Run for the Kids 2007

First of all my apologies for such a late race report. I seem to be busier at the moment while on annual leave than when I work six days a week.

On April the 1st, April Fools Day, I competed in my second Run for the Kids.

My wife Sal, and family friend Salli, had both entered in the 3.4km walk event. We all drove into the city early Sunday morning.

On the way I was entertaining the girls with stories of the legendary Anderson St Hill, which was part of the shorter, 3.4km course. Probably making it steeper than it actually is.

We arrived and parked at the Arts Centre. Then made our way over to the very crowded Alexandra Gardens.

The girls and I wandered around a little soaking up the atmosphere and checking out the sights. We could see that the starting area was filling fast so I wished them good luck, and went and joined the other 15.2km entrants.

I proudly walked up to the front, showing my blue preferred start number to anyone one who wanted to see it. Unfortunately as the other 3,oooish preferred starters also had a blue number there wasn't a lot of interest in mine.

I spotted a couple other Coolrunners in the crowd and made my way to them. Chilliman, Superjacent and others had formed a small group and it was good to see some familiar faces.

With great frustration the start was delayed by 15 minutes and we didn't take of till 8:45am. If I knew that was going to happen I could have caught the first train easy.

After the race started it wasn't long until we did a sweeping left hand U-turn and headed into the Domain Tunnel.

The tunnel was as humid, still and smelling of exhaust fumes as the previous year and it was with relief to exit and feel the cool, light breeze.

Leaving the tunnel was the first of three major hills on the course and I powered up it with no problems.

On the West Gate Freeway I kept an eye out for the nasty looking metal road seems that Deege blogged about. I stepped on one by accident and noticed that with the overnight rain it did seem to feel a little slippery. It was a bit of a dancing routine to time myself leaping over those little hazards.

The view from the top of the Bolte Bridge was breathtaking and I was feeling in fine form.

From the top of the Bolte Bridge. Thanks to Coolrunnings Cato for the great pic.

Shortly after leaving the bridge I passed the 10km mark and noticed that I was at a 10km PB of 0:46:49! This was really fast for me and I was feeling great.

The last short, steep incline was the LaTrobe st bridge that passes over the Southern Cross/Spencer St railyards. It was a tough nasty little hill but once completed I was back in the city with not far to go.

The course then passed the Melbourne Remand Centre and my thoughts wandered to any prisoners who maybe peering out the windows. How hard would it be to be a runner and locked away without the freedom of the road I wondered to myself. I seem to have the strangest thoughts at times while running.

Down Spencer St and a left turn up the promenade of Crown Casino and I knew the event was nearly over.

I surged over the Yarra River for the second last time then turned right in front of the iconic Flinders St Station.

The last straight before the finish was down St Kilda Rd so I turned on the afterburner to complete the event.

My end effort was so intense that for the first time while crossing a finish line I felt like I was actually going to vomit.

Fortunately the sensation quickly passed as I lined up for 15 minutes for a crappy showbag and a drink of water.

There has been a bit of debate of the final distance. Apparently the race didn't go for the advertised 15.2km due to a last minute course change and was more than likely to be closer to 14.7km. Still I am very happy and a little surprised at my official time of 1:09:07. An average of 4:42 per kilometre!

With a little bit more effort, and a slowish train, I believe I could go close to beating Puffing Billy on May 6th. Wouldn't that be something??

Late Edit: I almost forgot to let you all know that the family and I are going away camping over Easter and the week after. We will be staying at a caravan park at Lakes Entrance and I will be taking all the gear with me (minus computer) and getting out for a few runs while there.

Stay safe all and see you in a few weeks.