September 2009: Taupo Here I Come
By Pam Whaanga
My experience walking my first ½ marathon was amazing. Woke up on the Saturday morning excited but a bit apprehensive about this walk I was to tackle on Sunday. With my support crew in tow we headed to Taupo to the excitement and the buzz of runners/walkers in the township of Taupo.
As the day went on it got wet and wild and my thoughts were if this keeps up on Sunday this might be an excuse to pull out. Had a good time shopping eating and having dinner out with the rest of the Run Walk Hawke’s Bay people.
Back to the motel and an early night I thought. I tossed and turned with the thought of the half marathon on my mind. Dawn came quickly, out of bed to draw the curtains to find the stars were out and no rain. Breakfast came and went and by this time my nerves had set in.
8am down to the start we went and joined the hundreds of excited people about to take on this task. I had to keep telling myself that I can do this. With Lorraine and our support crew on a vehicle Sherry, Eugene, Jan and the rest of the Run Walk HB at the start we were given our instructions and bang we were off.
With Pete and Maryanne (first timer as well) heading the charge I tried to keep them in my sights and focus my mind on heading down to the airport, with encouragement coming from the support vehicle, other club members and my walking companions Sherry Jan and Eugene along the way. My first 10k seemed to be going as planned. As we neared the paddock (which was never ending) I felt my calf muscle twitch. The breeze along the lake front was chilling and my support crew was still there for me popping up at any chance that they had and at any break in between houses and trees. In a clearing I was surprised to see my brother and sister in law standing by Ann and Lorraine. My emotions were really going and then my calf muscle just told me it had enough. With support from Sherry, Jan and Lorraine who had stuck with me from the start and about 2ks left to walk, I thought I aren’t pulling out now.
A bit of a stop and a rub of the calf and lots of water to drink (thanks to “Sherry”) I battled on to climb the final hill. I put my head down still with encouragement from my team and started to climb. I looked up to see Pete coming down the hill to help encourage me to the finish line. Legs cramping, body sore and adrenaline running at a high I climbed the top and walked to the finish line with my supporters behind me and the group of run walk HB people cheering me on.
What an experience, a great big thanks to those supporters who gave me a helping hand to reach my very first half marathon.
