The SMH half was my first ever race and I'd done it once since...on both occasions it has given me a right kicking.
The first time Victoria was having to whip me to try and get me under 1:45:00 (to get a red start at C2S and failing) and the second time I had the ignominy of blowing up and being passed by the 90 minute pace bus with "Celebration Time" by Kool and the Gang blaring out of Simon Wolznier's loudspeakers.
There's no question it's a tough course though, and easily the hardest I've ever ran. In Pyrmont, especially, it seems insistent on finding every hill it can.
Anyway, I decided to race it because I happened to be off, but was not expecting too much of myself. Canberra was a disaster, on an easier course, and I'd probably let the long runs slide a little the last few weeks. That said, training had continued to go well and I'd ran a comfortable PB at Sydney:10. The plan was to attach myself to the 90 minute pace group, without Wolznier and his speakers, and hold on as long as I could.
That plan fell at the wayside right at the start. I lined up a little late, as I'd been chatting with Sam Keyworth, and saw that the pacers were all about thirty rows ahead at the red/blue group interchange. Looking at, and chatting with, a few of the runners around me and I realised most were going to be happy with sub-2hr. Bugger. Nice to finally say hello to Sachiko though.
It's a fast start down to Circular Quay, but conscious of my overzealous start last year I tried to hold back a little. Couldn't even see the 90 minute pacers and resigned myself to running solo. Realised I had Ant Brown on my left at this point, but running a bit quicker than me so let him go. Bit tough mentally, after what he and Katy did to me a few months ago, but tried to push it out of my mind.
Tougher mentally was the new hill they'd put in on leaving Circular Quay. It seems to me they take pleasure in surprising us every year with new hills. I don't know why they don't just do a course up and down the Harbour Bridge and be done with it. The sadists.
Comfortably passed 95 minute pacers in Circular Quay and could see the 90 minute flags as we set out onto Hickson Road. My pace at this point had been about 4:00/km (too quick), but I was feeling good. Went through 5k in about 20:15 which meant a good minute in the bag. It was at about this point I started coasting up to the 90 minute group...and a little fella with a small bald patch in a Striders singlet over a jumper. Neil Pearson! Said hello and he told me he was full of cold and struggling. Must have been true as he couldn't make Sunday lunch at the Lord Dudley afterwards. Anyway, it isn't everyday you get to pass Neil Pearson.
Just stuck with the pacers thereafter. Alana Plymin seemed to be the lead pacer and was doing an excellent job. I hadn't heard of her before, but she's a quality runner with a very low 80 minute PB to her name. She was running gun time and would regularly inform us we were 10-15 seconds up on that. Given I had had to make up a minute or so to catch them meant I had a pretty good buffer.
The SMH half is nerve wracking because you know no matter how well you're going there's always another hill around the corner ready to break you. Last year I fell apart in Pyrmont, but I was hanging on to Alana and feeling pretty good. Saw Victoria with the 100-minute pacers on one of the out and backs and gave her a little wave. Felt very sad when she ignored me.
Overtook Ant Brown as we left Pyrmont and followed Sussex and Hickson Road towards the squashed car. Suddenly realised I was running next to Erika Jordan and had a little chat with her. She was running it easy as she feels it takes too much out of her. Still, ended up ahead of her so another scalp for me. They all count.
Started to get the mental heebie jeebies at this point, as I knew the climb up to Cahill was approaching and that my race could be over. Just sat in with Alana and actually came out of it pretty unscathed. Ran a sub-4:00/km down the expressway and started believing the sub-90 and even a PB were definitely possible.
There's a climb from 17k and the chair undulates, so I wasn't counting my chickens, but I felt fairly strong and knew I just had to stick with Alana and I'd be fine.
Hope became certainty as I passed 18k and realised I could break to around 5:00/kms and still go under 90. It was at this point I decided to push on and leave the 90 minute group. Actually started passing people and put the skates on for the last 100m to finish with a 88:51. Just over a 40 second PB. Absolutely delighted with that. A good PB on a very tough course and actually felt that I had plenty left in the locker. Also "beat" Neil Pearson and Erika Jordan.
Some good results elsewhere. Victoria ran a cracking PB and she's almost guaranteed a BQ this year. Really happy for her. Jeet was pleased with his time. Whilst not a PB, it was a great return following a nasty injury. Mike Ho came out of "retirement" to PB and finish 9th. Incredible. And saw my mate Tom H running strong, also on the comeback trail.
In addition Timmy finished third in the Great Wall half marathon and Noycie smashed the UTA 100km! Also Taffy did a nice trails long run dressed as Winnie Mandela.
I celebrated with Olly and Giles over a Sunday roast at the Lord Dudley and then watched the Tahs beat the Rebels. Cracking day all round.
p.s. keep forgetting to add it to the end of my posts, but need it documented somewhere. $100 with Brie Miller rides on who becomes a consultant first...with the loser being the one who finishes first.
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