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Annabelle’s account of the National Half Marathon:
I started off a bit slower than I would have planned, took just over 8 mins to run the first 2km! But I picked that pace up, and started pushing the pace from the 5km mark (after the first lap), which was a bit sooner than I would normally push it, but I was feeling really good, and thought the worst I would do was slow down if I did tire, but I got stronger and stronger.
I was aiming for a minute or so quicker, but the few rises had an influence on my time. I was happy with my performance, as I took a risk and pushed the pace, but it all worked out well. Four laps is harder on the mind too, which was another challenge I thought I coped okay with.
Training prior to the Half Marathon:
Sunday: 70 min jog up the hills.
Monday: cross trainer for 45 mins. (was supposed to be a rest day but felt like doing something light.)
Tuesday: reps on the track - 3 x 3 mins with 2 or 3 min interval, hill drills and 4x100m sprints.
Wednesday: swam 2.7km in the morning, steady pace. 1 hour easy hill jog in the evening.
Thursday: swam 2km, steady pace.
Friday: 35 min flat jog in the morning, really easy pace.
Saturday: had a decent breakfast after a good sleep, then the race!
Preferred distance and PB for that distance:
My preferred distance at this stage is half marathons. Hilly courses are my favourite! My PB was at Christchurch Half Marathon this year, where I ran 1.23.10. This was the second one I had seriously trained for, after the Buller Gorge Half Marathon in February where I ran a couple of minutes faster. My times are generally getting quicker all the time, which is thanks to a few 10km road races this winter, which were great fun. Road relays were a new experience for me this year, as I only joined Canterbury University Club at the beginning of the year. They were great fun, and great for speed work.
Other relevant athletics or sports:
I bought a road bike in Spring 2004 and started doing a few duathlons for a bit of fun. My shins get sore if I run too much so biking is a good rest. I also swim a couple of times a week, and did Ashburton Half Iron Man last November, which was a great experience. I think I preferred the training to the competition, which was over a very flat course. Weather was perfect thankfully. I have always run for fitness, especially at school where I played a lot of soccer. I did alright at 3000m and cross country at school, often going to regional competitions.
Occupation:
I'm a journalist. I work for the Star Newspaper and do a lot of writing for the Selwyn Times, a local paper for the district.
Length of time spent as an athlete:
I have always run for fitness and fun, but started running seriously after the Christchurch Half Marathon last year. I ran in 1hr 32min without a watch, and just my running radio for company. Mike McAuliffe, who also works at The Star and runs for Papanui TocH, started giving me a few pointers and helped me train for the Half Ironman.
Training areas:
My flat is just by the Port Hills, so I head up that way for all my long runs. I do my speed work at Hagley Park or at the Canterbury University track. Running up by the Ashley Forest in North Canterbury is another favourite spot when I'm at home. I get up the hills as much as I can, a bit of off road is even better. Interesting is best!
Nic’s account of the National Half Marathon:
The race really couldn’t have gone better for me. I went with Brent Pulley for the first kilometre which we completed in 3min 5sec which broke us away from the field. After about 1.5 kilometers Brent hadn’t slowed down so I just let him go, knowing I wouldn’t last long at that pace.
I had heard Brent was focusing on the race, so didn’t really think he’d come back to me after that. He led by just over 15 seconds after the first lap (of four), but at about 6 kilometres I noticed he was slowing down a bit so set about catching him, which I eventually did at about 8 kilometers. I didn’t really want to give him a look in after that, so pushed pretty hard for the next two kilometres to build a bit of a lead at the end of the second lap.
I was able to extend that lead on the third lap, but let Brent back in a bit in the last lap as I started struggling. But in the end, I was able to pick it up for the last kilometre which let me hold him out, and run through for a new PB (1hr 11min 45sec). 5k splits for the race were 16:39, 16:47, 17:05, 17:33.
I was most happy about finishing my winter season with a PB.
Training week prior to the Half Marathon:
Training was pretty light on mileage for my build up but I was still doing some really good workouts and was racing not too badly. I had the NZ Road Relay champs and Sir Barry Curtis 10k in the three weeks before the event which were great for my race fitness.
Saturday: Jogging on Belmont track, 5k tempo on Petone foreshore – 65min
Sunday: Round Newlands – 45min
Monday: Round Newlands – 45min
Tuesday: Through Newtown, round the bays, 5k tempo – 55min
Wednesday: Round the bays – 40min
Thursday: Indoor netball
Friday: Run on Nelson beach – 30min
Saturday: Race – 1hr 11min 45sec (PB)
Preferred distance and PB for that distance:
800 / 1500m – 1min 55sec / 3min 56sec
Other relevant athletics or sports:
7 handicap at golf before taking up competitive running in 2000
1hr 35min for first half marathon in 1999.
Occupation:
Work for an IT company called Revera as a presales solution architect.
Length of time spent as an athlete:
Started running in 1999 and joined a club in 2000.
Training areas:
Most of my training is on the streets of Wellington.
Workouts in the Botanical Gardens, round the bays, and at Newtown Park track.
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