My First 10km Race
Now for something totally not craft related :-) I did the 10km race at the Melbourne Marathon yesterday and I can honestly say that this was truly a ‘fun run‘. I thank God for the beautiful morning – it was around 12°C at the starting line, sunshine, and no wind. Perfect conditions.
The atmosphere was electric – for the 10km race alone there was an estimated 5,500 people. I was inspired to see all these people from different walks of life, of different ages, some with disabilities, out there and excited about taking on the challenge.
I had been training for this run for the last 3 months and encountered an injury at the beginning and then two weeks of illness towards the end, so I had mixed feelings as I stood at the starting line. But it ended up being so much better than I had expected. I could go on and on about this run but to cut it short, I think it was my best run this year :-)
I enjoyed every minute. I had so much more energy than I had expected and my legs didn’t feel tired, even after crossing the finish line. I even met my time goals. The weather, the course, the fact that I ate a whole heap of carbs this past week :-), and a good breakfast helped to make it a great run. I am so thankful for a very supportive family who allow me to indulge in these kinds of events.
The last kilometre included a lap of the MCG to the finish line and that was a fantastic experience. The MCG is where the late Kerryn McCann (a running hero of mine) won the marathon at the Commonwealth Games in 2006 in an epic race. As we ran into one of the MCG gates, Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” came on my iPod, then we ran into a tunnel and emerged onto the huge MCG field where spectators were cheering. It was an amazing way to finish a race :-)
I still think it’s funny that at the beginning of the year I could hardly run one full kilometre and somehow we are now in October and I have run in 3 fun-runs! And the biggest surprise for me . . . I am actually enjoying it! I’m looking forward to starting my new training plan this week for the next 10km fun run in December (and it’s for a good cause). Anyone want to join me? (And don’t say you can’t do it, because seriously if I of all people can do it, you can do it too!).
◘ Watch Kerryn McCann’s brilliant finish at the 2006 Commonwealth Games here.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:10 am
oh Jho, HUGE congrats!!!
I started running a f on such a great achievement, you should be very proud
I started running a few months ago & I have always said that I am NOT a runner, but I really love it
I am working on doing the 10km race in the melb marathon next year, I can’t run that far yet, so I am giving myself lots of time to get there
6 months ago & could barely breath after running 400 metres, it is really motivating to see how far I’ve come & inspiring to see what you have achieved :-)
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October 12th, 2009 at 11:34 am
So jealous. I was running the 10km race in the Melbourne Marathon as well, however my day went a little differently – about 20 metres past the starting line, I got jostled into the gutter by people trying to weave through the pack, and sprained my ankle. So I sat in the gutter crying from pain, embarrassment and the sheer absurdity of it all when reporters started taking photos of me.
Luckily, my boyfriend saved the day – collected me from the medics tent, found me some crutches and took me out for almond croissants and bitter lemonade.
My Dad ended up running the half-marathon though, which is no mean feat especially at 53 years of age. I’m ridiculously proud of him and I’m aiming for half-marathon next year.. if I can clear the first hundred metres without calamity!
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October 12th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Dear Jho,
Sending you a huge congrats on this great achievement! wow great effort :) very special cause which is extremely close to my heart too. Bron
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October 12th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Wow Jhoanna! That is fantastic! I’m slowly getting in to running. At the moment I can manage 3kms without dying at the end… getting there.
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October 12th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Well done Jho, you are such an inspiration. It must be an amazing feeling to complete something of this magnitude. I am sure your are as proud of you, as you are of yourself!
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October 12th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
the missing word is…family! (whoops) I can’t even type a full sentence, let alone run 10 kms LOL
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October 12th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Ohhh!!! well done you, now that is something else you can add to your list of fab stuff you do :)
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October 12th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Congratulations!! I must find a race to motivate myself a little more than I am at present! Good luck for the next one!!
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October 12th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Congratulations!!!!!!! What an effort. Keep it up :D
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October 12th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Well done!!! I know how much of an achievemnet that is. I thought for the first 25 years of my life that I was born a ‘non-runner’ ;-) Untill I discovered it was all a story in me head.
I forgot you were there – would have looked out for you… was support crew for hubby doing his first (and last he tells me) marathon. So proud, and inspired to tackle the 42k’s myself one day.
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October 12th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Wow – congratulations! That is an amazing effort. I think I might be allergic to running :P
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October 13th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Congratulations on such a great achievement. You are an inspiration to me!!!
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October 14th, 2009 at 11:55 am
yay for you and everyone else who ran!
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October 14th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
you rock! Congratulations! that is a huge achievement! So amazing, I can’t even imagine running all that way. I am yet to find my inner runner. lol.
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October 16th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Your post brought me to tears. Well done on finishing. Kerryn was partof my family and we miss her every day. It’s lovely to hear that’s she’s still inspiring people.
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October 16th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Congrats Jhoanna!!! That is one heck of an achievement!
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October 18th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Congrats on your run!
I’m in a similar position, started running earlier this year and had to deal with sickness and injury but I’ve participated in a 4kn,7km and 9km fun run. 10km is next, in a few short weeks. Can’t wait!
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October 19th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Great stuff Jhoanna!!
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