There is something about running in a beach relay for Anglesea SLSC. Maybe it’s the history of Anglesea and those who have gone before us. Maybe it’s the uniqueness of the individuals that come together to form a team. Whatever it is, it’s a great feeling.
Today Molly, Hayley, Claire and I would start in the Open women’s event. In my first years to Aussies I ran with the likes of Elly, Hutton, Vanessa Guest, Catherine Marshall, Lucy Robinson and Em Watsford. But most inspirational of all was Nai, Naomi Symington. The biggest team player I had every worked with. A great runner, she knew how to step to run relays. She is now the president at Anglesea. The best thing was that she was here today. Originally she had decided not to come to the Aussies. In the end, she couldn’t resist and brought a last minute ticket.
The four of us warmed up together. We were a great team. We had had some setbacks throughout the season but we were here now. Our running order had changed around many times. As Mol had broken her right arm she would start and I would take the baton from her in our perfected “left handed change.” Hayley was next and Claire would bring us home. Together we made our way down the water. There was room here to practice our changes. Nai met us all there, watching on and giving us the final tips. She believed in us and I knew she wanted this as much as we did.
Collectively we had ranked out team in the top four of the competition. Considering this we were a pretty good shot at making the final. However we didn’t want to be too confident. I was particularly nervous which was a good thing. However I had to concentrate hard for the first baton change. The race was good and we had placed second. We cruised through to the final. Our changes could improve and we agreed that we would all step up the pace.
Before to long we were being called for the final. Waiting in the marshaling area, we all stood together. Last week, we trained at Anglesea beach. The weather was gloomy and we were the only ones on the beach. We had filled a jar with Anglesea beaches sand and it was in my pocket. We stood together in a circle giggling with our jar of Anglesea. A lot had happened for us all to get here as a team. This didn’t matter, it didn’t matter whom we were racing against. We just wanted to contest this final!
Running from the top lane we took up our spots. Mol and Hayley walked to the other end of the track that felt like forever. Finally Mol was in the blocks and they were away. All I could see was her charging towards me at a rate of knots! I didn’t know where the other teams were, but that didn’t matter. She hit my mark and I flew out.
What happened next can only be described as pure luck, perhaps mixed with a small amount of skill! The two or so seconds that follow felt like eternity. Meeting in the middle the baton was up, my hands were out and Mol let go. I started to accelerate but where was the baton? Normally it was secure in my hand but not this time. I didn’t freak out, I kept powering on. Naturally my arms had come crossed over my chest. I was hugging the baton. Thankfully my right hand aligned and I clasped the baton pulling it backwards with my next stride. Those who saw this told me I didn’t even break stride! For the first few steps I had felt like I had no baton. Our team had been very lucky. Racing down the track I knew we were close. The change with Hayley was seamless and my work was done.
All I could do now was cheer for Hayley. She was flying. Her change with Claire was brilliant and we were now on the home run. I couldn’t look at the other teams but I knew they were there. I knew it would be close and I knew we were in it! Claire had stepped up and she was motoring home. Every step she took she was getting closer. She crossed the line and I stood there frozen. We had done it, we were third and we had collected and Aussie medal. The feeling was wonderful.
The feeling of winning an Aussies medal came flooding back to me. Until we were all there as a team I felt like we couldn’t celebrate! Our cheer squad congratulated us as we technically dissected each part of the race. When we saw the others Mol seemed upset and apologised profusely about our change. For a moment she was unaware where we had placed. I told her it didn’t matter because we had come third. Her face lifted with confusion, excitement and almost disbelief. This was her first Aussie medal. She had done it with a broken arm! They don’t just give away Aussie medals, you have to earn them and we had. This was a wonderful moment.
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