I marked my return to Australia with the Newcastle hill to harbour 10k. I was very jetlagged, and it hurt a lot. But it was an extraordinary welcome to a beautiful coastal city. I didn’t know then how long I would be here for. That run was emotional.
I explained why I run these races: I run because I can.
This past weekend I ceremoniously marked my impending departure from Newcastle with another Newcastle hill to harbour 10k.
The morning started out sunny with a light breeze — it felt like it was going to warm up considerably.
I had my nice newish joggers on and the fabulous orange timing chip.
I found a use for the extra bit of elastic lace I had cut off when I fitted these laces a couple of weeks ago.
The start is by Bar Beach. It’s a pretty spectacular course following the coast line and finishing by the foreshore.
This year’s Newcastle running festival had 3500 runners entered across 1 mile, 5k, 10k, half-marathon, and marathon runs.
In the distance, up that horrible hill, are some of the half-marathoners running towards the turn around point which was our start point.
If you can make it up that hill, you’ll finish the race.
You run downhill quite a bit, which is suprisingly harder on the legs than the hils.
But oh, these views!
Along the way, you’ll have beautiful ocean views, you run through parks, by beaches, and by the foreshore including some of Newcastle’s iconic buildings.
This one was both more enjoyable than the last, and tougher.
It poured — and i mean bucketed down — rain during the last 3 kilometres.
We were sloshing in our shoes.
I was incredibly grateful I had not chosen to wear white.
This is me after the finish with my new friend — finding someone to run with is always awesome!
We really kept each other going when things were really miserable with the rain.
This is why we look like drowned rats.
What i wrote last time applied this time too:
There’s always a few tears of joy in remembering what was once thought not possible. And I allowed myself some moments during this race, particularly as I was running down hills and looking at the gorgeous landscape to reflect on the importance of being in the race of life. Sometimes it isn’t about being the fastest, it is just about being in the race at all…
So, another 10k done! Not my fastest, but close to the most enjoyable…and I met some great people along the way!
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Listening. Observing. Participating. Writing. Photographing. Reflecting.
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Anna Blanch Rabe is an Australian-born writer and photographer. She is proudly Team Rabe. Recently married, she and her husband love to cook together using fresh ingredients. More recipes can be found at Food: Nourish. You can follow her adventure on Not A Pedestrian Life, or Facebook. Quotidian Home is a place of comfort from which to show hospitality, of joining with friends for food, fun, laughter, and tears.
