Christchurch Marathon

This week it was all about building up and executing the Christchurch Marathon. After 18.5km push on Wednesday, Thursday was a quick 6km rowing erg, Friday push with Yvonne was 13.5km easy pace and then on Saturday registration in Christchurch and a quiet push along some of the paths in Hagley Park to be used on Sunday. I felt pretty good on the Saturday night although my sleep recently hasn't been good and Saturday night was no better. 

It was an early start this morning with the alarm going off at 4:20am. I needed to complete my ablutions which can take some time and also I needed my cup of tea. I even managed to get WORDLE sorted while I drank my tea. Yvonne got up a bit later and we were away just after 5:30. With an easy drive to Christchurch we negotiated our way through the road blocks and got parked up in the Arts Centre. It took quite a while putting the racing chair together and getting me sort out, after a short push I was at the front of the starting line with 2 other guys in there day wheelchairs with a freewheel on their footplates.  

Data from my Smart Watch

The race went pretty well, the course was just over 10km, therefore I had to complete 2 laps. Us wheelchair athletes start one minute ahead of the runners. I managed to do a couple of kilometres before the first of the runners went past me. The event includes a 10km race and these guys were flying. I tried my best to stay with some of these runners. I started to yoyo with some them with me slowing down on turns and then catching up on straight sections of road. The course include a heap of corners and difficult sections including short passages on grass and some footpath ramps to go through. Some bridges presented short up hills that slowed my progress along with some difficult road surfaces. On the second lap I started to slow a bit but still gave it my best. The feature of the second lap was trying to make your way through all the walkers who in some parts virtually blocked my way. The course could have been more wheelchair friendly but it was still great to compete with all these other athletes. 

Terry is Finished

My aim was to go under 80 minutes, I ended up with 84:40. I got this time from a photo taken by Kate as I crossed the finish line. The time chip on my bib didn't work because it was on my singlet and in my crouch position the sensors didn't pick it up. Hence the website results show me with no time against my name, a DNF?? Thanks so much to Yvonne for getting me to the start line and for her shouts of encouragement during the race. Also thanks to Kate for her support, it was great to have you at the finish.