Canberra Half Marathon 2011

I finally have my Canberra Half Marathon race recap to share with you! But, be warned. It is quite long and has some pretty ugly race photos included. Seriously - why do official race photos always turn out so......well.......ugly?! It couldn’t possibly be the model...lol

Background

I signed up for this race months ago, but soon after was invited to a wedding which I mistakenly thought was the same weekend. Then, with a few weeks to go, I realised that the wedding was actually the week before so I was free to compete in the event.

Awesome? Yes!

Trained? Um....no.

So, through life and circumstance (and perhaps also due to a slight lack of motivation in training) I did not put in the required training and preparation for this race. Sure, I have been cross training, weights training and heading out for shorter runs regularly, but nothing compared to the training before my previous half marathons - here and here (oh and the one I did as part of the Half Ironman). Actually, I realised that my longest run since the Canberra Half Ironman was 10km.

Not ideal.

But, not one to throw away race fees, and having a competitive streak that means I hate to not finish what I have signed up for, I decided to race.

Disclaimer: I am in no way recommending participating in races, particularly endurance races unprepared. Rather, I am a big believer in training regularly and consistently, particularly when it comes to distance events, and building up distance slowly so as to avoid injury. I have, however, competed in many endurance races and knew that my body's muscle memory would be able to handle the increase in mileage.

Pre race

Given I was participating in this race relatively "untrained", I knew that I would not be able to beat (or even come close to) my previous PB of 1:56, which I actually obtained at this same event last year! I did, however, give myself a goal of finishing in under 2:15 (and a secret goal of finishing in under 2:10).

Actually, the knowledge of being untrained was, if anything, more stress-relieving than stress- creating. I didn’t have any of my usual pre-race anxiety that I get when I place PB expectations on myself. Rather, I was relaxed, and calm, and really looking forward to heading out and completing my 3rd half marathon.

I had received my race bib and timing chip in the mail prior to race day, so on the morning of the race, it was simply a matter of getting up, having breakfast, getting into my workout clothes and heading straight to the start line. As I stepped out the door I noticed that it was drizzling slightly (oops forgot to check the weather forecast!) so I headed back inside to grab a wet weather jacket. And boy was I glad I did. The rain didn't ease at all, and continued for the entire race.

Mr BBB dropped me off near the start line, and then headed off for a coffee. The plan being that he would jump on his bike and head to the race course (which was, mostly, closed to traffic). Given the rain I decided not to take my camera on the course, figuring it would be more hassle than handy.

The thing that immediately struck me was the vast number of competitors lined up ready to race. The half marathon, marathon and ultra marathon runners were starting together (self seeded) - all 2300+ of us. From where I was standing, I couldn't even see the actual start line, let alone hear the start gun, although I suspect the race started on time as within a few minutes past 7.00am the crowd started to surge forward and I eventually crossed the start line.

Half Marathon #3 had started.

1 - 5 kilometres

I decided to run the first 5km of the race without my IPOD, and just soak up the atmosphere. With 2300+ runners on the course it was quite chaotic and congested, although I was able to fall into a nice rhythm early.

The first part of the race had us heading down towards the lake, then up towards Parliament House,  along a relatively flat yet scenic course. The rain had well and truly settled in and I was soaked within minutes. The wet weather jacket did, however, keep my upper body warm, so being cold was not too much of a problem.

I knew that my pace was quite a bit slower than usual, however knowing there was 15+ kilometres left to do I was not that concerned. Frustrated - yes, but not concerned.

6 - 10 kilometres

Having reached Parliament House, the next 5km took us back down towards the lake towards a turn around point. I put in my headphones at this point, and enjoyed the music distraction (hehe although possibly not as much as one runner who was quite merrily running along singing Black Eyed Peas out loud with her headphones in?!)

I reached the 10km marker in 1:02, then turned around to tackle the 2nd part of the course.

11 - 15 kilometres

It was during this third section that I encountered a burst of energy. I felt as though my legs were warm, and loosened up, and I was able to pick up my pace slightly.

The rain continued, but I was not cold, although it did play havoc with my headphones, causing them to keep falling out. At around the 13km marker I took my headphones out completely and ran the remainder of the race without music. At the 15km marker I took one of the free gels they were handing out, but on reflection, I probably should have brought my own.* Again, race preparation fail.

16 - 21.1km

I hadn't seen Mr BBB on the course at all and, by this stage, I figured that the temptation of staying out of the rain had been all too much for him (and who could blame him!?). However, shortly after the 17km marker, I was greeted by his smiling, albeit soggy, face cheering from the sideline.

Hence the goofy 'I-am-so-surprised-but-happy-to-see-you-let's-talk' photos.

Oh and I had taken my jacket off about 1km previously, and wanted to 'off load' it with Mr BBB rather than keep running with it tied around my waist.

Hence the interesting running style I am demonstrating. I call it my "attempt-to-untie-my-jacket-with-cold-hands-while-running" style.

Efficient? Not so much ;)

Seeing Mr BBB was just the boost I needed to put the soreness that had begun to creep into my hips into the back of my mind, and I continued on knowing that he was not far behind me on his bike.

The remaining kilometres ticked past, and before I knew it, there was only 500m to go.

Apparently this meant that I decided to become "Mrs pushy-past Runner". I swear I didn’t then elbow this girl out of the way....

Even if it looks like I am about to?!! lol

When the finish line came into sight, I gave it all that I had, and crossed in a time of 2:07:00 exactly! Not a personal best, but given my lack of training I'll take a 2:07 any day!

Post race

It may have been a soggy race, but it was a well organised event packed with wonderful volunteers who not only endured the wet conditions, but provided endless smiles and encouragement to the runners on the course.

A couple things I learned from this race:

1. Training is the key!

So although this race proved that I can, to a degree, rely on muscle memory to get me a 'completed', without training there is no way I can challenge my personal best time.

2. Pigtails + rain = do not a cute hairstyle make!

As evidenced by the 'nests' that greeted me when I finally saw myself in the mirror after the race ;)

*3. Be sure to bring your own gels if you plan on having any during the race. As, I unfortunately found out, that the free banana / strawberry variety they handed out on the course tastes like congealed banana gelatine.

4. I like medals. A lot.

Why oh why don't many Australian events and triathlons give out medals? Sure you have the 'memories', but there is something so wonderful about having a cheap piece of metal on a lanyard that makes the accomplishment all the more real. And, when you think about how much these events costs to participate in.......

Happy Baking :)