Thank you 2011 – Hello 2012!
I know I havent posted all my race reports for 2011 yet, but I got caught up with the time and 2011 is almost over or it already over back in my 2nd home in Sydney, I’d like to do my year-end recap.
In 2011 there are lots of things i am thankful and appreciative of in terms of my fitness.
This is also a excerpt from my Letter from the Editor I wrote for the Woodstock Runner’s Newsletter, the Rundown.
- I have learned a lot of things in my running life, aside from being quicker, attitude has changed
- Less does not mean more. On 2010 I run 4-5 times a week, while this year I have only been running 3 to 4 times a week
- Lowering my expectations. I don’t stress and get frustrated too much anymore when I don’t finish the race on a time I wanted. I have missed few races but I was not worried about it. 
- Cross Training. In between training runs, I’ve been doing boxing, weights, swimming, yoga, circuit and boot camp which helped my core and gained upper body strength. If my legs get tired and can’t go on anymore, can’t believe the wonders of having a stronger upper body helps you cross the finish line
-Discovering the nutritional diet that works for me. From a result of leaving my energy gels by accident on one of the half-marathon race, I discovered I can go the distance without it. From that time on I can survive running longer runs, as long as I ate carbohydrates and protein and hydrate properly before a long run. I have not been drinking energy drinks at all anymore before races!
-Change of scenery. I discovered the fun in running the trail. I maybe slower in times, but the satisfaction of being closer to the nature is “relaxing” compared to running on the roads.
- Its not all about the legs and speed. Joining adventure races reminds me that running is just part of a race. Using your brain, your upper body strength, having fun, and using your other skills also is important.
- Minimalist footwear works for me. Years after experimenting what shoes works for me, although I overpronate and I am prescribed to have orthotics, I went back looking for the shoes that I was comfortable and injury free years ago, incorporating the use of mimicking running barefoot seem to have strengthened my Achilles and calves. So did it changed my running form and strides.
Highlights
- I started my New Year’s running life with a Half Marathon in my home country – Philippines in Cebu, and I’ve done Halves for 2011, which I am happy. I decided not to run a Marathon in 2011.
- 38 races
- 8 Half Marathon
- 25 Kms is my longest race
- New race terrains/ discipline – Trail, adventure race, improved my softsand running
- No major injuries
- Learned to love and embrace to commute to work by running
- 15 total PBs and course PBs
- broke my 4, 5, 7, 8, 10- Kms, City2Surf, Soft Sand Personal and my Half-Marathon records
- Personal – my Permanent Residency status in Australia!!
Lowlights
- minor injury on right foot
- 1 DNS due to flat tire
- Personal. Grandma father’s side’s death 
Lola Taleng, you will be missed!!
For 2012 I wish for the following
- No injury
- To be healthy and fit and stronger
- To inspire more people to be healthier and fitter
- Be better in other discipline I just learned – Soft Sand and Trail running, Boxing, Crossfit and Yoga. And be better Road races.
- onelifecat takes off and be better again on 2012
- Personal – Healthy family members and people I care about, to always keep a job, and have balanced and healthy lifestyle, be rich in loved ones, health, friends, in treasure and lots of positive energy and able to travel – O/S work and leisure, and locally in Oz.
I realized that not all we read in books and prescribed by sports doctors is best for you. What works for one does not apply to all.
I wish that the wisdom I learned from running this year helps me more grow better as a runner in the continuing year, and I wish everyone the same.
I wish everybody a Prosperous New Year !!
Bring it on 2012!!!
Woodstock Handicap series culmination ’11
The Handicap culmination has been moved a weekend later because there were races were on the same Saturday.
Friday night is me and Tez’ going out night if we’re not too exhausted from work. And this is one of the days, we went out had some drinks and relaxed. Had too few not too many just enough to relax and make me lazy. But I was determined to go run the alcohol off the following weekend. Besides its the last Handicap for the year and I am on 2nd/3rd place point for the series.
So that saturday, ,I was lazy did not want to wake up but I have to! I drove to the Brett Park andfound no parking!!! And I went around the block 3 times and the time I nominated was 33 minutes and they were already off . I am so late.
I finally got a parking and run 200+meters to the start and that was my warm up! I had to start with the quickest Barney! Sarah who is as quick as me was also late and just started 5 minutes before us. I was told to just run the same time as Barney. Stuff it i said with the time as long as I finish and burn calories I told myself.
Of course there is no way I can run as quick as Barney. However i can see Sarah from afar maybe a kilometer away. If at least I can catch Sarah and just tail her. Slowly I worked my way to Sarah’s speed, and Did have few more energy and passed her. There was no one I can remember after that, can’t see anyone, Barney was away, So i was running on my own as quickly as I can. I did stop twice for water making sure Sarah does not pass me.
And I did finish. 52 seconds slower than my nominated time, but I am happy. Still the quickest female for that Saturday. But looks like I wont be in the top 3 for the series’s best of 3 out of the 4 races.
Location: Bay Run
Distance: 7KM
Time: 33:52
Bare Creek Run: Quicker than I thought
I have been so much slack this year blogging writing about my race reports/training runs.
I don’t know why. But that does mean I have been slack in my runs.
So I am back. This is months late but I will write about it.
This Sunday, the race option is Fisher’s ghost or Bare Creek Trail Run. We have a tight schedule too. We were invited by Angela to join them on a lunch cruise on that Sunday so I needed to choose an option so we don’t miss the lunch Cruise.
Also the night before, it was Barney’s, a woodie mate, who is going back to London, drink nights before him and his wife Claire go home to UK. So I was weighing about fun and the the race after. I can not remember but that Friday too we had a big night out, so I decided to just do the hardedr different run – Bare Creek Trail run.
Why? Gives me an excuse I can be slower – because its a new course for me, a race I haven’t tried, and its a trail run, So I was going to run it for fun. Oh and its nearer to home and I’d have enough time to shower and head to the lunch committment we did not want to miss!
Also, another consideration of the race, this was ran by Elmarie last year and she has been bragging how fun it was and the Woodies should run next year. So its worth a try! Although a little part of me wanted to do the Fisher’s ghost for the reason of the team competition, but no one but Dot, John and Jeff only registered for that race an still would not be enough for us to qualify as a team.
Race day. Got to – had toregister on the day. Did my pre-race stuff, then saw Elmarie! Who just came back from injury. She won the women’s last year.
Tez decided to drive me and come with me, sent me to the start line. We were briefed that there will be 2 KM downhill and uphill. There will be no water stations as we will be running in a National Park. I was wearing my Vibram FF Komodos and brought my Adidas carry bottle, hoping it will last me for the 10KMs.
Elmarie was worried about my choice of footwear, she said there are sharp rocks and its pretty rugged. Uh-oh, so I told her I will just take it real slow on those bit.
So off we go. Sure it was downhill on VERY rough course. Elmarie was right. Sharp stone and rocks, on clay slippery soil. The trail is more uneven due to erosion caused by water flowing in the ground. Gee I can feel the rocks in my feet! I just had to take it slow. There were small creeks from small falls along the path. Number of them actually that you have to hop or run accross or around it. I was already getting worried going back thinking about that descent at start we had to climb up. Along the course it was up and down up and down.
Hilly. It was actually a popular race and technical i can not remember much of my competitors. Hmm maybe one of that very fit mascular lady in Virgin Fitness singlet and a lady who was in neon adidas singlet. They were ahead of me and very strong. Although at the last 7ish KM i was surprised to pass miss neon singlet lady. I was actually enjoying the run, I was not worried about my finish time. I told Tez I will be back around 1 hour and 20 minutes. I am very new to trail run you see.
Alas, we are almost back and can see the road now. The finish is about/around 200-300 m of pavement, uphill. Steep. I never walked in the bush, but looking at how steep and tired I was now I did consider walking and I did, but made sure to run and keep my position. I thought I had a strong finish at the end and I am happy I finished it. Also, was more than happy, I finished the race quicker than I thought at: 55:40!! Photos are not yet up but
Location: Garrigal National Park, St. Ives
Distance: 10KM
Time: 55:40, 4th AgeCat
Unplanned training run up the mountains
Tezza had to do some work for our friend Brendan and Nadine up the blue mountains and he wants me to come with him. Planning to come back the same day on that Saturday, but we end up hanging out with Brendan and told us he knows a flat course appropriate for my plan to do the 18Km. Did not do any races that week and skipped and boycotted Run4Fun by Fairfax because I find it too commercialized, and wasn’t able to do the Spring series because we needed to be travelling to Brendan’s on that day.
On that Sunday, Brendan took us to the the Faulco Point. And oh boy, I forgot, I should have taken Bren’s perspective oof easy and flat! It was not flat at all on my point of view 
. It was undulating trail track. Although it was pleasant 6Kms and bit of struggle on some “hills” I feel sorry for Brendan having to do the walk and stop with us who are not as fit and strong as him, It ws a good reward at th turnaround point. And pleased with myself despite the walk up a hill, I managed to get to the turn around point before the Mountain bikers we passed and passed us along the way.
Going back was hot dry and hot and hard . We left Tezza on his own and continued running. As we reached 9Km I told Brendan, might cut the distance to 16 instead, I don’t think I can make it all at the 18Km. And just hundred meters after me saying that, I told him, I think I will just do the 12ish, as I wasn’t feeling good at all with the heat and told him to just run ahead of me, and so he did ran to the start and back to get Tezza! What a champ.
I reached the finish/start, feeling guilty, knowing they will be back later yet, I decided to run further and end up doing another kilometer or so to add up on my mileage. It was all good fun that weekend, although I failed to do my planned long run, I am happy I did a run with Bren which is very rare occassion to run with someone who is quick, shared me some tips like running with the stick, told me he can see I improved my cadence and running style, and just neede more practice on lots of hills! One day, I hope I can also say that course we ran is flat.
To cool down the activity, we did a trek down to find the “Paradise” pool up the mountains, after a tour of his neighborhood pool the day before the trail run.
Nature spa!
The Paradise - undisclosed location 
1st ever trail run: Rumbalara Bush Run
(two weeks late post…again!)
I was not really wanting to travel far to St. Mary’s for an 8Kms, just not in the mood, I know its good to support the run but I found something different in the Running calendar. Its a bush run up the Central Coast, called Rumbalara Bush Run. And i thought, its a good reason to go up the coast and visit Tezza’s mom at the same time. Haven’t visited the coast since July at Bay to Bay run.
Tezza, liked the idea and so we went Friday night. I even had to squeeze a quick body soak for recovery after an intense workout that day. I did not want to be having glute and quad soreness from the excercises and do the race. Caught up with his friends Friday night, did some touristy stuff Saturdays where he brought me to places I havent seen yet, had bush walking and quick swim at the beach. No big night out for Saturday, even though we were considering in going to the Octoberfest up Gosford way, its mart to just have a quiet one and spend time with Tez’s mom. Had a lovely night, she cooked us vegetarian spaghetti, yum.
A tour of Central coast
Bush walk day before the run to lobster beach
The race starts at 8am, so we have to leave 7 enough time for pre-race stuff. The race information said there will be only one water stations in the course, which is at the turn around point. So before the weekend, I had to rush and go get some hydration bladder, as that is what I can afford as of the moment. I have my small back pack I run with to work, which will do fine with the bladder.
I registered 16Kms, mind you it will be my 1st trail run. And I did not know I forgot and what I was thinking, I signed up for the longest distance at 16KMs for a first timer. Also, I was toying of running it with my Vibram Five Fingers Komodo Sports, but I still brought my Nike Frees 5.0 v3 just in case. I know I must be crazy to do a course I do not know wearing a footwear I have not ran on a race.
We arrived the venue just on time as planned. Parked, got my bib, warmed and psyched up. I knew and I planned to go slow anyway on this run. My first trail run, I did not know what to expect, and I did decide and I will challenge myself running on my VFFs. There was not much females doing it. 10 of us, and I was almost feeling going to back out, as the female compitetors look fit and they do look they are trail runners, I might end up finishing last! Too late, no backing out, we travelled all the way from Sydney up the coast, and I did not want to do another DNS just because I am soft! Also the course description includes a 200m uphill.
The elevation map - i did not bother looking before the run!
We will be running on the Rumbalara Reserve, that’s where the name of the event came from, and the 16KM runners will do the “Rumble.” So the organizer gave us briefing, walked up the steps where the start is. Telling us we should be aware of the tapes so we do not get lost on cross tracks. And they changed the course this year. From running on the horse trail to the walking trail. I did not actually know the difference, they are both paths.
I positioned myself at the endish bit. I did not want to get lost. I brought my phone with me just in case I get lost, or twist an ankle which I am prone of. So off we go. It was a good 50 meter run and funny runners already started walking up a steep climb. No one is even bothering to run. Maybe the leaders did. I’m glad that it isn’t just me who is walking. Although, i am still aware I might come last! I can hear female voices behind me so I told myself, at least push harder and be in front of the voices. I did not even bother looking as my mind might get defeated should I see how fit and quick they are. It’s good to have that imagination that will keep me pushing myself not to give up. So as we climbed that steep bit, we reached a trail on top of that steep climb which looks runnable and people started running. It was a single technical trail run. Now that is the only time I realized what they meant about walking trail track and the horse track 
. So we are running in a single file. I just let all males pass me, no point competing with them and I was just still on my first kilometers and I do not want to burn myself in a middle of nowhere, as marshalls will only be at the turn around point. It was a different run.
Find me, I'm somewhere ...
First, the track. Loose gravel, big and small rocks, branches and rocks, wet leaves, wood slabs as trail. My foot is definitely trying to adjust. It was challenging stepping on large chunks of gravel, loose gravel down hill and branches sticking out. I had to do quick steps to prevent the shock and impact on these elements. I suppose, that is the purpose of this footwear. 2nd, I have to focus on navigating as well on cross trails that does not have ribbons, and when the rest of the runners in front of you are very quick and the runners behind you is not that close either. The reserve was actually pretty. Specially going down the canyon for the extra 3 Kms, the vegetation gets thicker, and not much sunlight. There are creeks. I was thinking, shame I am not walking and enjoying the scenery with Tez’s who is up the start waiting for me to finish. I also have to be aware of snakes and spiders and watch where I am stepping. At some point going down the canyon, I thought I was lost or mystified in some sort that it seem like I was running on the same loop twice that freaked me out. And I had to relax and think, and hope I would be coming out somewhere different later on which I did. Probably, it just look the same.
Then the worry thinking of the downhill all the way to the canyon and thinking coming back up to the finish, that is long way up the mountain! So it was. Glad it was not all steep hill. It was andulating hill. Not until a runner behind me caught to me and I asked him how far away and he told me we are half way to the finish, and warned me its not easy half we are starting to climb up he say. He was not joking. So I can see him walking up and I am trying to keep up with him or at least not lose sight of his back. There was no female who actually passed me that race so I am glad the female voices probably are still behind me and I will not be coming last. Looking at my watch before the climb I was predicting to finish 1:52. However, because of the walk the 1:52 seem to be unrealistic. Maybe 2 hours or more than I was thinking. By the 13thKM we caught up with the 13Km runners. As I was just behind a couple, suddenly on an edge of the trail downlope, I tripped on a branch sticking out the ground that I did not see because of the bushes covering the side of the track. So I stacked it. Fell and had my 1-2 minute hall of shame . They were nice and asked If I was alright. I got up and brushed myself and I thanked them and told them I am alright, just tired legs. Then after exchanging pleasantries I ran ahead, seizing the flatish course ahead.
Just continued without stopping this time, no more walking, have to jog if I have to on the hills back. And at the top was a water stop! So took a moment to drink and cool myself, normalize the heart rate and chatted with the volunteers and marshals. And decided to continue for the rest of the course. I am glad I am not feeling any pain from the fall and I am hoping that I did not hurt and injure myself. Then the course is looking more familiar until a quicker runner is climbing back up cheering us slower runner saying its not far that away. I was thinking 1 more kilometer. So I was following these 3 males doing the rumble too and they seem to be lost and stopped and I asked them, are we going the right track as it looks unfamiliar. Yes i have to stop twice myself along the course and wait for runners to ask which way. Then I had a feeling its not the right way I told them I don’t think its the right way and good call, the photographer did follow us up and told us we were on the wrong way and we were just less than 400m away from the finish. Run down the steps to the finish. And hurray, I finished just under 2 hours!
To the finish
I was met by Tezza at the end. I was bushed but enjoyed the run. I was also happy running with my VFF. Where I saw three runners running with it.
Location: Rumbalara Reserve, Gosford, NSW
Distance: 16.2 Kms
Time: 1:49:41, 3rd F30-39, F7th/10th
(another late post!!! sorry, getting into a habit of not posting my activities on time!)
So its the time for the Woodstock 5KM Time Trial again, which happens every 2 months. I havent done the past two consecutive ones lately due to one we were away in a cruise, and 2nd, I was mending an injury on that City to Surf.
This time, its the the last of 2nd to the last Woodstock 5KM TT for the year of 2011. And I thought I should run it. I have been diligent going to the TnT lately, so why not. although, again, I’m hesitant scared of which time I should nominate. The last time I did it was ending summer, humid, at 23:48 and I thought that was quick.
That day, the weather is a bit unsure of itself. It has been raining the night before and drizzling partly. And I was worried if the TT will happen or not. However, I have the witches hat with me and I was told to bring it on that Thursday. Having them is a good thing in away as it gives me no excuse not to go to TNT.
We arrived, and there was not much Woodies. It looks like they were turned off by the weather. There were very few of us. Brendan was there so did few warm up and strides with him while waiting for the TT to start. Right on time, El prez started the ‘race’.
I did have to tell myself to just run on my own pace and no pressure. I can be like that if you have been reading my blog for sometime, you will know i do pressure myself too much. Don’t know where I got it from don’t ask me :p lol. The oval is a bit short so we are running it at 13 laps and a bit.
I was feeling alright and good in my pacing. I was just trying to keep on the tail of Barney and Kazu where the gaps kept growing and growing from 100m to 200m to 250 and a lap for the last two laps for me. Marty as the lap counter was telling me I was looking good everytime I pass him, although I feel like dying and stopping, ,and doing the counts myself, he actually did add one lap addition to my counting and i realized taht was just psyching me up. I did not have any watch with me so i did not know what time I was going but I was happy by the last 2 laps and 1 lap to go and just ready to give it all.
Crossed the finish and happy to learn I finished at 22:58.
Later at home I learned looking again from my running records, I broke my 5KM record for 4 years ago which is 23:08! So Happy!
Was hard beating that, for me anyway … lol. Happy.
Location: Canterburry Oval, Ashbury
Distance: 5KM
Time: 22:58 1st F, 4th F Age Adjusted, ,3rd Overall out of 11 runners
Rotary of Maroubra Fun Run ’11
(Another back posting …)
This will be the 4th year that I have ran this event. One reason I kept on going was its for the teams! Needing to get runners to form the Woodstock Team, I suppose it would be nice to join for the team.
So we were able to get John, Tezza, Me, Kazu, Bridget, Emma in the 8KM teams. Baz and Dot Registered for teh 4KM. I always knew that this course is not easy, and I don’t know why I kept on doing it either . Its nothings much but going at the back street of the suburb but its a hilly x 2 lap of 4 KMs.
There was a race the Saturday before that, which is the King of the Sands, ,which I thought will be difficul and I know I will get sore if I do both, I did have to choose and do Maroubra instead. Last year it was miserable. The organizers always put the event together with their Octoberfest activities. Last year the stalls did not make much money, the runners were cold after the run. I did not enjoy it as much, although my time last year was quicker than 2009 so that was not bad at all.
Anyway, so we arrived at the venue, ,and got our bibs. Saw our fellow Woodies. It was a warm day. And the Race starts late like 9am. I think its a bit too late to start the race at that time as it was already too hot. I know it will be a difficult race. The bag pipers were there as usual to start the runner and march them to the mats. At exactly 9am, the race started.
This time, I positioned myself just after th quicker runners to avoid the walkers and dodging around them. I knew it will be hilly so I was conservative in the first lap. I did have to stop on water stops to catch my breath from the hills and I promised myself not to walk on the hills. Water stops were my only break. I knew on the 2nd lap, i will be slowing down, it was so warm. Glad that at the hill almost on the 7th km, good people from the neighborhood had their hose out cooling the runners, I took advantage of the mist and spray from the watering hose, it was helpful and cooled me off a little. Same thing, walk on the water stop, and I know it’s just 1 more kilometer to go and will be the one big steep downhill, no matter how tired I will be I will give it all, I told myself. Not sure what time I was doing, too bugerred to look at my watch. Crossed the line 39:12. I was happy. AT first I did not know how i performed comparing from the past years. And I did have to look up from the past records, I did break my course PB of 51 seconds, and first time under 40mins for this 8KM course!!
Our Woody Veterans won their respective age categories, and Woodstock Team at the presentation was awarded 3rd for the teams (again! same as last year). But after looking at the results, Kazu was not counted in the team, and I knew that he did register under the Woodstock Team. And he was our quickest. I did a computation of the time before sending a complaint, And we indeed should be in the 2nd place for the teams.
So as the organizer of the team, I did send a nice email to the organizer and the timing company – Multisports Australia. At the end of the correspondence, we were recognized that we indeed should in 2nd place in the teams, but unfortunately they can not do any changes in the timing website (booohoo!!). Anyway, at least we know the right results and glad to give the credit to Kazu, (our Japanese Bullet) for bringing the team home to 2nd.
With the girls Emma and Bridget
chasing the camels
After the run, after having a chat with the Woodies and finishing the presentation, oh and I got a free subscription of Runner’s World for two months from the raffe , we went for a dip in the Maroubra beach. Which was refreshing and therapeutic to the legs. Happy to have broke that 40 minutes after 3 years!
Location: South Maroubra, ,NSW
Distance: 8KM
Time: 39:12 8th F20-39, course PB
(back-posting 3 weeks late …)
Spoiled with choices. This is one of the weekends where there were too much races going on for both Saturday and Sunday. There was Sri Chinmoy Iron Cove, Brighton Beachdash, SMC Series and the Strider’s 10 KM series. It was hard to choose , I did want to do a longer run that Sunday, but a Half Marathon at SMC is too long for me, Sri Chinmoy at Iron Cove would be perfect for the 16KM, however, I always do run around the bay I think I’m bit over it, although I’ve ran the 1st Series on same distance in slower time two years ago, I wasn’t challenged and convinced to do the run, although it is very convinient 5 minutes drive to the start. So what’s left is the Brighton Beachside Dash. I have done the 10KMs twice and did quicker time too due to the flat course. But it is 10KM and a 5KM.
Decided to do the Beachside dash anyway. Looked at the website and the 10KM race starts 800am and the 5KM starts at 9:30am. I ws thinking, If I finish within an hour, I still can run the 15KM and that would make up my longish run. That is, If I am not that spent, if I am, I prolly take some kilometers by my own on the area and do the distance and less pressure on the speed. Come what may.
I arrived at the venue early and had enough time no rush to the toilets, do my warm ups and stretches. I just registered for the 10KM for the moment. I saw fellow Woodies Bridget and Emma. had a little bit of chat, ,stretching and we headed to the start. They would like to chase the 55 min “dragon” (pacers were dressed as St. George Dragons). I do not know what time I’d do with the course, I know it is flat and would be happy if I beat my own course record, but I thought, under 50 minutes will be good. So I need to be just ahead of the 50 min dragon.
The Dragons
And off they go
The 10KM Race: While waiting for the gun, the organizers explained that the course has changed a bit. I have heard from the last races I’ve done with them, some runners think the course was shorter than 10KM. So this year, looks like they took action and did their best in terms accuracy. The day was perfect, sunny and bit of breeze coming from the bay, which Im bit worried that could be difficult coming back on the turnaround for the 2nd half of the distance. Hoping that it does not go very hot too. I’ll be fine, told myself. No pressure. I’ll just run the best I can and have fun. So the gun went off.
I was bit just before the middle of the pack but still at the back of the quicker runners. The other year, it was just bit crowded that we had to do walk before the crowd dispersed. So this time I knew I shouldn’t be in the middle but just before them if I did want to avoid the roadblock. So that ws better, no walking this time and started running. Catch my bus was my goal. The dragons were set off a minute before us. So while looking for my dragon, I was going just under 5min/KM and I’m bit feeling tired already at 2KM. And I have not found my dragon. yet. I think the dragons were running bit quick. At last found and overtook 60 mins dragon, I can see from hundered meters another dragon. I bet this is 55 mins. I was having problems catching him too, i did try to speed up a little more, and caught him just before the water stop. At last I told myself. The day was getting warmer. So I thought it is wise to drink water at the stop which is the 2.5 Km marker where the 5KM runners turnaround.
Finding my 50min Dragon!The temperature is definitely getting warmer and warmer. And I was regretting, why I did not drink more on the water station or why is there not more water stations. So All I can do is Harden up and Run! I knew I slowed down and glad to reach the turn around point. At this point I havent seend the 50min dragon yet. Where the hell this dragon is. I must be going that slow over 5 min a K. Then here it is the head winds from the bay, 5KMs of it blowing warm breeze. I am thirsty and can’t wait till I get to the 7.5 Km mark for that water and I swear I am going to take a walk! Which I did. I already let go the female competitors theyy went ahad, theay were stronger and quicker. I will just have to finish this with my best. Got to the water stop, walked, grabbed two cups, poured oneon myself and drank the other slowly.
2.5 more kilometers that’s around 12 more minutes. I took my mind off the race and just enjoyed the view and the breeze, come what may. Breaking my course record seem to be impossible at this moment. I can see the finish area half a kilometer away from me, so near yet so far away!
Can you tell how tired I was? :p
10Km Finish. Near the chute, tried to sprint, can’t and tried all I can give. Finished 47:58, that is 1 second slower than 2 years ago. But then come to think, the organizers fixed the course to a more accurate distance, there was a headwind coming in back the finish and i remember this day is warmer. Could be slower, so I am happy with that. At the finish, we were given headphones for free .
Bit of energy left! I was bit spent and waited for the girls to come back, as Emma came next after Bridget in few seconds in between. I wasn’t sure and was still toying with the idea of running the 5KM or do on my own. While we were chatting I saw few peopld doing the 5KM so I thought, this might not be bad. 25 mins more running, more mileage for the week (25 bux poorer!!). The girls decided to go for a breakfast and I told them I will join the 5Km having 5 mins in my hands before the gun start, and I will just follow them if I oulled out alright.
5Km Race: Got back into the car got registration money, jogged to the rego boot,, ,quickly pinned my bib and jogged to the start and they just fired the gun and I reached the back of the pack! Tried to get away from the walkers and got into a rythm easy 5KM run, without pressure as I am just doing this for mileage. I already knew the conditions out there so I know what I should be prepared of. I was anticipating the heat, the water the wind and the clippers on the path.
Number of ladies running it. Was able to over take 2 female runners and is just behind one strong one. I told myself to just hang on and stay with her. At the turn around she seem to have slowed down so I said hi and check if she’s alright she says she is so I went ahead. Next female runner is far away, I know I won’t get her. Few blokes on the same pace overtaking me everynow and again. Funny how psyched I am and the head winds did not even bother me. The 5KM seem to have gone quicker than I thought and I am almost back at the finish. Ran as quick as I could, finished at 23:21. That wasn’t bad at all! I am glad to do both races, happy with the times, mileage accomplished.
My both feet off the ground
Way to start the week!
Location: Brighton Le-Sands, NSW
Distance: 10KM
Time: 47:58 – 7thF30-39
Distace: 5KM
Time: 23:21 – 8FO’all/5thF30-39
All profits from the race will fund vital medical research into trauma and emergency care.
From The Star: Fauja Singh, 100 finished the recent Toronto Marathon and he is now the record holder in the Guiness World Records for the oldest person to run a Marathon!! That is inspiring!
More of the storyOldest female entrant in NYC Marathon 2011
And when you think you are too old to run, maybe get inspired from this lady, Joy Johnson, who registered for this year’s 2011 and she is 84 folks . This is from an article from Runner’s World.
