Gold Coast Half Marathon Weekend

The weekend of my 1st half marathon 

I don't know where to start!!! My weekend on the Gold Coast was jam packed. it started Thursday I flew out to Brisbane & the lovely Kate Beck was there to pick me up. We drove to Courtneys had a quick car change & then we were off to the Gold Coast to pick up our race bibs. I was quietly freaking out because I was  about to pick up my very 1st Half Marathon race pack. I had so many emotions running around in my head. 

- Can I do this

- what if I get disqualified

- what if people laugh at me

I had so many more but these were my main 3. I didn't mind so much if I came last but just didn't want to be disqualified. 

Friday came & I caught the train into Brisbane & had a relaxing day looking around doing the touristy stuff. Caught the train back to near where Kate works & we went to get Thai across from Kate's house ( yum ) Best Pad Thai ever. 

After dinner we went food shopping for Saturday. Kate had been to Marathon school & had a list of what foods we needed to eat a day before the big race. Carbs Carbs & more Carbs. Dietitian approved so it was okay lol. 

Early Saturday morning we set of to the Gold Coast to support our amazing friends who were running in the 5.7 & 10k run. We headed to Southport to watch the race. 

Kate & I had prepared our Breakfast which consisted of muesli, yoghurt, strawberries  & Bananas. The serve was massive. I have never seen my bowel so full but if a dietitian recommends it, it must be fine lol. 

I originally had signed up for the 10k but had my heart set on doing the half. Watching the race my anxiety levels secretly rose. I haven't been able to train since May because I sprained my ankle & hurt my knee & to top it off I had unexpected surgery.  This really threw  me. Our friends finished the race & I was so proud off them all. Watching how supportive everyone was brought a tear to my eye. I haven't seen this in a very long time. It is something I'm not used to & I loved it. 

Morning tea Dietitian style we were able to have a muffin. What one should we choose? I felt like I was in heaven yum. Mine had a blob of cream which I left to the side. 

Lunch we headed back to the hotel & had bread rolls with chicken. Again the serving was crazy big but yum. Afternoon tea came around & we had banana bread. For dinner we had 2 friends Catherine & Alison over. We needed to eat pasta so went around the block to a little restaurant. Mmm I chose Spaghetti bolognese. So full from this race menu it was desert time.  Ice Cream & fruit salad was on the menu. How could I say no to Ice Cream hehe.

Kate & I were off to bed early because we had to have breakfast & crazy 3.00am . Who has breakfast this early? We do!!! Crumpets with Honey yes please. I think by this time my body was saying no more food. We went back to bed for about half an hour & this was it 

RACE DAY!!! By then I had butterflies I felt so sick. 

What have I done? What have I got myself into? My mindset wasn't in a good place right now. I knew I needed to focus & just try & relax. We were at the start line & I realised this was my 1st road race. I normally run on the River Torrens in Adelaide. I knew this race was huge but I have never been part of such a huge race. My nerves calmed down & we were off. 

I got about 500 meters or so & I could feel my anxiety levels going through the roof. I ear phone had fallen out of one ear & I knew if I had of stopped running this would be the end for me. As I was putting it back into my ear I heard someone call me a stupid stupid girl for having ear phones in. I turned around & it was a volunteer saying this. I was deeply in shock & burst into tears. I kept going but the tears were flowing uncontrollably. I was looking for the nearest exit but the barricades were up. The word Stupid really hit home for a number of reasons. 1 was back in year 6 a teacher called me stupid for not knowing my Maths & the whole class laughed. The 2nd was I already felt like I was stupid for entering the race without training. A complete stranger saw that I was very emotional & she got me to run with her. This got me back into a positive mindset & I kept going. I knew I was coming last at this stage but I knew I needed to keep going. Mish kept popping into my head & I kept JFDI ing. 

At about the 10km mark, I could see the lovely Kate (cocogirl) running on the other side of the road & she yelled out keep going, don't give up, you have got this & Im so proud of you!!!  I'm not used to people saying this to me & it meant so much to me. I still here her words now. Thank you Kate from the bottom of my heart. 

I had gotten to the 10k mark & I couldn't feel my legs anymore. I really didn't like this feeling & was getting worried. My legs were cramping up but those beautiful words from Kate kept me going. By the 12k mark a race official on her motorcycle yelled out that I only had 10 minutes to get to Runaway Bay. I knew at this point that this was going to be impossible but I didn't want to give up. I wanted that medal so much. By the time I got to the 13.5 mark, I saw a van at the back of me going really slow. The lady on the motorcycle came past & said well done but I had reached the cut off time. So they put me in the back of the officials van where other race goers were. 

By this stage I was devastated & so embarrassed.  I thought I had let everyone who was waiting for me down. They had been my biggest support & I couldn't finish. 

I did know deep down that they still would be proud of me but at this stage I was so disappointed in myself. I wanted to feel that sense of achievement & I wanted to be proud of what I had achieved but I wasn't. Silly me really wanted to let Mish know that I had completed my 1st half. 

I got back to all my 12wbt friends & they were so supportive caring & gave me a massive hug. I broke down for a couple of reason. One was because back home in Adelaide I don't have this much support & I was deeply touched. 

I could see my friend Kate in a lot of pain & she wasn't feeling well but she still got up & said she would be back soon. Kate came back with a medal & t shirt for me. This really got me teary because No one has ever done something this nice for me. Thank you beautiful Kate from the bottom of my heart. 

A couple of hours later once I started to relax I looked back on the day & could finally start to feel proud of myself. I looked at my time for the 10k mark & I had smashed it by 17 minutes. So if I had of stuck to the 10k I would have smashed my time. 

After my race we headed down to watch the Marathon runners finish. We had a few 12wbt friends running & we wanted to show our support. I want to congratulate them all & in particular Greg Leitch for completing your 1st marathon. So inspirational to watch.

I will be back to tackle the GCAM next year. With a lot of training & entering fun runs before the big one I know I can do this. I have learnt not to listen to a couple of people's negative comments & focus on doing what you want to do.

I want to say a massive thank you to Kate (CocoGirl) for having me at your house & for letting me stay at the hotel with you. The lead up to the race was so much fun. So many laughs & so many good memories xoxo

Also to the other amazing friends who were there over the weekend. You are all amazing people & Im so proud of you all 

So looking back I can happily say that I didn't give up. The time got the better of me. I will be back stronger next year