Master's Games 1/2 Marathon

It has almost been three years since I participated in a half marathon walking event. My expectations were to do a time under three hours and a PB of 2:52 was unrealistic. My mate Craig and I had done quite a bit of training for this event although a week In Surfer's Paradise put paid to much training.

Numbers were down as opposed to 2010 with a round 60+ competing. I was in the 55-59 years band. The conditions were almost perfect. A warm day with no wind and very overcast. The sun came out on the last 15 minutes of my walk.

I walked the first 5kms with Danny and Maree in 38mins. I was very happy with that. My walking partners took off so I did the next 5kms with Grant, a workmate of Craig's. We went through the 10kms in 78mins. Again I was delighted with that. The next 5kms were a challenge. It was a long straight down School Street and I was passed by a number of walkers. However when I went through the 15kms mark in 1hr 58 mins I knew I was in sight of a PB.

This motivated me over the final 6kms and I worked hard to maintain around an 8 minute one kilometre pace. My feet were sore and my body was tired. I managed to finish in 2:45:16 which was a thrill.

I waited for my mate Craig to finish. He wanted to do a time under 3hrs but this time passed. He came in at 3hrs 8mins and was disappointed. He need not be. He should be thrilled that he finished considering a number of health issues that he overcame with determination.

The icing on the cake was that I scored a bronze medal and Craig got gold.

All-in-all a successful event. My next event is the 10km walk in a week's time.

(Image above shows Craig and Grant with their medals)