Before the start
Had a great city to surf this morning. Not a great time but it was good to do the 12km and the weather was fantastic (still is at 3pm!). Even though they had forecast showers.
To the stats:
Time: 1:21:58 (per Garmin 305)
Distance: 12.05km
The run starts in the CBD of Perth and the 1st km is up Mount street, a 1km run that makes you feel like your heart is trying to escape the rib cage. But after that there is about 2km on gentle downhill so you recover in that stretch. Then there a few climbs and long downhills.
I was feeling pretty good after 4kms though the feet were letting me know they we still there (good to know!) but overall, with little preparation I was feeling okay. (I think my shoes are in need of replacement.)
We started at 9:30am today whereas 2008 was 8:00am and 2009 was 9:00am. I think the main aim is to manage the finishes so not everyone scrams through around the same time (marathon, half, 4km walk and 11km wheelchair!) I have to question that late start though as we are finishing around 10:45 – 11:00 and the heat was quite strong. I’d prefer the earlier start. I did notice this year there were around 6 catastrophes where the ambulance was needed toward the end. Last year I only notice one. But no matter what time they start t I’ll be competing! 
Just after the 7km mark is Underwood Ave, commonly called “heartbreak hill” it is about the 4th climb in the course and while it isn’t long (300m, 400m?) the incline gets the unwary and the under prepared! I went into it think I’ll give myself some “walk time” when get to the peak. But I misjudged it and started walking about 100m short (yes, that is quite a misjudgement!)
I knew at this point there was no PB waiting for me and my pace was off last year’s as well (I did mention I didn’t train for this! ) so I stopped taking myself so seriously and just got on with it. Walking if I had to and running the last 2kms or so.
With a km to go the FBH was wondering where I was so tried calling me on the phone. I didn’t answer it!
So I got two things from today’s run:
- really enjoyed getting out and having a crack. The attitude of just do it regardless of the training was good.
- would really love to start aiming for PBs now and my diet and lifestyle needs to change to make sure that happens.
I’ve reviewed the race list I set myself at the beginning of the year and while that has been a catastrophic failure, there are still a few races to go.
So I’ll be signing up for what is left and see how I go.
