Sydney Half Marathon

I wouldn't want to give the impression that I didn't do so already, but I have a new found respect for those who have completed 26.2 miles, given that I've only run half that far; it's an awful long way. My aim was to run the 21km in under 1hr 45, although it was difficult to estimate as it's the furthest I've run. I decided to go the first half at a reasonably comfortable pace and see how I felt (following the 1hr 45 paceman), and as I felt pretty good was able to speed up along the back 10k. I finished in 1hr 35mins, and whilst I could have probably gone a bit quicker if I had set off faster, I'm pleased with the way I ran it as it's the first one I've done and I was able to enjoy the experience.

There were about 33 000 people in the various distances (9km, 21km and marathon) and plenty of people out in the morning sunshine along the route to cheer everyone along, so there was a great atmosphere, especially coming back in the city. I had to get up at 5am to get in to Milsons Point for the 6.20am start on the north shore, which went south over the Harbour Bridge (with an awesome view of the city at dawn) and then out west towards Balmain/Rozelle to Dubroyd Point (which is on the Bay Run), before looping back to finish at the Opera House. 

I was pretty shattered at the finish, having pretty much sprinted the last 2km (God only knows why); so when I picked up my free fruit, water, medal etc the girl looked at me and said "you look buggered"; which, whilst not literally true, was nevertheless a fairly apposite description. Otherwise I feel ok, though my legs are pretty sore. I went for breakfast in Balmain with Kit and will spend the rest of the day doing very little. There will be some 'official' photos out in the next few days which I will post when I get them, which I will probably have to buy; anyway, in the meantime, here's a couple I took myself, just after 8.30am this morning in the Botanical Gardens and then looking back along the last km on The Rocks, from Circular Quay Station.