Central Coast Half Marathon

The plan was to finish somewhere between 2:30 & 2:45. I finished in 2:36.....OK time, when running distances at the moment are 10 - 12km & high humidity on the day.

I drove to Sydney on Saturday afternoon, stayed the night with friends & was picked up by Superflake at 4:40 Sunday morning for the drive to The Entrance.

In any field of runners I'm bound to be at the very tail end, but in such a small field I was most definitely at the very tail end! The 'sweeper' (I didn't know there was one for this race) thought he was running with the last runner, until someone got a message to him that there was someone else behind him! And so, I had Steve, the sweeper, run with me for the last 4kms until we came to Eagle & Gnome waiting to join in with about 2km to go. At about 50m to the finish line, a number of Cool Runners had gathered & gave me the cheer I needed to 'kick up my heels' & finish.

A very scenic course following the water, shady in most parts, mostly flat & an event I hope to be back for next year. Volunteers were wonderful & were still there at every water station until I finished....doesn't always happen this way! I thank them sincerely for their time & care.

The only hiccup on the drive back to Sydney was having to ask Superflake to pull over from the middle of a freeway because I was car sick & about to throw up all over the interior of his lovely car! Rather than have this happen, he found a spot to stop & after a couple of breaths of 'fresh' air, we were on our way again without further mishap! I'd forgotten my cap & might have had a 'touch of the sun' after the run.

I stayed an extra night in Sydney rather than drive back to Mittagong feeling tired & a bit"off". Home today, Monday.

Half Marathon Time = 2 hours 36 minutes with AHR of 127 (85%).
1hr:17 to the turn around; 1hr:19 return.

Week Total = 60km