Well, lets preface this with P, M and D asking me to come for a run with them last Thursday (so 3 days before the cadbury marathon). I told them I could run, but was damn slow (and needed breaks). All told me that was fine. We started to run, and I ran 1.1 kms before stopping. We then walk/ran back to the start and then I ran 1.1km again. During this run I realised that once you get past the burning lungs at the 300m mark, it wasn't as hard. I think I've always given up at this stage to walk. A plan began in my head to run 2 km at the 5k. If I could run 1 I could run 2 right?
Friday we headed to Hobart for the race. We checked out the 1/2 marathon course on the way, with Husband noting the hills, and the areas where he could surge (he loves hills the crazy man!). We started driving across the bridge and it was long. I said to him 'wow it looks like 5km' - he replied 'well, 5km always looks long, but it really isn't'.
At that moment, I decided I would just run on Sunday. Run as far as I could, and screw the time. It is my first year fitarversary, and I needed something to show to me what I had learned. I went to tell Husband about the plan, and then he was getting slightly toey about the race. Mentioning how it had more hills than he expected - and really sounded nervous. I changed the subject after offering some platitudes - and by the time we had got to the hotel I was just happy to get changed and hit the pool there! That night I tossed and turned until I fell into a fitful sleep. I had a dream I ran the whole way in 47 minutes. Needless to say I was pissed at the time!
Saturday we were busy, and Husband was not really talking about what he wanted to do about the race. It sounds awful submissive of me, but I really didn't want to bother him with my thoughts about running, and resolved to do it and just blow him out of the water. We went out to tea with The Running Group participants, and all were (or seemed) really nervous. Lots of pinning numbers onto tops afterwards, and a good nights sleep :)
Sunday, we were up at 4.50. In the am. Ugh. Early. Wrong!
Far too early! Kidlets coped rather well I must say (but were very excited to run!)
The 1/2 began at 6.30. Well 6.33 to be precise - a group of runners were held up by late busses. At 6.33, they were off and running. 728 runners looking fresh and ready for 21.1kms.
There were a heap of TRG people in there. They all finished, and all did so well. Well done x
Here is husband sprinting past at the 1 and a 1/2 km mark -
He ended up with a 1.39.49. A 9 minute PB. My hero - he ran so strong, and so well!
Onto the 5km. It started about 1/2 an hour after he finished (which meant I didn't see a lot of the running group finish (sorry - I love seeing you guys finish the last of a 1/2 - you all give it all!)
The course -
There were 532 at the start. It was more crowded than I expected!
I started out slowly (well I thought :P ) I was running with Miss G for the first 1.4 km. She then announced I was too slow and took off. This was one of the proudest moments of my race - her first self motivated run/walk. I saw her a few times from then on, but from what I saw - she ran a lot more than she walked. Without prompting to keep going - so bloody proud!
I got to the drink station (about 1.6km) and felt like dying. I had a quick drink, but kept going (just quietly, I knew if I stopped that was the end of my running). I kept moving, watching the walk/run crowd smashing me as I went. I did get disheartened at the almost 2km spot, with the headwinds and the potholes. I talked myself out of it.
I got to 3kms, and figured I'd shuffled 3, I could do 3.5. Stupid. At 3.5 there was a BIG arsed hill. Bigger than I had even trained for. Nevertheless, I figured if I looked 1m ahead on the ground, I could run it. I got to 4.5 and that hill was over. I looked at my watch and uttered 'holy fuck' (sorry kidlets who were around!) and figured there was only 500m to go, I'd smash it out.
I so didn't. It was my shuffle at best. It didn't look pretty in any way.
I came 440. I did a 46.01. Boy child 1 - 31.25, Boy child 2 - 37.24 (he ran every step - so proud!), Miss G - 42.50ish.(again proud. She ran with me for 1.4km without stopping - not only that - she self motivated to the finish - a huge step for her!)
I'll be honest. I hate the way I look. I look fat and uncomfortable and well - completely exhausted.
You know what though - I am two of those three. I am fat, and exhausted. I ran as fast as I could, and although I was uncomfortable at the time, it was a push myself one, not how I looked. I did it, and I survived. I ran the whole f*cking way! 1km farthest run to 5km run in 3 days? Man, that's crazy - but I believed on the start line I could do it, and I did.
A message I got from A on my FB wall. The best thing I could have seen Sunday - thank you!
The face of a 5km non stop runner. Who knew a fat chick could run that far?
I'm proud. I am so disappointed at the time ( 46.01). I had more in me I think. My PB is 39.20. I can go faster. But, OMG - I ran 5km. I ran 5 times more than I have ever imagined running before. I didn't stop once - even though the course was tough - with hills and headwinds. I ran, and ran and ran. It was slow - it was slower than a lot of peoples walk :( But, I kept going. Not a walking step at all. Every time I feel down about the time, I remind myself about the run. I beat the 400,000 Tassie people who didn't attend (LOL - lets face it - most of those would kick my arse too - they just weren't there :P )
So, I've made a decision. My PB for parkrun is 39.20. It is mostly walking right? I ran a 5km like a boss at 46.01. So .... I have a walk pb and a run pb.
My new aim (since I ran a PB about 6 weeks ahead of schedule) is to beat my walk PB. Not only to beat it - but I need to run the whole way.
No excuses. Lets do it!
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