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Winery Running Festival Half Marathon

Date:
By JP
Category: Road Events

I was in really good condition for this event and I desperately wanted to crack a sub 100 minute half marathon, which wasn't out of reach.  My only reservation was, I was already a few weeks into a marathon program so no tapering at all before this half.  I was feeling good so I thought I would just show up and give it everything I had and just see what happens.

 

Arriving at Hunter Valley Gardens, it was a typical winter's morning—cold and windy, with a chance of rain.  Looking around there were a number of other competitors all making an effort to keep warm before the start and not take off cold.  I soon heard the runner's briefing so it was time to strip off the warm layers and find a good starting spot up near the front.  I knew this would be critical as the first 2kms are really tight and windy so if you get stuck you simply lose time.  A few short minutes later we were off and racing.

 

I got out the gate pretty quickly and kept pace with the 90 minute pacer.  All the other runners around me were all moving pretty quickly as well so it made the tight garden path all the easier.  Mind you, I certainly wasn't used to kicking off at a low 4:00 pace so I was really sucking in the breaths!  I had to make the most of picking up time now before hitting the hill at Audrey Wilkinson.

 

Naturally, it was only a few short kilometres before staring down Audrey Wilkinson.  The hill halfway DJ was playing Uptown Funk, which wasn't great motivation as I was so sick of bloody hearing it.  Actually, now I think of it, this was great motivation to keep running!  Soon enough I was at the top and well short of breath.  Time for a little downhill coast and get my breath back.

 

The next 6kms to halfway were pretty easy.  The wind was behind me and I was feeling good so I kept below 4:30 as much as I could.  Turning around at 13k I was still feeling pretty good so it was time to press on.

 

The next 5kms were all rolling hills and plenty of wind in the face.  Interestingly, this was the first time I have ever been in front of the main pack.  I really enjoyed everyone else looking at me like I was one of the fast guys—which obviously never happens.

 

Checking my watch with 3kms to go I saw cracking 100 minutes was going to literally come down to a fast finish.  I had to keep under 5:00 despite the last long hill.  So with that, I dug in deep and called on every Jedi mind trick I knew to keep pushing.

 

Pushing up the final hill was torture.  I had completely run out of legs from pushing the whole way.  Right now I was thinking, damn I wish I tapered, but I had to forget about that and get back to the Jedi mind tricks.  I was now on top of the hill and had only 1.5kms to go so it was all or nothing.

 

The final kilometre clicked over and I had 5 minutes left to complete it.  It was mostly downhill so I just pressed on and kept my dead legs moving.  Around the final turn I was so happy to see the finish and with a few more steps, cross it with a new personal best!  I just ran my first sub 100 minute half, so stoked and completely exhausted!

 

Now my sights are on Blackmores Sydney Marathon for a sub 3:45:00 marathon.  Cannot wait!

 

Race Day Stats:

Distance: 21.1 km
Time: 1:39:12
Avg Pace: 4:41 min/km
Elevation Gain: 245 m
Calories: 1,830 C