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2007 Gold Coast Airport
Marathon
Craig Rowley
What a
great run the Gold Coast Airport Marathon was. After friendly
preparations at the PCRG tent and then wading my way through the
sea of Japanese runners I lined up behind Mark Hewitt as part of
the 3.15 pacing bus.
I was
feeling pretty positive knowing I’d finally managed to put 10
weeks of consistent injury free solid training in the bank since
my crash and burn effort at the Brisbane Marathon resulting in a
survival finish 3.27.
Mark did a
fantastic pacing job to take the large group out to the 25 km
mark at just under 3.15 pace where still feeling strong I pulled
ahead to eventually catch up with several other PCRG members
including Keith and his skinny legs in those bright red skins-
at least he had his shirt on thank goodness! Continuing to feel
strong and relaxed and with words of encouragement from the
others (what a great group PCRG is) I pushed on the last 8 km at
a good pace only interrupted by a stitch behind the ribs at the
39 km mark. Fortunately it went by the 41 km mark and picking up
the pace and with sideline encouragement from Garry (good form
Craig!) and others I managed to cover the last km at 4.09 pace
for a 6 minute PB of 3:12:22.
In the
finishers area it was another get together with other PCRG
runners to swap stories and congratulate each other. What a
great feeling it is to be part of the PCRG family- thanks Pat
for the opportunity.
Now
several days later I’ve had time to reflect on the experience
and the vision came back to me of training on the wet, cold,
windy and dark Tuesday morning before the event. I had planned
to come into the session at South Bank but with the poor weather
and the fact that I get the train into the sessions which
requires a 4.30 am start, I was fearful of catching a cold with
all the standing and sitting around required for the trip.
But your
often stated words about the difference making the effort to get
out of bed and train even in the worst weather makes to
improvement was ringing in my ears and so I got up and did the
session on my usual Wynnum/ Manly waterfront route. I was
surprised to find I was the only person running or walking that
morning which has never happened before although my family and
co-workers seemed to think I was the nutty one, not all the wise
people who stayed in bed. Well after my 6 minute PB on Sunday,
I’m the one with the great big smile on my face and that great
memory which is mine for life.
Thanks for
all your encouragement and sharing of your vast running
experiences Pat. Such things are beyond monetary value.
Craig
Rowley
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