Smithy and I did the Gold Coast Half Marathon on Sunday, with some friends from our walking/running group Brisbane Frontrunners. We never run it, Smithy and I, but our three friends - first-timers all - did. Our goal is to try and complete it in 3 hours. That's 7kmph - damned fast! In 2003 and 2004, we did it in 3 hours and 5 mins (give or take several seconds or so). This year we managed it in 3 hours and 3 mins!!! I don't think we'll ever break the 3 hour mark unless we run, which we don't want to do.
We hung around waiting for other Frontrunners who competed in the 10km run, congratulated each other, got a team photo taken, then Smithy and I toddled off to our hotel room (a further 3 km walk - are we mad or what?) where we unfolded the sofa bed, poured some wine and watched the Brisbane Broncos win a match they weren't supposed to! Ahhh sweet.
Apart from sore knees and groin and tender tootsies, we both felt pretty good considering....then I tried getting out of bed the next morning. Ouch ouch ouch. Sore stiff muscles in the backs of my thighs that lasted all day and night but today I'm feeling just great again.
Doing the half marathon is a good indicator of our readiness to go trekking, so we know our fitness is really good now and just need to concentrate on maintaining it for the next 7 weeks. A few long bushwalks and the 12km Bridge to Brisbane Fun Run should help with that.
