Two more PB's and I am now married to a Sub 2:00 half marathon runner!

Alarm goes off at 6am. Showers, tea for Darren  coffee for me, into our running gear and off we go. We feel good. We slept well, having been tucked up in bed by 9pm! We drive to the show grounds, and head for the bag drop, leaving our jackets and valuables with the volunteers. The volunteers are amazing, they are up at the crack of dawn so we can have a run. So very thankful to them.

On our way to the start line

We head to the start line, and shortly after, we are on our way. Darren makes sure he kisses me before he heads off to run his own run, I am ok with this. Darren was trying to find his rhythm, and for the first 3-4km was just behind Carly, our adopted daughter, although not legally. He gradually passed her, and by the time he got to the 11km mark, he knew he was on track to get a sub 2:00 time, and tried to maintain his pace until the 18km mark. At this point he was still on track, but the 5km walkers and runners had started, and were blocking the path, walking 3-4 abreast. Darren yelled out to move to the left, but thought he was not going to do his 2:00 hour time. He got going again, after waiting for about 20 seconds, and realised he was still on track. He gave the final couple of kilometres everything he had, and finished with a 1:58 time! The official results are not in yet, but he is very very happy with his time! Minus a numb big toe, he finished with no injury! 

After Darren ran off I listen to my music. You see, if I don't listen to my music, I think, and when I think too much, I slow down. The first few Km's pass easy and I am feeling pretty good. It is a scenic path, taking us along the river, which was pretty still for the run. The track keeps the sun off us, as there is plenty of greenery to block the sun. The next few Km's are done, and I'm feeling good still. My music is great company, but also thank the volunteers as I take drinks and pass them at various points along the track. Other runners are very friendly too, smiling and encouraging as our paths cross. 

Approaching the 7km mark, Darren runs past me the opposite way, and I am impressed. He looks great, and is sure doing a good pace. It spurs me on, and before I know it, I'm at the turnaround point, having waved to Carly and seeing a friend, Paula. There is something about knowing that you are running the same path that others you know have run, it's totally inspiring! 

Drink stations pass, and soon I see the showgrounds, YAY!!! Little did I know the most unenjoyable part of my run was about to begin. The people that were already on the track just would not move out of the way. Same as Darren, I yelled to keep to the left, but people were still in my way. At one point, I almost got pushed over by a girl coming the other way, it was awful. I fought back tears, determined that I would finish the best way I could. I dodged around many walkers and prams, just wanting to get to the finish line. It was all I had left in tank for the final km but I gave it my all. As I ran through the finish line, I was surprised to see I had finished in 2:18; smashing 7 minutes of my Hobart time!

Today's injuries for me are just blisters on my second toe on both feet. I can deal with that.

We had finished and were rehydrating

The medals are fabulous! So fitting for a runner to get a medal shaped like a runner. We catch up with Paula and her hubby and 2 girls, and exchange stories. We say our goodbyes and head for the TORQ tent, where we stock up on gels, recovery powder and fuel powder.

We head back to the caravan park, and soak our legs in the pool for a good half hour. As hungry as I am I know we need to recover really well this coming week as our next run is in 2 weeks in Port Macquarie. We drink our BCAA drink and relax. 

This coming week, we plan to head back to the beach for a couple of recovery sessions and do some serious stretching sessions. Right now, we are happy. Finishing with 2 PB's and no injuries, we are well on our way to completing a half marathon in every state and territory!

Wangaratta here we come

Well, this is where the last months training comes to fruition. We have ran, and we have also clocked up some serious kilometres on our bikes. Today we head off on our first road trip for the year; to a country town in Victoria named Wangaratta. 

Over the last month, we have completed a 10-15 km run most weekends, and last Saturday we completed a 10km run, then did 20km on our bikes! On Australia Day we participated in a 10km fun run down the Mornington Peninsula which was beautiful.

Here we are on the bus to the start line

It was a beautiful morning for a run

Here we are at the start line

And here we are with our amazing medals.

Recovery walk along the beach at Portsea

London Bridge, Portsea, Australia Day

We will hit the road this afternoon with training and recovery sufficiently completed. My soft tissue therapist works at Collingwood Football Club, and there is a practice match up on Wangaratta this afternoon? Larissa has offered to work on my legs tonight after the match finishes. She sure is something! Said she would tell the footy boys to step aside, I'm a VIP. Very funny!! Might just take her up on it, will keep you posted on that one!

The Sunset series Melbourne Zoo run

Here I am pictured (from left to right) with my little sister, Raelene, Belinda and Sara. It was a warm night, but amazing to run through the zoo again. It was great to get together after work and have a run. The next run of the series was at The Tan in Melbourne this past Wednesday, but with storms and showers forecast, and activities 4 out of 5 nights, I did the sensible thing and came home. The week leading up to a half marathon is important to do what your body tells you to. And my body LOVES rest and sleep!! We've had early nights, and by early I mean 8.30-9.00pm each night, lots of water, veggies, nuts and chicken. The mornings start at 5am for us, and we have downloaded an app that gives you a 7 minute workout. I must admit, I was skeptical to begin with, but you sure work up a sweat, and get the heart pounding. It's also great to start the day with a work out, even if it's only 7 or 14 minutes. This means we can dedicate our evenings to running and riding.

Well I guess it's time to go pack a bag, and do those last minute things, like washing clothes, and answer some emails. Will post our rundown on our 2nd half marathon for the year in Wangaratta tomorrow.

Thanks for sharing our story!