Debuts, PBs and the RunLisaRun Interview

Last weekend was INSANE for racing! It has been hard to keep up with all of the results - those of you who raced, who PBed and who crashed and burned.

So firstly this is an apology - sorry if I miss you off the blog. If you smashed a PB or ran a distance for the first time and you don't get a mention, let me know! I will be sure to give you a shout out next week!

Last weekend we had HRE athletes at the Cairns 70.3 Ironman, Doomben Half Marathon and Rocky River Run. Jason also raced in Bundaberg at some Queensland Cycling Series, but I will save his results for next weeks post.

Starting in Cairns at the 70.3 Ironman - Rodney went back to make up for his disappointment from last year. His goal was quite ambitious of going under 5hrs, but I knew he had been doing a heap of work, even with his dodgy left arm from the accident in January. It was awesome to get home on Sunday and watch his race splits online, watching him get closer and closer to the finish on the run - it was something else. I was texting and facbooking his wife while he was racing, so I knew he was close to breaking 5hrs. When he finished in 5.04 I was pumped but a little disappointed. Then I found out he penalised for a drafting penalty (who doesn't draft in triathlon!) his penalty was 5 minutes!!! So close but yet so far!

He has another 70.3 coming up in Yeppoon in August so I am sure he will be ready to go under 5hrs "officially" by then! Best moment for Rodney - was when Connor went up and gave him a massive hug after the race. I love that feeling that your kids idolise you and are so proud you have a medal (Joel still thinks I win every marathon)!



Rod smashing it at the end!

70.3 Done and Dusted!

Onto Doomben Half Marathon in Brisbane, my sister Mon and my cousin Cath were running. Cath PB AGAIN over the 10k and is on track for a great half marathon debut at Gold Coast. Mon's race didn't go as we had hoped, we had pretty similar races where we felt tired and couldn't get out of first gear. Doomben also had some pretty terrible rain, I have never run GC in the rain - I hope we don't have a wet year this year. I know Mon will go under 2hrs - she just has to believe it herself.

Cath and Mon

Which gets us onto the Rocky River Run. Our local half marathon her in Rockhampton, it used to be the only half marathon BUT HRE will be having a half marathon at the CQPhysio Group Spring Classic on the 16th of September (lock in that date local runners).

The course is 2 loops and crosses the "Old" Bridge and the train bridge, starting and finishing at the Huish Drive Park. It is relatively flat, but isn't that quick with parts of the run on grass and rough roads. Again this year rain threatened to spoil the show but it didn't - but conditions were the hottest I have felt for the past 4 years.

Up the pointy end of the field local legend Paul Tucker won comfortably in 1.15.55 - comfortably in front of Michael McGrath second place in 1.24.10. Women's winner Anna McMurtrie started the race late, but that didn't worry her, going on to win in 1.25.01 - she screamed past me at about the 2km mark on a mission. Big surprise packet was Raleigh Wallace smashing a 1.26.10 - very quick time, more impressive is that he has been smashing himself on the bike getting ready for the Yeppoon Ironman 70.3 (I say sell that bike).

TNF Bucklers Benny, Marty (White Caviar) and Gav all ran strong. Ben went 1.27.06 (for 7th) beating Marty (no official time) and Gav in 1.33.20. Leah (TNF Crew Chief) was very impressive in running a strong 1.32.28 setting her up for a massive Gold Coast.

Special mention to Brenden Motley who also smashed a half marathon PB going under 1.35 for the first time. He is definitely on track to crack 3.30 this year for the marathon at Gold Coast.

Onto two of my running proteges, both have signed on to do their first Marathon at Gold Coast. They ran very strongly. Cain ran 1.59.37 - first time under 2hrs, so very excited for him and Greg ran a 1.47.40. Both Greg and Cain are new to running - I am proud to say I played a small part in getting them both started and staying on track. I'm so impressed with their times, it was a massive PB for Cain and Greg's first ever half marathon!

Onto Veronica who also smashed the half marathon in 2.09.28. Well done! That was my time from 2009 - my first ever race. Hard work pays off!

Which gets me onto the Interview part of the Blog. I am yet to meet Lisa but she has been following my blog and has just started her running journey. It is a bit daunting knowing she reads the blog as she writes for The Morning Bulletin and has her very own successful blog The Yank In OZ. Whilst I have been concentrating on the runners getting ready for the marathon at the Gold Coast - Lisa ran her first 5km on the weekend!! I love that! I just had to do a quick interview to see how it all went!

1.     So yesterday was your first "race"? Surely you ran at high school in races?

Yes, the Rocky River Run was my first official "timed" race.  I ran a 3k "Fun Run" last year that wasn't timed, or fun. I hadn't built my cardio at all at that point but was getting fit.  I started swimming first and when I was up to around a kilometre a swim, I started running again.  I did run during high school but was not on the track team.  I actually used to run alone, outside on a levy behind my house.  I took some running classes at uni.  My best mile was around 6:18 then.  I ran again before kids and then gave it up until recently.  And I'm only really enjoying it now. 

2. What does your training week look like? You train on the dreadmill* don't you? *dreadmill cause I can’t stand running inside!

My training week I did a couple of runs around 5k. Both unfortunately inside.  My husband works at the mines and I have a small child that isn't in school that I need someone to watch while I run.  I do, do runs outside whenever I have the chance and prefer it, mainly because my times are better, ha ha. I took a couple days off before, which I didn't know to do.  I thought you were supposed to train until the day.   I also made sure I ate really well, although many more experienced runners told me not to worry about it for a 5k.  But honestly, I wanted it to go as smoothly as possible so if laying off the unhealthy stuff and charging my body with good stuff made it easier, I was onto it.  I am so-so when it comes to healthy eating but have been getting better.  I've noticed my runs are a lot easier and better when I take time to rest and eat well.  Duh, I know, but I'm slowly learning.  Like I said, this is the first time I've really taken it seriously.

3.     So race day was wet, were you worried about anything? Like puddles, see-through shirts

Ha, funny you should mention the rain.  The Only thing I prayed for, besides making it through the race, was a rainy and/or overcast day.  Mainly because I didn't want it to be hot.  I guess training at the gym has made me soft in that aspect.  I didn't even think about slipping until a mate of mine mentioned it right before the race.  Chalk that up to blissful ignorance.  But then I got caught up behind some people and had to hop over the leg of a sign and did a little slip which made me even more aware of it!  Oh, and didn't even think about see-through shirts.  Good thing I wore black!

4.     How did it go? Did you have any dumb first runner questions like where do I put my number?

The race itself actually went really well.  I was a bit concerned I wouldn't know where to go on the course but once I got going, that worry left me.  I was probably a little bit too excited about pinning the number bib to my shirt and (don't tell anyone) wanted to keep it on the rest of the day.  The run itself was a lot better than I had anticipated.  I had checkpoints in my head and had planned to up the speed on the last leg (third water stop) but it was so close to the end, by that point I'm not sure running faster added much.  I wish I would have gone and seen the course first.  There were points I ran faster, once my breathing felt balanced or the music moved me.  The only "dumb new runner" thing that happened was me trying to get a sip of water.  Not really sure how you continue running, get the water in your mouth (not down the front of your shirt) and get a drink before having to throw it in the bin.  Wow, that was probably the hardest part of the race.  Think I'll get one of the water bottle hand straps next time.

5.     Did you run with any other runners? Did you have a watch or just ran to feel?

I started with a friend, Mary-Ann Charles, but we split up pretty early.  I moved ahead, then she'd come out of nowhere, then I'd be ahead. I think I finished like 20-something seconds before her.  I did have a watch (not a Garmin, sin, I know) but I just didn't want to look at it.  I wanted to just go by the official time.  I didn't have a "time" in mind before starting, although I'm sure that will change with experience.  But I know at the gym, my time is one thing, outside is another, so I said somewhere between 30 and 60 minutes.  Of course, I secretly would have been sad had it been 60. 

6.     Honestly did you have to stop, or did you run the whole way?

My ONLY goal during this run (besides finishing) was NOT stopping...and I didn't.  Not once.  Not on the muddy, stupid hill coming onto the bridge, not on the other slightly less stupid little hill, not when I got stuck behind a group that stopped suddenly, not once.  After my surprisingly lacklustre performance at Chris Gale's clinic, I said I wasn't going to stop no matter what.  I don't stop at home or at the gym, but I stopped at the clinic and was very disappointed in myself.  I knew I could do it without stopping and I didn't care how long it took even if I slowed my pace.  I know for the experienced runner to see 33:45 for a 5k, in your mind there is a chance I could have stopped.  But that's smashing it for me.  :)

7.     How did the finish feel, what was it like running down the finish chute? Feels pretty good doesn't it!

It's funny because compared to the first place finisher of the half-marathon, me coming across the finish line is a bit of a "so what" to most spectators.  But to me it felt like I had won the Boston Marathon.  I think that is what a lot of experienced runners forget about when they are around new runners.  They used to be like us.  The spark is there.  We want it too.  A helping hand is INVALUABLE and I'm thankful to those that take the time.  Like you, Sean and of course, Chris Gale.  One day maybe I'll have that feeling and it will be at the Boston. 

8.     You mentioned a 10k...is that next on the list? Any chance you might have a crack at a half marathon or 100km in the bush?

I keep track of my fitness on an app called Runkeeper.  My "goal" on there is to eventually do a half marathon.  Right now my goal is a 10k.  I'm unsure whether I should work on maybe being able to smash a 5k, or just training for a 10k.  Is a 10k the next logical goal? Or should I be able to finish better at a 5k?  Either way, I want to eventually move on to a 10k, then a half.  As of right now, a 100k in the bush or a flat, no-hill, conveyer belt highway is not even on the radar.  It seems impossible to me.  That being said, I spoke with Gavin and Raelene Bendall and I remember Gavin saying that five years ago he was doing his first 5k.  I guess I thought someone at that level would have been smashing marathons when they could first walk.  So it was good to hear that although I'm not that far along, I can set some higher goals for myself.  I never thought I'd even be here in the time that I have so who knows?  Never say never.  But for now I'm happy just inching up the goals and training smart.  That 5k definitely sparked my competitive edge.  I didn't like getting passed.  But I sure enjoyed passing...  Oh, and I'll be moving to Byfield so no more "dreadmill".  Only real bush tracks.  :D

9.     How did you feel for the rest of the day? Did you feel tired or buzzing!!

Surprisingly I wasn't tired or sore at all.   I definitely was buzzing and a bit disappointed the whole thing was over.  Hence the reason I'm already signing up for other races, lol. 

Run Lisa Run

Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing your race experience, there is nothing like the finishers chute!

My own race on the weekend was pretty weird. I went out with Brenden and we went through the first 5km on pace at 21.30, then my legs just got really heavy and I couldn't generate any pace. I ended up with a 1.43 a minute outside my PB. In hindsight, I cant expect too much 2 weeks after TNF.

Bring on Gold Coast! I have never had a good race there! This is my year! 3 weeks to go!

Stay safe on the roads!

Pex

P.S Phil of Phils Photos does a bloody awesome job at our local races! This is a great shot of me being a jet from Sunday - I wish I was feeling good instead of struggling!