The Gold Coast Half-Marathon

...Or, things that make me happy:

#1:  Going Away (if only for a night).  It is especially exciting (or happiness-inducing) when associated with a running event - the general buzz that surrounds these, as well as the mass of like-minded enthusiasts, makes for a great atmosphere.

#2:  Beating the Queue.  Once checking in (to a more-budget-than-expected-hotel, but blessedly close to the race precinct), we had a practice walk to the start line, then went back to the pub - it was on the way home, after all.  We were about 3rd in the queue.  By the time we ordered, the line went out the door and then some.  Dinner in a Gold Coast pub on a Saturday night is a slice of the roil Straya.  The IGA slogan, "the way the locals like it", came to mind, but there were also many runners.  Some had done the 10km on Saturday (some as a warm-up) and others were just there for the half and full marathons.  A large group commandeered several tables next to us and were a stereotypical bunch of runners. 

#3:  Although I was really tired, I couldn't sleep (heart rate was up around the 100 bpm mark) - but having a store of music in my head was really helpful.  Unfortunately, I had a mariachi tune on repeat in there as well, but I tried to drown it out as much as possible with Rachmaninov's Isle of the Dead, which is my sleep music.  Even so, I had very little sleep - I was still wide awake after 11, woke several times during the night, and the alarm went at 4:20. 

#4:  Knee Pain Disappearing.  I went running Thursday and Friday, and my left knee developed a weird, new pain, which didn't respond to stretching or rolling-out.  I was resigning myself to a substantial stretch of walking, but by Saturday evening the pain was minimal, and when I woke Sunday morning it was gone. 

Pre-race nerves. 

(Not sure what the weird light is at the bottom corner of these photos, we think it's something to do with the flash...)


#5:  Amenities.  After leaving my bag at the left luggage place (no queue), I then joined the rather lengthy line for the toilets.  I was in this queue for about 40 minutes.  I actually reached a toilet at 5:58am - the race began at 6am.  Yes.  This made me happy.

Bring it ON!

#6:  Watching the sun rise over the water.  How good is that?!  Especially when you're not just in pajamas, hands wrapped around a cup of coffee, slippers on your feet, maybe on a balcony...or still inside because it's still a bit chilly...  But running.  Love it.  And, seeing perfect reflections in the canals, birds waking and having a morning fly - beautiful.

#7:  Preparation.  Little things and big things.  I've changed a few things about my longer running procedure that have made life easier.  I now put pre-emptive Bandaids on each foot at problem spots (I have weird feet).  I prefer to run in a cotton tank.  I carry lip balm for when my lips are dry but I'm not thirsty.  I wear a cap if I'll be running during daylight.  I know how far I can go before I need a drink (about 7.5km is good).  I am immensely glad I did the practice run on Monday.  Any thoughts of that being too soon beforehand, or not a good idea to run the full length at all beforehand, vanished as my brain recognised features.  Although it seemed to go quicker today (well, it actually did), I know that was partly because it was not the first time I was seeing these landmarks.  Not only that, but I knew, quite consciously, that I could run this distance. 

#8:  Shirts.  I was boring, and just wore my newest Lorna Jane.  Shirts I saw that made me smile included: Like A Boss; You Should Quit Now While I'm Ahead; and Crossfit Foxes.  The last was one I kept seeing as we kept overtaking each other. 

#9:  Running.  Well, duh, but this is a big one.  When I first decided to do this, I figured that a time of about 2 hours 10, maybe 15, would be respectable.  But then I realised that I'm not a fast distance runner.  About 6 weeks ago, I stopped trying to be fast, and started trying not to walk.  I feel this has been hugely successful.  Now I only walk if I'm in pain - and today, I was in no pain.  Instead of having a time goal, I really wanted to run the whole way, and walk only for drink stops (so, not stopping movement at all).  I accepted that if my knees were really sore - and, from experience, I knew this would probably happen - that some walking would be involved.  But it was only in the last 3 km that I even noticed my knees, and it was definitely not bad enough for me to need to even think about walking.  And if I did happen to start to think that thought, I'd see someone ahead of me who didn't look as fit as I feel, and I'd keep running.  Having trained on a route with some hills, I am more inclined to go faster up hills - this wasn't so important on the way out, but was really noticeable on the return.  The last bridge (these were responsible for the slight rises in the route) I overtook many others, and was so happy I really lengthened my stride on the way down - which was also a spot chockers with photographers.  I also knew that, by doing a steadier pace throughout, I'd have more left for a stronger finish.  I didn't want to be one of those who starts really strong and cocky and is walking the finish.  Instead, I could feel my pace pick up in the last quarter, and I was really running the last 400m with a big sprint finish.  And even better (yes there's more) - the slowest pace marker was 2 hours 20, and I only saw them right at the very end, crossing the line on her heels.

#10:  Cheering Onlookers.  Being a fairly solitary runner, this surprised me.  But seeing kids in pajamas and dressing gowns, and people holding signs, and people clapping (or using clappers) really made me smile.  And the signs!  U Make it Look Easy; Smiling Makes You Run Faster; and, my favourite (my brother's too), Go Random Stranger, Go!  The crowds were much thicker for the last 2 km, and hearing people cheer on strangers made me quite emotional.  Especially right at the end when it was obvious they were cheering me - it was all I could do to hold back the tears.  Not just the feeling of total strangers cheering me on of course, but knowing that I've run this, further than ever before, when a few months ago 10 km was a long run, and oh hello running high...

#11:  Ministry of Funny Runs (followed by a coast-ful of funny walks).  I have often thought, I hope I don't look that weird when I run.  In fact, one of my excuses for not being a runner (before I stopped caring what other people thought) was that I probably looked silly.  So, someone is probably saying the same thing about me right now, but I saw some interesting running styles.  I don't mind so much when I overtake and that's it.  But when a funny runner is ahead of me the whole time - what's with that?!  The funniest I saw was the slap-footed, elbows out, hands by hips run.  By a guy with serious hair (which always caused 'Give me a head of hair/long, beautiful hair' to start up in my head).  I'm quite thankful for my body shape, with hips over knees so my thighs don't have to skirt around each other.  And afterwards, seeing a whole lot of fit-looking people limping around Southport - even if they weren't wearing a finisher's shirt.  On a more serious note though, watching the marathon runners... whoa.  When they had about 15 to go, most were still going ok, if a little over it, but you could see some doing the knee limp.  When I was waiting by the finish line for my brother to finish, I saw a man do the really serious knee limp - arms flailing and you just felt sick watching.  20m from the end, he collapsed.  The announcer called for sports medicine to the finish line, but 2 other runners helped him up and practically carried him over the line.  Huge cheers and tears from the crowd.

Finisher's Shirt and Medal

#12:  Achievement (even if it's for others).  This was my brother's 2nd marathon, and he wanted to do it in under 4 hours.  So when I hadn't seen him yet at 3 hours 55... and then 3 59, the announcer called out that it was less than a minute before 4 hours, and all these runners ran!  I spotted my brother, cheered him on, and got a bit emotional as I knew he'd made it.  With, I discovered later, 10 seconds to spare.  And that was the gun time so his net time would have been faster. 

#13:  Being Part of Something Big.  There were 10 thousand people doing the half marathon.  And it sounded like it!  There were parts where it was fairly quiet... except for the slapslapslapslap of thousands and thousands of feet hitting the road.  And although it thinned out a little, it took many kilometres for that to happen, and it was still relatively thick the whole way.

#14:  Feeling Sore.  For a good reason.  After the practice run, I had slightly sore knees the next morning (going downstairs only) but was fine by the afternoon.  Today, I have sore knees and hips and calves and ankles and arms.  Chafing was not as bad though, mostly because I didn't carry my phone this time, and the preemptive Bandaids were welcome but not 100% effective.  I'm not bleeding anywhere though and I think with a good stretch over the next day or 2 I'll be back to normal in no time.  Having a little nap this evening I could feel my feet and lower legs twitching and this I found immensely satisfying.

But for next time...  I was inspired by those who were running and raising money.  So, next time will be not only a different location (it's a secret - but I wonder if anyone will guess?) but I'll sign up for everyday hero and make someone else happy, too.

The Practice Run

I've been having weird dreams lately.  I know the upcoming Gold Coast Half Marathon is the flattest course in Australia, but my subconscious is putting in stairs, buildings, wine and cheese tastings, and sand.  I also know that when I run my familiar route my brain is happier (that drinking fountain is just around this corner and along a bit so go for it - that sort of thing).  So I thought it would be a good idea to do a practice run of Sunday's track.  This term being what it was, though, meant that today was the first opportunity.  Viola Man came with me which made it a much more entertaining run than normal.

I have heard that it is not a good idea to do what I did, that it's better to run only about 3/4 of the distance before the event.  But I know my brain, and I know how it interacts with my body, so I have no regrets.  But I would like to hear from others on this matter - do you make sure you can run the distance beforehand?

My subconscious can now relax.  It really is quite a flat route.  21.1 km on this route was less strenuous than 18 km of my normal run.  Knowing that I am a slow runner meant I could run down the other side of the gentle rises, and the last 500 m felt more like running than it does at home.  Getting to the turnaround point was a tiny surprise.  I did have to walk a little on the return (sore knees) but the knees didn't bother me nearly as much as they would have normally.  That has been my biggest concern, as running along the river (including the hills between where I live and the river, and the lovely hill at the end of the Riverside precinct) results in the need to stretch every couple of kilometres once I've covered about 6.5.

The benefit of doing this practice run now is that they were beginning to set up everything for the weekend.  We could see the road closure signs dotted along the way, and there were marquees and barriers going up around the start point.  Which all means I could get this photo:

As you can see, the weather was fairly overcast.  The weather was coolish - so when we weren't running and the wind was blowing, it was a good reason to start moving again!  You might have to peer, but I promise this is the Gold Coast Airport Marathon sign.

We came back to Brisbane for a lunch of Mexican - great post-run food, except I ate about half my bodyweight.  Nevermind.  I also tried a different coconut water - this time it was Cocobella in pineapple flavour.  This was much more drinkable than the other sorts I've tried so far, but I'm not keen on added sugar.  I have something different to try tomorrow - I'm determined to find one that works!  (Still getting the occasional cramp though).

And now, I think, it's bath time.

The Teaching Policy

For the last couple of years, I've been a fairly cruisey teacher.  If a student couldn't make a lesson for some reason, that was fine.  I'd use the time to practice or check Facebook.  When I was not given much notice for a student who paid cash, and they asked for a lesson at a different time, I'd accommodate them because I knew I wouldn't be paid otherwise.  But towards the end of last year, it got worse - 10 minutes' notice for a really poor excuse, for example.  Or forgetting.

One of the discussions during summer school centred on billing students, and there was an article doing the rounds from a parent's perspective.  This parent believed if you can't make your appointed lesson time, you should not ask for another time, no matter how much notice you give, and you should still pay for the time.  He was an economist and had a well thought-out argument regarding perishable goods etc.  I know I can't jump straight in and tell the parents of my students that, but I started thinking about this.

And then I realised that the only way I will be able to budget for anything successfully would be if I became less Nice.  So, after thinking about this for a while, I wrote up my new Policy today.  It took a while to work out how to say "Pay me my money!" but eventually I found a suitable wording.  It still has the 4 hours' minimum notice for cancellation, but they are now required to pay me if they don't give enough notice and I will send an invoice if I haven't received payment for a missed lesson.  Deep breaths.  Now I just need to be strong and stick to it. 

Every year I put in a word about practicing.  This year I included a sentence about priorities.  I am sick of hearing "Oh I do a lot of sport, on Monday I do this, on Tuesday I do this".... It just goes on and on.  Yet there are others who do all those things and still fit in regular practice.  I like those students.  And generally, they like their lessons a whole lot more than the other sort of student.  This year also has a note on buying instruments.  Cheaper is not better when it comes to violins.  If you skimp on a violin, at best it will just be hard for the student to make a good sound.  But at worst, you'll be replacing parts that will quickly cost more than the original cost of the instrument.  And it will still sound bad and be hard to play.  Always buy the best you can afford.