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Kelly’s ‘Meaning of Life’ Marathon

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A marathon is HUGE! So when Kelly Therkelsen set her sights on the Melbourne Marathon, she knew she was in for a big journey…

 

I joined Beauty of Exercise back in April 2015 (after seeing them in force at the Sun Run in Feb). The BEXI group had just started training for the Gold Coast Half-Marathon, which I soon committed to. Training for me was up and down – a combination of work pressures, bad eating and illness. My race was disappointing (2:06), but that was enough to spur me on! I knew I had it in me to do better, so I committed to training for a full marathon and decided to make drastic improvements to my self-discipline.

Family and friends rallied around me to support me with the kids, I ditched the processed foods and started making all my own healthy meals (thanks to the help of a thermo!)

Training went well and I followed my training plan religiously. Throughout the 12 week program, I only missed 1 x running session and 1 x strength training session.

The weeks progressed fast and soon it was race day! I woke up just before my alarm at 4.30am, followed my normal breakfast routine and was then picked up by a driver. (I was paranoid about missing the race or turning up stressed.)

The intensity of it all was overwhelming. I had a little moment of being sick and had a little cry. This helped ease the pressure and make me feel much better. By the time I got to the start line I felt unusually relaxed, I just kept telling myself that I just had to run at a 6:00min pace – easy!

At 16km I finally found my groove and noticed the groups had spread out and people started chatting amongst themselves. I was pretty happy. Around 32km I noticed a lot of people slowing down and walking – that made me feel even stronger. I thought maybe the wall had eluded me.

My plan was to pick up the pace at 40km and cruise into the MCG. But the race had other ideas! The last 2km really put me to the test. Every step hurt. I could not wait to finish and just lie down on the ground.

When we rounded into the MCG, I tried to kick in and sprint, but had nothing in the tank! I heard my brother-in-law cheering for me with 100m to go – somehow (not sure how?!), I managed to pick up the pace and sprint to the finish with a pace of 4.07. I crossed the finished line, Inger grabbed me and I held onto her for dear life. I was so happy to see her!

I am really happy with what I achieved on the day. I could not have given any more or done any more preparation for it. I can honestly say that throughout the hardest moments I kept true to my mantra of ‘if you’re not going to die, you have enough to keep running, just keep moving forward’. I gave every ounce of myself to sprint across the finish line. I finished knowing utter and complete physical exhaustion and I loved it!

I am now itching to get back to improve my time. My new life mantra (which I picked up from all my book reading) is: ‘What can I do today to improve on yesterday?’, and to take every opportunity you can to achieve your goals because you never know if you’ll get another.

After speaking to my husband and Debbie about my experience, I have likened this whole process to going through labour and giving birth. I love feeling the extremes in life, it really makes you feel alive. Although it pains me to say this, but I would put my marathon experience on par with the mental stamina you need to get through labour and the pure joy you have when you cross the line. My husband said to me on Monday night when I got home ‘it’s like you have had an awakening and discovered the meaning of life’. I know it sounds cheesy, but in a way I feel like I have.

Click here to read Kelly’s full story of her marathon journey.

Kelly Therkelsen
4.18 Marathoner

Melbourne Marathon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Huge congratulations to Kelly on an absolutely awesome marathon. It was close to text book perfect! You’re an inspiration to all of us.

Debbie Solms
Run Coach

Junior BEXI shines at Canberra

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It was indeed a family-affair at the recent Australian Running Festival on 11/12 April. Dad Shawn running the marathon; twin-sister Kristine running the half-marathon; and mum Suzanne & son Austin (6yrs) running the 5km. An awesome event to do as a family. Young Austin had the time of his life – proving that you’re never to young to follow in your parents’ footsteps. We’re so proud of our Junior BEXI superstar.

Here’s how Mum Suzanne captured the moment…

Austin chose to run the 5km to participate in Canberra alongside his dad … and also to get a well earned running medal!

Austin and I trained for a couple of months leading up to the event, gradually increasing our distance.  He complained a bit, but he didn’t give up…and he got better and better each run.

With race day upon us, our goal was to run as much of the race as possible and to keep positive.  My target was to cross the finish line under 45 mins. Austin was very excited and took off from the start.  He ran a very consistent first km in 6.45 – not a bad pace.

We walked up the hill to Parliament House and then sprinted down the hill, approaching the last km of the race.  A few tears came at this point, but with the promise of a Rainbow Paddle Pop at the finish line, Austin found his second wind and ran home strongly.  He sprinted the final straight to the finish line and was thrilled to collect his medal!

Shawn and I are both so proud of Austin.  Our Junior BEXI is already chasing that elusive PB – next stop is the 4km Mothers Day Classic in May.

Suzanne Elliott
Mum to Junior BEXI | BEXI Half-Marathoner, April 2015

Camaraderie at the Fore

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The Oxford English Dictionary defines Camaraderie as ‘the mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together’.

That is exactly what our community at Beauty of Exercise (BEXI) is all about. We support each other through the lo’s, celebrate the hi’s… or just have a good laugh with each other.  

A perfect example was at our interval training session earlier in the week. We had three groups training together – 1) Run-FIT; 2) Race-FIT half-marathoners; and  3) Race-FIT marathoners. It was a very tough session – 2km | 1.5km | 1km | 800m – all at fast tempo paces. The final 800m rep was intended for the marathon group only.  The other two groups were gloating that they had finished and didn’t have to do another rep… until they noticed their ‘buddies’ getting ready for the last rep. Not wanting to leave them unsupported, they jumped up and rallied around them for their final 800m rep.

This truly highlighted what an awesome Beauty of Exercise community we have fostered over the past 3yrs. One which is filled with a great sense of camaraderie, team support, motivation and inspiration. Our BEXI community are always there for each other – if someone needs a buddy to run with, we are there to support them. If someone is having a bad day, we are there to lift them up. If someone  is lacking motivation, we are there to inspire them. The true spirit of our BEXI community. That’s what makes us so special. That’s what we love so much!

Debbie Solms

Debbie Solms is an accredited Personal Trainer, Run Coach and founder of Beauty of Exercise – an inspiring women’s running group on Sydney’s Northern Beaches

 

The Power of Setting Goals

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Why are goals so powerful? Because they give us a purpose; they help propel us forward; they help us believe in ourselves; they hold us accountable; and they help us live life to the fullest.

Three months into 2015, we are proud of the progress our Beauty of Exercise members have been making:

  • Our Run-FIT team completed their 10km Sun Run event in February – huge kudos to Amanda Green for placing 3rd in her age-group;
  • Our BEXI Trekkers completed their 55km Coastrek event last week; 
  • Our committed Race-FIT team are in serious training-mode for the marathon and half-marathon events at the Australian Running Festival in April; 
  • Our inspirational beginner runners and walkers are four weeks away from achieving their first 5km parkrun; and
  • Our fabulous beginner swimmers are gaining confidence in the water as they prepare for their Pinkie Triathlon at end-March.

Goals drive success! So if you’re looking for success, we’ve got some awesome programs planned for the upcoming autumn term:

– Gold Coast Airport Marathon (& half-marathon/10km)
– RUN BETTER Workshop
– 5km-FIT
– Walk-FIT
– Swim-FIT

Put your feet up and read about the above in our latest newsletter – http://goo.gl/Louw8x