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I would like to share with you a brief
story about my 1995
SMH Half Marathon experience.
I felt like a machine
The
previous year ('94) I had one of those runs where everything
clicked. I only decided to run a few days before the race which
somewhat gives you a feel for how relaxed I was about being
there. I had one of my best races ever. I placed first in
61.11, Steve Moneghetti came second in 62.50. My time still
remains the fastest Half Marathon ever run in Australia and the
4th fastest all time by an Australian behind Darren Wilson,
Steve Moneghetti and Lee Troop.
The following year ('95) the Sydney
Morning Herald brought Steve and I back. The SMH had weekly ads
in their paper promoting "The Rumble in the Jungle" showdown.
1995 - The race started outside a pub
There was
a course change and the day before the race I asked Dave Cundy,
who measured the course, if the start of the race had changed
location. Dave advised me they moved the start from under the
Harbour Bridge and was now to start outside a pub at the Rocks.
I was
staying at the Rocks and on my run that morning I recalled
passing a pub. Immediately I could picture where the new race
start was - only 200m from where I was staying, perfect!
I like being alone with my thoughts.......
I started
my standard warm up 50 min before the start. I liked being alone
with my thoughts at this time so I headed out of my hotel and
ran around Darling Harbour, which was the opposite direction to
the start area. I arrived back at the hotel with 15 min to spare
and put my lightweight racing shoes on.
So with 5
min remaining I left the hotel and jogged down to the start.
When I arrived at the pub there was not a soul (or sole) in
sight. It was one of the most frightening experiences of my life
for I immediately realised I had the wrong pub.
I felt like a dill
My saving
grace came when I spotted a runner in the distance so I took off
like there was no tomorrow and followed him hoping to find the
start. The road curved and I could not see to the end. As I ran
down the street I thought about all of the effort the SMH had
put into promoting Steve and myself running and here I was with
about 30 sec to race start, not knowing where the hell the start
actually was.
Thankfully
as I finally reached the end of the street I was greeted with
4000 plus runners and a starter with his pistol in the air. I
only JUST made it.
Steve
placed 1st in 62.32 and I was 2nd in 62.44.
FYI:
If you
ever need to know where the start of the smh half marathon is, I am possibly not the best person to ask.
Pat Carroll
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