Dear Diary,

 

Did I or didn’t I finish the marathon? YES YES YES I did! It was the best fun and I learned lots for my next one. (I can’t believe I am saying that….. “my next one”). And I wasn’t the slowest! Can you believe it?!

 

I did the race in 5 hrs and 29 mins. That might be slow for some but I am really, really happy with it. The day was so much fun. The Gold Coast people were really great supporters of everyone running. They clapped and encouraged you along the way. I say “Well Done” to the locals.

 

Let me walk you quickly through my race.

 

Weather: beautiful, cool and sunny.

 

I started off fine – just like any other race, taking it easy. Took me until about the 6km mark to get into my rhythm. I don’t know about you, but those first couple of kms are the hardest. That is when I say to myself “why are you doing this again?”. But once I get into my rhythm I am ok.

 

By the 11km mark I found that I had started over heating. The sun was a little strong and with the additional 2 layers of compression garments I was a little toasty to say the least. I was hoping for a nice coastal breeze, but unfortunately it only came in small amounts. So at every water station I took 2 cups of water - one to go over my head and another to drink.

 

I did the first 21km around the same time as a half marathon run. By the 26km mark I knew that the hardest part of the race was still to come (32km – 42km). So I ran/walked a bit of the race here. The bits that I did walk I power-walked! And on reflection I was probably power walking faster than if I was running. My philosophy when undertaking a race is “do anything – just keep going, don’t stop”. When I got to the 30km mark I thought WOW! I could actually complete this race in or around the 5 hour – 5 hr 10 min mark. I was feeling fine but extremely hot. A lovely lady poured a jug of water over me.

 

By the 34km mark the wheels came off! I hit the wall. So I ran/walked 34 – 39km. Ran approx 700metres walked approx. 300 metres for each kilometre. By the time I got to 39km I found that I could run again. I put my head down and concentrated on the road and with each step I said “just” step “keep” step “going” step, “just” step “keep” step “going”.

 

I don’t remember kilometre 40 to 41 but I definitely remember shuffling 41 to 42km. Once I got to the 42 km mark I had to go around three corners to get to the finish line (however I did not know this at the time). I am not a person who swears too much but I remember getting around the first corner thinking “Where the **** is this finish line! There is no way 195 metres could be this long”. And then I saw the second corner and thought “it has to be around the next corner” – NOPE!!!! “What the ****????” I said. “OK, let’s get around the next corner” and then I saw it …… “Finish” – It appeared like a wonderful mirage. For some reason I looked at my watch and it said 5 hrs 28 mins and I thought, “Holy crap! I could get under 5 hrs 30” so I did my best shuffle sprint over the finish line.

 

I have so many people to thank for helping me achieve my second running goal. Firstly, my husband Bryan for being my cheer squad. He had his own race on the day. He would get into our hire car, drive to a spot that we had agreed on prior to the race and cheer me on. Once I had gone past him he would sprint back to where he parked the car and drive to the next spot. He saw me at the 9km 15km 18km 23km, 30km 34km and finish line mark. Let’s just say, he got some good exercise in too and got to know the back streets of Surfers really well. He is an awesome partner to have on your team. Thank you.

 

Susan – what can I say! Thank you for taking the time with me and being very supportive, especially during those times when I got down because of my illness. I will be contacting you very soon to start developing a plan for the next one!

 

And to all the members of the Monday night and Wednesday night running groups, thank you for your kind wishes and encouragement. You are a great group of people and the encouragement that you have given me has kept me going.

 

Rose