The run started off well, with 2336 other half-marathon runners by my side (or in front or behind)...not to mention the thousands of other competitors who were running the full marathon/10km or walking the half-marathon/10km - heaps of us!
It was raining and was a bit cold...so I would say perfect running conditions!!! For me, anyway! Once the horn went off, we slowly moved at a snails pace towards the start line to a rendition of "Rising Up"...which is apparently the top most motivating running song at the moment...and eventually we were able to run as runners began to thin out. For the first 5km my bladder kept reminding me that it needed emptying (apparently the prior 5 visits that morning had not done the job properly???) so at the 5km mark I had to queue and use a portaloo (always a gross experience)...which also wasted minutes I might add.
I managed to run until the 10km mark, where I rewarded myself with a minutes walk...and carried on running. At 15km, Malcolm was waiting on the side of the road (with numerous other supporters) to cheer me on...which was perfect timing, because I was beginning to feel quite desperate. Thank goodness for the 6 fizz lollies I had in my pocket...they gave me a little more energy until 18km...then I hit a brick wall.
My brick wall being my will power...I had to stop and walk...and I probably did this off and on for the rest of the run...the hardest part for both half-marathons has been the run around Hagley Park at the end.
But I managed to stumble across the finish line, where Malcolm was waiting with my drink and jacket - thanks honey!
A few friends came down and watched me finish...thank you! Also, thank you to my friends/family who texted/emailed/wished me luck. You know who you are...it is always much appreciated and motivating to have people cheer you on.
So...I am thinking about my next running goal now. I'm not sure what this will be yet...but I will keep up the running. Maybe the half-marathon in Dunedin later this year??? Or joining a harriers club etc??? We will see...right now I am resting.
www.sbsmarathon.co.nz This is the official Christchurch Marathon website. On it you can check the times (and eventually photos) of all the competitors...you just need bib numbers or surnames. My bib number was 1220 and I actually ran under the name Sabine Browne (the wife of a colleague who was injured, so I used her entry).
A big enourmous thank you goes to Malcolm (my honey) for his support in my training runs, holding the timer etc, telling me to go running when I didn't feel like it, for dropping me off at various places so I could run home again, and for waiting in the rain and cold this morning during the half-marathon. You are my angel, and I am so glad I met you!!! A big kiss to you...
3 comments:
Well done!! Awesome work beating your last year's time. Onwards and upwards, hey?
How did the move go? Have you managed to take over the majority of the wardrobe space??! lol
Great job, Keeny! Too bad about the portaloo - ick!
Glad to hear your sniffles didn't play a part in teh day and that you were able to beat last year's times! That's great!
You are an inspiration!
Good to see all the hard work has paid off. Perhaps a full marathon next year. Congratulations you did so well.
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