Done and Dusted - Run Melbourne 2014

For the 24 hours leading up to the Run Melbourne I was antsy - almost like that feeling you get the day before scheduled surgery.

Whose ridiculous idea was this anyway?

I had to keep reminding myself that this was something I wanted to do! I don't know what it is about event running that sends me into feelings of dread. I mean, I run three times a week on average. I have run a distance of ten kilometres many times. Heck, I've even run more than ten kilometres several times!

There's just something about the official-ness of an event that is somewhat daunting and does my head in.

Despite how nervous I felt I still rocked up at the starting line on Sunday. When I arrived the Half-Marathon was well underway. I stayed at the starting line and watched those amazing runners stream past, keeping my eyes peeled for my friend and personal trainer, Kara. Honestly, I didn't think I'd spot her amongst the thousands of faces, but I managed to spot her, screamed her name and jumped up and down like a loon in the hopes that she'd see me so I could give her some encouragement and support. She did and she smiled through the grimaces of pain. I found out afterwards that she was on her second lap and was feeling all the feels.

Soon it was time to line up with all the other 10k participants. I was amongst the first pack to head out as I needed to get started to get to another appointment on time! The starting bell went off at 9:15am and we got underway.

I normally hate the first three kilometres of a run and this time was no exception. It's my warm up time and it's like my body says, "Woman, are you serious? Are we doing this again?"

"Why yes," I answer myself. "Yes we are."

"Hmph!" says my body, grudgingly. "Ok then."

Between four and eight kilometres I settled in. I was running a good pace. I felt good. My legs were sore but coping well and I'd found a rhythm I was comfortable with. Even the hills were ok. I utilised the down hill runs to make up some time but even then I discovered that there's an element of control that has to be employed so that I didn't lose control and lose my balance. It was during this time that I happened to hear a cheery and excited, "Leisa!" from the sidelines and when I looked I saw Laura, my massage therapist, cheering and waving.

People, do you know what it does to a runner to see a familiar face in the crowd? It is so encouraging and for me it seems to lessen the aches. Laura's cheering spurred me on for the next couple of k's. As I ran other runners would pass me and look back and say, "You're doing great! Keep going!"

I love the cameraderie amongst runners. As my sister would say, "They're my people!"

At eight kilometres I hit a wall where I lost some sense of reality.

"What? Why? Whose crazy, sadistic idea was it to do this anyway? I hurt! This hurts! I want to go home. Am I really doing this?"

Just after the 8km mark we had to run through a covered footbridge next to the Rod Laver Arena. As I made to exit the bridge I felt very dizzy and unsure of my feet. I slowed down thinking that I was experiencing something really serious. It wasn't until I stopped that I realised the bridge was moving! It was some kind of suspension bridge that was moving with the sheer weight of the runners!

At the nine kilometre mark an official encouraged us, "One more kilometre to go guys! You can do this!" 

As soon as I came down the straight into Birrarung Marr I spotted the blue of the finish line. A wave of adrenaline hit. I actually sped up! My strides lengthened and I felt this surge of energy as I actually sprinted to the finish line. My eyes scanned the crowd for my family but alas, they didn't make it on time. As I crossed the finish line this figure hurtled at me from my left. It was Kara, congratulating me. It was over. I'd done it.

After I'd reunited with my family and we were making our way back to the station, a lady stopped me and asked if I was the person she'd seen running and asked what distance I'd completed. I said I was and I'd completed the 10km. She was so encouraged to see me running and wanted to tell me so. I thanked her and gave her a big hug. I don't know why. It just seemed like the right thing to do. We runners kind of share something special I guess, so hugging a complete stranger is nothing unusual.

My official time was 1:25:56. Not by PB but I'm happy. I think slowing down for water (necessary) and stopping on that bridge affected my time.

Why do I do it?

Because once upon a time, running saved my life and it continues to do so, even when it hurts and even when I don't want to. The road is always there for me and there's always more road to explore. Running slows things down and makes me take one day at a time.

I'm glad I found it. It helped me find me again.