I'm doing what???

I'm a bit unsure how I got myself into this situation. Actually, that's not quite true. I know exactly how I got myself into this mess.

What mess?

It seems that I'm running the Gold Coast Marathon this year.

How did this happen?

Well, I mentioned to KKB a couple of weeks ago that maybe my next goal after Jervis Bay should be attempting the Gold Coast Marathon. All of a sudden, he's asking me what I'm doing for coaching or training, and when I'm going to start.

Ummm...

Race Day

A beautiful sunrise awaited us on Race Day.

There were several of us that had traveled from Brisbane for the race, some seeking qualification for the Worlds, some more seriously than others.

It was Ironmoles reunited, as Jilly, Annie and I competed together once again for the first time since our first Ironman in Port Macquarie nearly 3 years ago. How time flies.

Race day was quite lonely for me. Bryn had finished by the time I headed out on the run (partly because of the wave starts, but mainly because of the difference in our abilities!). And the Sweep on the run course was a young bloke called Morgan.

Although initially I was surprised I was so far behind everyone, but if I'm really honest, my time was pretty much what I'd predicted. I just hadn't counted on everyone else being so much less slow! Even though I was last across the line, I wasn't the slowest overall, or in any of the three legs. I was satisifed with that. It came down to the wave starts, which were pretty spread out, and mine was closer to the end than the start.

I'm working on a full Triathlete Chronicle, which I'm sure will be live soon.

The hard stuff

The hard stuff's done now. Did the race distance bike yesterday and run today. (Well I was 1k shy on the run - miscalculated and only did 19 - but what's a k between friends?).

Tough going this morning as well after yesterday's Hens effort. I know, I'm already married, but since I eloped and didn't get a proper hens (just a Fake-Practice-Planning one) my friends and I headed to the races for an afternoon out yesterday.

Let's just say this morning's run was later than normal...

Back to the grind...

The Athletic Powerhouse thought she'd had a few good reasons to slack off on the training lately. Getting hitched is a big commitment. (What am I saying, of course it's a big commitment. What I actually mean, is that it takes time and energy and it's difficult to concentrate on much else.)

But now there is nowhere to hide. The Longcourse Champs just a few weeks away, and I'm feeling quite underdone.

I did my own program for this race rather than training with the squad. I thought it would be too difficult to weasel out of training without being honest about the elopement if I had a coach to be accountable to. So, I worked out a modest program to build my swimming, cycling and running to a standard that would allow me to complete the race.

Now, three weeks out, I'm not sure that was the best decision.

Then again, there are three weeks to go. A few more long rides and runs, and some more cramming at the pool and I should be OK. Right?