At this rate, if I think I’m going to finish a 70.3 at the end of the year I’m kidding myself. Ok finish it maybe, but finish it within the time constraints, I don’t think so. Where has this lack of confidence come from? Well, let me start from the beginning.
Seven weeks and I’ve only managed 3 runs, 2.25km, 2.5km and 4.5km. I had a month of rest and then getting back into the swing of training meant moving slowly to avoid injury (high risk) and get my body used to training again. After all I had been very lazy during my holidays.
Initially we were going to run the 10k at Salt but I realised that would just be silly. Yes, I could make the 10k but why do it and really feel like shit after because (a) I felt like shit running it, (b) I might run ten minutes slower than normal, and (c) the effort level just wouldn’t be up there. It was smarter to sign up for the 5k, let’s call it an intro to racing for this spring/summer season.
It was quick. It was fun. It was a little painful.
It’s Jarek’s bday today so for the weekend I took him to Mantra on Salt Beach. The resort was conveniently right next to the start and finish line which meant there was no need to rise early and drive to the venue. And afterwards we were able to go back to our apartment, shower, change and enjoy the buffet breakfast by the pool. I could get used to these types of fun runs!
At 8:00am the gun went off and we started running. Even into the first kilometre I knew that given our break we had started out a little to quickly for my liking. I felt bad as I thought that I was slowing Jarek down. I was. He didn’t say anything and we ran the race together.
By the third kilometre my chest was aching and my throat felt raw. I was tired, thirsty and my arms were getting heavier with each step I took. But I kept going. I let them hang by my side as I ran for a few moments to get the blood circulating. When I saw the 4km marker I was ecstatic. Only one to go.
Once the finish line came into view I pushed harder. I sprinted. I felt my body increase in speed and I bolted to cross the finish line in just under twenty minutes. This final burst of energy showed me that maybe I could have pushed myself a little bit more, this was a race after all.
In the end it was a great morning run and a great atmosphere. A small race with only about 110 running the 5k. I’m happy to say I came fourth in my age group. The first two girls in the age group (and overall female category) came second and third. They represented Australia in triathlon at the London Olympics this year so no surprise there (Of course I was too chicken shit to congratulate them on their efforts and just admired from afar). A small race with some amazing athletes.
Official Time: 25:03:6 (5:01 per km)
63/141 total finishers
21/79 female finishers
4/12 age group 20-29 finishers
