Well folks, 19 weeks in! The big race is getting close (55 days away) and I’m starting to get a touch of the nerves and the niggles of doubt. My mantra right now is “stick to the plan, you’re doing the kms – you’ve got this!”. It’s working for now….
This week was all about the carb-loading and maintaining my training in the lead up to Sunday’s Point to Pinnacle. I do love my carbs. I probably didn’t always make the most sensible choices with my carbs…had a few muffins and sweet things for dessert and morning teas. I did swap out the zucchini noodles for real pasta, had cous cous and even had mashed potatoes for the first time I can remember. I do enjoy eating the carbs but have to admit I don’t always feel awesome afterwards. I’ll have to continue to tweak what I eat.
Corporate life is going to get pretty frantic over the next few weeks as we slide our way into Christmas. So I’m really glad I’m on a structured training program that will ensure I get my runs in. I am determined to make it across that finish line so NOTHING is going to get in the way of my training.
Monday 9/11/15
Today was easy 50 day. Like most Mondays I was a bit tired after my long Sunday run so opted to do a lunchtime trot. I have to admit I really enjoy getting out of the office for a run – it really breaks up the day! I ran the usual bike-track circuit and headed out to Cornelian Bay via the foreshore track. It was nice to see some likeminded runners out there enjoying the warm weather and break from their respective cheesemines. I really love that little track – it is like a little coastal oasis in the heart of the city. The only thing that put a damper on the run was seeing a dirty old man having a leak in the bushes. I’m glad I didn’t see his willy! It certainly helped me pick up my pace! I ended up doing 8.87km in 53’55” at an average pace of 6’04”.
Wednesday 11/11/15
Repeat day today. 3 x 3km with 120sec rest. These are probably my least favourite runs but I kind of secretly like them because I try and test my limits. Today was a very hard slog. I’ve still got the remnants of the virus within me and it has really played with my energy. Also, because I ran first thing in the morning I didn’t have my breakfast so I’m running on empty which isn’t a good thing. I need to rethink these sessions and perhaps leave them until after work when I’m fuelled up.
I ran down Sandy Bay Road and had a few hills to contend with. I really notice my speed improve as I warm up and the middle km of each set seems to be my best. My fastest one clocked in at 5’12” but my average was 5:30 across the 9km. Need to try a bit harder!
The tranquility of the Hobart Waterfront at Sunrise
Friday 13/11/15
Easy 40 today. I usually do an easy 60 but since I’m doing P2P I’m “tapering” into it. It was a nice morning run on my Hobart City Loop. Stunner of a morning. It was warm with a slight drizzle and very little breeze. I really enjoyed being out in it. I think Friday runs are my favourite. It is a great way to get energized and happy for Friday at the corporate. I did feel a bit lethargic to start (again no food) but the further into the run I got the better it felt. I did 7km and averaged 5’41” my final km was fastest at 5’11” which is great to know because I wasn’t really going for it!
Saturday 14/11/15
My new favourite running Singlet and Cap – Courtesy of Bolt & Run Co
This is usually my 5km tempo day but the coaching gods gave me a day off in prep for running P2P tomorrow. Today was great because the whole Make Me a Marathoner Crew caught up for coffee. This is the first time we all caught up in real life. It was great to swap stories and experiences and to get some advice from the seasoned TRR marathoners. I so don’t hydrate or fuel enough for my long runs (hell even my short ones!) so I definitely still have to keep plugging away at this. It is always inspiring to hear from people who have done it before and learn from their experience. We’ll have to catch up again!
I also got an amazing goodie bag from my gear “sponsor” Bolt & Run Co. Jay has been super-generous with his merch and I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new training singlet and cap. I’m sure I’ll run faster because of them! If you’re in the market for great gear in awesome designs then look no further than Bolt & Run Co. They can even personalise and make stuff to order.
Shelley shared the design for the finisher’s medal for the Cadbury Marathon. I LOVE it! Cannot wait to wear one of those bad boys around my neck. But first there is another medal I desperately want…my 4th Point to Pinnacle medal….
Chasing 2:30 ….
Sunday 15/11/15
I didn’t have the greatest of sleeps before today’s event. I don’t know why but I’m super nervous every year in the lead up to the Point to Pinnacle. It is a devilishly hard run. It’s hard on the body and the mind. I set myself an overly ambitious target of trying to run 2:30 and I think that played heavy on my mind. You gotta dream big right? I actually even had a nightmare about it. I dreamt that once when gun went off the 2:30 pacer took off in a sprint and left me for dead!
I started the morning early at 5:30. I looked outside my bedroom window and the day was absolutely stunning – not a cloud in the sky. I had my traditional Elvis sandwich and coffee making sure I also drank plenty of water. I packed my belt pack with 4 gels and got my gear bag ready. At 7:20 I headed out the door and jogged the 1.5km to the startline as a warm-up. Plenty of people around and an atmosphere of nervous excitement. I found my pace group leader, Chris, and started the nervous countdown to the start. This is the part I hate most…I just want to start running. I do heaps of fun runs but this even really cranks the nerves up big time. I really need to get this under control for Cabury.
Before the wall! Photo Credit Macks Photography
Finally, after what felt like an eternity the gun goes off. Chris starts getting away from me in the crowds and I start to panic. My nightmare is becoming reality! I manage to do my best duck, weave, sprint and I manage to catch up. We ran a nice steady pace up Sandy Bay Road. Chris was really great and very encouraging. I was feeling really good up until we starting hitting the hills up Davey Street in South Hobart. I think I kept up for 3km but then I had to fall back. I just didn’t have it in me.
While I was disappointed I couldn’t keep up with the 2:30 group, I mentally reset my goal to finishing before 3hrs and as close to 2:30 as I could get. I started enjoying the run a bit more past the first drink station at the Skyline Service Station. I kept my fueling up with gels and tried something new. Instead of slamming them down I took mouthfuls at a time. This kept things nice and consistent. I felt really good.
The final 5 – the hardest part
I ran solidly up until the springs. Then I started coming undone. The P2P is such a mental battle for me. The springs is usually where I run into the wall. It’s sort of the thing they describe in marathon running where you just can’t go any further but for me it’s a bit more literal. I’m referring to the ‘wall of walkers’. This is usually the point where the course gets really crowded. Feeling a bit tired from the climb so far it’s really hard to find that extra push to pick up the pace to duck and weave around the walkers. I get stuck behind and have to walk and that messes with my mojo. I know it’s a mental thing and I probably do have the energy to overtake but for some reason my mind just says nope, no can do. I have to find ways of getting over that!
Anyhow, I walked/ran up until 2km from the summit. I gave myself a good talking to and decided I can run and I did. I told myself that I entered the event as a runner and that is how I’m going to finish. Once I started running again I had so much support from the people on the course. Every other person was cheering me on. It was awesome! To every walker out there that gave me some encouragement THANK YOU it really helped.
The feeling of accomplishment you have when you cross that finish line at the summit of majestic Mt Wellington is like no other. This event is a true test of mental and physical stamina. Everytime I look at the mountain it reminds me of the accomplishment and that gives me strength.
As I was getting my gear from the gear bus a woman stopped me and said “hey I remember you from last year! We rode the bus together and you inspired me to run this year”. I had almost forgotten that conversation – how amazing to hear this and to see her up at the summit. That made my day even more special.
The Point to Pinnacle is a race that is dear to me for so many personal reasons. When I first attempted it in 2009 as a walker I was severely overweight and nearly didn’t make cut off. I ran it for the first time in 2013, 30kgs lighter and both physically and mentally stronger. This year I ran a personal best at 2:41:42. 7 minutes faster than 2013 and 15 minutes faster than 2014. I am strong. I am happy. Thank you kunyani for reminding me.
At the summit
