I envisaged finishing my blog with a picture and one line, however, loyal readers have demanded something more (my mother can be quite insistent). I’ve been busy savouring the sites of the South Island of New Zealand and it’s over a week since we crossed the finish line.
I will endeavour to capture the experience with a summary:
• Although, I have nothing to compare, if you are going to complete one half or full marathon, I would highly recommend Queenstown, NZ. The scenery was stunning and the trails firm packed , with only a few hills. One runs out of suitable adjectives to describe this splendorous location
• The race is well supported and there was a sense of festivity and camaraderie provided by the local community.
• A warm lemon drink is effective in hastening peristalsis when pre-race terror cause a freeze of all necessary bodily functions.
• Despite having a race plan not to start too fast, I failed to pace myself and blitzed the half marathon. The next 8km was steady, after which things got really tough.
• The aid stations were well dispersed every few kilometres and offered water, energy drinks and jelly beans. At the ~ 25km station I was pleased to view some banana on the stand and broke off a piece, delighting in this as my regular running nourishment. It was only on later reflection, I suspected I had taken one of the volunteer’s snacks! Even in my delirium I reflected on the fact that there was only one banana and I spied no other bananas on the course. ( confirmed by Bronwyn and Emma)
• Thanks to nurse Bronwyn for the neurofen I took at 32 km when the ITB pain was fully established.
• With 7km to go, I was feeling mentally okay, however was stopped in my tracks with excruciating cramping in one of my legs. Having witnessed fellow runners pulling out of the race with cramps I now understood their agony. While attempting to stretch and contemplating whether finishing was a viable option, my fairy god mother appeared. An angel from amongst the spectators arrived at my side and asked if I was cramping, she then proffered “CrampEase’ spray, instructing me to lift my tongue where she sprayed a small amount on the underside of my tongue. It was immediate and miraculous. I was able to move forward without cramps. With a grateful thank you I shuffled on. ( subsequent google research advises that CrampEase is an oral spray containing four salts to relieve cramping)
• At 6km to go, my legs were appealing to me to walk. While wavering, an older gentleman by the name of Kelly appeared at my side, with laboured breathing but a purposeful forward momentum. I determined that if he could keep running, I could also. (He looked to be on the other side of 70). I stubbornly paced off Kelly, and in a brief exchange established he had run over 40 half marathons and 9 full. We were both fairly spent and in quiet dogged companionship covered the last few kilometres.• The “1 kilometre to go’ sign was utter joy and relief.
• With names on our bibs the cheers and personal words of encouragement, over the last few hundred metres of the race, was just the incentive needed to help propel me forwards across the finish line. Kelly and I shook hands, and he retreated into the crowd
• Having completed her half marathon earlier in the day, Caitlyn greeted me at the finish line all smiles and enquiry. I had no energy to converse, mumbling something incoherently to her while in semi repose on a chair. It wasn’t until I inhaled a banana and energy drink that I was able to respond.
• Bronwyn and Emma arrived across the line in due course, all smiles and delight with what we had all achieved.
Other than the incline to reach it, Bespoke Kitchen was a perfect location for the last BOTR. Tucked away just below the gondola on the hill overlooking Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, it is a beautiful spot and served all day breakfasts ( we were a little later than our usual schedule). Although not normal protocol, the team enjoyed some local beers with their breakfast orders. (All part of the necessary rehydration practices after running a marathon). Everyone was delighted with their meals. I ordered one of my old favourites, Eggs benedict (NZ $19), served on toasted English muffins with bacon, spinach, oven dried tomatoes and apple cider hollandaise. The eggs were deliciously runny and the flavours delicious. Bronwyn enjoyed her aoroki hot smoked salmon with spring onion croquettes, rocket and a fried egg (NZ $19.50) nearly as much as her local brew. Caitlyn and Emma selected simpler fair, only feeling like sourdough toast. Suffice to say, there’s not much I can say about sourdough toast but apparently the Jams were delicious and the toast faultless. We loved the meal and location so much; the team returned for lunch on a subsequent day and were equally happy with all meals.
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| Hot smoked salmon |
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| Eggs Benedict |
Thanks to Queenstown for the inspirational location at which to undertake a marathon. Thanks to my fantastic friends and family for sharing this project with me enjoying good food and providing lovely company. Like all children that grow up and move on, I will miss my morning BOTR companions and nourishment but look forward to 2016 and a fresh goal ,yet to be determined. My running shoes are not ready to be hung up just yet.
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