This morning (Sunday) I left Lorne on a bus at 6.00am to head to the starting line for the Great Ocean Road Half Marathon – my first half marathon. It was cold and very dark and I sat on the bus feeling a little queazy as it made the windy drive to Kennett River.
I was super impressed with the organisation of the Great Ocean Road Half Marathon. Everything went according to their published times and their was such a lovely atmosphere of people keen to take in this gorgeous part of Victoria that the Great Ocean Road encompasses.
While waiting in the toilet queue, I met a dear friend and his running companion. It was nice to have someone to talk to as a distraction from the cold!
This is the only scenery photo I took and it is from just near the starting line. Although the blogger in me did want to stop a number of times to take photos along the course.
The starting line was packed, but it didn’t take long for it to disperse. As a novice runner in these types of events, it was the start that was worrying me the most, but it was much better than I imagined.
The course went from Kennett River to Apollo Bay. 23kms in total, so runners received a half marathon and race time (or a marathon and race time if you ran that far!).
I had set myself a goal of finishing under 2 hours for the entire race and was happy to have come in well under that and run a personal best time for that distance.
Thanks to Pete and Cath, who let us stay at their fab place in Lorne Saturday night. Thank you also to another friend Mark and Mr I I for the prompt in getting me to take part in this event. It wasn’t something that was on my list of things to do this year at all, but I did really enjoy the challenge of pushing myself and has me thinking about other areas where I need to push myself out of my comfort zone!
Have you done something recently that has taken you out of your comfort zone?
13 comments...read them below or add one
Congratulations on your first half marathon. That’s a fantastic achievement. As for comfort zones and stepping outside of them? Yes, I’m organising my first art exhibition – a solo one.
Thanks Jen and organising your own exhibition is fantastic. Can’t wait to read more about it.
Good on you! I did a 50km walk last year and it was one of my life highlights so far. There is definitely something exhilarating about pushing yourself through your comfort zone.
It is something I will remember for a very long time – thanks Lou!
Wow, I’ve been reading your blog for a little while now and didn’t even realise you were a runner!
Well done on the PB, and while on such a hilly course too!
I did GOR Marathon last year and it was awesome!
I did feel sorry for the half marathoners having to face that big hill right at the start line.
I just did the Blue Mountains 100km Wild Endurance Event a few weeks back… so yes, I agree that it is great to push yourself and see just what you are capable of
I have been searching the web for my next challenge…nothing seems impossible to me now!
Fabulous effort Nic. I bet that felt great
It did and even thought the legs were a little sore today, I have felt a real sense of accomplishment Kirri.
Wow that is awesome. I did the run for kids 14km in 1hr 45min, and look at you. Inspirational. I’d love to know when you find the time to train and how often you train, I’ve kind of lost my mojo at the minute.
Hi Mandy,
Thanks! And congrats on doing the run for the kids. I have had a number of emails today asking these very questions, so will put together a post in the next week or so.
Nic
Wow, that’s a LONG way, well done you. I did the C24K last year which was well out of my comfort zone and SO good for me. Have an appt at doc tomorrow to see if we can sort out my old knees as I’d love to move on up and try an 8km run one day. Did a swimming training hour this morning which also pushed my comfort zone as it was chilly and throat was sore. Felt SO GOOD afterwards of course.
Lots of busy mums give up on exercise so I reckon a post on how to fit it in would be very valuable.
I do try to convince other mums about how good it feels to get moving. Thanks for the encouragement Seanna and good luck with your 8km goal.
[...] to my Free Email Updates. Thanks for visiting!As you may have read, I just recently completed my first half marathon – 21.1km. If you had said to me last year or even the start of this year I would run a half marathon I would [...]
[...] you may want to subscribe to my Free Email Updates. Thanks for visiting!Since running my first half marathon back in May, I have continued with long distance running. As weird as it may sound, I actually [...]