Pages

Tuesday 8 October 2013

On Top of the Podium

Saturday was a special day! It was all the more special because after 6 months of agony and frustration I stood on the top of the podium with my Wellington Harriers team mates with a gold medal around my neck.

We had just competed in the New Zealand Road Relay Championships in the over 50's grade. The relay was an 8 person event where we ran 80 km [50 miles] from Christchurch to Akaroa and came in ahead of the rest.

Having been battered and bruised physically and mentally throughout the year, Saturday was a huge highlight. I received my medal with both a sense of pride and relief! In living memory I do not recall suffering as much as I did in this race to finish my 6.8 km [4+ miles] uphill lap.

I was lap 6 of 8 and our team was in first place when I took the baton. I have struggled to run on the flat with a groin strain for almost 6 months so the first 400 metres to the start of the hill climb was uncomfortable. When beginning the climb I began to feel a little better as uphill running requires minimal leg stride and I knew I could physically run more freely. Boy did the lungs hurt very quickly! Desperation set in too as I was passed half way up the hill and relinquished first position. With dogged determination and great mental anguish I hung on until the top, fighting the urge to walk or stop, leaving my team just 10 seconds down at the change. From there we took the lead and came out victorious.

Here are some photos of my race and medal presentation! One particular running photo taken at the very top explains what effort it took me to get to the finish line!

 
 
 
 



 
 
 
 
 




11 comments:

  1. Good for you Paul, nice to see you back in top form!

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congratulations! Quite the accomplishment.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations! You've all done a wonderful job!

    ReplyDelete
  4. WOW! You should feel very proud of yourself!
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yae, Paul!!! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. dude...what a come back eh? ha, that pic looks a bit painful...smiles.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Y'all must be bonkers :-D
    No, seriously, if such an accomplishment is what you need to feel happy and fulfilled, then I am very glad that you did so well. It is unbelievable how well you recovered from the accident, teaching everyone a lesson in determination.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Well done, Paul. You did great. A lesser man would have given in at the first hurdle.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is such wonderful news! Congratulations on coming back so magnificently from such a disheartening injury! I wish I could have been there cheering you and your mates on! Congratulations!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh well done Paul, very impressive after the setbacks you have had this year. You should be really proud of yourself. It does look like hard work to me!!

    I seem to have had a long break from blogging but I hope I am back, I do enjoy blogging. I hope you and Lea and the girls are all fine. :))

    ReplyDelete
  11. Way to go, Paul! The hardest battles are those we fight alone with ourselves. Your determination and courage shows in your photos! I cannot even imagine doing such a thing! I cannot run for medical reasons, but I can walk forever. Take care!

    ReplyDelete