Woke up at 6am, pumped. Hubby drove me to the Docklands, and I waited around for Shells. I was resigned to not seeing her as I trotted to the start line. Luckily, as I was taking my position near the back of the pack, I had a little tap on my shoulder. It was my running buddy! Shells very graciously wanted to run with me, and I paid her back by regaling her with a few lines of “Jump Around” by House of Pain. (I’ll serve yo ass like John McEnroe, your girl jumps up I’m slappin’ the ho, Word to yo Moms, I came to drop bombs….)
We started out quite fast, about 6:40, as I was feeling good. It slowly went up to 7 minutes. Then from about 5km onward, there was a really stiff headwind. As nice as it was running along the beach, I could really have done without the headwind, in fact I cursed it a few times, including a “Motherfucking Headwind!” that could be heard in Elwood. As Shells said, it was like a mime run!
We passed quite a lot of folk after the 5 km mark. There were a few who walked from the beginning and didn’t start at the back (but I did not hip and shoulder them). In particular, there were a couple of girls who were run walking and I don’t think they wanted us to pass them, but we gave them the slip around the 7 or 8 km mark.
It hurt, the last 5km – I had a headache, but I kept going because it was not that bad. It went quite quickly, the race. We high-fived race martials and were cheered on by some spectators.
Here is the garmin for the workout: http://connect.garmin.com/splits/62584049
I did my magnificent sprint finish (all of about 10 metres), and Shells and I had a sit at Catani Park. Just after Shells left, I saw Hughesy (of Rove Live/7pm Project and the Radio). Hughesy is quite a good runner, in fact he was featured in Runners World one month. He was accompanied by his son Rafferty and his dog, Barkley (who is a bit of a star in his own right. I had heard Hughesy could be a little difficult, but I bravely said “G’day, Hughesy, Barkley and Rafferty”. He was quite nice, and we got a photo and had a chat with him and some other folks. Here is the photo
Took a few gos to get it the right way up.
After the race, I met up with Ian and Candydog in Acland St. Ian took the dog on the train, which required the dog to wear a muzzle. She does not like the muzzle at all, and tries to take it off. We went for a wander about St. Kilda, I stopped for coffee and cheesecake (alas, better protein to carbohydrate ratio than donuts). Candy was very well behaved and friendly, until a playful chocolate labrador wanted to play. Candy strained on the lead and broke it, which necessitated some jerry-fixing of her leash. We went for a walk along the beach and up to Balaclava station, via Carlisle street, which I had not been to before. All up we probably walked about an hour, a good top up to the run.
We caught the train home, I ate lunch, had a shower and am now vegging out. The dog is all tuckered out.
I enjoyed this run, particularly that I shared it with a mate. I have had a great day.
I would like to go harder though. I have been working mostly within or just beyond my comfort zone. I will need to learn not to fear discomfort, breathlessness or even the urge to spew, because the feeling of pushing myself and achieving what I never thought possible will be fantastic. I would like to get my 60 minute 10km this year, and do a sub 95 minute run for the kids. I will have to push myself. I look forward to it.
Addit 1943 hrs : I have booked a berth for Queen of the Lake 5km – try to get as close to 30 mins as possible.
Good run Cilla. Told ya I’d be eating your dust. lol.
Well done! You ran 10km, woo hoo!
I know Balaclava station well, I used to live very close to there when I first left home, ’twas a lovely little neighbourhood.
Well done, on both the run and the celebrity spotting!
Nice run Cilla, looking at your finishing time, I’d say you must have been close to my wife Michelle for a lot of the run – she finished at 9:45 and you 9:46
well done, lil gangsta!
ps. 60 min 10K + sub 95 R4TK – totally possible! training… training… and more training… 😀
Well done babe!! It’s been a Sunday of inspiration – my little sister did a half marathon in Hobart, you did a 10k….and what did I do?
I did a 5k along the Thames, and then shopped for bargains at Anthropologie. Wish you were here to share the joy!! 😀
Fab work – and 60min 10k is TOTALLY doable. It is one of my aims for the year too xxx