Saturday morning and headed south for the annual running of the Half marathon as part of the Canberra Running Festival. Had the privilege to go with Jeet, Pommy Paul Birch and Corky O’Conner, although how we even managed to get out of the Eastern Suburbs was an achievement with Birchy giving directions – what a shocker he is and I’m amazed he can find his way to work on a daily bases.
Woke to a perfect morning on the Sunday to clear skies, not a hint of wind even if it was chilly to start and was looking forward to the 21ks ahead, A 2.5k warm up with the gang before meeting the rest of the HuRTS team on the start line. Had to listen to Pat Carroll’s drivel for 10 minutes before the off and then was keen not to go out too fast. A first kilometre of 3.51 was about right as I settled early with Jeet slightly ahead, the first 5ks is very scenic as you run around Old Parliament House, clocked a 5k in 18.52 and was just sitting off the improved Johnny ‘B Grade’ Binfield.
Had a bit of a shock at the 7k mark then when Old Kanser himself comes by, didn’t go with him as I thought he’s try to push the pace and I was happy to run my own race so early into it. A tougher section around the 10k mark sees you head out of town over the bridge and I was pretty much running solo from this point on.
Worked hard between the 10-15k mark of the race but its good as you get to see the front runners doubling back and also see the chance to keep an eye out for others behind, Another rise back upon to the bridge at 18ks nearly broke me but I did reduce the distance over Kanser at this point as his big sagging shoulders could be seen from about 400m behind. Thought I was on for a 83 finish time but that final 500m is just a drag and when I turned with 200m to go I knew I was in for a sprint finish just to break 84 minutes.
Crossed the line in 83.59 by my watch but was officially given 84 dead for the day, Happy enough with that all things considered and its pretty much where I’m at with my training. The one thing I find with the Half is that there is no hiding and if you are short on the training it will find you out.
My 5k splits that I got were.
5k 18.52
10k 19.45
15k 20.05
20k 19.59
21.2 5.15
Some good times from the team – Kanser on is his way back was impressive, ‘B Grade Binfield looked strong , and Jeet was the run of the day, started off sensibly and just seemed to get stronger as the race went on.
Half Marathon
5th David Tonge 1.16.37
10th John Nesher 1.18:43
19th Jeet Aich 1.20.35
21st John Binfield 1.21:23
34th Dave Kane 1.23:08
41st T. Lindop 1.24:00
43rd Justin Bromley 1.24:58
65th James Matthews 1.26:38
77th Paul Birch 1.28:18
92nd Christian Ellis 1.29:40
109 Sharonne Antonir 1.30:34
Ended the morning with a nice breakfast with the team before returning home and then heading out in the evening for the post race drinks and run down on the day’s events included settling all debts. Worked out pretty even in the end and I seemed to be receiving in one hand and then paying out in the other. Quality night with Kanser, Taffy, Pommy Paul, Jeet and Sonii, and good to see Kanser joining us for a change on a night out ( I forgot how much booze he puts away when he has his drinking hat on)
Lost bets were to Kanser and Jeet both $20 but collected over Taffy and Birchy.
Just on that Kanser has been put on the BANNED list, blatant rort of the system (he wanted a 2 minute start then beats me by 53 seconds?? WTF) and Jeet has been given notice, I told him I would run 84 and we worked on him running a 81-82 ….. he then goes and runs a 80 , C’mon ….
Top weekend in all but I can’t help in thinking that the HuRTS boys and girls missed an opportunity to take GOLD , a bit light on at the top end and I’m sure either Barts or Tom would have taken out the men’s race and an even half fit Laura or perhaps Renee would have won the girls with the winning time only around the 86 minute mark?
Moments of the Weekend
Run of the Day – Jeet 80.35 PBs
Sight of the Day – Seeing Skippy Heyden parading around in his ‘Dear Mothers’ tights at the end – Shocker
Comment of the weekend, Jeet to Birchy as they stood on the bed ‘Have you ever had a pillow fight’ ?
Hiroshima ‘Blow up’ of the Weekend - AND no it wasn’t even out on the course, But Birchy had a major ‘lost it’ moment in the Pasta restaurant the night before when his meal took over 90 minutes to be served, only then to be given the wrong one. All order was restored when he was given a FREE Gelato on the way out (that we all seemed to get in on as well)
Some photos from the weekend
Cheers
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