Rotorua Marathon 2008 - By Natasha Lowl
This was a great first marathon to do- even better with all the others that did it. Alan is right, it is the best for the atmosphere and support both by local members as well as everyone out on the course. The training that we put into this event paid off in the end. The views were lovely and I surprised everyone by talking the whole way round - I think I had too much energy!
I was very excited going into this marathon as it was my first and doing it with everyone else made it even more special. Having mum there the whole way and training together was extra special. A bond that we will always have with each other.
At registration we picked up bands that would help us keep to our goal times as it had time markers for us. It was for runners but mum said we were walkers and the guy said it only went up to 5hrs 30mins - and mum was like we do 5 hours - he was shocked but didn’t think about arguing with her - I don’t think anyone does.
It all started when we got up at 6am to get ready. At 8ish we went down to the start- what lovely scenery it is. We meet up with everyone - Tanya was high as a kite and very excited as she always is - great to see! Once the runners had gone there was a few minutes wait before we were to go. I knew in my mind what I wanted to do and that was to come in under 5 hours. Everyone had been talking and some said I had a good chance for 1st - at that stage I thought no way. The gun when off and away we went. The start of a long and exciting day.
At the 1km mark - 10 minutes after the runners had started - mum (my wonderful walking partner) and I had already caught up to runners - what a joke this was going to be! We also saw Alan, Evan and Jeff looking at the techniques there - surprised to see us going so fast earlier on.
By the 13km mark Wayne and Wacky had caught us up. We were walking very strong and just keeping focus as we knew the second half would be the hardest. By half way I could see that Robin, who was in 3rd, was either slowing down or I was speeding up. I was determined to get us into 3rd at least. The hill came - what hill in my mind - mum and I powered up it and, sorry boys, but we left them behind. We passed Robin and she tried very hard to stay with us but after 1km we were off again with the boys in tow.
At the 25km we were told that Donna Roderick had been DQ’d so that put us into 2nd equal - I was even more determined. Approaching the main road I could see the other Robin and I put the pace on because I knew we had heaps more in us.
Later towards that straight we wondered where Wayne and Wacky had gone as they had fallen behind. We were told that they weren’t feeling very well but would continue.
At this stage - approx the 27 km mark (last hill) - we could see we were catching Robin very fast - mum and I powered up the hill and went for it. As Alan says, just take your time you will catch her, but just be careful because I was still talking too much at this stage. By the 30km we had caught Robin and just continued our own race from there. I was on so much air I could have been flying!
Our wonderful support team - Lorraine, Bruce and Gary - went straight passed us as they weren’t expecting to see us so far ahead. I waved and cheered but they still didn’t realise until they went past. They went back to see Valda and the others before coming back to see us. I was still having full on conservations with everyone.
With 15km to go, I told mum to put it into blocks of 5km and it would go a lot faster. She knew that she was hanging onto me and that I would take off sooner or later.
We got to the airport drink station and having already had one blister pop on me I found another burst and I took off. I knew mum would be ok. I just continued on my high and with 3km to go realised that this was it - I was going to win not only the women’s section but my first marathon.
I had passed and surprised some of the walkers and runners as I went by but I just went for it.
With 2km to go I realised I had to take my thermal of because it was covering my number so I gave it to Lorraine - she was wonderful - and I went for it. Hearing the crowd just made me go even faster.
Coming across the finishing line was great - I was so proud to be wearing my TRWC singlet. I crossed the finishing line in a surprise time of 4hrs 42mins, with mum 2 minutes behind me in 2nd. Everyone else come in with great times as well. TRWC members should all be very proud of each other. It just shows if you can put your mind to it anything is possible. At the end I was still running around and they couldn’t keep me still – I could have of done another 10km.
Ann was trying very hard to get away from Tanya - it worked and they came in with a great time. Wayne did well with his knee and Wacky despite being sick did well. Julie’s knee didn’t quite make it but we are still proud. Valda, what a wonderful time you did - see I knew you could do it. This was Nicks first marathon and he did well - keep it up. Sorry to anyone else I missed.
I would like to personally thank all the support from everyone through the whole training. To the Saturday brunch, we had fun with the training together. Mum (Vanessa) thanks for letting me do the training programme - I knew you were worried we didn’t do enough but I was right. Also thanks for letting me go out at 3am so I could get my long walks in.
We all went to prize-giving - receiving my tracksuit and trophy was an experience I will never forget.
That night we all had pizza at our place - Tanya was determined to eat a whole pizza - I think she did it as well. Well done.
The next morning I was crazy enough to go out for a 15km run and also meet up with the others for a slow relaxing walk and then we travelled home together.
I will not be returning next year as much as I would like to, but I’m in oz now. I am determined, for my 21st, to come back and try to take out the Mountain to Surf Marathon.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved. Without the help of supporters and scrutineers the walking section would not have been possible.
