Sydney Marathon (42.195km)

The marathon is the ultimate meptaphor for Life! The 42.195km distance is a true test of character. It makes you dig for every ounce of your being, physically, mentally and emotionally. Each kilometer is as unpredictable as each day of our lives. Just getting to the start line is a momentous feat. They say marathoners are a different species, but truth is anyone can conquer it - your only limit is the one you place on yourself! 

My preparation for the Sydney marathon gained purpose from my fundraising cause - TO TACKLE DIABETES! I did everything in my power to prepare my body for the distance, but there were a couple things that lingered on my mind race day. I had been forced into taper with illness and I severely lacked the necessary rest in the week leading into race day. But when it came to crunch time I decided it was all or nothing. If I had to crawl across the line, I would! There was extra anticipation for this race, my family had traveled from Gilgandra in the central west of NSW to cheer me over the line. My goal was 3:40.

Pre Race Ritual: Getting my gear sorted
 Running rule 101- Don't try anything new race day!

The start line was at Milsons Point in north Sydney so as an  eastern Sydney- sider it was an adventure just to get there. Car + Train + Walk. On the train over the harbour bridge we noticed the the half marathoners were on their way and we burst with excitement as we seen my friend Vlad in the lead pack - shout out to RUNLAB (Get on it) and a number of runners in our Sweat Sydney squad. It was time to get pumped....until I realised the start shute diverged straight up a hill. Anyway, in true form it began to rain, not that it bothered me as my training had acclimatise me for torrential conditions. But there was an extra chill in the air. So we came up with a plan to layer on as many of the clothes the half marathoners had left behind and soon we were marshaled like little lambs into the starting area. For this race runners were welcomed by Australian marathon royalty 'Deeks' whom we know personally as my partner Nat is a member of his initiative, the Indigenous Marathon Project.

As I got ready for the gun I positioned myself between the 3:45 and 3:30 pacers. I made a mental note to stay here at all costs. I soon found myself next to my Newy Parkrun comrade Kirby aka Marathon Barbie and her pink posse of Night Striders. Kirby proudly showed off her vintage cardigan she looted from the half marathoners, meanwhile I had already discarded my grandpa trackies. Soon we were our way.

As we looped up and out of Milsons Point the course went straight over the Sydney harbour bridge. What an epic start to a run! Here the excitement and nerves kicked in, I wasn't sure if I should stay with Kirby as she was pacing a friend for 3:40 or run to feel. I decided to kick- on and see where my body would take me. I knew the course was going to be brutal, hills, twists and turns but I chose to see what I could handle. I can easily run 25km, so depending on how I was feeling at that point I figured I'd know then what I had left in the tank to finished.

As we popped up out of a tunnel the course looped along the Cahill Expressway, to the left you could see the finish shute at the Opera House. Only about 38km to go... Heading into the domain there was a man with a sign that read "worst parade ever"! I remember thinking to myself... what parade? then I got it! Ha. I knew the run out of the domain provided a steady incline and he was making it look easy. As I left the domain, the guy with the sign revealed the alternate side that read "remember you paid for this." Thanks for the reminder...

10km

Along Oxford St it felt like I was constantly running uphill and I was beginning to get a bit over it. It was nothing drastic but I thought ok Sydney, I know you're not flat - I'd run plenty of hills in my training but please be kind? Soon the course would enter Centennial Park and I looked forward to it because thats my stomping ground. I know this place inside out.  At 15km near the SCG I was running smoothly, than *boom* my right calf began to niggle. I NEVER get calf issues? This is not the time to pretend you actually exist.

I regathered my focus on course into the park. There was lots of support during this part of the race. "Go TEELA!", so I raised my hand holding a gel to acknowledge the encouragement. There were a couple of friends who cheered us on along this section, when I got to 22km I noticed one was Rona. The weekend prior I came second to her in a 5km Parkrun with a PB of 19.51. I knew I had the speed in me but could feel fatigue setting in already. Not far up was Browny who is a triathlon friend and he was everywhere on course riding his Giant bike on supporter duties for his partner Sally. I also noticed Kirby was only about 40s behind me and each time the course did a  180' she exerted enthusiasm "looking strong Teela- Keep Going!" She is that rare kind of human that wants everyone to reach their goals no matter what!

Heading back along Anzac parade at 28km my body was feeling the impact of the road, my right calf was on fire and I began to doubt the worth of all my long trails runs during preparation despite the distance I had banked. Did I really prepare myself for this? I had to mentally check- in and remind myself why I was doing this. You want to make a difference, people have sponsored your diabetes fundraising you cant back out now. Your family is waiting at the finish line. Well..(that little voice in my head tries to reason) they didn't say it needed to be completed in 3:40! My physical self suddenly screams - I don't know if I can make it to the finish line! This is non- negotiable I demanded!!

Soon I reached the temporary overpass in the centre of Hyde Park. How dare you make me run up this stupid thing. Who built this anyway? Its unstable. If I roll an ankle I am going to unleash my (lack of) lawyering skills and sue. I soon realised Kirby had passed me....someone then screamed "GOOOOO TEEELA!" (I still don't know who that was).  There was some relief down to Circular Quay and the crowd began to burst with energy. 

The run towards Pyrmont was absolutely soul crushing. There was a 4km incline and mother nature made her mark with a gushing headwind. You could sense competitors were digging for anything that was left. Some stopped to walk - not me. Do....Not.... Stop! No matter how slow you go, just push through. Get to the Pyrmont turnaround and it should be a steady dissent back to the Opera House. At the turnaround I realised I didn't drop off much from Kirby -  she had about 40s on me.

Trying to hold it together

At 40km I made it to the base of the Sydney harbour bridge where I caught Kirby and she decided to get out her phone and take some selfies. This girl is the real wonder woman I tell ya. Enjoy whats left of this race I thought. Its the pinnacle of all your hardwork.. Run. Peace. SMILE!

40km

It was beginning to warm up so I was relieved the finish line was in sight, the shute was insane and it lasted a good 1km. The first person I noticed was my friend Nina, she was yelling at the top of her lungs! Then two of my aunties burst with pride and could barely yell my name through their excitement ... I noticed they tried unsuccessfully to scramble for their phones or cameras, anything in site that could capture the moment. 400m along next to the finish line was another aunty, my sister, my niece and nephew and two of my cousins! The race director forced the crowd to give me three cheers and it was total relief. I cant help but feel a little disappointed I missed my 3:40 goal by 17 seconds. Its nothing a bucket list Berlin marathon cant fix!  

To all of my sponsors - THANK YOU! You exceeded my target by donating $2741 and raised awareness of diabetes in Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Together we can make a difference! As a result of this journey I have accepted the offer from NSW Diabetes to be an official ambassador and I look forward to fighting for this cause in the future.

Teela

My first and LAST Sydney marathon medal!

My cousins Maddison and I recovering at Clovelly

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)



It's all about Parkrun (5km)

If you haven't heard about this thing called Parkrun, I'm about to burst that little bubble you've been living in. If you have heard of it and you know what a barcode is than you're gonna get what the hype is all about! This weekend I hit up Curl Curl Parkrun on the north shore which was also a great opportunity to catch up with my mentor, Barrister Sophia Beckett (check her credentials Sophia Beckett - Forbes Chambers) for a post- run breaky and coffee.

 

Im just gonna put it out there - I love Parkrun! Anyone can participate in this FREE, WEEKLY, TIMED, COMMUNITY driven 5km event. No matter what level you are at or even if you have never run before, Parkrun is for you! Whether you run, walk, chase your dog or volunteer it's the best way to start your weekend.

 

[Pic: My local St Peters Parkrun, Sydney Park.

Can you see me? I'm there!]

 

 

My motivation:

I really dig the 5km because a solid performance at this distance forms a good base for longer runs including the 10km, 21km and 42km marathon. I can track my weekly progress and my body recovers well following a 5km threshold. This weekend at Curl Curl was also my first fitness check as I prepare for the Sydney Marathon. I am running this event for charity - you can read all about it here at: Teela Tackle's Diabetes.

 

[Pic: St Peters Parkrun, PB 5km 20.45]

[Total of 25 Parkruns (on record): Teela's Stats]

 

 

Why the 5km is freaking awesome:

So I've done my (not - so - comprehensive) research - we all know we can rely on Runner's World for legitimate running procrastination. Here are some of the top tips why the 5km rocks:

 

• You can train and still have a life, race hard and walk normally the next day, and get really fit really fast.
• A focus on completion rather than competition- 5-Ks have somehow lost a lot of their badass-iness.
• They have become little more than a gateway drug for marathons.
• It encourages you to develop a combination of endurance, speed, and strength.
• When you're aiming for a 5km PB each weekend at Parkrun, you are likely to train your butt of during the week. Got to love those short and sweet speed session!
• If people ran more 5-Ks, I'm positive the average life satisfaction of humans would increase dramatically.

 





 

[Pic: Native Nat

leading out the conveniently named Blackbutt Parkrun

in his budgy smugglers]

 



 



So what are you waiting for?

In all honesty, I have NEVER heard someone say - "well I regret that Parkrun!" The people, the atmosphere, the positive vibes and good times is what Parkrun is all about! I have met some amazing people through this community event - no matter what age, race or gender we are all runners deep down!

 

N.B. No Parkrun in your community? No problem. Contact Parkrun Australia to get one!

 

Shout Outs:

• Big ups to Dave Robertson from Newcastle, Australia who introduced this amazing concept into the community in 2012. This was my first ever experience at Parkrun and I have fallen in love ever since!
• SWEAT SYDNEY: Sean Williams, my coach - he is THE BEST! We have the greatest training grounds located in Centennial Park Sydney. Check out his page for a range of training groups.

 

 

 

The North Face 100 (50km)

My decision to embark on TNF50 2014 was borne in late 2013 when in Busselton for Ironman WA.  Coming to the end of 2013, I began to wonder what more I could achieve having felt disappointed in my performances at Melbourne and Auckland marathons. So, inspired by the endurance of those competing in the Ironman, I convinced Flo to come tackle TNF50 with me. I looked forward to a change of scenery from running on the road to hitting the trails.

We arrived at Sublime Point in the Blue Mountains (BM) about 4:30pm the afternoon before the race. Although I had driven several times through the BM, it was in fact the first time I actually stopped to take in the scenery and boy were we stoked with the accommodation. Our deck literally looked out to the cascading mountains around us, deep into the valley. It was at this moment I actually realised what we were in for…

The sun had begun to set when Flo and her partner Nath arrived. Soon we were organising our backpacks and I could feel the nerves setting in because I just knew I was no where near in peak shape for this event, in fact I hadn’t run since April when I finished The Australian Running Festival marathon in Canberra. And even my prep for that event was tainted with sickness and injury. But I felt I could rely on my mental strength to get through in tough situations.

Soon we settled in for the night and surprisingly I had a great sleep. I usually find the morning of events, there is no time to be nervous by the time you’re up, showered, dressed, double- check you have everything then your out the door to the start line. My initial thought at the start line was damn, I have to carry this backpack 50km! Through the mountains…

The start of the race was actually quiet testing, but I always try remind myself it takes a while to get moving and into the groove. The start was great for supporters because for about the first 5km us runners are constantly turning back on ourselves – before we hit a steep decline down the escarpment.

The next 10km was really technical, down – down – down narrow stairs as other competitors are trying to either keep the pace or take over. It constantly felt as though we were going over gullies, up- down- up – up stairs of all different lengths and inclines which proved difficult for someone with short legs! However,  we had some magnificent views of Leura falls, but it was along this point that the pain I initially convinced myself would ease up – just kept getting worse. I really struggled to keep up with Flo and I could just feel the range in my knees was not natural. At this point if this was a taste of what was to come, I seriously began to doubt if I could actually finish what I had set out to do. For those unfamiliar with the TNF100/50 course, the race finishes with pretty much a 9km climb along the cliff face, to a set of stairs almost 1km long.

At 15km we carried ourselves up and out of the technical inclines where we met our support crew. It was here I had to stop and try and stretch and release the tension in my ITB. This helped for a moment, but it was obvious my ITB was going to tighten up constantly as the day went on. We left the boys and morally I was really defeated, but just before we were out of their sight, I heard the crew  yell “C’mon, you have been through tougher things than this”, and that really resonated with me, because it was less than a week before that I had actually lost my dad to cancer. I thought to myself, if I can still stand after enduring the losses I have in life, than there is no way im going to stop running in this race!

As Flo and I proceeded to chip away at the race km by km, we gained some momentum from seeing the boys and she did a great job of keeping me focused along the way. I can not imagine completing it without her! She really understood me- im not one of those runners who wants to chinwag the whole way, I just wanted to get the job done. She knew that! It was along this section of the run where I manage dig up a bit of self- belief, but physically I continued to struggle and I felt my posture dwindling and my legs surmounting to a shuffle. Naturally, I fell over and from count it was about 4 times and at one point it was a great full body face plant into the ground, leaving my hands grazed. But Flo just picked me up, and we kept going.

Just before the next checkpoint (CP) we seen the support crew and their looks of doubt had surpassed when they seen us marching up and onwards past the halfway mark. I knew by this time I was only a “long run” away from getting to that finish line. From then we sailed down Kedumba, which to any average person you would usually be relieved at the thought of going downhill and not up. But the constant pain in my feet, knees and quads was excruciating and you could just tell from the slow pace of others that I was not the only one feeling the pinch on decent.

In fact descending was torture because the more you went down, mother nature also threw in some cheeky inclines at every corner. And the further into the gully you went, the more you realised the only way out was to carry yourself up! Just before the next CP at 41km we gave ourselves a cheer and a massive *High 5* because we were now down to single digits and a 9km climb from finishing. Soon enough we fueled up, hydrated (I managed to take some Ibuprofen) and asked Flo to give my ITB one more salute before demanding it hold itself together to get me to the top.

Although the pain never eased, I felt my spirit rise because I could really see the end in sight. I was just worried about one thing- those final stairs! Having never seen them prior, I was hoping they were not as steep as the ones we encountered at 5km-10km. We sailed on and throughout the last part of the race, Flo found us some sticks we could use to carry along that would effectively support our backs. Our entire bodies were aching and in these kind of events, you really discover what you’re made of.

As we crawled along the cliff face, we were swiftly passed by 2 men, so we cheered them on! “Keep Going”, "Woah"! It wasnt until they were out of sight, we realised they were the leaders of the 100km run! WOW! It was soon after we were told it was the first time there was a sprint finish in the 100km! Incredible. I thought to myself, this is why I run. Not to beat a time, not to please any one else. But to achieve the things I set out to achieve. Not by others standards, but my own.

Eventually, we came to the stairs I had been dreading the entire race. There was a volunteer at the bottom who cheered her little soul out for us (credit to all TNF volunteers!) I asked her ‘was this it?’, she was like ‘yep, about 900 to go’. At that moment I looked up and my spirit just burst with gratitude because they were not like the stairs we had previously. They were relatively smaller and I knew I was going to finish and not just sit and cry like I have imagined. As I looked at Flo and encouraged her on, I could see this was her first moment of the entire race she struggled. As we came to the summit, there was a man sitting at the top who was 150m from finishing but his body had ceased up! I gave him some words of encouragement as 1st aid attended to him, I hope they relieved his cramping to finish, but he wasn’t going anywhere soon.

As we realised we were almost there, you could feel the energy of all the supporters. It was like a Mexican wave of cheers as runners one by one ran up the chute. I gave a few fist pumps, found my  Black & Deadly Aboriginal Flag and as we crossed the line Flo and I gave each other a massive *High 5* and hug! WE DID IT!

In honour of my dad, the man who raised me.
Geoff Rutherford
Always loved – Never forgotten!

My running group: Sweat Sydney – http://www.sweatsydney.com.au