This was the first marathon I attempted. It was held on the Gold Coast on the 5th of July 2009. It was a great day for a run and I went to the start with one of my running buddies Cassie Smith and all the other members of PCRG. It was a nice run for the 1st half but then it was all bad. I was fortunate to be running with Cassie and at the 30km mark she sang out to one of our other buddies Karen Manasta who without hesitation left the crowd and ran, walked and encouraged me for the next 12km ensuring I got across the finish line.
As we came down the finishing chute I was thrilled to see Henry standing there cheering for me, and as I got around the corner I saw my mum cheering as well. I am sure they thought I had got lost and they eventually told me that they were going to give me another 10 minutes and then go home.
I vowed and declared that I would never run another marathon. Karen assured me that I would and also offered the advice she had received from Pat Carroll “respect the marathon”. It is a different distance and has the uncanny ability to suck you in and spit you out if you do not respect it.
It was a tale of two halves. The 1st half 1.50hrs and the 2nd half 3hours. I took 4.50.04hrs to complete the marathon.
