13/10 Focus Melbourne Half Marathon and PB! 21 days to go.

After a terrible sleep, I was determined not to be beaten by mind, lungs or legs today. Weather report was not amazing but the rain held off until about 18.5 kms and then provided enough moisture to wet the lungs a bit and give me the air I needed to keep going fast. At the start, I moved up to the front amongst the 2 hour finishers and kept left to get over the line early. I just decided to keep up with everyone (excluding Kenyans and Ethiopians). Had a Gu Peanut Butter Gel on the start line and then took gels every 3.5 kms after the 4 km mark. Drank at the drink stations. Ran the whole damn way. No Galloway- just a gallop. The Barack Bridge is just a bitch at 19.5 kms. Uphill and may as well be a mountain at that point but I didn't stop and kept the 7:35 pace up. The run in to the MCG was fabulous but I was spent and totally out of air. However a PB and course record for me was the motivation to leg it and breathe later. Time of 2:47:34. 19 mins faster than last year, 17 mins faster than 2011 and 7 Mins off my Half Marathon PB done in Clare in April 2012 when I was marathon fit for Paris.

A 2 day massive carb load with juice, Gatorade, scones, noodles, pancakes, gnocchi served me well. 

Had drunk beetroot juice morning and night since Tuesday night. Cherry juice in the mix as well. 

An amazing day all around in the black runners.