If you had told me 2 years ago that instead of playing at Godskitchen and wondering “why on earth would you want to run around at 7am like these people” I would actually be one of those people I would have laughed at you.

But a week after I played at that event, I was talking with my housemate at the time about how I wanted to finally lose the weight I had been struggling to lose for the last 4 years.

Then I started this Tumblr.

And now, 2 years later, I feel like I am having success! I think we all know that I was nervous about today.

I was up and ready at 5am. I had a banana and some coconut water for breakfast.

We got to the run about an hour before we started. I was ready - I had my phone all ready to go, bib was on my shirt. I was pumped!

And then we got to the line, ready to go. There were people everywhere!

And then something bad happened.

Spotify died on me!

I couldn’t listen to my ultimate running playlist. I freaked out a little and then realised it was okay - I was glad that it was only music - I still had normal music sitting on my phone too.

The race started and I hit start on Nike+. I managed to do something I had never done before - I ran for the first 2km. I normally struggle to make 1! I was so pumped! I kept running and walking my way to the first drink spot 3km in and the app was telling me I was making a really good pace! I was excited! I guzzled down some water and Gatorade and kept going.

I got 5km in and I was shocked! Last week I did 5km in 38:06. Today, I did it in 33:57.

That got me fired up! The adrenaline kicked in and I picked up it a notch. I wanted to beat fitspreme’s time from last year (as we have our little running back and forth) so I kept pushing.

The last 2km got harder! I could feel my feet starting to blister and my Achilles’ tendon started playing up. I wasn’t going to give up. I kept pushing and my phone rang through my 10km time.

1:09:33.

I cut off nearly 9min of PB of 1:18:26. I was 1 second off fitspreme’s PB as well! (Personally I blame slowing down to get the free Channel 9 hat though *cough* excuse)

But it was strange. My app said 10km was done but I wasn’t at the finish line. So I used all the leftover energy I had and sprinted the extra 100m or so to that finish line!

I had finished my first race.

I could barely stand, my leg was killing and my feet were sore. But I had achieved something I had never even dreamed was possible. I had pushed myself past where I had ever been before.

I’m so proud of myself.

I love knowing I am getting healthy and have been able to push myself to do new things. And I love knowing this time, I’m not giving up. I love knowing I can run races, and I can push myself.

Thanks guys for sharing in my fitness and health journey.

I hope everyone who went today feels as proud of themselves as I do. Great work!

Now to ice this leg and hydrate. I also got sunburnt boo!

EDIT: Found out my official race time was 01:10:24.