Kerre Woodham’s World

I ran my first half marathon at the end of 2007 and I was hooked.  It was initially all about losing those extra few kilos after baby number three but it turned into so much more for me – I had finally found ‘my thing’.

I started to think big. Running a marathon was always one of those ‘wouldn’t that be an amazing experience’ thoughts that came and went. A  thought that became more distance with each baby that came along, but after finally closing up the baby factory and getting through the training for a half the possibility came creeping back and it was bugging me.

I only ever wanted to do one marathon and if I was going to put all that effort, time and money into training I wanted to do it big.  Visiting New York city was also on my long term wish list so it all started to materialise from there.  I have 4 years left before I turn 40, surly if I keep trying I will get in to run the New York marathon by 2011?

I figured there must be travel agents out there specialising in taking groups away to marathons all over the world and that’s when I came across Carole.  I called her in Dec 2007 asking almost jokingly if she had any spaces left for NYC marathon 2008.  No, was the short answer but there was an extremely slim chance she may receive a few extra entries in Jan.  So she took my number and I left it at that. I put it out of my mind and proceeded to enjoy the usual Xmas celebrations and indulgences.

In late January  you guessed it, I got that call from Carole. She had an extra entry but I had only 24hrs to make a decision as there were others on the waiting list.  My world went into a tailspin, talk about taking a leap of faith!  My moment of truth had arrived.

My wonderfully supportive husband and I discussed the pros and cons over a bottle of wine on a beautiful summer’s evening. Dangerous move, but hey an opportunity was knocking and I was bursting to open this door.

Next day I signed up and paid the deposit – my  journey had started.  I think I walked around in a complete daze for the 1^st week after making that commitment.  What the hell had I done?  Friends and family looked at me like I had two heads when I told them with much glee that I was going to run the New York Marathon in November.  “Why do you feel like you have to do this love?”, “You have so much on your plate with working, supporting your husband with his business and then there’s the children. We worry you will burn yourself out!”…”How are you going to do all the training when Denis is away so much?” or my Mum’s classic statement…”Sweetheart, just go out and buy yourself a flash car it will be a lot less painful and you will enjoy it so much more!”

They just didn’t get it! These comments only fuelled my desire and I became even more determined. By April I had found a great coach, mentor and friend, Ally.  Monday morning training drills with Ally and a few other great ladies from around the Hibiscus Coast at the Manly Reserve, followed by a warm up coffee at Sparks cafe throughout those dreadful winter months became a ritual I looked forward to.  I got through the training program with a few showstoppers, nothing major thank goodness.  Ally’s program had me training 5-6 days a week, mostly running of course with some cross training thrown in.  I had never been so organised (and tired) in my life!  Kerre’s book came out a couple of months after I signed up for NY and it was great validation for me, my family and friends that I was not going completely mad or suffering an early mid-life crisis.  There were other very busy women with similar and tougher commitments and life challenges getting out there and running Marathons.  Thanks Kerre – the timing of your book was perfect!

What I hadn’t encountered when I started this journey were the lifelong friendships that I was going to make this year.  For me, training for my 1^st marathon was like having my 1^st baby, easier in fact. A four and a half hour labour – in my dreams!!  The excitement & anticipation, being prepared with the right gear, the fear of the unknown, reading all the associated books out there on the subject, the outcome on race day,  wondering how the body was going to hold up and respond, the camaraderie you develop with other runners and the friendships you make when you share a lifetime experience together for the 1^st time!

Filona, my running buddy,  was running Auckland on the same day I was running New York so Ally had pretty much mirrored our programs and Wednesdays were our long run days.  I truly believe it made such a difference having a running buddy. We fuelled each other and we had some very memorable long runs together all over Auckland.  We both live on the Hibiscus Coast and there are some beautiful runs out here (lots of hills too) but running along Orewa beach in the morning when the sun is shining and the tide is out is just therapy for the soul that can’t be bought.

Needless to say New York was amazing and yes, I did it!  4hrs & 36mins.  Same day finish so I was delighted!! I hit no walls and enjoyed & savoured every moment.  Could I have pushed myself harder?  Probably. Was every step a joy?  ABSOLUTLEY, and that’s what it was all about for me. I felt so privileged and honoured to be running in such an amazing event. The memory of the spectators from all walks of life along the course cheering thousands of us on will be with me forever.  Seeing hubby Denis at mile 16 just as we came off the Queensboro bridge and rounded  into the wall of almost deafening applause and cheers from all those Manhatteners was so uplifting and got me to the end of never-ending 1^st avenue.  Crossing the finish line in Central Park was so surreal.  It was something that I had visualised in my mind for months and here I was getting that gold medal and fulfilling a lifelong dream.

My kids are so proud of me.  They are 7yrs and under so don’t understand what running a marathon is all about but they do understand that Mummy got a gold medal for running a REALLY long way in New York and I am their hero.

Well yes, it’s official – I have the bug!  There are a few of us thinking about running the Rotorua marathon in May and I have already registered interest with Carole for Paris 2010.  I am trying to talk Filona into coming with me this time so we can run across that finish line together and besides, shopping in a big city is always so much more fun with a girlfriend – right?

For any of you reading this that are running New York 2009, a word of advice.  Yes, take something to sit on at the start line as well as something to read but more importantly, take an old sleeping bag that you are happy to say goodbye to.  When you are hanging around on an island in the early morning for 4-5 hours in Autumn it can be bloody freezing!!!

May the road rise up to meet you.  May the wind be always at your back…….

Lisa x