Australia Running Festival in Canberra - 14th April 2013

It's already mid year and I have been pretty slack, I'm worst than last year. I have not even made any race reports entry despite having pretty good stories with my races. So here I am... attempting to post up my race report for the first race of the year.

Australia Running Festival in Canberra - 14th April 2013
Did the half marathon for this. It was a rather full on weekend. Woke up on Saturday morning rather early and couldn't sleep so I went to Eveleigh Markets. Walked around and bought some snack for my trip to Canberra. And then, headed off to dragonboat training followed by lunch with the crew before I set off on my lonesome drive down to Canberra. Left Sydney probably around 3pm.

Despite driving alone, it was rather fun. I was just singing to the radio at the top of my lungs as if I'm in my own world. And when the radio went fuzzy, it was back to songs back in the 90s - Avril lavigne, M2M, Britney Spears and so forth.... I really enjoyed it. Haha! Got to Canberra around 7pm, popped over to Coles to grab my dinner- ready made pasta salad from the salad bar (it tasted rather awful... but hey... need to carbo load!). Stayed a night at Grace's (a friend's friend) place. She was so nice to host me despite not knowing me at all nor met me before. Saved heaps on accommodation and am really thankful for that.

Got up rather early on race day. Couldn't really sleep because it was quite cold that night (should have brought my sleeping bag). Changed, got into my car and drove to the starting line.

As I got there early, I decided to take in a quick power nap. Got to the starting line and it was 7 degrees. Freezing cold wearing just singlet and shorts. It's only Autumn! How can it be so cold? Gulped down a packet of energy gel with some water before getting to the starting line. Ran the first 2 km under 5 min/km. Got worried decided to go a bit slower as I do not want to burnout. After the 4km mark, I rolled my ankle. Hobbled a wee bit but was back to my normal running after. Slowed down quite a bit and couldn't maintain by 5min/km pace. Was sitting on just under the 5:30 pace which I'm pretty happy with. My goal was to go under the 1 hr 55 min mark. It was a good sign that I will be able to make it.

The route was pretty flat and running in a foreign place just makes it way much better. There's so many things to see, you get distracted on how far more you have to go. It's like having a tour of Canberra whilst running in a race. Really my definition of getting the best of both worlds :p

Crossed the finishing line with a time of 1 hr 52 min 57 sec, with a pace of 5:21/km. Very happy with the time. Am so glad I didn't walk for the very first time in a half marathon and went all the way. Finally hit under the 1 hr 55 min mark!! Rushed to the port-a-loo after and did a really big dump. Had a rather sore tummy during the run. I think the pasta salad the night before was the big culprit. Next time, only home cooked pasta!! If I have to cook it in Sydney and bring it down to Canberra, I will!!

The amount of training I put into this wasn't as much as the full marathon training. If only I did, imagine how much faster I would have been. Nevertheless, am really happy with the race.

Went back to Grace's house after the run for a quick shower before heading back to Sydney. Was dozing off during the drive back and had to pullover twice by the road to take a nap, and once for a stop at KFC to reward myself after a KFC ban for a month. Hehehehe....

All in all, a really fun road trip for myself and I. Definitely a good, fun experience. A race that I'm very proud of. Would definitely do this drive and do the race again next time!!! The sense of personal achievement, beating your ownself and becoming better ... one of the many reasons why I can't give running up.