GC Half Marathon
http://goldcoastmarathon.com.au/races/half-marathon/
The ASICS Half Marathon is one
of Australia’s premier running events, providing both an avenue for
those making the step up in distance and a stage for frequent half
marathoners to strut their stuff on an a world-standard course.
Starting at the Race Precinct in
Southport, the course traces the picturesque Broadwater, providing
views of Wavebreak, Ephraim and South Stradbroke Islands. Enjoy the sights
as you run to Paradise Point along the flat and fast terrain.
Give yourself a small reward as
you run through 10.55km and around the northern turn. Enjoy the
thrill of heading for home as you once again take in the water views
and the buzz of being half way there. Cross the Loders Creek Bridge and you’ll
know it’s only one kilometre until the end. Soak up the atmosphere created by
your fellow runners and the crowd support as you reach the finish chute and
ultimately your goal of the finish line.
Pre-race -
As usual there is a story behind this run. Even
though Gold Coast is the place to run for PBs, I was never interested in it. I like
smaller, quieter events. And if I chose to race in Queensland, it would be
Sunshine Coast.
Anyway, my running was progressing well since
recovering from hip surgery last August. I ran Canberra half marathon, Wings
for Life and Great Ocean Road. And most importantly, I had NO pain! I even
stepped up my long runs and managed a couple of 30km training runs with
Lysterfield Trail Runners. Then someone sent me a link to the JETSTAR sale!
Cheap flights to the Gold Coast with the marathon only five weeks away! I was
struggling with life in general, and I needed a break. And my running was going
great. Like many others, I wrestle with the prospect of training for a marathon
(running it on the day is okay though). And then I had a crazy thought… forget
training and pressure to run a PB (I could last the distance) so just
enter it and have some fun! I didn’t care how long it took. I just wanted to go
away for the weekend, run a marathon and have fun with some friends.
I had planned
on running a marathon (a few days before) with a friend to support her
Bravehearts event of 7 marathons in 7 days in 7 cities; http://www.bravehearts.org.au. I wanted to run in Melbourne
with Dani but the fundraising was steep. For the same money, I could fly to
Queensland, run and support Dani for the last marathon of 777. And support
others too.
Decision made… I entered Gold Coast marathon.
A few days later I went out on a long training run (road)
before tapering. I planned on 32km but I got lost and clocked up 35km. I was
sore and tired, which was expected. But my left (operated) hip didn’t settle. I
ran the following weekend (helped pace
someone at Traralgon half marathon) and I could feel something not right in
my hip from about the 4km mark. The pain continued for the next few weeks;
worse at night and sitting. I saw my physiotherapist (Morgan from Physio+Fitness Seaford) and Brad continued to adjust
me. I had a MRI, which showed the original repair was intact. Apparently there
was a new small tear but nothing to explain the pain. There was also glute tendonosis,
which is typical for someone with a long-standing hip injury. It showed I needed
to work on strength but didn’t explain the pain.
The physio said I could run the half marathon.
I sold my full ticket and scored a cheap half entry a few days before the race! I had to run as someone else but that didn’t bother
me. I had decreased my training significantly in the weeks prior and even a
half marathon was going to be tough. I was predicting somewhere around 1:45-1:47
(I secretly wanted less than Canberra, which was 1:42:30) but my main goal was
NO pain!
The night before race day I arrived on the Gold
Coast and took the shuttle bus to Main Beach Caravan Park. I organised to stay
with friends, Jenny and Jody (RMA). I
was really looking forward to a girls weekend with like-minded people. Nicole (RMA founder) and a few others
were staying in the same complex too.
I knew a few more people running at Gold Coast; friends
Chantel and Alyssa, RMA, Rioters and
Pakenham Road Runners.
My whole perspective
had changed since downgrading to the half marathon. Now it was about supporting
Jenny and Jody (who were kindly pacing RMAs for the full marathon), Chantel (running
her first marathon for the Lung Foundation in honour of her dad), and Dani (running
for Bravehearts). I love watching, supporting and volunteering for running
events. Even if it does make me cry sometimes… happy tears.
Race day -
The morning of the race, I woke at 4am! The half
marathon started at 6am and the full started at 7am (Jenny and Jody had an extra hour sleep). I snuck out of bed to get
dressed; knee-length Skins, RMA singlet, long-sleeve top, Flipbelt with gels,
iPod, Garmin, Injinjis and Asics Nimbus.
I arranged to walk to the race precinct with
Nicole, who was running the half marathon too. It was dark and cold. Luckily, another Kate (RMA) kindly drove us part of the way. We crossed the bridge and
found the RMA tent. The atmosphere was brewing, and volunteers and officials were
buzzing around making final touches. Time disappeared and after a quick dash to the toilets, I made
my way to the start line.
The start area was chaotic and there were people
everywhere. I found the correct allocated section and my Garmin found
satellites about thirty seconds before the starting gun sounded. Phew!
Once the crowd started moving, I thought I would be
able to cut through and find some rhythm. But it was too busy and although I
was in the right section, I was surrounded by people running slower than me.
There were a handful of us trying to get ahead, so I followed other runners
onto the alternate side of the median strip and, cut in and out where needed. I
didn’t have a plan but I hoped to sit around 4:50min/km pace (1:42). However, my
first kilometre split was closer to 5:10. I had to make up time. Why? Because I
had white line fever!
The next couple of kilometres were 4:32 and 4:33. I
continued running up along and over the median strip until the 3-kilometre
mark. I finally cut back in, at a spot where people were running at a similar
speed. The sun was up and I could take in the scenery (yes I was running on the
Gold Coast, but there wasn’t much to see). The road was flat. There were shops and
spectators on both sides, and runners all around. The weather was perfect. It was sunny and cool but there was no wind (I still had my long
sleeve top on though).
For the next twenty minutes, I allowed my pace to
drop a fraction but set a goal to keep the pressure on until the 10-kilometre
mark. My legs (including hips) were feeling good. I trusted my body to go the
distance (even though I expected things to hurt from about 15-kilometres on). I
concentrated on leaning forwards from the ankles and activating glutes… 4:43,
4:38, 4:48, 4:47… then I spotted the 10km sign.
I waited until the turn around point before I took
my long sleeve top off and put my headphones in. I took a gel and walked
through a drink station for a mouthful of water to wash it down. I was grateful
for the short respite.
From the turn around point onwards, I decreased my
pace even more. I ran 4:52, 4:52, 4:54, 4:44, 4:49, 5:00, 4:49, 5:00 and
devised another plan, to pick up the pace for the last few kilometres (inspired by Michelle Harris at Traralgon)!
I had to allow 30-40 minutes easier running because
I was concerned about reaching the finish line. My heart and lungs were
comfortable, but my legs were fading (especially my left leg). Around
15-kilometres, my glutes and hips began to fatigue and I had no power. My left
calf muscle worked double time, and it hurt! I was in a good place mentally and
ready to dig deep for the last part of the course.
My last few kilometres were 4:38, 4:47, 4:48 and
4:42. The crowd carried me along for the last section, especially seeing Zoe (RMA). Zoe is the bomb when it comes to crowd support! And I knew once I
reached the RMA tent, I didn’t have far to go. I ran over a timing mat and
stopped my Garmin (and I soon realised it was the 21km timing mat). I still had
100-metres to go! I started it again but I messed up my results. My
official time was 1:42:10 (20 seconds faster than Canberra haha!) I grabbed
some water, my medal and t-shirt and walked the long way back to the RMA tent.
It was a great spot to wait and watch other runners finish.
Post race -
After cooling down and finding a place to change, I
found a home in front of the RMA tent. Best spot to camp out, and there were
bonus lollies and fruit available (thanks
Nicole)!
I stayed there for the next few hours! I watched
fellow half marathon runners come in, including Erin and Danielle (two beautiful pregnant mummas). And encouraged
ALL marathon runners home… The elite runners, familiar faces, my friends, and
back of the pack runners… I watched in admiration and envy. And I nearly lost
my voice from cheering so much! As usual, RMA offered each other endless support
and encouragement. There were tears from Zoe
when she saw friends approaching, excitement from me when I saw Chantel, encouragement for Jenny and Jody, and huge respect for Dani for completing Bravehearts 777.
I missed a few faces in the crowd (like Chris Confait, Jody Soutter and Judy
Street but you were all on my mind). Most people I knew, ran well and
crossed that finish line to receive their medal. Well done! FORTY-TWO
kilometres! You are ALL amazing!
Race feedback and will there be a next time -
The event was very busy and congested. Apparently
many runners go to Gold Coast for PBs but the traffic in the first few kilometres
was challenging. It was an out-and-back course with very little undulations.
The weather was brilliant however the mid-back pack marathoners began to feel
warm. The crowd vibe was great! Overall, I really enjoyed my experience. My
time was better than I hoped, and I loved supporting others. The perfect
weekend for me!
I scored this run 8/10.
Post-post-race:
Afterwards my hips were sore but tolerable and my
calf muscles were cactus. But I can handle musculo-skeletal tightness and pain.
At this stage, my hips are surviving. I am unsure what the next few months
will bring, I have to decide whether to increase distance and attempt to qualify for Two
Bays 56km or take the pressure off and downgrade to 28km. Time will tell.
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