GOR (a bit more than a) Half Marathon!!!

So unless you've been living on the moon, you may be aware I was doing the Great Ocean Road Half Marathon last Sunday!!  Or I should say "a bit more than a" half marathon as it is 23km as opposed to the usual 21.1km.  I will admit I did wonder if I had that extra 2km in me.  Turns out I did!

So sit back for a read, this is a photo heavy post as a picture tells a thousand words, and I'll just narrate the other thousand!!

Last weekend was full of running and friendships and enjoying like minded people who love this running caper just as much as I.  Our beautiful girls from the 12WBT Runners Connect Group were out in force over the weekend running the various events - the 14km on the Saturday and the Half and Full Marathons on the Sunday.  It was a time of renewing acquaintances, making new friendships and drinking in the atmosphere.

Saturday the weather was amazing and it was wonderful to see my friends Kellie, Alison, Mel, Jane and Anna running the 14km.  Many meet up photos were taken as we found more people.  We come from far and wide here - country Victoria, Melbourne, even beautiful Melissa from Tassie was over for it.

The sensational Warrnie crew.

So for those of us running on the Sunday and beautiful Floss (the cow!!) who came to support, well you all know of our group's cow fetish right?  We had important cheering to do to bring our girls home.  They had no idea we would be half way down the road as you came back into town with our signs and cowbell ringing and hooting and hollaring.  Floss blew us away, she brought so many smiles on people's faces, she would run alongside those who were walking and in pain getting them running again ... or maybe they were running way from the crazy cow, who knows!  We had a ball.

After the 14km race had been held we wandered back and celebrated with the 14km runners and looked enviously at the beautiful finishers medal they had received knowing the job ahead of us the next day to be worthy of our medals.   Trina and I had been looking at the gorgeous blue sky, would it bode well for the following day?  We kept checking various weather apps until we found one that made us feel a little better.  But we knew we were in for a wild day with 35km/h head winds forecast.

We had rented a house between five of us so checked in and Sue, Trina and I decided to head down to the beach to paddle and stroll, not being too strenuous on the legs though, before sunset.  It was beautiful.  

The evening was sensational.

Sue's exuberance of getting into the water suckered me in.

I rolled up my trousers and all was fine until a wave came in!

Sunday morning we were up early the five of us - Sue, Trina, Jane, Shev and I did our ritual pre-race morning routines and breakfasts. Well Jane had already done her hard work on the Saturday at the 14km so she pepped us up. We walked a block to the busses which were well organised and said goodbye to the Marathon girl Sue who was catching a different bus to Lorne, and made our way to Kennett River, the start of the half marathon.  In the dark as the bus was travelling I was trying to mentally feel the hills as we went up and down and I swear we must have been on the wrong bus as it was a never-ending drive. 

We got to Kennett River and Shev had us organised as she'd done this before, bag drop, loo stop, sunrise, greeting friends, photos.  It was a beautiful morning, what on earth was the Willy Weather app talking about.  Surely the weather man had got it wrong.

Runners milling about on the beach capturing the beautiful sunrise.

Trina and I saw a couple of crazy Scots - yes they run in kilts and horns - take note Mike!!  And we had to get our pics taken.  We had already bag dropped at that stage with our warm clothing to be taken to the end, but ah ha!  I had a couple of disposable throw away plastic raincoats we could pop on to keep warm - they actually do keep the chill off.

I saw my Warrnie buddy Leah, a sight for sore eyes.  Just seeing this beautiful girl who inspires me so much set my racing mind to rest.  Shev in behind us here too.  Both these girls are gun runners that I'm so lucky to call my friends.

A bit excited I needed a start line pic before things got too crazy.

  

We all needed start line pics - Jacqui, me, Trina and Rachael.  
Jill came in later but I don't have a pic of that one.

They kept moving us back as more and more runners got ready, self-seeded.  And even in amongst this throng of people there was a kind of calm in knowing we had quite a number of our 12WBT Runners Connect group out there on the course.  Waiting for the start amongst the crowd of runners lined up, I feel a hand slip into mine and I looked at Trina.  We were full of anticipation ready to take on this beast.  And before we knew it the race had started.  It would be starting simultaneously at 8am - us at Kennett River, the Marathoners and Ultra-Marathoners at Lorne.

I just set off at my own plodding pace knowing there were two big hills to start with.  I kept thinking of my training runs up Cairnlea Lane or Mount Leura or Lake Pertobe Road.  They stood me in good stead.  I see somewhere waaaay over int he distance where we would be running to.  Heck, what was I thinking.  But I was planning to take it just 1km at a time, be mindful of the beautiful scenic surroundings, when on earth does a person get to run along the beautiful Great Ocean Road free of traffic.

This was a blessing and I was taking part in something so much bigger than just a run - this was a beast of a run and it would take every strength of mental toughness I could muster.   I stopped a couple of times along the way for a quick pic, walked a little, ran a lot.  It was spectacular.  I think I was at about 13 or 14km when the eventual marathon winner passed me.  Yes he started at 8am and had run about 35km and caught me.  Crazy stuff.  It was thrilling to see. Not to mention he is the fellow who fitted me for my last pair of runners at the Running Company!

This is a bit of a lonely run, other than the runners alongside you.  There's not much audience participation at all until you get to Skenes Creek.  There was one farm where the farmers were down at their gate handing out snake lollies to runners.  He saw me coming and yelled out "here's a green snake to match your shirt".   It's not until you get to the odd water stations along the route and then Skenes Creek where you really get a bit of audience participation, people were cheering.


Mother Nature decided that we were going to earn this medal today and she threw everything at us - we didn't just have to contend with rolling hills, but the sunshine soon turned to 35km/h head winds, then some wicked cross winds, then we saw the most glorious rainbow.  But with a rainbow there's rain and soon enough we saw the clouds covering Apollo Bay and the rain started.  Showered for a while and then it bucketed down with about 5km to go.  

Just knowing that everyone was in the same boat, hat down I just kept plodding.   Seeing Floss and Jane (pic below) was a highlight.  OMG what a lift of spirits seeing these two crazy cows jumping about cheering and clanging their bells. I was so proud to call out to the lass next to me "they're my friends" she said "you're lucky". Yep I know.

I had been tag teaming with this young girl we were chatting. She said this was her first and last half marathon and I told her by next week she'll be looking for her next one to enter.  She looked at me like I was crazy, I hope she remembers that conversation.  We got to the first lot of buildings in town and I said to her no more walking let's own this. There was no one in front of us at that stage and I told her to soak in the cheers they were all for us. The people were lining the streets and yelling and clapping it was a great feeling.  I called out to her to bring it home strong and from somewhere we both found something and sprinted to the finish line joyous. 

I was given my finisher's medal and I popped it over my neck and took a photo elated and if I thought it had rained before the heavens then opened up as I walked through the chute. I was already saturated so just stood in the rain drinking my drink and eating my banana so happy and thankful that i had the ability to do this. 

3 hours 2 minutes 41 seconds

My goal was 3 hours but maybe next year, although as the great Leitchy has mentioned I did stop for photos so I probably did run the 23km in under 3 hours.   The actual 21.1km mark (official half marathon timing) was 2:50:47, so considering weather conditions and the hills I'm really happy with that.

I ran into Shev at the finish who had obliterated the run with her speed, and she was heading out to give support to our two Marathon girls Sue and Melissa.  So I headed back to the house which was only a block away from the finish line to dry off and change, I found Trina and we then found our bovine friends (giggle) !!

It was here we did our important cheer leading duties.  Oh my goodness what fun.  Floss and Jane brought so many smiles, they were in so many selfie's that runners took, or go pro videos, there was even a runner who came back after the run to ask "why cows?" as she was a dairy farmer!   It was an awesome experience cheering on the runners - by this stage the half marathon runners had long since finishes and we were cheering the full marathon and ultra marathon runners.  What stamina.   Sue and Melissa came through to riotous bell clanging and cheering from us.  It was a great feeling being part of it.

This was truly the most amazing event I've ever been a part of, the hardest race I've ever run, the toughest conditions I've had to endure - and you know what - I'd do it all again in a heart beat.  Roll on next year.

These are the beautiful girls I shared this most magical weekend with - I will call us the Fabulous Five.  Between us five we ran 127 kilometres.

That night we went out for a beautiful meal, although our dear friend Shev had to leave early to get home, the rest of us were staying an extra night.  We drank champagne, wore our medals all night and finished up the evening with Baileys hot chocolate.  Yep we know how to party alright - we were all in bed by 9pm!!!  hahahaha  Exhausted.

And of course Monday morning look at the weather - I took a few quick pics at the beach prior to going home.  Typical!  What a difference a day makes.

Until next year GOR, I'll definitely be back to conquer you once again.

Mothers Day Classic 2016

So I best do a recap of last Sunday's Mothers Day Classic before we head into this weekend.  And yes PINK for breast cancer awareness was the order of the day.  What we didn't order however was the rain.   For long time readers of this blog you may remember last year's disastrous weather.  Well this year was not much better!!

Despite the rain mum dressed up like a pink musk stick, pink from head to toe, except you couldn't see it under her duffle jacket.  At least she stayed warm and dry.  I knew I'd have to wear a hat so that it would keep the rain out of my eyes, and I have a large supply of these throwaway plastic raincoats now.  Perfect.

Although as we walked down to the foreshore before sun up, trying to put it on, in the dark, with the wind blowing, was a wee bit too much to handle.  I was flailing about everywhere until I realised I had it on back to front with the hood up against my face.  Doh!  With that fixed I realised I'd lost my spibelt and had to double back and find it.  And finally we were set.  It was still drizzling and everyone huddled under the various tents that were set up.

Near to start time I left mum sitting under some shelter and headed to the start line.  Yep, still raining.  And cold.  I had braved it though and tossed the rain coat.  Whilst there were some people running in them, I could think of nothing worse.  It was mainly to keep me dry prior to the start.

The 8km is a great course, leaving the water front and running up to the Eastern Gardens, this is the place that every Geelong kid learns to drive!  Two laps of Eastern Gardens and then back to the water front again.  Every kilometre marker there was a different sign.  And yep, still raining!

I don't know if it was the rain or what, but I was feeling strong.  There were a couple of girls that I had been cat and mousing with the whole race, but with 2km to go I kicked it up a notch and took off.  I never saw them again.  Yeeeee ha!   I run along the water front and through to the finishing chute and there's mum yelling out yahoooo.  She was so proud.  A kind lady took this photo of us.   Yes mum is that short!  4'11" !!

OFFICIAL TIME :  54:09

Another PB !!  By 2 mins 28 secs.

We didn't stick around for any of the entertainment, the 4km was about to take off and so did we.  It was too cold.  Mum's coat was drenched on the outside but thankfully still warm and dry inside.  We went home and I had the most magnificent hot shower and breakfast.   Later on at lunchtime we enjoyed our beautiful Mother's Day special lunch at Empire Grill.   We've gone there for the last five years for their special lunch, the three course meal is always spectacular, they have a piano playing in the background, they give you a rose and a little box of their special house made chocolate fudge.  It was once again a perfect lunch.

After this I took mum home and then went up to visit my mother-in-law's grave and lay flowers.  Then took the 2 hour drive home.  Full as a goog !   At home I was presented with this card.  What a clever little dog and cat to write it for me  ;-)   Even more clever is that they gave me a box of Lindt chocolate.  Well done menagerie!  

Speaking of which, our beautiful Bo Bo has been very sick during the last week.  Initially we thought she was being finicky with food which she can be from time to time, until we realised she wasn't eating at all.  We brought out the big guns - BBQ chicken, tins of sardine in spring water, anything to tempt her.  She'd sniff but walk away.  She was losing weight at an alarming rate and we had her in at the vets last Friday and he wanted to admit her and take blood tests and get her on an IV to rehydrate her, despite her drinking water by the bowlfuls at home.  We were worried it was kidney problems.  Blood tests came back and it was something to do with her white blood cells and her little body was desperately fighting an infection but it wasn't kidney.  It took a couple of tries on different antibiotics before she started coming good.  She finally came home on Monday, she's taken a week to get back to herself again and now she's eating up a storm so getting more meat back on her bones.

So it was a good Mother's Day indeed having our little girl on the mend again.

Sooooo ready for tomorrow.  I'm off to Apollo Bay to embark on the longest run in my life.  I've rented a house and we have a houseload of runners from our Runners Connect group staying there.  The Great Ocean Road Half Marathon on Sunday is a cheeky 23km.  I've never run over 21.1 before.  Plus the weather forecast for Sunday is 35km/h WNW winds and rain.  Oh joy, we're running INTO the wind!  With hills.  Crazy much?!!  I've come to realise that no matter how many times I refresh the Elders Weather website, it aint changing!!

Catch you on the flip side.

Last long run before GOR

2 WEEKS - 0 DAYS - 16 HOURS - 18 MINUTES their website says.  Time is ticking away to the Great Ocean Road Marathon festival weekend.  A fun weekend is being planned, I've rented a house and four of us runners are sharing from our fantastic online group 12wbt Runners Connect - one doing the 14km on the Saturday, and the rest of us running on the Sunday - two for the half marathon and one for the full marathon.  There shall be some celebrating on Sunday night let me tell you.

So this weekend, two weeks out, was my longest LSR (long-slow-run) for those not in the know.  And after being nearly bitten by a dog recently on my lovely out and back I usually do, I decided to run a different road and do a lap of town and then straight through to Noorat.  19.2km of long and straight bitumen!  I had set the tracking so that Mike could see where I was at any given time, thank goodness because even though my run is on my Garmin watch, it hasn't synced across to Garmin Connect.  WAAAAH!  If it's not on Garmin it didn't happen, isn't that how it goes.  Thank goodness I could get the stats off the tracking.  

So alarm at 6am, I pottered for a little bit, had some of my Turbo choc powder mixed with almond milk.  It's better with rice milk, but you can't get rice milk in little individual containers.  I didn't want to have to lug the headlamp with me, so I waited till about 6.50am till it was light enough to head out, sun still wasn't up, but it was okay.

It was a beautiful morning, and as it happens there was a slight breeze at my back - win!  Simulating GOR as far as running on bitumen on the side of the road, but flat as a tack until the end.  I did it with no headphones, my fave fluoro vest and a water bottle belt.   And it was good.  Mostly overcast but sun shone through when I got to Noorat.

One thing new I did try today was ditch my favourite Chocolate Outrage GU in favour of Orange Mandarin.  Oh Lordy Lord where have you been all my life.  It tasted like Fanta.  YUM!

Really how lucky we are to live in South-West Victoria, when you see beautiful landscape like this.  Although with the really hard soaking rain we got yesterday the road was damp and every time a car or truck would pass me (there were quite a few trucks!) I got the spray off the road.  Ick.

And there was audience participation too - a paddock full of calves decided to follow me along as far as their paddock would allow them.  It was a very moooooooving experience.  Okay someone had to do it right? 

So the idea was that when I got close to Noorat I would ring Mike to come pick me up, but as he had the tracking that he was looking at intermittently he knew I was getting close and decided to head my way.  I heard him beep as he drove past and then he decided to park slap bang on the top of a hill.  DARN HIM!!!  It's the hill near Mt. Noorat that you climb before the downhill into Noorat and watching it come up I had plans of walking up it.  Well that put paid to that didn't it - I could hardly walk with the man parked on the side of the road at the top of the hill.  But oh how I enjoyed that downhill run into town.

He drove up a bit further and snapped a few photos.  I felt very safe with my fluoro vest on, Mike said you could see me for miles as he was approaching.   Yep a lonely runner out there pounding the bitumen.

The verge of the road wasn't like this the whole way unfortunately, there was some overgrown grass further back which I jumped off into each time a car or truck approached, but they were always courteous and moved slightly over.

Victory I got to Noorat and Mike's awaiting car, but ran straight past it to the public loos!  Happy to be done and have ticked off this all important last long run.  Now I can taper for the next two weeks - which for the non-runners reading this means to do lesser kms with easy runs to build my fatigued body back up again so I hit the half marathon rested and raring to go.

Let's see how I go trying to avoid the taper crazies.    Great Ocean Road half marathon is slightly more than a normal half at 23km, it will be my longest run ever, not that I'm freaking out about those final 2km.  NOT!

When boys go camping...

This is the result!

Hmmmm.  I get this message sent to me... "Slight accident. Sliced to the bone, but reckon I can glue it back together and avoid stitches :-) "

Smiley face indeed!  I freaked and rang him.  Silly man, reached into a container for some lollies forgetting he had put his newly sharpened knife in there so that it didn't slice anything.

Well that worked a treat didn't it!!

He was playing it cool and said they bandaged it straight away and he was fine.  Fine my arse! I demanded to speak to one of his mates to get the proper story and what hope do I have.  Mallee says "Don't worry Carol, he's okay, we'll take him to the hospital if he needs it ... or bury the body, either way we'll look after him!"

Gaaaaah!

Running with new runners!

It's a happy day indeed when you pop on the new runners and bounce around the lounge room!  I decided to get my new Brooks Adrenaline 15 out of the box and retire my old ones today.  You served me well ol' mates, 644km to be precise.  Heck I must land hard, there's no tread left there on the ball of my foot.  If I were a car I'd have a defect notice placed firmly on my butt and taken off the road with tread like that!   No wonder I was feeling every stone I ran on.

My brother had given me a Rebel voucher for Christmas and at their last big sale I got my new kicks for zip - being that they were on sale and my voucher more than covered their price.  I figured the last two times I've been fitted expertly at The Running Company, each time I came back to Brooks Adrenaline, so I have had these beauties sitting in the cupboard for just the right time.  And today was their maiden voyage.

Move over oldies, the newies are about to take your place!

Must admit I have seen the limited edition Brooks Adrenaline 16 and I am soooooo wanting to try them on.  They are tartan!  What's not to love living with a Scot.   But they shall have to wait.

So today was the second Aths Club event of the winter series and lookie lookie, the man is looking quite the athlete wearing the shirt.  He says he must be an athlete, the shirt says so!  ha.  

So after the last naked run, this was handicapped and ... OMG ... I actually got a handicap that wasn't off ZERO!   FOR - THE - FIRST - TIME - EVER.   Okay so it helps that Mike was actually off zero, gotta keep it in the family and all.   I was off 2 mins 30.

So off the man runs.  WTF is he doing?  Wings?  Airing out his armpits?  You be the judge!

I caught him at the turnaround point, he'd only been passed by one other runner by then so what does he do ... stops and waits for me.  This is not how you run a race Mike!!!  Someone tell the man.  In his defence he said he saw I was only just behind me and thought it would be nice to go round together.  How gallant!  Okay stop laughing people.

I was delighted finishing strong so was able to look back and see Mike rounding the oval and then down the home stretch.  He really kicked it into gear (can you tell I'm proud???).   "Maybe if I shut my eyes it won't hurt so much sprinting" he's thinking.

I'm still chipping away at my 5km time.  I was so rapt.  Not my best 5km, I checked back on Garmin and that was earlier this year.  But slowly slowly I'm getting there.  Must have been the bouncy new runners helping me today.

I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying having Mike along for the ride with this running gig.  He really enjoyed today too - or maybe it was the delicious morning tea and the one (or five) pieces of jelly slice he acquired!  Either/or, after my painful 16.7km yesterday and being chased by a dog where I thought I was going to be bitten, yesterday wasn't good, I was pretty defeated.  But I recovered well and today was a great day.  So many ups and downs in this running gig.