1/2 Marathon: Post Race

First off, I didn’t manage my dream time, it was 1:55. My previous time for the 1/2 marathon was 1:58:51 and I wanted to go under that time.

By my watch – and it’s not official – it was 1:58:19.

At 10km I was right on track for 1:55. But at 10km I was stopping at the drink stations (each 5k) and gulping down as much Leppin as I could.

I realised at 15km that I was 2 minutes slower.

I had been following two ladies – Lydia and Paula – who I don’t know. But using them to pace myself. Thanks to them I managed to come in the time I did. I’m not sure I had the strength to do it on my own. And I don’t think they knew I was on their tail the entire run.

I wanted to pass them after 15km. I thought if I could do that I would break a mental barrier I had and be on my way to make up some time. I lengthened my stride a bit which usually means I can pick up the pace but they seemed to do the same. Or maybe it was all in my mind.

Anyway, I had followed a tip given in the SBS programme to use vaseline on my feet to help with blisters and rubbing. Well we don’t have vaseline so I substituted with Origins A Perfect World White Tea moisturiser.

It pretty much did the trick. At 15km I could feel them starting to rub but it would have been worse much earlier and I not used something.

In my head I kept telling myself the drink stops were worth it, that while I would spend time drinking I would make it up because I’d gain some energy. Oh well, it was more likely my mind and will that let me down. Although I did repeat to myself along the course “1:55 I can do”.

I know as I was coming around the last bit of Hagley Park a few others I had previously passed, passed me. I was having thoughts of them wanting it more than I did. But really I didn’t feel I had anything more to give pushing it up a gear.

As I was nearing the finish line they yelled out over the speaker that if you wanted to finish in 2hrs you had 20 seconds to get there. From gun time I was 2:00:05. That was with trying to sprint to the finish. I guess I did have a bit more ooomph in me.

While I’m disappointed I didn’t get my 1:55, I guess I’m glad to have had another opportunity to run it – this time without injury – and come in close to my first time.

Why do I have to go and hope for too much and then feel like I let myself down in some way? Still better to have dreams. At least I came closer to my dream by having one.

I hope I don’t come across ungrateful, I’m pleased I managed to run the distance, and hopefully my photo wont look as exhausted as the first time I ran it – it might be asking too much

It was only a couple of months ago that I thought coming in under 2hrs wouldn’t happen, but with the help of Richard and Karen my technique improved and running under 2hrs looked more possible.

Ok, so now to look around for the next challenging event.

1/2 Marathon: Pre-race update

Pinch and a punch for the first of the month!

In our house we make a thing of this. Really it’s just a competition between ourselves to see who can pinch and punch first.

Usually I have to remind Mark the day before. He remembered last night all on his own.

I woke at some point because the cat was all over my leg space and found a note on the bed, I didn’t know what it was, I thought it might be some little love note from Mark but too tired and annoyed with the cat to look.

Then at 4:18 I got out of bed after hearing Mark rustling his covers and went to pinch and punch him. He said too late, he’d left me a note at 12:15am. He said he didn’t want to wake me. Just as well!

So I’ll give him this month – grumble grumble.

Well my wholegrain rolled oats, cinnamon, raisin porridge is cooking away. I then add a scoop of protein powder and a bit of milk to it.

I’m about to check out the weather on MetService, Metvuw and Weather Underground. Really can you ever have too many weather references?

Just realised I only went looking to see if it’s raining, or about to and not what the temperature is. Well up until last night everything looked gloomy on MetService and Weather Underground. There’s been marginal improvements to their weather sites. Weather Underground were only predicting a 20% chance of rain and now it’s 40%.

It’s 8deg. That’s better than I expected. I think I”ll be wearing shorts and my long sleeve Merino top from Kathmandu.

As I’ve mentioned. My downfall is hydration. At 4:18 I did scull a 1/2 glass of water and I plan to have another with breakfast. Then hope like crazy that I don’t need to go to the toilet while standing about waiting for the start of the race.

I was also planning on having a Peak Fuel with me which Mark would hand out about 11km into the run. Now I’m not sure.

Richard has advised I need to drink, even if it’s just a mouthful. I really don’t want to stop and drink. I can’t drink while running, even walking. And I certainly don’t want to lose precious seconds with drinking a mouthful or two.

I guess he’s saying I’ll keep the energy up by drinking – obviously – and that means that I wont wane so much towards the end. I have to trust he knows what he’s talking about. I’m not planning on stopping at every drink station, just those from 10km I guess. And now I’m not going to bother with the Peak Fuel. It gets too warm in my hot little hand and it’s not very pleasant to take when it’s warm.

My back and shoulders are still stiff. Darn that Nintendo Wii and my competitive nature having to get into the semi finals.

This morning my HR was elevated to what is my normal waking HR. But it’s normal for the day of an event. Usually it’s around 58 – 62 and this morning it’s 72. My sleep the last few nights hasn’t been flash thanks to the cats. Why have they been good for 2.5 weeks of me sleeping in the spare bed to decide 2 nights out from the 1/2 that they need to mess up my sleep by climbing all over my legs. Good one boys.

Well it’s 6:20am and I’m gobbling my breakfast. Mark’s just yelled out from bed asking what time I need to be at the start line and I’ve asked that we leave at 8am. Have to be at the start line for 8:45am. But I guess I’ll still line up for the toilet before and have that last nervous pee.

After the race I plan to do nothing all day. If I’m sore after a decent round of stretches I’ll take a bath. I hate baths but if my body dictates it I’ll do it.

Monday I plan to do nothing all day. I really want a day of reading a book and relaxing. Though I’m in Wellington from Tuesday for the remainder of the week so it’ll be packing (one of the things I hate most in life) for the trip. I realised after I got home Friday (of course) that I’ve left all the taxi vouchers in my desk drawer – groan. Guess it will be a detour to work on the way to the airport.

I don’t enjoy travelling away from home. I’m a creature of habit and like routine. Plus I really enjoy Mark’s company and home life. I guess the silver lining is that it’s my “off season” so I don’t have the same worry of trying to fit in running while I’m there. I’m over running around Oriental Parade and I’m too lazy to look for other routes. Just as well I’m not expected to be riding.

Thursday was the last day on my bike and I wont end up on it for about two weeks. No sooner do I get back from Wellington, the following week I have to travel to Auckland.

Enough grumbling Time to concentrate now on finishing my breakfast and then getting my head in the right space for the run this morning.

White Rabbits everyone. Catch up after the run.