What a fantastic day! Today was not a PB, in actual fact I was 3 mins slower than last year!! Running for me is not just about running to get new PB's ( feels great when you do!!)... it is about the challenge, reaching goals, feeling good about myself and today I realised it is about being part of something bigger than yourself. After I finished the half I met up with Lulu and the CR cheer squad on the cahill expressway. I found it quite a special experience being able to cheer and encourage people after what can only be descibed as gutsy effort! The support and encouragement amoungst this little community is amazing. It was awsome to watch the elites fly home and be inspired by amazing women such as Liz Miller! I was also moved by Sean (my trainers) never say die attitude in the marathon! He was obviously having a bad day at the office and was srtuggling along the Cahill expressway.... huge effort to keep going and finish. So next time he tells me to not give up and dig deep.... I know he talks from experience!

This is the third year I have run this half, and this year was the toughest and most satisfying. I usually feel really disapointed when I do not meet the goal I have set for myself. I spend hours mulling over the race in my head and beat myslef up for each part of the run you "slacked off" or should have "pushed harder".... Today I felt like I had put in a consistant hard effort and felt contented with my run. My goal was to come in under or around 108 mins and I finished in 111mins. I found today that my legs were heavy and tired and I had to put a lot of effort in to maintian my pace. I felt really hot for the first 10kms (I hate humidity). I averaged about 5:08/km according to the trusty garmin. There were two spots in the run that I struggled. The first was at 12km following the heavy rain, I felt like my shoes were filled with lead and suddenly felt quite tired. I pushed on and picked up again and felt pretty strong until the hills at 19km. I have done lots of hill training but today my legs died going up those hilsl.... also the 110 pace group caught me here which was deflating while struggling up the hill. I loved the run down to the opera house and the crowds were great at the finishing chute. One great thing for me was that despite feeling tired I did not have any yucky negative thoughts... I kept really positive and just enjoyed the run. I finished feeling like I had given it evrything. So, not the time I wanted, but a really satisfying run. I found it a tough run, but enjoyed the challenge. I will look forward to this one next year :)

Time:111:15 ( 108:15 last year)
Average: 5:08/km

Thanks again for all the support from a great bunch of people!! It was great to catch up with Tesso, Jen, Flash duck, the Owl, LL, Truckie, Aunty, Bernie G, Blue Dog and all the others I have forgotten to mention. Thanks to all the marathoners who again have inspired me to have a go at Canberra 2006!!! Very gutsy effort guys!
I feel really excited by running at the moment... not sure what the next short term goals are ( apart from drop some body fat).....but Canberra here we come!