Why I love running

My coach asked me to tell her the best two races I have had, how I felt, preperation etc.. Here were my thoughts.

I consider the best two races to be the Canberra 50k and the Houston marathon


Canberra 50k 2006:

I really enjoyed this race. Previously I had run two 50k races. In 2004 I ran 50k with bugger all training and ran 4.32 and staggered the last 6k as a cripple. In May 2005 I ran the same course in 3.59.58. My lead in too the Canberra race was good. I ran lots of 3hrs runs each week and 2hrs every Wednesday. In the months previous I ran a 10k PB 0f 37.58 and a half PB of 1.24.24. I injured my groin 3 weeks before the 50k but after some intensive physio it came good. Race day was great and I had a plan to try and run about 3.40-3.45. Between 20-35kms I had what I call ‘dream running’ where it running was without effort and I felt invincible and strong. If there were photos of me running I am sure I would have had a big grin on my face. I enjoyed the run immensely and I remember chatting to a beautiful young lady as I run the last k of the marathon feeling great. I ran though in 3.06 (a PB of 9 minutes) and ran well to 45km when all the things became real tough as they should. I finished very spent but very happy.

Houston Marathon 42.2k 2007:

I has a similar build-up to Houston but not lower my 10k or half marathon times but ran a good 5k (17.06) a few weeks beforehand. This was my first big city marathon with about 10,000 marathon entrants. It was a cool and humid day but the week beforehand I felt strong and fresh and ready to go. I knew I could run under 3hrs but thought maybe a 2.55 in ideal conditions. I got caught behind a few slow people at the start running the first 2k @ 4.40pace but at the 10k mark was back on pace. I ran and chatted to a local to 21kms then ran the rest by myself over the last 21kms. Between 25-34km I once again a golden patch of running and enjoyed the support and entertainment of the course. In fact picked up the pace a fair bit in is section running 4min/k but at 37kms paid for the effort (my only regret) and finished in a happy heap in 2.57.

The two races changed not only my fitness levels but my belief in what I was capable of doing. Just writing these few paragraphs has made me realise why I love running so much. I also believe I am on the right track to write a few more paragraphs of the great runs I have had.

Weston Creek Half

A great morning for running on a scenic undulating course along circlepaths. Finished 1.24.45 at dead on 4min/k pace. With the 'bug' I have been carrying all week I did not expect much more and was happy with the effort and the ability to keep going to the end.

I had decided before this race that if I wasn't in 1.20-1.21 form than Canberra would be cancelled and that has how it has worked out. The plan now is to rest, get some blood tests, and get over this bug once and for all, after carrying it for over 2 weeks.

The target mararthon is now the Gold Coast marathon which gives me more time to get strong and run well. I caught up with Jackie and this part of the weekend has a great success as we got to spend most of the weekend together and have developed a relationship that will bring success to us both.

The next post will be when I begin running again, hopefully at the end of the week.