Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Triumphs and Glory

I'm heading down to Melbourne in just a couple of days. I'm planning on doing a little run down there with about 8999 other runners - give or take a few. It's always been one of my favourite events and I didn't want to miss out this year despite my body not being its most cooperative. It's a really well-run event on a pretty flat course and Melbourne is always a great place to visit. In fact it's the site of my greatest running triumph.

Four years ago I was running really well. I'd been in the squad for a year and had done everything that Coach Chris had scheduled - hills, trails, beach runs, long runs, speed sessions and races. I'd brought my PB for the half marathon down from 2:01 to 1:47 in May that year but it was October and I was hoping that those extra 5 months had allowed even more improvement. I really wanted to run a 1:45 - that was my public goal. My secret, not-said-out-loud goal was to run 1:44 which would have qualified me for the New York marathon (I wasn't actually planning on running NY - I just wanted to know that I could qualify).

My wonderful sister Julie had said she'd come down with me for support and to have a mini-holiday. We got there on Friday and after getting rid of our luggage we did what every other normal female visiting Melbourne does - we went shopping. We shopped and walked for hours. It was great! But shopping and walking isn't the greatest way to spend time before you're planning on running a half marathon. I finished the day with aching legs. They were so uncomfortable that I took pain-killers that night. And they were still a little painful the next morning and I started to freak out a little (I'm an expert in freaking out). We'd planned a day of sight-seeing which meant more walking and I really didn't want to run a half marathon on exhausted legs so I very-selfishly baled on her and spent the day in my room - reading and resting.

Luckily on Sunday morning my legs felt normal. We met up with some running friends in the pre-dawn light to walk the kilometre or so to the start line. We found the toilets, did what we had to do, walked over the bridge with thousands of other excited runners and found a spot in the crowd. It felt like no time till the race starter was giving instructions and the hooter went off. Finally we were moving.

A running friend had given me a little piece of advice before the event. She told me to take the first kilometre slow and relaxed, to warm into it and then build. That was no problem. There was so much traffic that you couldn't really run fast so I just enjoyed the atmosphere. I hit the 1k mark in around 6 minutes - way slower than what I'd planned. This was in the days before I had my Garmin. I had a Nike plus sportsband which gave me some feedback on pace so I just kept checking every so often and trying to keep it around 5 min pace or a bit below.

I had no beep every kilometre like I do now to let me know how fast each kilometre was. I hadn't worn a pace band. I can't do maths while I'm running. So for the most part I had absolutely no idea how I was travelling. I just kept looking at the pace number and almost every time it was reading a number that started with 4. It was comfortably hard but I never felt like I was dying (a feeling that I've unfortunately become very familiar with in the last couple of years).

We ran down St Kilda Road to Albert Park, around the lake and back up St Kilda Rd to the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). As I got to the 18th kilometre marker I managed to work out that if I kept up the pace I was on I'd definitely make the 1:45 mark. Three kilometres doesn't seem so far when you know that your goal is in reach so I kept pushing the pace and the kilometres kept ticking down.

With less than a kilometre to go I saw my sister watching for me. It was one of those moments - I was almost overcome with emotion but I still had a job to do. I ran down through a tunnel and onto the hallowed turf of the MCG, around the boundary and through the finishing arch where I stopped my watch.

1:42:51!!! It was faster than I'd ever secretly dreamt I could do. I was elated. I rushed through the tunnels under the stands and went in search of my sister and running friends so I could share my elation with them. There was a long flight of steps to get up to where I needed to go. A lot of other runners were hobbling painfully up them but I was feeling great! I'd just run a huge PB and I was invincible. I took the stairs two at a time and managed a whole two before CRAMP!! And then it was me who was hobbling painfully up the stairs, ruefully laughing at myself.


Melbourne won't be filled with glory like that this time. But it will be filled with a different type of glory if I manage to finish the race. When I think back to the beginning of March and starting back running - where 500m seemed like such a long way and I wondered if I'd ever be able to run more than a kilometre in a stretch - just finishing the race will be enough. My pride has well and truly been stowed away. It's all about just being there and participating.

17 comments:

  1. I love this memory Char. And I love your outlook on how this year will be different. yes, life changes. We change. We grow. We look at things differently. But one thing seems to stay the change and that is that running makes life better...it whatever form it takes...whether we are in glory days or just running to have running in our life. Thinking of you this weekend.

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  2. I love this post, and I can relate to it so much. I wish you the best of luck this weekend and may you hobble up those stairs with just as much of a good feeling for yourself as you did four years ago! I'll be thinking of you...

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  3. Attempting anything like this is amazing!

    Oh, and I'll be in Melbourne this weekend at the ProBlogger conference!

    Enjoy!

    Deb

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  4. 1.42?? You're a machine Char! I'll be in Melbourne this weekend - cheering you on no matter what time you run - you're going and that's all that matters :)

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  5. Go Char!! Kill it this weekend!!

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  6. Your PB is absolutely awesome, I'd kill to get under 1.50 in a half. Have a great time and take in the atmosphere. Hope you enjoy the race!

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  7. You are ready enough and, first of all, you'll enjoy the event :)

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  8. This is a great post and really reflects on our lives as long-term runners. Each year, each race, brings different challenges. This one will be every bit as special as the PB year and will be just as big an accomplishment. Enjoy the day!

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  9. Loved everything single thing in this post. As you know, I had to put pride away for Chicago and conquer other demons. Mission accomplished on my end, now it's your turn!! Go out there this weekend, with a grateful heart, and have a blast! :) Very excited for you!

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  10. You have come a long way in the past few months and can look forward to a great race this weekend. I always enjoy the races where I know time is not important but finishing is. You will have a blast and finish this well. All the best!

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  11. That brought tears to my eyes, Char. What a day! There is nothing like hitting a PR when you have no idea it's going to happen. Thank you for sharing that - very motivating today!

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  12. I hope you have a wonderful day and a great race. Make more good memories.

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  13. What a beautiful attitude, I TOTALLY get it and appreciate it! I hope you have the time of your life!

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  14. You just may surprise yourself. Be open, welcome the challenge and enjoy! I think you are going to do great!

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  15. Running is something that always seems to be changing. One year you're slow, the next you're fast...... It's constantly changing. Sometimes it is better and some times it is worse. It keeps us humble!!!

    I hope you have a great adventure at this year's race!!!!!

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  16. I hope you have a great time, it sounds awesome!

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  17. Oh what great memories! All the best this weekend. Enjoy it! Can't wait to hear all about it.

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Thanks for taking the time to comment. I love hearing from you.