Last weekend, Jeannie (who's doing the Melbourne half with me) rang, saying "There's a twilight half marathon on this Saturday by the bay do you want to run it with me?". Of course I said yes. However, receiving a confirmation email at lunchtime on Friday pulled it into focus for me. I promptly started eating toast.
This was only my 2nd half marathon (officially), so for most of the time my brain was comparing the 2 experiences. The rest of the time, it was thinking the line from Anchorman - you just...run... for an extended period of time... (approximately). My thoughts, in no particular order:
1. I was really glad my new running shoes had arrived on Thursday evening.
2. Starting at 5pm was quite warm. My face felt like a bursting tomato for the first lap. However, after that it was just like my normal runs and I was back in my comfort zone. On the other hand, having us run on poorly lit roads with not great surfaces was not ideal. I spent some time dodging little potholes. Oh, and this was flat. Gold Coast was fairly flat - but had rises for the canal crossings. This was treadmill flat. No rises whatsoever.
3. I was impressed with my brain. For the Gold Coast run, I knew the route, I'd checked it on the map, I'd run it nearly a week before, I knew where the drink stations were and which ones I planned to use. For this one, I asked Jeannie on the way there if it was an out-and-back loop, or a circuit we would do twice? She wasn't sure. When we came to the first drink station I realised I had no idea where they were going to be, either. As it turned out, it was a circuit of just over 5km, slightly longer on laps 3 and 4, and the 10 km runners started with us too. And I just kept running.
4. The kilometre markings were just weird. I have no idea what the logic was - for example, we had 16 and 17 about 10m apart, not too far from the Start/turnaround line. At least it gave my brain something to think about. Then I just gave up.
5. With a shorter circuit, run 4 times by the half-marathoners, I would have hoped for more spectator support along the route. There wasn't much though, except for around the start area. It was the first time it had been held there though, so maybe in the future. That said, some of the support was not great... but the kids offering high fives were enthusiastic (I even returned one! but the sweatiness of my hand prevented me getting too enthusiastic about it).
6. Powerade is really easy to distinguish from water, even at twilight. This is good. Especially if you're having those gel things (not that I do) and need to know what you're having. I ended up having 2 waters and 2 Powerades.
7. I had no knee pain (haven't since July). I did have some foot pain (want to see a specialist about that soon) in lap 2. If any runners reading this have any tips for dealing with snot (sorry) - please let me know! The worst though was my heart. If I'm not careful with my protein or caffeine or water intake I notice it, and I guess I hadn't had enough water, because it showed. The whole last lap was painful. The almost-crying level of painful. However, this did help me get to the end - 'the faster you run now, the sooner you get to the end and can stop moving and have lots of water'.
8. I was 5 minutes faster than I was in July!!! I attribute this to a few things:
(i) I stayed relaxed for the first 2 laps, consciously tried to put the pressure on a bit in lap 3, and lap 4 I just had to get to the end.
(ii) I've been doing treadmill runs because they force me to stick to a pace. I'll do usually 5km, 900m of each at my normal comfortable running pace, then 100m at a faster sprint pace. I wasn't sure if this was helping, but I could feel my treadmill brain kick in so I think it's paying off.
(iii) I decided to get to the drink stations faster. Once I'd decided if I was hydrating at the next stop, as soon as I could see the tables I put on a slight sprint.
(iv) Again, the last quarter I was feeling good - which is even better when you can see other people flagging. Especially when they're really fit-looking. The last 200m, with heart straining, all I could focus on was getting to water as quickly as possible. And the commentator called "really strong finish here from Anna" - yay! And then I saw the clock. Crossed the line grinning, nearly knocked over the photographer, then very nearly cried.
(v) Running with a friend. We didn't actually run together, Jeannie was ahead of me for the first 3 1/2 laps, but our waves at the turnaround points were such a mood boost.
9. Compared to the Gold Coast run, I felt far less mentally or physically prepared. Although I wanted to run the whole thing (except for the walk for hydration coordination purposes) I knew this was not necessarily going to happen. I've done only a couple of long-ish runs lately, and all have been quite slow even when they've felt good. My expected run time was 2:20 - 2:30. When I first saw the clock I thought it read 2:17, so a moment later (yes, I blinked) when I saw it actually read 2:13, I was stoked.
10. Lots of water, an apple, and freebies later, we had a super warm-down walk. For about 45 minutes. Neither of us could remember which street we were parked on, and they all looked pretty much the same. We did discuss the next runs we want to do though.
11. One of the top 10 showers of my life. Possibly top 3. I say that because I can only think of 1 other that was in the same category (Singapore airport), but I don't want to close my mind too much. Trust me, this one was so wonderfully welcome.
12. Post-run food. We went to the nearest Mad Mex (it was about 9:30 by now). I don't think I've ever eaten a whole meal from there and not been stuffed. Once I got home I had a whole bottle of 'Outback Spirit Rejuvenating Water' and a bit of chocolate, too. I feel I should have had eggs today.
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