Run Melbourne - the breakdown...
Yesterday I completed my first ever fun run. That's right I completed my first ever 10km fun run.
Jayne, a friend of mine and I had been 'training' about once a week for this run quite a few months back.
We'd been running 6km once a week on top of our other activities (gym, indoor soccer and other runs).
I was quite nervous about competing in this 10km fun run, considering I'd never run more than 6km in "one sitting".
So Jayne and I met up at Fed Square yesterday to compete in the charity fun run, Run Melbourne.
17,665 thousand people took part in the 5km, 10km and half marathon (21km) run - in total raising more than $969,463 for various charities.
Thanks to my friends and family who donated - I raised a total of $190 for Breast Cancer Australia. A close family member was diagnosed with Breast Cancer earlier this year and has undergone treatment. So I did this run for her.
So... Jayne and I signed up for the 10km - and aimed to get it done in under 60minutes.
RACE DAY:
I stayed in Melbourne the night before to get a good night's sleep. I woke at a bit after 7am, changed, refreshed and ate a tiny bowl of porriage. I caught the train to Fed Square and drank gatorade on the way.
I met up with Jayne and her boyfriend (who looked after our gear), we then walked to the start line and stretched up...
Here's just a snapshot taken from the Run Melbourne website of the start of the 10km run...
We waited and waited until our 'wave' was called... nervously we talked to each other, laughed, looked at our competitors and waiting until that horn sounded. About 20minutes after 9am that horn sounded!
The 10km route:
We were off! Us, with a crowd around us started to jog, around the end of the first kilometer we had started to distance ourselves from everyone else - we had all started to get our own pace. Between km 1 and 2, Jayne and I found the 60minute pace 'people' - and planted ourselves on their heels for the next couple of km's. We had to go up a little hill, and then another, and had an awesome run down this bigger hill - giving us time to relax. This put us at around the 5 - 6km mark. We were enjoying the various DJ's and bands that were playing along the way and focused on keeping our pace, by this time we had overtaken the 60minute "pace people".
From here on, I struggled for a couple of kilometers, just keeping the pace - I must admit by this time I was BUSTING to go to the toilet! haha! I couldn't stop to go to the toilet - no way. So we endured. After a little bit I got a second wind, we only had a few km's to go - and we kept going... along wellington parade, down batman avenue - the last little leg - and around the corner to the home straight!
and then POW - out the corner of my eye I spotted Brad! :) I was so surprised, waived and then instantly wanted to give him a hug and finish. Then Jayne said, sprint!
So I did, I ran hard and as fast as my legs could give me - and I crossed the line! It was the best feeling, I felt like I instantly stopped, and then I wanted to go to the toilet. And I couldn't be any happier. It was the BEST feeling!!
Run Melbourne sent me a text message last night - I completed the course in 58:59minutes - and came 3618 (I don't know out of how many).
I can't tell you how sore my legs and knees were yesterday, my calves (which usually get tight) were ok, but my quadriceps were so sore, and knees - boy I could hardly bend them! I felt like I was walking with a pole up my bum! haha!
Tonight as I write this, my legs are less weary, although mentally I'm exhausted.
I'm so happy I completed one of my MAIN goals for 2010 - and I'm only half way through the year! I feel like I'm on now on the fun run band wagon - my aim now is to complete a 12km run in Geelong -
Run Geelong - for the Cotton On Foundation - on the 21st of November.
Thanks so much for your encouragement over the last few months while I've been training.
xo
