Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon - 16th May 2010
The day for the hope of redemption.
I woke up at 6 having 6 hours of sleep the night before. Was out and about the day before as Shaleeni was in Sydney for visit (more on that on a different post). Had my cup of milo and 2 eggs. Put the banana in my bag and rushed out the house as I was running late. Passed my bag to shaleeni half way as she went to meet up with Lucas for breakkie and I was off to Hyde Park, the starting point of the race.
On my way to Hyde Park, I realized I left my banana in the bag. So much for having my routine breakfast eh? Fingers cross no leg cramp. I went to the very back of the starting line as there were so many people and I was late. When the race started, I felt an urge to do some 'small business'. After a few steps forward in the crowd towards the starting line, I decided, just go. So I rushed to the port-a-loo and took a dump. I didn't want to re-enact my putrajaya half marathon moment.
After 6 minutes past 7.30, I finally reached the starting line and off I go. The race was through the city. From Hyde Park to the Rocks, running along Hickson Road, going under the Harbour Bridge with the Opera House in sight, pass through Circular Quay and up the hill of Hunter Street. It was then through the Domain, making a loop at Mrs.Macquaries Chair and then a gradual slope back up. It was then back to Hyde Park and another loop was done.
I had a good start, running under 6 minutes for the first few kms. My aim was to do it under 2 hours 4 minutes. I kept on looking at my watch and doing calculations in my head throughout the run. I think that was what distracted me throughout the run. Also, another distraction was the sea of people running. Had to constantly find an open space to run. Especially at narrower lanes and corners. Didn't think about whether my legs were sore, whether I was struggling with my breathing, whether my stomach was good. Came the 5km mark, I was at 28 minutes. Sweet. If I keep running at 6 min/km, I'd finish it in 2 hours 4 mins. So if I just sprint towards the end, I'd do it under 2 hours 4 min.
As I ran up Hunter Street, I managed to maintained my pace at 6 min/km. Pass Hunter Street, I slowed down, legs were starting to get sore. But I knew the route ahead of me was going to be a nice one through the Domain. I picked up my pace. It was a slight downhill from the city into Domain and my pace was good. Just at the turn to come back up, just after the 8km mark, there it was, my distraction. Gatorade, water and GU energy gels. Take my pick. Haven't tried GU energy gels before so I grabbed one and downed it with some water. Tasted pretty good. I had the lemon sublime flavour. It was quite thick and you really need water with it. The greedy me then grabbed another one just in case I need it later on. Hehehehe.. there goes some precious time.
Came to the 10km mark, I was at 56 minutes :D :D I had a better target then. To run it under 2 hours. I just need to maintain my pace. But as I got out of the Domain, back into the city, my calves and thighs were really sore. It felt like they were about to cramp. Butt was sore too, i do not know why. I'm guessing the energy gels did not really help prevent my cramps. *sigh* I stopped by the side of the road, did some stretches but it wasn't really working. Sat down and rubbed the calves and thighs out but still quite tight. As I saw more and more runners running pass me, I wasn't happy. And so, I got up and just ran.
I ran through the city once more, taking huge strides as I ran down Hunter Street, took the opportunity to speed up as I know I was gonna have to climb back up later on and will need more time to do that. Went through the Rocks and what seemed an OK climb up Arygle Street in the first loop wasn't too OK anymore. It somehow felt a wee bit more steeper and longer. But I clenched my teeth and powered my way up. Ran down Kent Street and to Hickson road towards the Rocks. The sore calves did not go away but I was so determined not to stop or slow down. I really wanted to complete the run under 2 hours.
Reached the bottom of Hunter Street, took a deep breath in and up I went. It wasn't really a tough hill. I think I'm just weak at my legs. Mind you, my breathing was awesome throughout the whole time. No problem with that. It was just the legs. It didn't want to go anymore. I didn't look at my watch after Hunter Street and kept running.
Came the 14km mark, I was at 1 hour 18 mins. The hope of making it under 2 hours is even closer. Can la can.... and then the stupid greedy me saw more GU gels in the Domain. Same spot. Before that, I was telling myself I do not need it. Just keep running. I opened up my second pack of gel somewhere just before The Rocks on Hickson road and didn't even finish it. Was still in my hands. And so I thought I'll grab some water to finish up my second pack. And so I did. And then I grabbed two more gels to take them home. Haha!! So greedy right? But hey, I paid freaking $85 bucks and all I know is I'm getting a piece of metal after the run. I want something more. Haha! So yea.. grab the gel! Why la why? Why I so greedy? Waste time only.
On the 19th km, I was at 1 hour 48 min. This meant that I was maintaining a pace of 6km/min for the last 5km despite the greedy stop at the gels. And so, if I were to maintain the same pace or pick up my pace for the last 2km, I'd be able to achieve my target.
But .... things didn't go my way at all. The legs and bum started getting really heavy. Started to get a stitch in my tummy. My calves were really tight and it cramped up. Arghhh!!! Stopped for awhile, didn't want to stretch it and was hitting it instead to loosen it up. Haha! It did work somehow and relieve the cramp. Don't ask me how. It was still tight but tolerable. On the final km, the watch read 1 hour 54 min 47 seconds. That was the most accurate time I remembered throughout the whole run. I needed to finish my final km in 5 min 13 seconds. Which I've never done before in any of my run. In my head, I was just telling myself to give it my all. I am so close to doing it. Just go all out and have no regrets.
I tried to pick up my pace. As I came into Hyde park and with the final sprint, I had 8 seconds left. Whether I make it or not, I do not know but all I can do was to sprint. I sprinted and clocked at 2 hours 9 seconds. I was so so so gutted. 9 seconds off!!! *sigh* So close yet so far. I thought back to my previous target of under 2 hours 4 mins and felt satisfied I cut off 4 mins from my PB for a half marathon. But just gutted I couldn't do it under 2 hours when I was so close.
I feel so angry at myself. For not eating my banana. Banana prevents cramps. For being so greedy and grabbing the energy gels. That definitely took more than 9 seconds. Why la why??? For not running in preparation to the half marathon. Only ran once last week in the past 2 months. It was such a good running route. I was SO CLOSE. Maybe if I were to do it in 2 hours 2 mins, then maybe I'll feel less gutted.
On a positive side, I did achieve my earlier goal which I set before the run. It was a PB for a half marathon. I averaged at 5 min 43 secs per km. My best was the 9km run with average of 5 min 22 sec in September. But this was 21km. So I should be happy. It was the legs that failed me this time but the lungs were a machine. I attribute that to the swimming I was doing. The swimming shall be one of the training I will do from now if I do prepare for another run. And next time, I am going to make sure I incorporate some running. Who can be so silly not to run for an upcoming 21km RUN? Answer:Sher Mayne.
It was a good experiment though. To see if I can depend on swimming to help me with a half marathon. And I have came to a conclusion that it can. It really helped with the breathing and also did help mentally. Hard to explain that part but it's like.. with swimming, when I do the butterfly, there's always this strength in me to push harder till I reach the wall. I will not stop till I reach the wall. Whereas for running, if I feel like stopping, I will. I will just stop and walk. Why did I choose swimming to prepare for my half? Well, placement has been really stressed and the best way for me is to swim it off. Running won't really do the trick for me. Sometimes it does but not all the time. Whereas being in the water makes me feel so peaceful and calm. So yea... swimming in preparation for a half marathon run. Good results. I am happy with it as long as I do not think about the under 2 hours target I set for myself during the run. Haha!
Next run? I do not know. Not anytime soon. The 14km City 2 Surf is in August. Tempting but money is stopping me from doing it. Maybe I'll do the Blackmore's half marathon in September. Not sure yet. Again, it's the money that's stopping me. And there's just too much to think about. Whether or not I am strong enough mentally to train for it. That's a huge factor. I need to know that I can train before I do another half marathon. I need to make my money worth it. Will see how my 2nd sem schedule is like first before I decide on doing it.
At the mean time, it's REST REST REST. My body is aching everywhere. I can't really walk properly. Going downhill or stairs is the worst. I feel like an old lady walking around. Worst is when I'm sitting down too long and the moment I stand up, I feel like falling.
But I'm happy. I'm happy I did a PB. I'm happy I did it alone and proved to myself that I am strong and capable to push myself and to keep going. I have gained that self satisfaction once more. I discovered a new form of training for me and it is effective. Imagine what I would have accomplished if I swam AND run for my training and doing it religiously. mMmmMMMM... that would be my next ideal plan for a training :)
And.. I gained redemption from my failed night half marathon. Woohoooo!!!! I have redeemed myself from.. myself.... :D :D $85 bucks? Worth it? Hell yea!!!!
look at my two GU energy gels that cost me my 9 seconds... bwahahaha!!! ohh well... better luck next time!!
