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Online Coaching Feedback
Helen Bruce
2007 Gold Coast Airport Marathon
I'm not
too sure where to start this email but I guess if I keep typing
the message will come across! As you know my online coaching
with you was a Christmas present from Garry to help me achieve
my goal of running a marathon before I was 50. I thought it
was great that he took my personal goal so seriously and I knew
I would need lots of help to get me there.
Little did
I know that the journey over the six months would be one of the
greatest highlights of my 47 years.
When I
first received your program it looked rather daunting,
especially when I previewed what you were expecting me to
achieve as the months went by, but I knew if I had any chance to
make it on July 1 I needed to stick with it and not miss a
session. That was my daily goal irrespective of work, social
and family commitments, and your regular newsletters, updates
and encouraging emails helped me to keep on track and realize
that although I was out on the road on my own in Dampier there
were lots of other people around Australia doing exactly what I
was doing.
The
regular time trials and goal sessions always caused some stress
in the lead up, but when the times were achieved and I was able
to race home and send you the results and wait 'patiently' for
your encouraging reply it helped me get out there and try even
harder for the next few runs. They were also great signs of how
much ground I had covered and how much closer I was getting
to running my marathon.
There were
times I had doubt, as you probably read in some of my messages,
and there were times when I thought my body was starting to let
me down, but I put my trust in you and your program and my
determination and soldiered on until it got easier again.
I have
read lots of motivational stuff and books about running and
marathons but none of them seem to capture how it really feels
to have now achieved my goal. I guess it's one of those things
that words don't seem to say enough. Some of the great things
that have come from this are:
-
Knowing
I have a wonderful supporting husband and family
-
Realizing how many great friends and work mates I have who
would ask me how my training was going and wish me luck
-
Being
involved with you and your program. Anyone that has a major
affect on achieving an important personal goal becomes a very
special person in your life. I hope you realize how much I
appreciate everything you have done to help me achieve my
goal. It is a shame that I didn't take the opportunity to get
a photo with you at the end of the marathon, when you were
there so supportive and taking photos of everyone else.
-
Running
with PCRG back in March, attending the pre Gold Coast dinner
with Kerryn McCann and hearing all the cheering and support on
Marathon Day were all really great things that I had not
experienced before. Garry and I hope one day to live in
Brisbane and become part of such a wonderful group of
enthusiastic human beings.
-
Learning
so much about more about training, techniques and nutrition
and my own body.
-
Developing a self belief that I can do whatever I put my mind
to with conviction and self confidence. Knowing that nothing
is unachievable if I set a goal, no matter how high it may
seem, a well laid out plan will help me achieve it.
NOW FOR MY MARATHON DAY STORY
I received
lots of call and text messages from friends and family wishing
me all the best.
I wasn't
as nervous as I thought I would be and kept thinking of good
things, like the feeling of crossing the finish line and
trusting that I had done the training and this was ready to
happen.
I ran with
the 4:30 group from the start and this was a great way to meet
some people and keep an even pace without having to monitor my
own km splits.
After
stopping for a toilet break at around half way I lost contact
with the pace group. I wasn't prepared to sprint to catch up
but I was determined to keep them in my sights and maybe get
back in touch later.
The nerves
and doubts crept in around 30km when I knew I was in new
territory having only ran 28kms in my longest long run but I
backed off a little and felt okay. I started to see people
walking and stopping who had started faster than me and this
helped to get my confidence back.
By the
time I turned at Runaway Bay I was feeling good and confident
that I would make the distance if I kept a steady pace and
thought about the finish line and how important it was.
I could
tell that the pace group had pulled away but I wasn't
concerned. I knew I would do better than 5 hours even if I
didn't achieve 4:30.
With 2 kms
to go I was running strongly and Garry was on the side of the
road to run in with me. We laughed as he tried to keep with me
as his legs had slowed up since he finished. It was wonderful to
have him with me and I could see he was relieved to see me
looking so good!
As I came
into the finishing race I could see and hear my parents,
in-laws, brother, sister and one of my sons (who lives in
QLD) on the hill cheering for me. What a great feeling that
was. I felt like I was winning a medal at the Olympics!!
Then I
looked up and saw the 4:30 pace runner, still with her orange
flags, just ahead of me. I couldn't believe how much I had
caught up so I thought if I pass her I have beaten 4:30. I
passed her just before the line and looked up and saw the time
of 4:26 and couldn't believe how well I had done.
The tears
started then, with hugs and kisses from Garry and it was a buzz
hearing my name over the loud speaker!! ........but little did I
know what was to follow.
Garry was
fairly quick to usher me out to see the family who were
waiting. We bumped into some friends from Dampier, who now live
in Noosa, that were waiting just outside recovery and it was
great to see them, but Garry kept us walking while we chatted.
Then I turned the corner and saw my 4 sons and their partners
waiting for me with cheers and applause.
I couldn't
believe it. Three of them with partners had all flown over from
WA to surprise me and be there when I achieved my goal. I had
no idea they were coming or that they even realized what an
important day it was for me. To feel so special and loved by
the people who mean the most to me in the entire world is a
feeling that will live forever.
If I had
never decided to run a marathon I would never have felt that
feeling and what a shame it would be to live your life without
feeling so loved and admired by the important people in your
life. I still get emotional when I think about it now.
The family
all stayed on at the Gold Coast with us for 3 days and we had
some great times together before all going back to our lives and
jobs.
Everyone
has their marathon story and I love mine!! I know I will be
telling it for years to come and showing my grandchildren the
photos and footage of July 1 2007.
I have
been doing a couple of light runs over the last few days (3kms)
but I still have a few aches and pains in my left knee and foot
(never had any trouble there before!!) so I will take it easy
before thinking about what I would like to do next!
Thanks
again for everything. I hope you realize what a special person
you have been in my life this year and I hope we can catch up
again when we are next in Queensland. I look forward to
continuing to read what's happening with PCRG. What you achieve
with your group and the way you inspire people to set goals and
encourage them to reach them is a gift and it is wonderful that
you share it with so many. Keep up the great work!!!
Regards,
Helen
Bruce
4.24.35 Gold Coast Airport Marathon
01/07/2007
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