City2Surf (14km)

City2Surf is hands down my favourite event on the annual running calendar! Although I wasn't looking as forward to it this year because it inconveniently clashed with my Law Ball the night before. My pre- race ritual for the 2014 event consisted of plenty of red wine, big fancy heels and some d- floor moves. My goal was just to have fun and soak up the atmosphere for my first year qualifying  into the Red Group with a sub 70min time of 66m46s in 2013.

For breakfast on race morning I  blitzed some coconut water, berries, oats and vanilla protein into a shake which is different to my usual oats and honey. I needed the extra kick of hydration to recover from the night before and I made sure I had a gel shot tucked away as I knew I'd need it mid race. For this run I was also trying out some new shoes in an attempt to go for something lighter than my usual Nimbus, so I put the new ASICS GT Trainers to the test. This made me nervous...

I made my way to the start line with friends.  I arranged to catch the same bus with Nat, Carla and her friend Georgia. Each of us were running in different groups, once we arrived at Hyde Park we virtually split and headed to find our start groups. As I weaved my way up to the front of the red group, I began to regret this move because the closer to the start line the fitter people looked and there was no doubting men out- numbered the women. Anyhow, as usual for C2S I took a seat on the road to rest my legs and envied the masses of calf muscles I found myself staring at. Oh no, way to make myself feel inadequate and in  retrospect I reconsidered the  the size of the heels I wore the night before.

It wasn't long until the music picked up the beat, and we all knew it was about time to get rollin'. I decided to stand and shake- out my legs and that was the only warm up I could manage as the red group shuffled forward I spotted some of the Indigenous Marathon Project runners. I wished them good luck and in true Gen Y form took a selfie just before the gun went off.

IMP Runners: (left) Raymond Ingram, Sydney  

(middle) Adrian Dodson- Shaw, Alice Spring/ Broome 

(right) Charlie Maher, Alice Springs

After seeing those guys I was pumped, and soon we all flowed across the start lined down towards King Cross. I remember Charlie saying 'G'luck Sis', then he was off and I found myself running alongside Raymond for the next couple of km's. Not long after the first tunnel my Garmin ticked over to give me a split of 4:58/km, I thought to myself - gosh, I am either in for a long day or my watch is seriously playing tricks on me. I vowed not to look at it again until I hit heartbreak hill (HBH) to allow myself to settle into the run. I was so parched and already looking for the first aid station but I knew  it was at least a couple km's away. I found myself in a real mind battle trying to hold it together, I remembered my pace from last year was 4:45/km and if my watch was right I was already behind...

Finally, the aid station arrived and as always you get those competitors who walk through the station and slow the rest down - I was pissed! MOVE ALONG! As I grabbed some water and thanked the volunteers I kept running only to take a couple of sips and wash out my mouth. OK, now I was ready to attack HBH. With all the distractions and ensuring I kept hydrated I didn't take notice of the pace I was holding. At 6km down I felt settled and mentally prepared for the accent up HBH, 'keep strong', 'don't stop', 'you got this'! The positive self- talk seemed to be working because I began to steadily pass people and my energy was amplified by the Addidas exhibition towards the top of HBH screaming 'BOOOOST! KEEP RUNNING!!!'. As another km ticked over I dared to checked my Garmin and it read 5:08/km - OUCH, that hurt! Time for the gel shot I had stashed away earlier this morning in hope it would give me the kick I needed.

Although HBH was over, the race just gets started as the last 5km is undulating and you're constantly working to maintain momentum. There are few descents here and there, so I started to convince myself the finish line was just a  'Parkrun(5km) away'. Easier said then done. En route down into Bondi Beach the course gets a little technical, turing left - right - up - down. Next, my watch beeped to signal another km gone and hesitantly I looked down to check the pace and it read 3:47/km as I crossed the 12km mark. This can't be right? I struggle to go sub 4min/km in a training session let alone pulling out a split like that after running up HBH? I took a second look at my overall time and it read 52min flat! WHAT? Surely not! I tried to find the brain cells to calculate what I needed to run a PB, but somehow I couldn't comprehend what my Garmin was reading.

It wasn't until the last km my legs began to feel depleted and I just wanted the race to end. So close, yet so far...Running from North Bondi the crowds were awesome, 'GO GREEN' (I was wearing a lime green shirt so I liked to assume supporters were cheering for me! If not i'll just pretend). Along Campbell Parade the energy of the crowd soared and that's what I love about this fun run, the atmosphere is electric just when you need it the most. Turning left into the finish shute I looked up to the race clock and it read 60m 15s - hooly dooly I'm about to crush my PB! I officially crossed the line in 60m34s and I was beyond stoked with that!

Represent



C2S is and will always be about having fun for me! Below is my progress over time:
2014 - 60m34s
2013 - 66m46s
2012 - 1hr20m25s
2010 - 1hr36m54s

This year I approached C2S as a check and balance on my marathon preparation leading into the Sydney Marathon in September 2014. I am running this event for the Australian Diabetes Council and I hope to raise $2000 for the charity, as well as create awareness about Diabetes within the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander population. This cause is close to my heart and has shaped my lifestyle in many ways; for more info and to support check out Teela Tackle's Diabetes.




Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP) 2014 Squad

Rob De Castella: IMP Founder, AUS Marathon Record Holder (2:07:51)

IMP Supporters




Steve Moneghetti: C2S Course Record Holder (40:03)