Monday, April 16, 2007

3hr 27:59min!

.....and that 59secs is very important!!!!!

Sunday Total: 42.2k
Week Total: 66.5k
Month Total: 111.3k
Year Total: 911.4k

Time: 3hr 27.59min
Av pace: 4.50min/km
Av Temp: 13.1*c; max 18*c (7am-10.30am)
Rel. Humidity Av: 62.3%
Wind Spd Avg: 4.5kph (SSE)
Started with: One way or another - Blondie
Finished with: Hate to say I told you so - The Hives

Yay!! I have run the Canberra Marathon and in a time that's not half bad! I won't lie - for the last 10km it was a hard slog. Everything hurt by this stage and I felt incredibly tired. I was convinced, by the 40km mark, that 3hr 30min wasn't going to be possible and so the mental re-calculations were happening (bad move - I can't add 2 and 2 after running 5km!). Clairie's encouragement helped immensely at this point, as did Katy's amazing, crazy performance! And that cup of coffee that was waiting for me once I had finished - bliss! It was just what I needed!

However up until then I was having a great race - I was running well and enjoying the scenery, the course and the support from the likes of the always amazing CR cheer squad - they are just incredible. I've already mentioned Katy the Greaty but she deserves more than one mention for her ingenuity, enthusiasm and imagination! Then there was Steve, Geoff, John, Naomi, Carol, Ewen, Aki, Peter and the list goes on an on - it all helped. Thank you. And the encouragement from others doing the marathon - its called sharing the pain!

So all in all it was a satisfying marathon and I was only 79secs outside my PB. But considering since SFT I have been sick with a virus, found that recovery didn't happen overnight (but it does happen eventually!), and that physically and mentally I was tired, I'm pretty amazed with my run. I don't know how others back up from one marathon and run another so soon afterwards - I wish I knew the secret. For me it was hard work.

Well done to tesso, iliketoast, liza, speedygeoff, maria, charlie, roger, griffin, emma, anita, susan, go girl, portrunner, phoenix, Mr Lulu, mario, johnny dark and, of course, strewth. For some goals were achieved, PBs made; for others it was their first marathon; and for others things didn't go to plan; but they all did it. Well done!

Today? I'm still incredibly tired, a little stiff but not too bad. Had a lovely lunch with Strewth, Lulu and Mr Lulu. Have eaten one of my dark chocolate Easter rabbits tonight. I tried sharing it with the family but no-one wanted any...honest!

Running? Not yet. I need a rest....it's long overdue.

14 comments:

Jen said...

Congrats CJ. Amazing effort given Six Foot & that you've been sick. Your marathon PB is now looking mighty soft ;-)

I'm sorry we didn't get much of a chance to catch up over the weekend

Take care of yourself & enjoy your recovery - and your running - for a while !

TA and the Gnome said...

Well you definitely know how to pull out a good one under trying circumstances. Congrats on your run and I bet that bunny tasted good :-).

TA

Rae said...

WAY TO GO!! That is an awesome time!! Enjoy your well deserved rest and chocolates!!

Anonymous said...

i always looked forward to the return of the pink runner. toasty said, "i couldn't find CJ." "how could you miss her? she was in bright pink." "was it pink you'd wear?" "yes... but don't tell CJ that."

as always, i had a great time catching up even if for a second. i noticed the chocolate stock went up after the race. i should have invested.

Tesso said...

Yay CJ!!! What an awesome result. Gees, has me thinking what could you have done if you didn't have 6ft in your legs.

I'll never forget seeing you sitting down with a grin from ear to ear as you told me your time before on continued on for the 50k. It gave me a real boost, so thanks for busting a gut :-)

Enjoy your recovery, its been such a long time coming.

TD said...

Yep, a great run CJ. As I have pointed out before it is your mental toughness that shines through. You were hurting, had run 6 foot not that long back, and yet you still came through for a near PB. Well done to you and enjoy your rest.

Lulu said...

It was great to see you achieve the 6ft Canberra double and you didn't look like it was hurting. You always managed a big smile when we saw you.

Lovely to have a proper catch up over lunch. Rest up and eat chocolate :)

Mat said...

Well done CJ. That's a great result (6' and all :-p). Time for C&C&R.

It was great to meet you in person as well :-).

2P said...

Woohooo congratulations CJ that is an awesome result considering the bumpy ride since SFT - well done mate ;-)

Unknown said...

Wonderful effort in the circumstances CJ. I ran a little way behind you for a considerable distance and you looked so smooth and comfortable. Wished I could have kept up with you.

I'm sure a short break will have you coming back even stronger than ever.

JD

Hilda said...

If you are amazed wow, that should be tough!
You are such a big and great runner!

Friar said...

Well run CJ.

Through the highs and the lows this year.

Six Foot and Canberra Marathon must rate in the highs.

Ewen said...

Gradisco come Hilda dice che siete così corridore grande. Deve essere il cioccolato!

Well done CJ. You were good!

Unknown said...

I hope you take that well earned rest, CJ. Great marathon - congratulations!