I thoroughly enjoyed the gig (apart from the dreadful chlorinated water taste). It was heaps fun chatting to my partner and randoms on the bus (i.e. the group that follows the pacer) the entire way and encouraging people along. It's strange to look back now, how 2 hour half marathon is now a cake walk, or in runner's talk, "recovery run". Some googling showed that only some 17% of females and around 40% of blokes do under 2 hours*.
On that note I realised I have came such a long way since I started running in races...2005 maybe? or maybe it was 2003 when I started... I remember I can barely run from one light pole to a light pole, let alone a half marathon/marathon. I remembered I was encouraged along in my first half marathon...many years ago, by an elderly lady who saw my gait reduced to a walk.
And now I am pacing a half marathon. Under 2 hours. Running like the wind. With ease. Like a gazelle.
Towards the finish line, I saw my bus and their suffering faces. And I said:
"the finish line is just around the corner, 250 meters away. Don't give up now. You are so close!"
Their faces lighten up, suffering became hope and excitement and later...relief. It was a joy to see people crossing the finish line and achieving their goals.
*just google - I really don't know the source/reference...
