Easter and the Canberra Marathon

This is Rob going for the tube as the wave closes out.

Easter in Australia is a lovely time of year: not so hot, and the currents are still warm enough for surfing and swimming in the sea. We had a delightful holiday down at Bermagui with Rob's family. I even attempted the game of golf. You can read my insight on the game a.k.a. torture here.


The Canberra Marathon

On April 15th over 1000 runners lined up to take part in the Canberra Marathon. For the first time since 2001, apart form 2005 when I was diagnosed with cancer, I was not one of them. This year Rob and I decided to take it easy and volunteered instead. We gave out refreshments at the 5km line and then assisted very wobbly runners at the end.

You know what was interesting in being able to see all the finishers - from the elite through to the plodders, is that all the runners who finished after four hours were among the happiest and most social. they were quite simply elated to be finishing - happy with themselves, their effort, and being alive after 42.2km (26 miles). The runners who came in between 3 and 3 and half hours were the most serious - they had been pushing hard and for many of them it was all about the time. They did not seem to be having much fun to me.

Another group that was definitely the happiest of all were a visiting group of Taiwanese runners. many of them even ran the 50km race. They were all smiling ear to ear, full of encouragement and smiles and good humour. They were awesome. For them it was definitely all about the journey and not the finish line.

As for me, it gave me the bug again...I am dreaming of which marathon next - Sydney? New York? Canberra again? I definitely have another one in me! I look forward to it already.

Happy trails.

Zoe

Getting the drinks ready at the 5km station. That's me at the end in the blue vest.

This is the lead group at the 5km mark. Notice how few feet are actually touching the ground!