Belinda Nowland

I joined to run a half marathon and raise money for a charity. I am doing both, but both are a lot harder than I expected. I'm learning a great deal. Although I dread running around in circles (around the track) and the cold, and the wind and the rain where the boys try to mow you down beating their competition, it’s a great feeling when you finish and turn the heaters up in your car on the way home.
Funnily enough I have met some good people - like the lady volunteering to train us is a personal instructor who does iron man as a hobby, and this year she is sailing the Sydney to Hobart as something different. She gets up at 2:30 to eat porridge with water (not milk) before iron man. I don’t think I'm that dedicated yet. She likes taking caffeine pills every 45 mins in a race as it gives her energy, and it also gives her something to do during her many hour races...
There is the other personal trainer who is German and a masseuse and shaves his legs even though he is a marathoner. I'm not sure why. I have trailed behind his very muscular calves up hills all over Edgecliff. He tells me I don’t think light enough thoughts and that one day I will enjoy hills. He also tells me his heart rate can get up to 220bpm. I don’t like mine over 145.
Pros and cons, scary parts and good parts. I think its definitely worth it, and hopefully we might meet one of the scientists we sponsor through our freddos, singles nights and jelly wrestling competitions.

Update: 25/08/08 This Saturday we went out thinking we were going to run 16 km but ended up running 17.75km. In the rain. We had good support all the way, but no calves to watch. We ended up taking Gu and water at the half way mark. I actually think the Can Too program and the training is now starting to pay off - I certainly have never been able to get this far training by myself. Next week is 20km. I'm trying not to think about it......