5200 to be exact!! I was up bright and early and ready to go when Unity arrived to babysit the kidlets and Anja arrived to pick me up. I was feeling pretty good, and hoping to do a fast time. That all went out the window when we arrived at South Bank and saw the sheer number of runners. I decided that a fast time wasn’t going to happen so I figured I’d just have a nice run and enjoy the day.

I started probably towards the back of the first third of the pack, hoping to not hold up the faster runners but not be held up by slower ones. Didn’t work - the first half km was at pretty much a fast walk. I was stuck behind a couple of walkers for a bit, then there was no way through the throng. The route was quite scenic, across the Goodwill Bridge, through the Botanic Gardens, then along the path beside the river and finally back across the Victoria Bridge and back to South Bank. Many areas were narrow and slow, and there was no way of stretching out and getting a bit of speed up. After 4km the crowd spread a bit and I managed to run faster. I finished in 29 minutes and something, which was a whole lot slower than I was hoping, but I was still pretty happy with the run. My average time was a touch over 6 min/km which was okay given the crowding, and the last 3/4 km of the run was done at 4.40min/km pace, so I had plenty left in me. I finished the run really comfortably, not puffed and legs felt great, which made me confident I’d be able to do the distance faster. Anja did the 5km in 25 min and a bit, which was excellent. The race pack had a voucher for a free run with the Brisbane running group who hang out at West End. They’ve got a well marked 5km course, so might be a better opportunity to see what I can do.

Hubby finished his 6 Foot Track run in 5 hrs 28 and a bit, he was aiming for sub 5 1/2 so he was happy with that. I initially thought the race tee shirt was a gross colour - it’s a two tone lurid green - but it actually looks really good with black shorts.

So, a pretty good weekend running wise.

The kidlets wanted to go bike riding with me today, with me on my bike too. I dug out my 20 year old, grossly neglected mountain bike and pumped up the tyres, and off we went. I quite enjoyed it, I think it could be a really pleasant cross training activity. Only problem is, the dogs don’t get any exercise - I’ll still have to go for a regular fast walk.

Guinness starts his agility training on Tuesday night. I had some homework I had to teach him in preparation for the class. Have I done it? Nope. Just as well he’s a really bright dog, I’ll do it just before we go and I’m sure he’ll be fine!! A bit like doing your school homework on the bus on the way to school, eh?

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