Today we rose early, the entire team would be racing today as we had relays, sprints and some flags. The team walked down to the warm up area together. This was a great feeling. This team was amazing one that has grown so much in the last few years. I was so excited to be surrounded by these wonderful people.
We warmed up together and felt invincible. After a few laps of the park Lloyd – the beach team captain gathered us together. He reminded us what we were doing here and more importantly where we had come from. This mini pep talk would get us going. The energy this team was generating fuelled my excitement.
First up were the sprint semis finals. I didn’t want to know where I was and who was in my race. The marshal called me to heat 1, lane 1. I couldn’t have wished for anything better. Not having to hear or see who would be in my race. Again the hood went on and I focused on my lane. All I could see at the end of my lane was the number one on the gates. The words “gold” (as in gold coast) were on the sponsors banner ahead of me. This worked for me. Adrenaline was racing and energy levels were high. The nerves ran around my body, the atmosphere was electric. Settling into the blocks and calming my nerves just enough was easy. The gun blasted, I powered out and I felt amazing. What was happening, I was winning? I felt like I was floating. I had that feeling I love, of running fast. Lost in the moment. Relaxed in the rhythm and the pace. Hair flying behind you and your face is cold.
When I crossed the line something inside me smiled. Looking over to my support crew on the fence, I was in shock. Where had I pulled that run from? I should have remembered my reputation in semi finals. Historically it’s normally my best performances at Aussies. I couldn’t believe what I had just done. Right now, I was a finalist in the Open Women’s Beach Spring for 2011. Incredible!
After the semi it was a nervous wait for the final. All other finals had been run but due to the TV coverage there was time delay for open events. The feeling of making an Aussie final is second to none. Waiting in the empty arena they called us to the line. The camera panned passed and I smiled, excited just to be here. This was cool! I’m on TV!
Silence fell over the beach and all I could hear was the thudding music building the anticipation. This was kind of scary. Not a sound and we were on our marks. As the gun blast the crowd roared. Screaming and cheering was all I could hear and I belted down the track. A frightening yet exciting experience. Crossing the line in eight place, the trill of running in the final was enough. I nearly hadn’t entered the race and this time last year I couldn’t event walk! This was huge!
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