2 Minutes and 53 Seconds to Spare

On 20/11/2022 I finished the world's toughest half marathon the Point 2 Pinnacle. In 2019 I ran the 10 kms in the Melbourne Marathon. I downloaded the couch to 10 km on my mobile, I trained hard I finished! In 2020 I set myself a new goal to compete the Point 2 Pinnacle. Then COVID happened. I bided my time, I registered for the 2021 Point 2 Pinnacle but due border closures I had to withdraw. I determined that 2022 was the year I was going to be year. Then in January I contacted COVID.

Before COVID, I was exercising 5 - 6 times a week for up to an hour. After COVID I was only exercising 3 - 4 times a week for only 25 - 30 minutes. I took nearly 6 months to get back my pre-COVID routine of 5 times a week for 40 - 50 minutes.

I registered for the event in August. I began to train. I also decided to register for Stride4stroke.

In the weeks leading up the point 2 pinnacle, I was walking on treadmill every morning before work and slowly increasing the incline. I was going long on the weekends. On the 2nd of October I walked the 10K in the Melbourne Marathon. The weekend before I went for 18 kilometre walk. I knew I would make the distance, but within time frame of 4 hours and 40 minutes I wasn’t so sure.

I arrived in Hobart on the Friday, along with my husband Stewart and my parents. We couldn’t see the top of Mt Wellington, it covered by clouds. My dad, “Do want drive up the mountain and see what in in for for?” I said resounding “NO”.

On the Saturday, we could see the top of Mt Wellington. I thought to myself, “F#*%”.

The day had arrived. I was going to conquer Mt Wellington, come he’ll or high water! Stewart dropped me off at race start, Wrest Point Casino. I had arranged bus tickets for Stewart, Mum and Dad to meet at top. Before the start of race I had tears in my eyes. I couldn’t believe I was there at the start of Point 2 Pinnacle, 3 years I’ve been waiting, I was thinking to myself “What have done? Crazy fool!”

The race started a 7 o’clock. I was determined to make before the cut off. I had my Fitbit on, the spilt time l had to do was under 13 minutes and 20 seconds. I did the first 10k in 1 hour and 50 minutes. I was on track walk the 21.1k in just under 4 hours. Then my back seized up with 8kms to go!

I was hunched over for the 8kms. If stopped, I would have started again! I had keep going. A couple of times the SES volunteers asked “Are you okay? Do you want a lift?” I replied “No thank you, I’ll be okay.”

I walked last 11.1kms in 2 hours, 47 minutes and 7 seconds, l finished the world’s toughest half marathon with 2 minutes and 53 seconds to spare! It was most mentally and physically demanding undertaking that I had ever done. I cried, I put myself down, I cheered myself on. It was rollercoaster! They announced my name as I crossed the finish line. I was so proud of what I had achieved. I hugged my parents at finish line. Stewart was handing me a coat! It was 5 degrees at top Mt Wellington feels like temperature was about 1degrees.

I raised $1559 for Stride4Stroke, 27 out 30 days active, 1837 minutes logged and a total of 161 kms.

It has 4 1/2 years I survived my stroke. There have many lessons along the way, set small goals to get the big goals. Take opportunities to tell your story and never give up!