with all of this forward progress that 25min - 5km was still an elusive dream.
Well, let me tell you - last night I reached that 25min mark. Granted it was 25:18 which made it a 5:03 min/km but it was still in the 25min mark. I have only ever run a 5min/km pace once way back when - before I got injured and it was only for 3km and on a road. So to do this at track, on grass, whilst raining and to tackle mentally the thought of running 12.5 laps of a round oval was just so exciting. But I can't say I did this all on my own.
We all started out together - good for me as I paced myself of off some of the faster runners. But bad for me as well as they were doing a 3km TT. Those first 3km's were done at a 4:50min/km pace. It was about that time that Chris's words started to resonate in my head "start at a reasonable pace and progressively speed up". Well, did I do that "NO". I went at it like a bat out of hell and then had to try and stick it out.
It was at that point that each and everyone of my team mates one by one decided to run a lap with me. Some even ran two. I cannot begin to put into words how grateful I was for all their words of encouragement during those last 5 laps. I have never been a part of such support - when your swimming you really never hear anything. You have to gun it alone. But last night was a momentous moment for me - one I will never forget.
Then this morning I woke up to another surprise. I have been selected to represent Daily Mile as a 2011 Ambassador.
"Congratulations, you've been voted by the dailymile community to be a member of the 2011 dailymile team! We're so excited to welcome you, and even more excited to kick off a great year for dailymile! "
I have never been elected for anything let alone Ambassador. This is such an honour and one I hope I can give justice too. I will be made aware of my role in the next couple of days and look forward to the challenge. If I can inspire atleast one person to strive for something in which they thought was impossible then I will be one happy little Vegemite.
Life is a series of surprises.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
