My race recap- the day finally came, the Auckland Half Marathon just like that is finished. The training up to this event has been eye opening in just what I love and want to achieve, but also what I can achieve, being so much more than I ever thought. I stayed with my Mum at the same place as last year when I competed in the 11km, but this year by the 11km point i was already at a faster pace than a year ago.
Lets recap how the race went, we woke up nice and early alsong with the stunning sunrise, and made our way to the start line in Denvenport. I’m so grateful to have had my Mum as A saw competitors running from miles away to make it as well as struggle to make it through all of the traffic, while I warmed up my Mum waited in the line for a bathroom which meant when I came back I could go straight in before the race. A bit of a cheat code to be completely honest, without her I wouldn’t have made it to the start with much time or any at all.
I seeded myself into the front group for the sub-1:30 which theoretically I hadn’t done but I had also never tried my hardest either so I knew I was capable. The wind was less than pleasant but thankfully going through the hills at the start that didn’t worry me. It was a fast start, but I knew I couldn’t sprint so I held faster than I wanted but not as fast as others.
I tried to settle into a pace with others but kept thinking this may be too quick and would drop to the next pack until I was around the 4:00-4:10 per km pace, as I knew a sub 4:16 would keep me at a PB.
I thought i may have been going out too hard and might hit a wall but also felt like i wasn’t pushing too hard, and didn’t want to regret not going faster at the start at the end. Not much happened through the first 10km other than that so when we got to the exposed part of the motorway towards the bridge thats when the wind defiantly started to kick in.
At a normal Level II pace I would have cared less but with already pushing the pace, and being in the second half of the race it had more of an impact. Thankfully, I found another runner at the same pace as me by this point and I paced off him all the way to the top of the bridge. As I knew if he could do it I could and I shouldn’t give into the resistance and keep pushing if i wanted to PB well.
I actually made friends with this runner and we spoke slightly at points and helped guide our way through the crowds of other runners we passed. Once I reached the top of the bridge I knew the end was near, as well as lots of down hills which I needed to use to my advantage so I pushed the pace and let myself fly down them.
Although, I did almost roll my ankle scuffing the side of my shoes. As I reached the last 2 km I knew to start pushing and this is when I started to overtake others who were now feeling the pain. I’m grateful I haven’t felt the true pain-cave before in this type of event. I’m happy with my finish and strong finishing pace.
I crossed the line in 1:27 and my watch says I run just over a half-marathon distance and finished in 1:26 so both official and unofficial times, which both beat my previous 1:30:30 time from Taupo. Not only a PB but I also won the 19 and under age group, with my time also faster than the 20-24 age group too. Giving me hope for the future years. I finished as the 10th female which I’m again super happy with.
As well as a charity superstar for fundraising over $1,000 for prostate cancer. This training block has been both the most successful and enjoyable I’ve done yet and I cant wait to see what times I can keep producing through more training with Ray! And I got to meet him for the first time too!
– Jessice Bray