So race day started very cold and very early.  Parking was a dream which is unusual for the GC Marathon.  Also, this is the first year we have had our STC tent up and that made a huge difference.  It’s so good to have a meeting place and its also such simple advertising for our club.

The earlier start time for the 10km was great, it meant there was more time to cheer for friends and family doing the longer runs, and as I waved everybody off to their races, I realised I was the only STC club member doing the 10km! Hmmm.

I made my way down to the start line, which turned out to be much further down that I realised, so I used that as my warm up (yes Gus, I did a warm up!).  I was exhausted by the time I made it to the start line.  This was going to be great!

So the race started with the hooter and of course, nobody moved.  Lots of cheering, arm waving but no running. Come on people lets get this thing going, I gotta race to run!  I guess the best thing about the crush of people was the body heat they generated because it was still freezing.

Eventually we got moving, we chugged along to the blue mats so the official time could be taken, I hit my stopwatch and I was away, running like a fish... What was I thinking! My heart rate jumped to 174, and I thought I was tachycardia, but no, that’s what is supposed to happen when you are racing. Apparently.

It was hard to get any kind of momentum up with the throng of people, I had situated myself in the pace group hoping to do between 55mins to 1 hour, but somehow I was passing people ahead of me. That made no sense, especially as when I hit the 1km mark I was on 6.18 min pace, which wouldn’t do if I wanted to get under the hour.

Then, like Obi One Kenobi of racing, I heard Gus’s voice in my head, “Use the Force”, no that’s not it, wrong script! “Build into the race, short steps and fast feet”. Fast feet? What!?? I could barely feel my toes! Were they moving? I was going forward so I must have been, and at one stage I passed a dwarf, which made me think I was either delirious or a giant, neither one good. All this at just 2km in!

Eventually I relaxed and started enjoying myself; I would set a goal to pass people in front of me, needing something to work toward. I chose only the old and infirm, or slow moving children so I could feel better about my race. It must have worked because I turned at the 5km at 28min 45sec, so I had gained ground and was feeling pretty good.

The last 4km back were actually pretty nice, I knew I was on the home stretch, I did fall off the pace a little but the end was in sight. Actually that’s a lie the false end was in sight. It’s easy to see the start line and think that’s the finish line, but sadly no, there is 1km up a little hill then more false finishes, damn those overpass bridges! This was turning into a psychological battle, and I think I was losing!

I checked my time and realised if I wanted to break the hour I was really going to have work. I think my last kilometre was at about 5 minute pace, my heart rate jumped through the roof, my lungs were hurting and the voice in my head was saying RUN RUN, then STOP STOP. Of course I ignored it, managing to cross in 59 minutes and 55 seconds hoping I looked as graceful as a gazelle but really I think I was more like an angry hippo. It may be only be 5 seconds but bloody hell I had broken the hour. Whoo hoo, PB!

Overall, it was a great day and for everybody who raced, well done. Champions all! You are a fantastic group of people who make being a member of STC an enormously enjoyable experience.

A big thanks to Coach Gus for race tips, encouragement, and for all the effort you put in to every single member of the club. You make me want to be better and training has never been so much fun!

Cheers all, see you for the 21km next year. Imagine what that race report will be like!!

MaryD

For race results and webcasts from the 2009 Gold Coast Marathon, visit www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au

Alternatively, check out Hawksta's hilarious YouTube videocast taken on the half marathon and marathon course at Lands End.