Gold Coast Marathon CC 10km

Pre morning. After having very painful shin splints about a fortnight ago. I didn’t expect to run this race. I’d already booked accomodation and flights.

So when my leg felt better as the week went on. I thought, I’m going to be up for this.

I flew to Sydney and then onto the Gold Coast arriving Saturday afternoon. Got a taxi to the Convention Centre to pick up my race kit. The taxi driver almost ran up the back of the car in front. A near miss, how different things can pan out with bad luck.

I spent the rest of the day figuring out where and what time I needed to catch the shuttle bus. Also did some food shopping.

Race Day.

I had to be up early on race day. The 10km race started at 6:45. Two Shuttle buses went by and they were full of runners and didn’t stop. It was dark and still cold waiting for the bus.

A but stopped, and filled up rapidly I was the last one on it. The bus got held up in traffic for a while. The number of pariticipants has grown each year and this year there were 23,000 entrants for the 42.2, 21.1, 10, 5 & 2.25km races. I felt sorry for some of the half marathon runners, because they wouldn’t have long to prepare for the start.

I wandered around for a while trying to figure out where everything was, the luggage drop off, the toilets, the actual starting line. It was all very unfamiliar and a little disconcerting.

I watched the half marathon start, there were 7,000 people in this race. The eiltes charged off at the start, Dent, Marwa and Shelley. This race attracts some world  class runners.

The Race.

The yellow self seeding signs were put up for the 10km. It was only at this point did I figure out that the race was going in the opposite direction to HM. I joined the race from the front, actually over the starting mat. For a while I worried that it might effect my cip timer.

Not to worry, I had my Garmin I would know what time I’d done. I seeded my self in the 40:00-45:00 area.

The race started, I spent the first kilometre dodging people. I was suprised when the Garmin recorded.

1km 3:56

I felt really relaxed and smooth and springy in my step. The race went south along the Gold Coast Highway, and the right into marine parade. By this time I was weaving optimistic self seeders not side stepping like a rugby player.

2km 3:59

The parade turned back along towards the Pacific Ocean, the golden sun starting to light the Norfolk Island Pines, on She Oaks one one side of the road and the windows of the high rise holidays apartments on the other.

3km 4:04.

The course is lovely and flat and fast. I feel some dryness in my mouth, but I imagine the 1000+ kilometres in my legs and keep pushing.

There are a few runners around me who I am keeping pace with without trouble. Many others I am still passing.

4km 4:09

I can see some of the leading runners coming back the other way. Lee Troop, and Australian Olympic Marathon runner, will win the race in 29:28.

5km 4:12

So I reach the 5km mark in 20:20, which is an old guys PR.

The race turns around and heads back on the left hand side of the road. Other runners  are heading out still, thousands of them.

6km 4:11

I’m still close to 4km pace, and it doesn’t feel hard.

7km

4:11.

Here the road turns right, and head back to the highway. Back on the highway, we run into a bit of an incline up a bridge. A few runners go past and some runners I had been pacing with pull ahead.

I start to slow. I decide to save myself for the last kilometre.

8km 4:22.  33:04 is also an old guys PB for 5 miles or 8km.

We go into an undulating section with some more substantial hills. I’m feeling the pinch and looking ahead to see where the finish might be. The race heads back past the starting line.

9km 4:22.

I can hear the race commentators in the distance, as we turn left into the finishing chute.

I see a blue arch over the road and I start to sprint, but it isn’t the finish and then there is another dummy arch. I don’t sprint this time, but I wonder where the heck the finish is.

I see it and turn the corner. Someone yells out, not sure if it was my name. There is a little grandstand and people lining the chute.

I start to sprint. A guy wearing no shirt and a skind compression tight pushes me in the shoulder and puts me off. (I feel cranky about this for  a while after that race).

I gather myself together and sprint again.

I finish the Garmim says 10.1km (42:03), and old guys PR

I pick a medal and finishers T shirt and hand back my timing chip.

Post race.

I watch the finishers in the marathon, a Kenyan named Chebor wins in 2:11. The womens finish is a thriller with Lauren Shelley only beating Roxie Schmidt winning by one second.

I cheer on a few local runners who  have made the trip up for the marathon and 4km or dash. I get a real buzz out of watching the up to 10 year olds in their race a 2.25km. The look of determination in their eyes is priceless.

Back at the motel I visit the event web site.

I came 229th/5200, 7th/196 in the 45-49 years. I feel really chuffed at that, and have to keep looking at the results sheet to make sure its true. 7th!

Later, I go for a walk back over parts of the course, I’m wearing my winners medal and T shirt.

The result gives me a real boost, and distracts my thoughts from less pleasant things.

I dream of what might be possible with my running.