Hot Orange
Leaving Sydney at lunchtime on Friday Mr lulu, Running Angel and Mr RA headed off to Orange. We had an excellent dinner at Lolli Redini, which is one of the nicest restaurants in the town and then a relatively early night.Saturday morning, Mr lulu and I went out for a short trot up the main street of Orange and back, about 4kms and 25 mins. I found it hard work and wondered why but then Mr lulu said that we were at about 900m above sea level and that could be making it seem harder than normal.
After brekkie we all drove around the half marathon course so Mr lulu and RA could see what they were in for. It didn't look too bad, although it was definitely undulating! It was incredibly hot by mid morning and we were questioning the wisdom of the organisers to start the race at 9am.
A spot of wine tasting and a nice lunch at La Colline winery was followed by a nana nap before a carbo loading pasta dinner for the HMers.
Sunday we headed out to the race start at about 8am so RA could register. Fortunately, the weather was overcast and relatively cool and it actually started raining at the start of the half so we hoped it wouldn't be too hot for them. Then it was my turn. I lined up with the 10km and 5km run/walkers and we were off. A nice downhill for the first km soon turned into lots of ups and downs. I couldn't get into much of a rhythm as it seemed as soon as I'd gone up and down one hill, there was the next one. I even had a walk break at the top of one hill. Once I'd turned around and was heading back up the road to the finish I managed to pick up the pace a bit and head for home. At least I managed to come in under 30 mins at 29.30, finishing 12th in the 5km and second woman. Clearly, not a very big field and it was the 5km walk I was running in! Mr RA also did the 5km and came second in 22.58; not bad for someone who has only run twice this year!
Then it was time to wait for the half marathoners to arrive. We saw Barry Keen win, and Andrew Knox came second. At that stage I thought it might be a tough out there as Knoxie finished in 71 mins when I think he was aiming for 68 mins. By now the rain had gone and it was blazing sunshine, and so very humid. I was very glad I hadn't attempted the 10km as I would definitely be walking by now!
Mr lulu came into view and he didn't look happy, finishing in 91.30 which is close to being his slowest ever half time. He said the hills were a lot worse than they looked in the car and that they, and the heat, just started sapping his energy after the turnaround.
We then waited for RA to appear. She had also found the hills and heat hard to deal with so didn't achieve her goal time, but she showed that she could tough it out in those conditions. Next time, you'll get your goal RA! We hung around for some of the prize giving before heading back to the motel, showering and heading back to Sydney via a quick lunch at the Bathhurst bakery.
A great weekend with great company, food and wine. We didn't break any PBs but at least we had fun! Overall the event was well organised but it definitely needs to be started at least an hour earlier if they don't want people keeling over with heat exhaustion. The ambos were called to cart one poor person off and I think they were lucky that there weren't more. By the time we left town the temperature was about 35 degrees.
posted by Lulu @ 9:11 AM
5 Comments:
Woohoo!!! Congrats on the podium finish Lulu. Did you win anything?
yay!! 2nd is ace! it sounded like a hard day at the office out there - I can't say I was too sad to miss it. It was hot enough in Sydney! See you soon!
Well done - 2nd woman! Doesn't matter how big the field was. Any bling? More importantly, how have you pulled up?
Sounded like a great trip to the country.
Don't knock second... :-)
Gnome
Well done Lulu! 2nd is great, and I bet plenty of others were running.
Sounds grueling for the half in that heat. They need a 7 or 7.30am start next year.
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