Well i've completed what is probably the toughest half marathon i've ever done. The Xterra Rotorua trail run. The location was very scenic around the green and blue lakes, couldn't stop for too long to admire the views as i had a run to complete. Kinda wish i had brought my cellphone to take one or two photos from parts of the track where people can not normally go. The first 12 or 13 k where fine, a few technical parts to run thru and concentrate on. The killer part physically and partly mentally was the big hill after the last drink station. They said at the last drink station that there was only 7 k to go, so i thought ok i'll be out about 2hr 10 mins - that was until i saw this hill :-). Decided not to even try running up it so it was a good 20 or so mins walk to the top.
After that climb the remaining course improved and for the last few km's, i was running purely on mental energy as my body just had no more energy. So it was just one foot in front of the other to the finish line. Just had enough energy to sprint ( as well i as could to the finish line ), seeing friends and family as i ran to the end was enough to keep me going. I was so emotional after the crossing the line after pouring all my mind into focusing to the getting to the end, i was almost in tears. Still the time of 2 hrs 22 mins and some seconds was a great time and i'm glad that i completed the Xterra challenge. Would look at doing it again next year, now i know what's required in terms of fitness and also knowing what the course is like.
Monday, April 14, 2008
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