A Cold Day at the Office

June 7, 2009 in Australia, Canberra, Racewalking, Walking
Tags: Canberra, Walking

I lined up this morning to compete in the Lake Burley Griffin 20 Mile Racewalk. It’s part of the LBG Racewalking Carnival that has been going for  43 years and has a proud tradition in the sport.  I competed in the event last year and didnt have a good day. You can see the report here: 2008 LBG

Move forward a year.  Now living in Canberra.  The LBG 20 mile was one of my mine aims for the year. I wanted to finish and wanted to beat 5 hrs. Pride was  on the line.

It was a very cold and wet morning. There was a good field lined up at the starting line which included some of Australia’s top racewalkers.

I started off well. Was near the back of the pack, but was walking well and not to far behind the rest of the field.  I soon caught up with a group of about four/five walkers and we stayed together for most of the first half.  Almost working like a cycling palaton and chatting away quite amicably.  It was about the half way mark that my old groin injury decided  to remind me of its presence and things slowed.  I went through the first half in 2hrs and 20 minutes and knew that sub 5hrs was looking good.

After half way, I  kept slowing down a bit and consequently started to feel the cold.  Every mile became a struggle and it seemed as though the miles were longer.  It was getting really really cold and wet and it was hard work, walking by myself!  But the pace was consistent and I knew I would get there.  The worst bit was before I got near the Zoo and started to worry how my body would cope when I stopped!  It was at the last drink station that I asked the person still there to arrange for a blanket for me at the end! I wasn’t confident and was expecting a bit of shock to kick in!  At that stage I had about 2 miles to go!

I walked up past the Golf Course and Yarralumla and the pace started to increase.  I went past the 30km mark and had 4hr 37min.  I knew then I would beat the 5 hour mark!  Got to the top of the final hill and Mark Worrall was waiting for me with a coat!  Was a precaution if I was in a bad way!  Not to worry!  The now famous Essam finishing kick came in and I headed for the finishing line!  Crossed the line just before the 5 hour mark to a bit of cheering and support on the Mike! Was nice.  Was also nice to have Jarred Tallent shake my hands afterwards as well. A true sporting Gentleman. Spent a few minutes in the first aid tent to check for any possible probs – but all was good!

My thanks for the day- Val and Pat for their help in the first half . Also a very big thanks to every drink station attendant for staying out their in the cold and rain!  I was cold and wet, you Guys must have been freezing! also thanks to my daughter, Laura for her terrific crewing via sms and her crewing after wards!

Found out later that my time was 4.56.52!

My next main goaL – Probably the  6 hour/50km race in Canberra in September!  See how we go!

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