WOW! I love it, I have always loved running and now I love competitive running! Had a brilliant day at the Gold Coast Half Marathon. Harley and I decided to sleep in our van at the start line, it was a good move because we ended up having a great sleep in till 5:15am which was 45mins before the race started.

There were 7,845 competitors at the half start line, so it was absolutely packed! It was pitch black and quite chilly. I was planning on starting with the 1hr 50mins group but the group was so far from the start that I decided to slip in with the 1:20/1:30 group. The gun went off and it took me only about 40 secs to cross the start line.

The first 5-10kms people were passing me like crazy. I was tempted to try to keep up but I firmly reminded myself that most of them were from the 1:20 group destined to run at least 20mins faster than me! I stuck to my plan of 5:05-5:10min/km pace, I wanted to do negative splits and save my juice for the end.

I started out at around 5:07 pace then slowed myself to around 5:10 which I knew was easily achievable but still challenging to maintain for the whole 21.1kms. In hindsight I could’ve managed 5:05 pace but I was being cautious because it was my first marathon and realistically I just wanted to finish!

At the 12km (7.4mile) point I decided to pick up the pace a bit, which also reflected in my heart rate which climbed to 180bpm. At Km 16 I got a fright when the 1hr 50min balloon came looming alone side, obviously I was getting too comfortable. I stepped on it a little more to increase my pace to 5:01 and 182bpm, I had to escape the Grim Reaper!

I was starting to catch up with some people who had flown past me earlier, now they were breaking down from starting out too hard. I silently praised myself for choosing the smart conservative approach. At the 18km mark I was running almost 5min kms, HR 184, still feeling good but now starting to “feel it” more.

Coming around the bend in the last km I tramped it a bit more and reached 4:55 pace, 187bpm. Breathing was definitely becoming heavier and laboured. (Note: My Max heart rate is about 205bpm.) As I was approaching the finish line I gave it my all and passed what felt like about 50 people, at a continued 4:55 pace my heart rate raised to 190bpm as I crossed the line. Woohoo!! Made it!

Looking back my preparation for the day was great, fully hydrated, rested and carbed-up on mountains of good fruit sugar. One day I had an 18 banana smoothie for lunch, was proud of that effort. My hydration was so good infact that I didn’t stop for one drink although one was pushed into my hand at a “water” station. I took a gulp (thinking it was water) and immediately spat it out nearly covering the face of a fellow runner as I gagged on the sports drink. That stuff is VILE! I was actually somewhat suprised at how thirsty and dehydrated people were, they were launching themselves desperately at the drink station.

Completing my first half marathon was so exhilarating!! I now have more confidence in my competitive running ability. The last time I really raced competitively was when I was in little school. Now I’m keen to do more and I’m so glad I have Pat Carroll as an online coach. Seriously people if you are looking to increase your running fitness safely then please contact him, say I referred you and he may even give you a good rate! His best marathon time is get this…2hrs and 9mins! That’s for 42kms. Very inspiring.

My stats for the race for those of you who like that stuff

My time was 1:48:19

2343 out of 7,845 TOTAL finishers.

591 out of 3,915 FEMALES

138 out of 714 Females aged 25-29.

I have now entered the Brisbane half marathon Aug 1st (in less than a month) and another popular 10km race. I think I can comfortably run a 10km under 50mins now which feels good. Its 2 days after the race as I write this and my legs are completely fine except for the slightest calf soreness.

Get your running shoes on!
Lovefreelee