August 3 Brisbane Marathon Festival without Darren!

Darren works every second Sunday, and sometimes the whole weekend, so I did this run with a friend.

The alarm is set for 4.45am. Thoughts go through my head once again....WHY??? Oh that's right, for the bling!! Seriously though, running is MY release, it's MY time, it's where I release all those feelings and emotions of working in a cancer hospital.

My normal routine begins, make the coffee, make my muscle igniter drink, lemon water and shower. I'm dressed and sip my coffee. I have to tape my foot for the first time, as a qualified sports trainer, I have taped thousands of times, never myself. I measure all the tape, then do the best I can, surprisingly, It feels pretty good. PLEASE don't get worse I pray.

It's a cool cruise walk down to the start line, and my thoughts come to this group, hoping to catch a glimpse of Amy, one of the girls from our online running group, before we start, and just like that, our paths cross! A quick selfie and I wish her luck!
The start is busy, lots of others to be mindful of, but I stick to the rear. I don't warm up, I never have. I love doing that in the first kilometre. The sights of Brisbane first thing in the morning as the sun is just starting to rise are gorgeous, and I stop and take some photos, yes, I stop. I love to enjoy the scenery every place I visit.

I can't hear my Runkeeper updates, just the playlist fades every kilometre, so I don't know how how I'm going, but feel pretty good. The story bridge is within sight, and before I know it, we are running over it, and again, I stop to the side to take in the scenery and take another gorgeous photos or 2!
I'm still feeling good. I take my GU gel out at the 7km mark and inhale it. Stay strong, stay strong, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8' stay strong, repeats in my mind. My foot is still feeling good and I am thankful. Before I know it, I hit the 10km mark, and am amazed how good I feel. After running a half just 2 weeks ago, I thought I'd struggle a bit, OK , a lot!

The 14km mark approaches and I pull out my second gel. I have never had 2, usually I have one at the 10km mark, but thought I'd try it today. I pass strangers who cheer me on by name, it's amazing how much it peps you up. The marathon leader passes me, and it get goosebumps from head to toe. They are amazing. I remind myself at this time that THIS body has grown and nurtured 3 babies, and not to compare myself to anyone, it's MY body and it will do what IT wants to do.

The last few kilometres, the sun is beating down and I wish I had my visor on. I hear Amy cheer me on, and cheer her right back. She looks great!! The area has great memories for me, I abseiled here for the first time, shared THE best 12 week body transformation party here, and I start thinking of each of those girls once again as I am coming into my final kilometre. You've got this girl!!

I see the finish line, and give it every last bit as I cross the finish line. I stop Runkeeper, and head to the line for water, after receiving my medal. I don't realise the notification on the screen tells me that I have completed my longest distance in the shortest time, the sun is glaring on my screen. I get water, banana and a couple of muffins and go find my friend. My legs are feeling a little sore, my foot feels ok, but MAN am I hungry. I scoff the food and drink and we do the walk back to room. With a plane to catch, there isn't much time to waste.

It is at this moment I realise I did a PB, I did a PB!!! Tears come to my eyes. I whisper to myself, you go girl, and smile, and then the tears fall. Running is so emotional, but I love it.

21 September Sydney Running. Festival

Hubby and I wake to the 5am alarm. The first words out of his mouth are, "I'm sooooo over these runs". Honestly, between us, I am too, well that was this morning. We head to the station and shortly after, the train arrives. We sit down, deflated. WHY do we keep doing these???!!! My mind is in such a negative state that I am not even sure I am going to run all the way. Heck, I don't even care if I walk some of it anymore. (Insert tutt tutt's here!!!)

We follow the general stream of people as we head down the stairs to the start area. We remove our warm clothes, and check in our bag. Like a click of the fingers, we are keen and eager to start. All negativity has disappeared and we are ready to take this on. I scan the crowd for some of the runners in our running group without any luck, and before I know it, we are off.

Well, what can I say? We were like little kids in a candy shop!! Photo after photo, kilometre after kilometre. Suddenly the 10km smacks us in the face, and we don't even realise it, we have had so much fun enjoying the scenery, oh, and running over the bridge! Seriously, I am sure we took 50 photos at least!!! The light drizzle didn't bother us, the kilometres just kept ticking over. 

Suddenly, all too suddenly the opera house is in view, and we are down to our final kilometres. I ended up with a total distance of 22.83 kilometres in 2:40, and am stoked!!! We stopped sooo many times, for the loo and photos that the time wasn't even our minds.

Post event; amazing atmosphere 
As we enjoy some much needed food, we sit and chat about 2015's event, and decide, having loved this event so much, the best this year, we decide, wait for it, that we will do it as our first full in 2015!!!!
Crazy, huh, but sitting here deliriously happy overall with the event, and that we have both completed, injury free another half marathon! My 12th for the year!!!! 2 more to go! Phew!!

7 September Ross Marathon Festival

We arrived in Ross mid afternoon. With a 6.30 pasta night organised, after checking out Ross itself, we decided to rest up and watched the AFL final on TV. When it finished, we went to the town hall to eat. It was great value for money, and it's great talking to other like minded people.

Back to the room, my footy team is playing, and we lost, really badly. I went to sleep sulking!
The half marathon was not starting until 9.30, so we didn't get up till 8! I was ready to do this. Bring it on!!! The usual morning routine, then we head off to the start line. There is hundreds of people! Wow! We are surprised. We certainly didn't expect the 300 odd entrants!

Before long, we are off, and I stick to the back of the pack, as always. I enjoy the scenery, taking some shots on the way out from town. The sun is quite warm and I am grateful to see some trees and shade in the distance. I am thinking about the 'hill' that everyone has warned us about. At the drink station I thank the volunteers, as always, and continue on. 7.5km in and I am looking at the incline. OMG!!!!! I am going to die!!!!

It is at this point, I would like to say, that bedsides finishing without injury, my other goal is not to walk, no excuses. I round 2 corners and am at the foot of the hill. Let's do this. One foot in front of the other, keep going, you have got this....I repeat over and over. Finally, I reach the top, and the view is beautiful, aahhhhh downhill, yay. I keep running along, enjoying the beautiful countryside that is Tasmania. I approach the halfway mark and see that I have a time of 1:14, not too bad seeing I take photos and start at the back of the pack. This time round, I struggle. I have run tough halves this year, but the late start just messed with me. I really struggle, and when I run past my hubby going the other way around the 14km mark, it must show on my face, 'keep going honey' he tells me. I suck it up, mostly because I have no choice!

After the loop, I have a strong headwind, it feels stronger than the first lap, the sun is beating down, and I just want this over. I know I have the hill to look forward to, hahaha, and tears spring in my eyes. Are you kidding me?? I'm having a slight teary on the track??? I wipe them away, blaming the wind and sun, but I know I'm broke.

Just before the hill, I spot some lambs and sheep. They bring a smile to my face. I cross over and stop to take some photos, and another runner, participating in the full marathon is doing the same. He is a young man around 30 and we exchange pleasantries. Ok, off to the hill. I decided to walk up the hill, because I don't know how else I was going to get to the top otherwise. At the top, I say to myself 3km to go, you've got this. One foot in front of the other....still struggling.

I'm tired, I'm hungry, I'm hot and grumpy and spent. I'm cross that there was no electrolytes left on the 2nd lap. I just want this over!!
I round a couple more corners, and there it is, I can see the finish line, 500m ahead. I dig deep, real deep, deeper than I've ever had to before. A few people cheer me on, and tears spring to my eyes again, but I don't care this time. I'm almost there, and then, just like that it's over. Medal around my neck, we head to the bakery for food and drinks. I have another run in 2 weeks time, I'm hoping my head is in a better place on race day!

Darren thought the run was hard halfway through as the sun was beating down on him and it was hot! Another nice, small town scenery to admire and he enjoyed this one.

Sydney is in two weeks time, we are almost done!

August 17 Alice Springs Running Festival

This was our sentimental run!  After all, 12 months ago, we were running our very first half marathon!

Similar to Broome, we have added a few days either side of the run to enjoy Australia's outback.

We stay out at the airport. Up early, and over to The Qantas terminal. We have direct flights and know in just a matter of hours, we will be in Alice Springs. 

We check I to our hotel room, and then go explore!

Sunset on our first night

The following day, we eat, sleep and watch some AFL. Darren is unaware his parents are in town and are going to suprise him tomorrow night for dinner. A few text messages to update them what we are doing, Darren is none the wiser. We are up early, but are happy that the start and finish line is right outside the hotel entry.

Before much of a wait, we are off. I see Darren in the distance and catch him, but before long, he is out of sight. It warms up fairly quickly, and before long I am into double digits. I am starting to feel a little funny, and there are no electrolytes on the track! Lucky for me I have my GU gel or I'm sure I would have passed out. The outback is not an easy run, and I am thankful when I reach the 19km mark. Only 2km to go! I talk myself into finishing strong, and before I know it, I see the finish line. It's not a great time, but I'd rather finish without a hospital admission!

I find the electrolytes and drink away! We go to the restaurant and eat buffet brekky!

Darren's breakfast

We spend the rest of the day relaxing!

In the afternoon, we attend the medal presentations and receive our medals!

Soon we need to get ready for dinner, and Darren has no idea his parents are about to suprise us!

Dinner with Darren's mum and dad

We spend the next few days seeing more of Alice Springs surrounds and spending time in the spa

Our time in Alice Springs is up. Time to pack up and recover for we have Ross in a couple of weeks time!

Pichi Richi Half Marathon June 29

Time to pack our bags and head off again. We do our usual routine of staying out at the airport, sleep is so very important in the lead up to a run. We know we have a big drive 3.5-4 hours tomorrow from the airport to Port Augusta, so we are in bed early. 

The alarm goes off, and I'm excited to be heading to somewhere I've never been before, in fact, neither of us have actually stopped there, (Darren drove through years ago' if that counts). We head to the gate after picking up our routine lattes. The flight is non eventful, before we know it we are in Adelaide. We make our way to the car hire, and pick up our cute little Hyundai. 

We drive the few hours to Port Pirie and stop for lunch. It's freezing, although blue skies are trying to break through.

Port Pirie

Our long drive!

It doesn't take much time to arrive in Port Augusta after lunch, and we find our accommodation  and check in. We are located on S pincer Gulf, and although the temperature is in single digits, we layer up and go for a walk. 

Spencer Gulf

We head back to our room, to watch some AFL before heading out to our pasta dinner, hosted by the rotary club. I love when events host a pasta night prior to our event. It's great to talk to the locals and share our journey.

We head off in the dark for dinner, and for the life of me, after 2-3 u-turns, I just cannot work out how to arrive at our destination!  I eventually call the rotary club, and receive directions, which sees us making yet another u-turn.

Our night is great. We share our story and everyone is genuinely interested in our goal. After a great meal, we head back to our room. We were shocked to find out that the start line is not in Port Augusta, but in Quorn!! This means we will be up even earlier in the morning now.

The alarm god off, we go through our usual routine, and are in the car on our way before long. I am thankful for our late checkout, there is no way we would have been able to get back, showered and packed up in time! It is still cold, well, actually, freezing. Drizzle is forecast! 

We arrive at the footy oval, park our car, and head to the bus, which will take us 21km back through a winding hilly road. I sit there freezing, I think my lips are blue. Darren doesn't say much as we wait for the bus to transport is to the start line.

We get out of the bus, and I am thankful to see that there is a fire to keep us warm! What a fabulous idea!

Me keeping warm!

Before long, we start our run, and my count down begins. Darren heads off early and I am left alone to pound the hilly roads.

Darren is waiting for me at the finish line, and he has had a good run. With 16kms of up hill and only 5km of flat road, he loved the beautiful countryside, having never been to the area prior.

I wouldn't say I didn't enjoy the run,mi loved the Flindes Ranges, but I didn't like the drizzle, and I certainly DID NOT like the hills, any of the 16km of them!! As I ran, I found someone's running bib, and didn't think twice about picking it up and handing it in at the next drink station. After all, your running bib is the one thing that stays with you for every kilometre. To some, and to me, my bib is something I cherish!

Some of the sights....

Well I arrive at the finish line, and have to queue up for my medal with all the 10km runners. Quite disappointing to have to queue for so long. I'm cold, I'm tired, I'm hungry (nothing changes there), and just want to get the bling and leave. 

And another event over with. We drive back to Adelaide to catch our flight, with a few minutes to spare! We are happy to be heading home, injury free, another event under our belts. I am so looking forward to our next one....Broome!! Mid 20's every day! Can't wait for sunshine and Cable Beach!

Barossa Running Festival May 25

It's Friday afternoon, we head to Bendigo. It's been a long few weeks for me, as I've been really sick. Kidney infection then a virus for a good couple of weeks. This meant we missed Puffing Billy and Hanging Rock, so there is next years unfinished business.

I'm worried about this run, with no training at all, and low energy levels, I can only hope we continue our injury free streak.

The night before we fly out we always stay at the airport. Nested of heading to the airport though, we have a concert to go to, not ideal, but hey, Dr Hook cannot be passed up, well one of the band. The traffic is horrendous through the city, but soon we are on the open road on our way to Bendigo, in Central Victoria. We meet Darren's parents and Aunty and her friend at a beautiful restaurant and enjoy pasta for dinner, before heading to the concert.nit means a late night, but after spending 3 weeks indoors, it's great to sit and relax and enjoy a laugh.

It's after 11pm when it finishes, and we head to McDonalds cafe for a cuppa. We drive the hour and a half back to the airport and check in; it's after midnight when we get to bed. Not ideal I know.

The following morning we are up at 5.30 to catch the plane to Adelaide before collecting the car to drive to the Barossa Valley.

We visit the Whispering Wall, where you can whisper from one end, and it can be heard at the other end. Quite amazing.

It was a beautiful day weather wise, and we enjoyed 'running' around everywhere

The Lavendar farm smelt amazing, and we stopped here for lavendar scones!

And no visit to the area would be complete without a visit to the Chateau

and The view from Lyndoch Hill

We arrive in Tanunda, and collect our bibs. Ah, NOW I feel like we are here for a run!

Back to the Novotel where we are staying for a shower and dinner, sleep will come easy tonight.

The alarm is set early, 6am to allow us to shower, coffee and have our customary banana.

It's cold at the start line, and we talk to a few other runners. The course is flat, and we are waiting right beside the grape vines.

The run is officially started, and we are off. Darren runs with me for the first 500m then he is gone. The kilometres tick over, and before I know it, it's the 5km mark. Suprisingly I feel ok. I feel a couple of other girls run next to me and we exchange encouragement, and then we start chatting. We approach the half way turnaround together, and the leader of the marathon passes us. WOW!!! We have a giggle as we say we are in second place hehehe.

I leave the girls a couple of Km's later, and am consumed by the surroundings. 

Darren going the other way

Darren, as always, is waiting at the finish line for me. I'm spent, and starving. My time isn't anything fantastic, but it's still a sub 2:30. Darren also finishes under 2:30, and we are happy to have spent some time in the Barossa and to finish yet another event, injury free.

We decide to drive back to Glenelg beach to walk some more and enjoy the beautiful sunny afternoon.

The sunset

Another half marathon under our belts. We are looking forward to Port Augusta. We have never visited that area and are excited at the thought of running in the Flinders Ranges.