Kerikeri Half Marathon 2006

Friday 17/11/06:
Found out late this morning that Rob has come down with a throat infection and therefore will not be doing the HM. Not only was I very disappointed for him (and if it hadn't been for him doing it, I probably would not have thought to do it myself) but I had been intending to not only get a ride up and back with him, but also stay the night at somewhere he had arranged, that belongs to a family member who is away at the moment... However he reassured me I could still do so and that he would provide me with maps and directions. It was a bit daunting, as its years since I'd driven that far up north, let alone by myself. But I was so set on doing it by then, that it was going to take a lot more than this to stop me! Hence I left home at 5.30pm, hit all of the rush-hour traffic getting across Auckland on the freeway (crawled along for over an hour - thank goodness for automatics!) made one 15min stop for food and the bathroom and finally arrived in Kerikeri just after 9.30pm. Once on the rural roads, the trip was fairly uneventful, except for one rabbit with a death wish - I just missed it!) Once driving thru "town" I found the place where I was to stay, which was out in the back of beyond and very dark! But I was just glad of somewhere comfortable to spend the night. The wind was gusting around the house and between this, being in a strange place and pre-race apprehension, I did not get much sleep at all!

Saturday 18/11/06:
I was awake well before my phone alarm sounded at 5.45am! Quick shower to freshen up, gear on and two pieces of toast and honey and I was packed up and off to find the Kerikeri Domain which was the finishing area and where the buses to the start line left from. I was on the first bus at 6.30am - scared of getting lost or running late and missing the start, as I still had to collect my race number and timing chip once I got there. As it was, I was at the start area - literally a paddock on the roadside with a dozen or so Portaloos and a table where they were giving out race numbers - by 6.50am. Here the wind was horrendous as it was so open. Got my number and chip without having to wait as I'd feared and went to huddle under some trees with some others, as it started to drizzle. We had an hour to kill before the start, and not knowing whether they had a gear truck, I had left everything in my car at the finish, so there I was in short bike pants and singlet top! The air temp was actually quite mild, but the gusts and rain made it really unpleasant. Luckly a lovely man felt sorry for me and lent me his jacket till the start! With half an hour to go I queued for the loos and spent the rest of the time trying to keep warm and dry for as long as possible...

Finally it was time to head out onto the road for the start. Sadly, there was only one racing wheelchair entry and he got a 5min head start on us runners, with the walkers going off half an hour after us. It was only just before the start that I realised I had left the pace band in the car!
Even tho I was still in two minds about using it, I'd planned to wear it and see. So much for that idea! Also, I didn't even know if there were km markers anyway! Not to worry...

Off we went, bang on 8am in the pouring rain. The first km was very crowded with 1300 odd runners crammed onto one very narrow country road! I figured my time for the first km would be rather slow, as it felt it, but when I did see the marker, it was 4.20min. Due to the shocking weather conditions and without the pace band, I told myself to put all thoughts of a sub 90min out of my mind, hope I could still get a PB and just run as well as I could.

The first 7kms was a gradual incline and included two "significant" hills. Have to say, I would have called the first one more than significant! It was long and steady and I was really feeling it in my lungs by the top. However after the second one, the downhill sections were fairly frequent and it was great to be able to power down them. Despite the conditions and the fact that it is a rural course, there were a few spectators out and marshalls at the drink stations. They described it as a scenic course and I guess it was if you like paddocks and cows all the way! (Sorry to disappoint - did not see a single sheep!) Sure the views would have been better on a nice day tho.

I went thru the 10km marker in exactly 44mins which I knew was a fair way off the pace band and even border line for a PB, but I also knew I had a lot more downhill and flat to come. At 11kms, one of the marshalls told me I was the 16th female to pass him. Its about there that the rain let up a bit and by then it was mainly a cross-wind too, so not as bad as earlier. A few kms on, I picked up one lady. A few more kms on and I got passed by another lady, who was running with a very fit looking man, that seemed to be pacing her. I'd been seeing some of the same bods around me for some time, off and on and sticking by a couple in particular. I made up my mind to try to keep the lady in the ASB singlet top that passed me in my sights. A couple of times this looked doubtful as the gap widened, but by 16kms I was picking up my pace and got right back on her heels. Her companion kept looking around to see where I was! With 3kms to go, I was feeling good and knew I could get a PB if I could just keep going. With 2kms to go I went around the ASB top lady. I am very proud of my effort over those final 3kms as I forced myself to put everything and everyone else out of my mind, totally focus on the task and quicken the leg turnover. Even tho the heart and lungs were singing out, my legs felt good, like I was flying! There were a few undulations in the later stages, but I refused to acknowledge them and told myself to keep running like it was all downhill - whether it was or not.

I entered the domain and sprinted across the grass. I crossed one mat and could see the other and the timing clock just ahead. I thought it read 1hr30min and some secs but it was confusing as there was one for the walkers too. I stopped my watch just after crossing the line and didn't dare to look at it until I had my timing chip and number chit removed and had staggered out of the finishing area. My watch said 90.50mins! I was very happy and relieved! I had beaten my PB by just over 2mins! Yes, it was a fast course, but I'd take it anyway!

After changing into dry clothes and putting on my jacket, I headed back to the finish line to see if I could spot Robyn and cheer others on. When I hadn't seen her by 2hrs30mins I knew I must have missed her. It was raining again by then and the wind was still persistant, so I headed to the massage tent and after queueing for a while, got my 10mins worth for $10! They were making a killing in there, let me tell you! Straight after I put my Skins on as well as even more warm clothes, as I was feeling really shaky and a little sick! By then I'd had a text from Robyn and we met up for a quick chat under the shelter of the rugby clubrooms. It was great to meet a new Ausrunner and now fellow blogger! Congratulations to Robyn on completeing her first running HM! Turns out I had been standing watching when she finished, but somehow missed her despite knowing her number and names being called out! Sorry Robyn!

Prizegiving was not until 1pm, but with so many awesome spot prizes, it was worth hanging round in the cold and wet for - or so I thought! Prizes included a trip to Fiji, a trip to Aussie and a campervanning holiday in the Sth Island, lots of family passes to the relevant sponsors outdoor activities, heaps of Asics gear, sets of golf clubs, family tents, fishing rods, tennis rackets, the list goes on and on. Did I win anything? NO! Bugger! But it was good to see the 1st three men and women get their placing prizes.

As soon as it finished, I was in the car and gone! The trip home took 3 1/2 hrs with only one quick toilet stop. I was very glad to see home and a hot shower, as I was fairly stiff after sitting and driving for so long. In total I clocked up 550kms driving - 21.1kms running!

I've just checked the on-line results which are already posted. This is what I found:

#943 - Vicky Montgomerie - Gun time: 1.31:05, Net time: 1.30.45 - 12th woman, 103rd overall. (They do not do age catergory placings for this event.)

So needless to say I am extremely happy with that! Didn't quite get my sub 90mins, but am now confident that I can on a fast course. More importantly, I shaved 2min,10secs off my PB. And I ran 4mins,3secs faster than Auck HM which was just 3wks ago (granted its a much hillier course.) Turns out the lady in the ASB top finished 11secs behind me.

Other results: Mens - 1st (Mark Bowyer) 1.09:39
Womens - 1st (Maria Akesson) 1.15:53, 2nd 1.19:51, 3rd 1.21:18
NZ triathlon champ, a legend and hero of mine, Samantha Warrinder came in 4th - 1.23:16. I saw her in the massage tent!

Entrants: Run - 1327, Walk - 1099, Racing Chair - 1 (Lee Warn in a time of 1.03:40) Those wheelies can really fly - good on him, I bet he was having a blast on the downhills!

Evidently photos will be on-line by later tonight. MAY post some!

Stu, I didn't get your comment till afterwards, but thanks for the advice and to everyone else for your awesome encouragement, by way of comments on my blog, PMs from the forum & text messages. I really appreciate it.

PS: BTW, even tho I felt the muscle strain in my leg at times, I can't honestly say it slowed me down any. However tonight it is very tight and rather sore! Back on the anti-inflams and looking forward to Tues physio session! Will definately be taking it easier for a while now and ensuring I recover fully.