As history would have it, I then gave the book to Kerry and can I just summarise by saying she was very very excited . "When can we?, so when can we?", was all I heard from Kerry for the next few weeks.
So the plan was dreamt, "lets do the Brisbane Marathon in 2009", for the experience so that next year we can guide who ever in the club would like to rise to the challenge.
This journey has been incredible to say the least. Every step of the way has been exciting and purposeful. We have had to run at crazy times of the night and day mainly to work around GGG committments and Kerry's work commitments BUT it has so been worth it. Every night run and every early early morning run has made it feel all the more special, we felt we were training for something important. It gave us the sense that we were making a true committment to our goal. We even ran 30k on Kerry's birthday! She thought it was the best birthday treat ever!
I've gained so much from this experience and getting to know Kerry better has be a true blessing. We have laughed, we have shared, we have been honest and trusting with each other, we have celebrated our progress every step of the way, we have chatted, we have enjoyed each other's silence ( yes I do get tired and stop talking sometimes!) and we have laughed at each other- yes I do mean at and not with each other -how could you not when Colleen mistakenly used the Male toilets, or the time we thought we saw a snake and Colleen couldn't get on top of Kerry's shoulders fast enough! There's been plenty of incidences that I'm sure will come out during the Christmas Party awards! (You are warned Kerry!)
It's also been a journey about strengthening ones' belief in oneself, sensing the incredible growth of one's mental endurance, realising what your priorities are and committing to what is necessary and that has included understanding how much attention you must give your body, soul and mind to prepare for a Marathon.
Hopefully it has been an inspiring journey for others, too. I hope that you are thinking, umm maybe...if these girls can do it maybe just maybe....
We've now completed our longest training runs (36k)for our first Marathon and WE KNOW WE CAN DO THIS, we will finish the Brisbane Marathon. In what time? It doesn't matter, the goal is simply to FINISH. We have averaged 60k's per week and trained since early May. I have nearly worn out two pairs of shoes and my fuel belt has had to be taken in by about 7 cm's. Stretching has become an even bigger priority, we simply can't go a day without a good stretching session. We have both treated ourselves to regular massages, arrr they hurt so good! Because without our bodies being in reasonable condition, we could never have run the miles we did.
There is a host of people to thank, without their support and help, this journey would not have been as wonderful.
To both our hubbies who were water boys on numerous occassions, meeting us at the half marthon mark with more water, juice, gels and words of encouragement.
To Len (Colleen's hubby), who has offered invaluable advise - he has run 10 Marathons so he has a reasonable insight into the event. And perhaps a reasonable insight into how I tick, too! Thank you also for taking that early early am call when I fell over (or did Kerry push me?) and driving out to us.
To our kids - Callum, Tegan, Reece, Jarred, Ethan and Rhiannon, who have done nothing but admired their Mums!
To Megan who ran with us on a few occassions to keep us company and hold our pace. Well done for transitioning us through a water stop with record speed! I must say you went the extra mile that our hubby's didn't when they did water stops!
To Kirsten, for her inspiration, love and personal experience advise.
To Chantelle, for all those wonderful massages and for your ear, listening to us dribble on and on about running!
To Tracy Baillie, who in amusement said repeatly," how far?, pardon?, are you mad?" You will get it, one day, Tracy- PROMISE!
To all the GGG's who have shown interest and asked how we were going - thank you for your support, every small word or comment has meant alot.
I'd also like to thank the original GGG's - Donna is now the only remaining one from this first group. All these women have moved away from the group for whatever reasons however more importantly without their initial interest and support, GGG's would not have developed and I could not have become the consistent runner that I am today, without that wonderful start. So I say a special thank you to these women, all who were important, at one point in time, in making me the runner I am today.
Well there is just one more thing we want! Yep, The Shirt - don't worry you will see it over and over and over again - we don't intend having it off our backs much in the first week following the Marathon!
