Gold Coast Half Marathon

I just have to start with saying a big thankyou to Cato!!!!

I started the race very sad because I lost my Aunty in the carpark and could not find her again. We were meant to be running together and so I had not bought my ipod or considered what I would do running by myself for two and a half hours!!! My longest run since February!!!!

I saw a few coolrunners and said hello to them. Cato and I worked out in that first km we were running similar paces - what with LL not able to get her flights up. So he kindly suggested we run together. Obviously he was running much slower than he was able to run with me.

It was fairly easy going. I was not pushing it at all and actually really enjoyed running with no pressure and no desire to look at the clock. When everyone else started coming back it got very excited and I am sure I used up a lot of energy cheering everyone on....but I wouldn't have it any other way!!!

One of the hardest things to witness was seeing Allan going past as the second last wheelie. At PCRG we all see him every morning training near the river. He trains just for this race and I was sure he was out for a good time. To see him struggling and having a bad day bought home to me that no matter what you do in training.....it really does come down to the day!

Cato was great and made sure I walked the uphills. The amount of times I have run this race and never realised there were hills!!!!! He also made sure we walked every drink station and took two cups of water at each one. I was ok until the baby woke up at halfway and really jumped around. The pressure on my bladder and on my right side was terrible.

A quick stop at the loo (well there was a line so we actually had to wait for 2mins!!!) and we were on our way to the finish and i was feeling much better. I ran the last 2km holding my belly - which has given me the most painful glute and lower back muscles - but I am glad I did it as the weight was starting to really pull.

When I got home I found I my sports bra had cut into my stomach where the belly starts sticking out and I have a deep cut going across my belly which was weeping all Sunday and I woke up with it bleeding fresh this morning. Thankfully now with a day of rest and good ointment it is drying up and after a quick checkup booked with the doc tomorrow I am sure I will be back to running - albeit no more than 10km.

Cato and I were searching for the CR Squad for the last 5km...it really kept us going to think they would be there soon and we knew we would get a good cheer from them to get us across the line.

So many highlights of the day for me - aside from my wonderful run with Cato. I witnessed so many friends have either good days or bad days but no one regretted lining up to start.
Tesso made my day by stopping her race to give me a big hug just 500m out from her finish, she is really a wonderful person. It was good to see her have a great run.

Well done to everyone - it was great to see you all. Sorry we had to leave so abruptly....my husband became incredibly ill when he finished the half (with no training).....but that is another story.