Coburg King and Queen of the North

This morning we headed over to Harold Stevens Reserve in Coburg for the 2007 King and Queen of the North. I decided to do the 6km (with a 12km as well). I did two warm up laps on the track which was very nice! The race was due to start at 9am but I was registered and ready at 8.35am. There was a very small field racing - maybe 20-40 people, but that's what I expected. My goal was to get under 30 minutes and place amongst the females.

It was great at the start - I went out hard and there were people around me, but certainly not too many people. I could see the leaders for the first km, before they sped off and you could no longer see very far up the trail. It was held along the Merri Creek trail which is similar to any bike path alongside Gardiner's Creek or the Yarra so it was a lovely run. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling very well so I was kinda wishing for it to be over (just a little bit). The turnaround at the 3km mark came about quicker than I expected (at about 13 minutes 50). I was first amongst the females for the first 2-2.5km and then a lady passed me. However, she was doing the 12km, I realised as she didn't turn around at 3km. So I was in the lead, and quite comfortably. I kept looking back but could not see anyone behind me, in fact I couldn't see anyone in front of me either! I got very excited when I passed the bridge marshal at 21 minutes, as I had passed him in 5 minutes 35 at the start. I thought I was in for a 26, 27 minute race! However, I got a bit lost, there was a fork in the path and I didn't know where to go! Luckily I chose the right path, but it probably added 15-20 seconds onto my time. I didn't have a very good finish from then on, I didn't realised we had to run a lap around the track to finish and I was very confused as to where the finish line was, so I didn't have a nice sprint finish.

I finished in a time of 29.14, a bit disappointing. However, I FINISHED FIRST out of all the females, and got under 30 minutes, so I completed my two goals. I waited around a bit coz I knew I would get a trophy. Little did I realise how big the trophies would be! Bigger than any of my netball trophies! I was very embarassed when I got presented it, but I was very proud.

It was a great race, only $10 and I got a trophy! I will definitely try and do another Coburg event. So I am now the 2007 QUEEN OF THE NORTH (6km)!