Sunday, August 22, 2010

Ethel, git your clothes back on........

Event: Vets half marathon
Time: 8.30am
Distance: 21.1km
Duration: 1hr 40.05min
Pace: 4.43min/km
Cals: 1,145

Woke to a clear, still morning but oh boy, it was chilly. Correction: it was bloody freezing. The fog came in briefly but disappeared just as quickly. I headed down to Stage 88 about 8am, allowing some time for the necessary toilet stop and cursory run around the paths, loosely called a warm up, except I didn't warm up. Then the layers had to come off - the tracky pants, the long sleeved top, the fleecy jacket, the looser, lighter jacket. This left me in running shorts and singlet (cue flashback to a song from the 70's - The Streak, when streaking was all the rage).

For the first 5km of the run I could not feel my fingers or toes, and my eyes were streaming from the cold. The things we do. I settled into a steady pace, which averaged between 4.45 - 4.55min/km, and took in my surroundings, enjoying the view. Occasionally I would pass other runners and they, in turn, would pass me. Spoke briefly to Charlie who passed me and then I passed a little later. Jen took off after a couple of kms never to be seen again by me for the duration of the run, only to find out afterwards that she wasn't that far ahead of me at the finish.

Feeling gradually returned to my extremities as I warmed up. I was enjoying the run. All was good. I ran the second half of the event slightly faster, about 1min 37sec faster in total, so a negative split of sorts. I also felt strong and comfortable the entire way, without verging into the uncomfortable zone. So all in all, very happy with the run. Okay, maybe I could've gone slightly faster and got under the magical 100mins but there's always a next time...isn't there?!

And to top off a great run, I came first in my age group! Definitely nothing wrong in having macarons the day before!

Speedy Geoff & Jen Runs: thanks for the welcome back!
Ewen: I'm at a loose end now that Masterchef has finished! Can't you tell!


L to R: medal winners: Ruth, Margaret, CJ, Jen. Can you tell that we're cold!

3 comments:

strewth said...

So good to see you blogging again CJ. It was a fun day yesterday and at least we had sunshine. Well done on a fantastic result. :)Now it's time for me to try to update my blog too!!

Two Fruits said...

Welcome back, nothing wrong with running on Masterchef food.

Ewen said...

Yes, I can tell.

Sub-100 in Melbourne! That's my goal too if I can shake this lurgy and get the training ticking over.