Warwick - Day 2, 10km ascent, 1500meters

My turn has come around! After watching the guys do their running yesterday and itching to get out there, I was feeling suprisingly unsure about this, this morning. I've never done more of a hill than the Goodwill Bridge before so really wasnt sure what to make of a 10km ascent!

The morning was cool, but by 8am when the race started, the sun was up and it didnt take long to warm up. I was aiming for about 5min/k, not really sure just how much the hill was going to take out of me, but I'd heard it was fairly flat for the first 4km. My aim was to get to the 4km water stop in about 20mins, and then just cruise up the hill in as long as it took to get there!!

By 4km I was actually feeling quite good, I'd gotten in to a rhythm and was enjoying running through Kilarney, taking in the sights and listening to my mp3 player. At the water stop I took some Endura and a bit of water, walked while drinking it then rounded the corner to see the 'real' start of the ascent! EEEEkkkkk, a hill and I had to run up it!! Well, there was nothing for it other than to start.. I got to the top of the first bend and felt suprisingly good, got a bit scared by this and decided to try and slow up a bit so I could make it to the top. Got to the 6km marker and over the cattle-grid and realised that my last 2 kms had been quicker than the previous (flat) two. I was still feeling good, and having passed the half way mark I decided to leave the stopwatch alone and let my body do the dictating on how fast to run. At 7km & 8km I was still feeling strong and had even started to pick people off on my way up. I could see the 9km marker in the distance and decided to pick up the pace, the end was near and I'd heard that the last 100meters or so was downhill.
I finished with a time of 56.37 (I think) and felt great. My aim was to finish, I had no real time in mind so I was pretty happy with this. My first ever 10km run, with no training 10months ago was 57mins, this was a completely flat course, so it just goes to show what training can do!! :)


Back at the motel, a quick shower, energy bar and coffee later and we were heading out of the door again. 1500meters this time, I've not run this distance since school, so had no real idea how I would go. The gun went off and everyone flew forward, by the second corner thoughts of slowing down were going through my mind, by the third corner I was getting taken by quite a few people... Then the 1km marker came up and I felt I was almost home.... knees up and digging deep I started to catch up with the group ahead. Fourth corner, Tess took me, still looking strong!! One more corner and I could see the finish, I crossed with a time of 6.07, which I was really happy with.


I ended up with a second place in my category for the 10km and first for the 1500meters. Felt a bit of a cheat though having not run the previous day. Still, it was a great experience and I am really keen to go back next year, with a bit more training and some long runs under my belt and do the full two days!! :)