The Horrie and Belinda Show

20/8/05

What a great day for a 35km bush run!We arrived at Bilpin just after 8 to be greeted by O Runner, James M, Mohammad and other CR Striders as well as the crisp mountain air. Walked up to the bus and caught up with FlashDuck who brought a friend up with her to experience the Rural Fire Service hospitality. We then boarded the bus and there was a real buzz of excitement and anticipation with everybody busily chatting away.

We then arrived at Mt Wilson and was greeted by Sarge who was really primed for a big run. Great result Big Man!We then lined up for our numbers and some lovely scones with jam and a cuppa. Just gotta love this RFS hospitality. Then it was the call for the group Striders and Cool Runners photos.Then it was to the start to be greeted by the starter's gun. Then we were off, a lot not to be seen until the finish. We were tucked in with Striders legend, 72 year old Frank Dearn who was being accompanied by Kevin O'Kane, resident Striders character Brian Ogilwy and a few others. We stuck with our plan of taking the first 15km easy as there is a lot of steep technical trails in this section, both uphill and downhill. As it was, Belinda still managed to roll her ankle on a downhill section. Then she managed to trip over a rock. No major damage, just a scraped knee and we were off again. Got to drink station 3 in 1:52, which is around the 15.5km mark. This was slightly behind the target I had set but I didn't mind as I knew we had stuck to the race plan. Once we got to some open running through the country side and then along some wider, more undulating trails, we slowly started to pick up the pace. We overtook about 3 runners in this section and Belinda's form was good. Then we got to the 7km downhill section, Belinda exploded and rolled down with great efficiency and we managed to overtake at least 6 runners, including a few Striders, which made Belinda feel good. One of those we overtook here was Brian Ogilwy and the look on his face when he realised Belinda overtook him was priceless. There was stunned silence for a while before he could utter he couldn't believe he was being overtaken by Belinda. I had a laugh with him and told him it meant he wasn't working hard enough. We then got to the drink station at the bridge just before the 6km climb. It was here that we noticed Amjan heading back. It looked like her race was over.

Belinda didn't hang around at the drink station and was off again, not wanting to slow the momentum she had built up going downhill. When I eventually caught up with her, I suggested she have another GU but she had lost it. As it turned out, about another km up the hill I managed to find an unopened GU on the trail. Another priceless moment. We managed to overtake another couple going up the hill who had slowed to a walk. Finally, we reached the road, which meant the end of the uphill, which I was starting to celebrate. Belinda didn't want a bar of this and uttered she just wanted to finish the race. We managed to overtake another couple of runners along this stretch who were having problems with cramps. Then a final surge to the finish saw us finish in 4:04. Belinda was overjoyed at finishing the toughest run she had ever done. I was so happy for her and yet another priceless moment happened when I gave her a congratulatory kiss and Professor witnessed it and wished he had a camera.

Belinda has now qualified for 6 Foot Track and she is still trying to come to terms with her achievement. She now has a serious decision to make for early next year, Canberra or 6 Foot Track. Either way, plenty to motivate her over summer.

But firstly, there is the Sydney Marathon to conquer.