Sunday, May 21, 2006
SMH Half Marathon
21/5/06
I really enjoyed my morning out in beautiful downtown Sydney. I was sharing 2 hour pacing duties with sfGnome for SMH subscribers and running as part of Team Disability Services Australia thanks to 2p. We were meant to have 7 as part of our group but only 2 turned up. We lost the first guy by the time we went up Hunter St the first time. The second guy took off from us as we stopped for a drink at Mrs Macquaries Chair. It took us until the Argyle Cut to catch him again. We reached 10km a minute ahead of schedule. We lost half of this buffer as our friend who was in a hurry earlier was starting to blow up and chugged up Hunter St the second time. He got back on pace but as we passed him at 14km on the downhill stretch, we knew he had lost his chance of a sub 2. Just as well we were wearing some home made pacing signs on our back as we were noticed by a lot of runners along the way who asked us if they could join in. We lost count of the number of people who would tell us they would try and stick with us only to lose them a km or so down the road. There were a couple of Cool Runners who joined us including Anne Victor but we lost her as we headed up towards the Art Gallery. In the last 2km, we just started revving up anybody around us to try and join the sub 2 train. This was probably the most enjoyable part of the run as we managed to drag around 200 runners through for their sub 2. I found my way up to the merchandise stand after the run to be presented with a fleecy lined jacket for the pacing. I then headed back to the Striders House in Lower Fort St to hear about a lot of good runs. We then headed down to the Palisades for a few quiet ales to round out a fantastic day.
I really enjoyed my morning out in beautiful downtown Sydney. I was sharing 2 hour pacing duties with sfGnome for SMH subscribers and running as part of Team Disability Services Australia thanks to 2p. We were meant to have 7 as part of our group but only 2 turned up. We lost the first guy by the time we went up Hunter St the first time. The second guy took off from us as we stopped for a drink at Mrs Macquaries Chair. It took us until the Argyle Cut to catch him again. We reached 10km a minute ahead of schedule. We lost half of this buffer as our friend who was in a hurry earlier was starting to blow up and chugged up Hunter St the second time. He got back on pace but as we passed him at 14km on the downhill stretch, we knew he had lost his chance of a sub 2. Just as well we were wearing some home made pacing signs on our back as we were noticed by a lot of runners along the way who asked us if they could join in. We lost count of the number of people who would tell us they would try and stick with us only to lose them a km or so down the road. There were a couple of Cool Runners who joined us including Anne Victor but we lost her as we headed up towards the Art Gallery. In the last 2km, we just started revving up anybody around us to try and join the sub 2 train. This was probably the most enjoyable part of the run as we managed to drag around 200 runners through for their sub 2. I found my way up to the merchandise stand after the run to be presented with a fleecy lined jacket for the pacing. I then headed back to the Striders House in Lower Fort St to hear about a lot of good runs. We then headed down to the Palisades for a few quiet ales to round out a fantastic day.
Comments:
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Great job on doing the pacing mate. Nice pickup that top too. Hopefully I will see you at the 10k at Lane Cove.
How much fun was that Horrie, I trialled the fleece top out this morning, passed with flying colours ;-)
Nice job with the pacing.
Nice job with the pacing.
Fantastic stuff Horrie. Wonder how many more people were following throughout the race that you didn't even know about!
Geez and to think I paid for mine!
Mate nice work on the pacing and thanks again for flying the DSA colours. And may I say what a great recovery after banana coast!
As always great to catch up.
Mate nice work on the pacing and thanks again for flying the DSA colours. And may I say what a great recovery after banana coast!
As always great to catch up.
You did a good job Horrie - perfect pace. A few quiet ales would have been tempting but we had to get the train at 12.46.
Good community service there Horrie.
It sounds like you could've revved a few people up for a "big finish" a la Australia Day Moore Park.
It sounds like you could've revved a few people up for a "big finish" a la Australia Day Moore Park.
I heard you call out, Horrie! Brought a big smile to my face just when I needed it!
Once again, you showed your incredible generosity in helping others to the finish line...and I should know how much that means!!
Once again, you showed your incredible generosity in helping others to the finish line...and I should know how much that means!!
I wore the jacket for the first time today - Very Nice :-) (Looking forward to running at my own pace next week though!)
Bruce
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Bruce
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