Double Figures - Yey

Time Goals

The first time I talked about the possibility of running a marathon, it was with the New York race in mind. November 2009. How hard could it be? Both Oprah and Katie Holmes have done it...

To enter NY you have to record a qualifying time (which I learned, for women, was 3h 23min) in a race in the 12 months prior, enter a lottery for a place, or you could pay extra $$$ and go with an international travel agency.

3 hours 23 mins - is that all??

For someone who had never run further than 21k, that seemed reasonable, I mean the Olympians do it in about 2h20 and they are often in their late 30's with children so it could be a reasonable goal?

To my colleagues amusement I started with this lofty goal. Who knows, I thought, I could be a natural runner and had just never known?? Hey, always the dreamer, why not even an Olympian one day?

Well, as it turns out, I'm not a natural runner. More of the shuffling along type, especially up hills!

So as I trained for my qualifying race (Canberra in April 09) my goals were adjusted along the way: 3h45.... 4hours.... To run the whole way.... To finish.

I finished. 4hours 42 mins 23 seconds. Including a 6 min toilet stop, according to my garmin, so really I like to think of it as 4hours 35 ;)

So now training for Paris, initially I thought a reasonable goal would be to finish <4 hours. My average pace has improved, but I'm just not getting the weekly km's needed under my feet. Some people have said that Paris should be just about the 'experience'. But I have been to Paris many times before, and know most of the route well.

At this stage of training - I'd be disappointed if I didn't beat my Canberra time.

The Boyfriend Factor

I have finally determined what is different for me 12 months after training for my first marathon - why my training has been ad-hoc and building the distance a struggle. Last year I trained in the same heat of summer, realistically my diet hasn't improved and I had the same goal.

But this year I have a boyfriend! What does that mean? Not having the same routine week in week out. More social occasions to fit in. More restaurant eating and more time in bed (sorry mum!).

Need I say more???

Of course, I'm not complaining, absolutely enjoying all my time with Ash. Just need to prioritise my training :)

I won!

Today was the last race in the 3km time trial that I have mentioned previously. It ran over 7 weeks, on a handicapped start and with points awarded for position at the line.

Well today was the final race and double points up for grabs. I didn't think I had much hope at finishing on the podium but knew that I have had a good training week (yep - stuck to my schedule so far!) and was ready to go as fast as possible for the whole 3 ks and not stopping on THAT hill. (Up the Cahill to the first Bridge pylon).

So I had a good run and for a minute or so thought I could possibly finish 1st but was pipped at the post (literally with 50m to go) by the fastest runner in the pack. The result: equal 2nd across the line. I was happy with that, proud of my effort.

I have just downloaded the stats (for anyone whos interested):
Average pace: 5.10min/km (Go Trace)
Average heart rate: 185bpm
Max heart rate: 199bpm (I know seems a little high, but quiten normal for me - I think)
Time: 15.21 (pb on the course - yey)

Anyway, back at the office, the results email came through and I WON! Tied at the top of the series with Kate! So it is not an Olympic medal but I've awarded myself a gold one anyway (image attached) :)

Maybe I'm a runner after all...