Warwick - we did it!
What an absolutely fantastic, glorious weekend!
I got by .... with a little help from my friends...
The whole weekend was so much fun, from the time I picked Jen and Owly up from the airport on Friday afternoon to the (very sad) time when I dropped them back off at 5.30 on Monday morning.
The best part of an event like this is that it's not just about personal achievements. During the weekend I saw (and felt part of) so many amazing runs, so much friendship and so much support for everyone who took part, irrespective of their age, fitness or ability. I was there to see the winners cross the line for several races and I don't think the cheers they received were anywhere near as loud as for those of us who were last across the line.
Personally - I finally reached a goal that's been tantalizingly out of reach for a very long time. The goal may have only been to step up onto the bottom rung of a very tall ladder, but it's been frustratingly hard to achieve! The absolute best part was getting to the finish line surrounded by my family and by friends who have become so very special to me.
I have to say an enormous thanks to "Cirque’s Angels" – Jen, Owly and Hannah, who gave up their personal goals to 'run' the 5k with me at not much faster than walking speed, and especially to the lovely Jen who backed up and stuck with me through the 1500m as well. These girls took pacing duties to a totally new level. I think they got a little confused at times between the duties of a pacer and the Presidential bodyguard, but it was lovely to feel so cosseted and protected.
I'd hoped my dodgy tummy would be better in time for the 5k but it wasn't to be, so we had a few unscheduled stops by the side of the road while my stomach turned itself inside out. Thanks so much girls, it would have been very lonely by the side of that road without you. And being awarded points for artistic merit made the experience so much more rewarding!
Also, I love you dearly, but I have to say it's lucky you can run, 'cos your singing is atrocious! It wasn't so much your voices, which were lovely - but your somewhat limited reportoire, coupled with the lack of any intelligible lyrics, did let you down a bit.
Miners - thanks for your encouragement, and for coming to find us and making sure I crossed the finish line running in both events. You looked so pretty in that blouse that I couldn't help but be inspired to follow you.
Cirquelets - I won't embarrass you here, but thank you so much for always being there for me through the rough parts of this journey and for far too much other stuff to mention. Apart from your running ability - you were damn good company this weekend. It's good to see you keeping that Miners boy on his toes.
Congratulations to everyone who ran. I had the privilege of being a one-person cheersquad at the top of Killarney on Sunday and I was overawed by the strength of the runners as you all finished at the top of that mountain.
To all the other CRs that have given me so much support, I can't thank you enough for treating me like a real runner. It was so lovely to catch up with so many of you again and to know that others were there in spirit, especially Wobbly who cheered me on with a phone call at the 200 metre mark of the 5k.
Tessoooooo, Clairie, Vegie, Davo, Karisma, Run67, Chelle - I hope I haven't missed anyone. It was lovely to see you all again.
I can't wait until next year. I have some goals but it's a bit premature to announce them yet!
I got by .... with a little help from my friends...
The whole weekend was so much fun, from the time I picked Jen and Owly up from the airport on Friday afternoon to the (very sad) time when I dropped them back off at 5.30 on Monday morning.
The best part of an event like this is that it's not just about personal achievements. During the weekend I saw (and felt part of) so many amazing runs, so much friendship and so much support for everyone who took part, irrespective of their age, fitness or ability. I was there to see the winners cross the line for several races and I don't think the cheers they received were anywhere near as loud as for those of us who were last across the line.
Personally - I finally reached a goal that's been tantalizingly out of reach for a very long time. The goal may have only been to step up onto the bottom rung of a very tall ladder, but it's been frustratingly hard to achieve! The absolute best part was getting to the finish line surrounded by my family and by friends who have become so very special to me.
I have to say an enormous thanks to "Cirque’s Angels" – Jen, Owly and Hannah, who gave up their personal goals to 'run' the 5k with me at not much faster than walking speed, and especially to the lovely Jen who backed up and stuck with me through the 1500m as well. These girls took pacing duties to a totally new level. I think they got a little confused at times between the duties of a pacer and the Presidential bodyguard, but it was lovely to feel so cosseted and protected.
I'd hoped my dodgy tummy would be better in time for the 5k but it wasn't to be, so we had a few unscheduled stops by the side of the road while my stomach turned itself inside out. Thanks so much girls, it would have been very lonely by the side of that road without you. And being awarded points for artistic merit made the experience so much more rewarding!
Also, I love you dearly, but I have to say it's lucky you can run, 'cos your singing is atrocious! It wasn't so much your voices, which were lovely - but your somewhat limited reportoire, coupled with the lack of any intelligible lyrics, did let you down a bit.
Miners - thanks for your encouragement, and for coming to find us and making sure I crossed the finish line running in both events. You looked so pretty in that blouse that I couldn't help but be inspired to follow you.
Cirquelets - I won't embarrass you here, but thank you so much for always being there for me through the rough parts of this journey and for far too much other stuff to mention. Apart from your running ability - you were damn good company this weekend. It's good to see you keeping that Miners boy on his toes.
Congratulations to everyone who ran. I had the privilege of being a one-person cheersquad at the top of Killarney on Sunday and I was overawed by the strength of the runners as you all finished at the top of that mountain.
To all the other CRs that have given me so much support, I can't thank you enough for treating me like a real runner. It was so lovely to catch up with so many of you again and to know that others were there in spirit, especially Wobbly who cheered me on with a phone call at the 200 metre mark of the 5k.
Tessoooooo, Clairie, Vegie, Davo, Karisma, Run67, Chelle - I hope I haven't missed anyone. It was lovely to see you all again.
I can't wait until next year. I have some goals but it's a bit premature to announce them yet!
posted by Cirque at 8:22 pm
13 Comments:
Don't worry. I'm already working on next year's songlist ;-)
Ah Cirque, reading this has just brought the biggest smile to my face. I think the weekend has left all of us on such a high, its hard to explain just how good it was out there.
I'm looking forward to seeing what your new goals are (I like the fact that its a plural!) and I hope I can be there when you achieve them.
Can't wait to catch up again.
Awesome run Cirque! And a great report too@!! Do you think if you just pull out an Ipod at the start of the race next year the "Angels" will get offended?
so pleased that it went well and i have really enjoyed reading about the journey. now there is definitely no stopping you!!
I'm so glad it was a fabulous weekend. Just think of how good it will be next year without the nausea!
Well done to the whole family.
TA
let's hope the songlist is just that little bit longer next year (in fact, hopefully they're halfway there by GC).
Wonderful weekend Cirque - and it was wonderful to share such highs with you :)
you must be so satisfied Cirque...to set a goal and reach it is the best feeling...
well done!
Cirque, that's just the best news! Congratulations on such a huge effort...but I knew you'd do it! Your success has rounded off my weekend nicley!
As you said on my blog: what would we do without our CR friends? Let's not go there!
What a fantastic result for you!!!! You have been an inspiration to read... very impressive :-)
Good on you Cirque. A goal achieved - now for the next one!
WOoo! Go Team CR! great weekend all round :) Thankyou for making it so much fun :)
Woooohoooo Cirque - well done mate it was fantastic to hear of your great result.
So? Spill the beans!
Not only was I excited about your Warwick expedition (wish I was there), but this post:
a) you're excited to discover that the pew kneelers in Church are the perfect height for calf stretches
b) you calculate the number of verses in each hymn so that you stretch each leg equally
is an absolute gem! Can't wait to actually meet you.
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