Sunday 13/3/2005

At last!!!! A long run. Yahooooo! After making the decision to sacrifice the Brisbane Road Runners Half Marathon championship race for a 3 hour training run, I arranged to meet some running buddies at Park Road at 5:00AM.

Saturday night I got my gear ready and set the alarm for 4:05AM. Plenty of time to get ready and drive to Park Road.

Sunday morning I awoke, not to the alarm but to the light of the dawning Sun filtering through the curtains. I took a look at the alarm clock - the digital display was flashing. I jumped out of bed horrified, raced to the kitchen to check the battery operated clock - 5:30Am.

I made it to Park Road at 6:15AM and set off on my 3 Hour run all by myself. BooHoo.

I set off to Newstead and beyond, whatever distance 1Hr 30 min would take me.
Besides feeling a bit down, I was otherwise, feeling pretty good. My spirits were lifted when I met my running buddies along the river between New Farm and Breakfast Creek. They, of course, were heading back. I still had another 30 mins before I could turn around.

I was able to maintain a fairly steady pace, I had a GU at the turn around, which was just under 18 K's and kept up the water the whole way. I carry a small water bottle in my hand and keep it topped up the various taps along the way. I find belts really annoying.

After 35.5K and 2:58:37 I arrived back at Park Road feeling exhausted but elated. My buddies plus other friends who had been at the Club run were drinking coffee and they gave me a big cheer which topped off the morning very nicely. Bad start.......good ending. This morning's run has given my confidence for Canberra a much needed boost.