My first half marathon race report!
WOW! I love it, I have always loved running and now I love competitive running! Had a brilliant day at the Gold Coast Half Marathon. Harley and I decided to sleep in our van at the start line, it was a good move because we ended up having a great sleep in till 5:15am which was 45mins before the race started.
There were 7,845 competitors at the half start line, so it was absolutely packed! It was pitch black and quite chilly. I was planning on starting with the 1hr 50mins group but the group was so far from the start that I decided to slip in with the 1:20/1:30 group. The gun went off and it took me only about 40 secs to cross the start line. 
The first 5-10kms people were passing me like crazy. I was tempted to try to keep up but I firmly reminded myself that most of them were from the 1:20 group destined to run at least 20mins faster than me! I stuck to my plan of 5:05-5:10min/km pace, I wanted to do negative splits and save my juice for the end.
I started out at around 5:07 pace then slowed myself to around 5:10 which I knew was easily achievable but still challenging to maintain for the whole 21.1kms. In hindsight I could’ve managed 5:05 pace but I was being cautious because it was my first marathon and realistically I just wanted to finish!
This couple ran around a 4hr 15min marathon after just getting hitched
At the 12km (7.4mile) point I decided to pick up the pace a bit, which also reflected in my heart rate which climbed to 180bpm. At Km 16 I got a fright when the 1hr 50min balloon came looming alone side, obviously I was getting too comfortable. I stepped on it a little more to increase my pace to 5:01 and 182bpm, I had to escape the Grim Reaper!
I was starting to catch up with some people who had flown past me earlier, now they were breaking down from starting out too hard. I silently praised myself for choosing the smart conservative approach. At the 18km mark I was running almost 5min kms, HR 184, still feeling good but now starting to “feel it” more.
Coming around the bend in the last km I tramped it a bit more and reached 4:55 pace, 187bpm. Breathing was definitely becoming heavier and laboured. (Note: My Max heart rate is about 205bpm.) As I was approaching the finish line I gave it my all and passed what felt like about 50 people, at a continued 4:55 pace my heart rate raised to 190bpm as I crossed the line. Woohoo!! Made it!
2:13:54 marathon winner! JAMES KARIUKI
Looking back my preparation for the day was great, fully hydrated, rested and carbed-up on mountains of good fruit sugar. One day I had an 18 banana smoothie for lunch, was proud of that effort. My hydration was so good infact that I didn’t stop for one drink although one was pushed into my hand at a “water” station. I took a gulp (thinking it was water) and immediately spat it out nearly covering the face of a fellow runner as I gagged on the sports drink. That stuff is VILE! I was actually somewhat suprised at how thirsty and dehydrated people were, they were launching themselves desperately at the drink station.
Gorgeous little japanese lady KAORI YOSHIDA came in at 2:31:33
Completing my first half marathon was so exhilarating!! I now have more confidence in my competitive running ability. The last time I really raced competitively was when I was in little school. Now I’m keen to do more and I’m so glad I have Pat Carroll as an online coach. Seriously people if you are looking to increase your running fitness safely then please contact him, say I referred you and he may even give you a good rate! His best marathon time is get this…2hrs and 9mins! That’s for 42kms. Very inspiring.
My stats for the race for those of you who like that stuff 
My time was 1:48:19
2343 out of 7,845 TOTAL finishers.
591 out of 3,915 FEMALES
138 out of 714 Females aged 25-29.
I have now entered the Brisbane half marathon Aug 1st (in less than a month) and another popular 10km race. I think I can comfortably run a 10km under 50mins now which feels good. Its 2 days after the race as I write this and my legs are completely fine except for the slightest calf soreness.
Not everyone faired so well on the day
Cute!
Oh dear god!
Get your running shoes on!
Lovefreelee
Way to go Free! you proved good nutrition and hydration wins everytime. All the dehydrated and nutritionaly deficient folks did not have a chance against you! Look how far you have come from years ago… you continue to be a leading example of what one person can do to overcome many health and nutrition issues….keep on keepin’ on!
Hey Rich
Thanks so much for your constant support! I really do feel like I’ve come so far, thanks for reminding me, its so easy to forget.
You’re the best X
congratulations.. keep up the good work
Thanks Ryan, getting fitter all the time
Way to go Free!!! Proud of you gf =)
Nik thanks heaps for popping in with your congratulations, means a lot x
Great job Freelee!
That sounds like a fantastic first half marathon and really well thought out preparation and execution! Laughing like crazy at that last “superhero” picture!
Thank you so much Chris! It was good preparation on my behalf and I felt so good throughout. Lol that pic i know!
Sweet feat, Running Gurl!
Luved that lil pic of you swerving around the slowpoke in white (get out of my way–I’m on a mission!
And I sure hope you didn’t have to draft off that Bob Konjoy :-z
you and Harley have a van?
Yes living the housesitting lifestyle requires it to move from house to house, we fuel it on bio diesel whenever we find it.
This is just wonderful Freelee. What a great run. Thank You for sharing it. You’re an inspiration!
Love,
Sun~Rose
thank you so much!
Dear Freelee, I am hugely apologize: I have contacted my friend who ran the whole marathon the same day, and remember, that my time was much worse! He MUST be right, it does seem too fast for me!!! Please, remove my comment if you can, it can’t be true, I must have being totally confused, but I don’t know why I had it in my records.
You’ve done absolutely GREAT!!!
Hey that’s no worries at all! It’s not about the time anyway, good on you for getting out there!
Its really inspiring!
You wrote you woke up 45 minutes before the race did you have anything to eat then?
I am running my first half marathon this friday and I dont when Im supposed to wake up what to eat the night before and the morning of the race. Could you share some of your tips?
Thanks!
I had a date or 2 if I remember correctly
How did your half marathon go? We slept at the start line which is a good tip, means you get extra rest before the race.
Make sure you don’t drink heaps just before you start of you will have to pee and most likely get a stitch and a slower time! Omit overt fats from your diet in the days leading up
to the race. Get early nights leading up to the race. Where streamlined clothing and appropriate racing flats (nike is good). Get a garmin watch and measure your performance. !