"I was RUNNINGGGG!"

My boss Dave's nephew was sick this weekend (just a cold) and wasn't well enough to run in Sydney's infamous City 2 Surf race. Dave asked if I wanted his bib to run in the 14 km (8.7 mile/ one-third marathon) race. It was on a Sunday morning and I only had birthday drinks planned for Saturday night, so why not?!
I woke up Saturday morning and took the bus (free public transport all day with your bib, # 6975) into the city. I hopped in line and I was just in time for the start.

Well this race had a gradient that was killer! (see below)

Last year I did the Belmar 5 mile after a Bon Jovi concert so I was pretty cocky. This race was legit. 85,000 took part in this race. It is the largest timed race EVER to take place in the WORLD. I was a part of making history.  as you can see through 6-8k there is a hill called "heart break hill." It wasn't as much of a physical heart  break as it was an emotional butt kick in more than a few ways. First off, your body will do anything your mind wants it to do. Second, how can you feel pain when there is a man with a hand-bike propelled wheelchair climbing a 45 degree slope next to you at a speed that is almost going backwards? There was a woman who didn't have any legs wheeling herself up the hill as well. It took me at least 20 minutes to climb this hill, but this woman was struggling, and to see runners who could barely breathe or walk, taking turns pushing this woman was heartwarming. Then, in the last 4k's a blind man came up beside me and was holding onto an orange band with another man. The other man was his guide, racing along with him. At this point I almost burst into tears (if I did I probably would have had an asthma attack, so I pulled myself together just in time.)  My hips were aching and my quads were burning, but the fact that these people were racing on this incredibly difficult course, was enough motivation to not quit.

After crossing the finish line when the clock said 1 h 23 min, I was quite satisfied. (That wasn't my official time though, because I didn't cross the start for at least 4 minutes after the clock started.) If you were to times this pace by three, I would have run a 4 hour marathon! That is pretty darn good, considering NYC's course doesn't have nearly as tough of hills. I also wouldn't have had several beers before the marathon either!

After the race I guzzled at least a gallon of Gatorade and water, then got a bacon and egg sandwich and met up with my roomie. I met up with her about an hour after and we grabbed a chicken sandwich and a much deserved brewski. City2Surf is kind of like a Seafood Festival afterwards. Its a giant party. Unfortunately, I was soo tired I couldn't hang past 1 pm.  I took the bus from Bondi Beach (which I got a solid 30 minute nap) to the train in Bondi Junction to the bus in the city, to my doorstep. I took a shower and by 4 pm I was lights out until 8 this morning. Although I was so exhausted, that was one of the most fun races I've ever run. I'm giving my body today to recover, but I have 18 miles more to run this week for my marathon training! I'm soo excited for NY, only 85 days left! Now I just have to raise $2950 more for PKD and I'll be set!

Please go to:

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/abbyschrader/RunforPKDINGNYCMarathonTeam 


to make your donation today! 11/6/11


Thanks!!!