Gold Coast Airport Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

This was my first Half Marathon and I have not run more than 18km previously so there a real 'unknown' factor that was nagging at me.
My HR was at 135 at the gun and I was nervous.
The first 5km were a struggle with so many thousands of competitors. I found it impossible to get a rythmn and I developed some shin soreness in the first 2km. I was worried that it would get worse and I spent some time walking and stretching to loosen up a bit.
By 7km I was already well behind my planned pace. I popped a gel and with the next km I was feeling much better. The next 10km were comfortable and I was heading for a 2:35 finish time - which I was not unhappy about.
At the 18km mark - at that stage my longest ever run - I began cramping in the calves. I stopped and stretched and got running again. I was feeling okay but the cramping persisted. I could only manage about 300 metres of running before I needed to walk to relieve tha cramping.
The last km was the toughest because the cramping was getting worse but I was in the home straight and my ego wouldn't let me walk in front of everyone. I finished running and ended up with a 2:44 time - inside the 3:00 hour cut-off time and a PB for me!

Hydrate more and train more.

Lots of walking and some light stretching. I didn't want to stop for fear of cramping.


This is a great event and is gaining international recognition. It is a very well run event. I will be doing it again next year.