Canberra Marathon Race Report: Laughs, Tears and Success

Yes, its done, my first Marathon completed with my two incredible partners Gabby and Christine. After 4 months of hard training and many long runs we finally crossed the finish line in the nations capital.

We all went down to Canberra with seven kids in tow between us and partners and started the process by carbing up in beautiful Manuka, home of the cafe before a restless nights sleep. I had a pretty weird dream where the whole group of us got washed away by a Tsunami and i was left stranded on top of a rock while everyone else drowned, so even though i didn't feel nervous i obviously was freaking out in my subconscious!

We woke to a freezing 10C day and downpouring rain that lasted the whole run.

The first loop was 11kms of chatting and even fun, where generally talked about the wierd people in the crowd and had a laugh (including onereally nice guy thought he had run 24kms when the sign read 8) and one very annoying support woman on a bike who took her job WAYYYY too seriously, handing out neurofen to her friends (which is highly dangerous).

The next loop of 16 kms was also pretty relaxed, we held on to a 6.5 pace, slowed down by my 6 visits into the bushes ( I had overloaded on fluid for a cold day)...I even got to piss right on Capitol Hill!

After the second loop we started to split up and five kms later (32kms) things started to really become challenging...no more fun..no more talking.....we entered gradually over the next 2-3kms into our own private hell......this is where it becomes a solitary sport

At km 38 I started cramping in my calves, stretched a few times but NEVER walked.....perhaps trudging at an 8min/km pace is really what was happening...

At km 40 things became even more intense and I simply put one foot in front of the other like a zombie....its hard to describe the feeling 500 metres from the finish when i heard all of our families cheering...I confess to crying quite uncontrollably at this point..

Then just when you think crossing the line will bring relief you realise the pain sets in..along with beautiful blue lips from running in the rain..

Then it dawned on me what I'd done and more emotion when the medal is placed around my neck..this time happiness

Thankyou Gabby and Christine for being such fantastic partners....this is a bond that only suffering together and discovering our abilities can create!!!!

Here's Gabby finishing

...and Christine

Now to plan the next one!!!!!