Thursday, December 19, 2013

The End of The Racing Year

It has been an interesting year, to say the least. 5 road races, 3 mixed terrain and 4 trail runs.

It has been equally challenging for me to improve in every aspect such as speed, strength, endurance and nutrition, and despite recapping my races to identify which part requires further improvement, I tend repeat the same mistakes every now and then.

Frustrating.

The first half of the year was spent mucking about with friends and running more. We spent more time on the road as well as the trails, and always having a bit of a laugh. It was the friends that made attending events feel like a great party, even if it was a lousy event.

Moving over to Melbourne, the second half of the year was a tough adjustment for me. It took me back to 2009 when YB and I just started running and we only had each other. Attending events on our own, shy and feeling a bit out of place with these super strong Aussie runners, I wanted to dig a hole in the ground and bury myself deep.

And then you meet a few nice ones who go out of their way to make you feel at ease. Without them, I think I would have remained hidden in the background like a sullen pock-marked face teenager at events.

Sure, finishing last is no fun at all, because I don't want them (strong runners) to think I'm a loser or a complete idiot for participating in an event out of my league. I would like them to understand that my capability differ from theirs, and it doesn't mean that I cannot complete the race at all. Just that I'll take a longer time to do so.

Anyway, putting that aside, it was a fun and crazy year of racing. Meeting new friends, learning new things, lovely scenery, and ran a personal best - what else can I ask for?

To summarise the year in a nutshell:

Uhm.. am I too early for the prize giving ceremony?

Podium finishes (because I was lucky!)


Melbourne Marathon finish.

Personal best/record
Melbourne Marathon - 42.195KM


Let's go skiing instead!

Best scenery
Surfcoast Century - Leg 4 23KM

Where's everyone??

Toughest run


First time going beyond the marathon distance!

Most painful run


It turned out to be a fun outing instead with the GCAM gang.

Organised most poorly


What will 2014 bring?

I wish I could say that we will be attempting our first 100KM trail run together but that's not in the plan at the moment. It be a crazy adventure for the records, but .... no, I don't think so. We have locked down Two Bays Trail to be THE run of 2014, and thereafter, I think we will take a break.

Training for Two Bays itself is already so ridiculously tough that I really don't know how I'm going to make the cut off time if the heat gets to me.

Be that as it may, the plan is always to keep training no matter what.

Just in case, you know, there's another race that catches my eye. ;)

4 comments:

  1. What an interesting year for you & hubby. Oh I started running in 2009 too...I was mostly alone. Then had a friend. Then had many. So yeah I feel you. And I think it's about time for me to buck up on training. Sebab bila saya besar nanti saya nak lari laju macam Yvonne... :P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. aiks, bila saya besar nanti, saya nak jadi awesome mum like you!

      thanks, it's always amazing to look back on the year and count your blessings, and realise that there were indeed plenty despite the pain and sufferring, haha! :)

      Delete
  2. I started running with knowing only Capn Skechers and that was just as online friend!

    Now... gosh, I think I have many friends. And plenty who seems to know me #flipshair ekekeke

    Is there such a thing as being lucky to be on podium. You laju la! So humble la ini speed demon. You don't get called a speed demon for nothing, ya'know.

    Despite your running prowess you are always humble la...

    Awesome, awesome year for you.

    Sebab bila saya besar nanti saya nak lari laju macam Yvonne... :P

    hihihi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *hihihi back at Femes Bunny*

      you now have plenty of running friends and followers, ya know. see how far you've come!!

      not humble la, just realistic. LOL!

      Delete