C2S 2011

I can think of easier ways to get from the centre of Sydney out to Bondi Beach. Though today was more about having fun, reaching personal goals and sharing in a strong sense of community. So Scott and I ran. We ran our little hearts out. The morning greeted us with rain, mist and chilly temperatures. But nothing was going to dampen the enthusiasm inside of us, to just run. the. damned. race. The sight itself while we were waiting in our group to take off, was awe inspiring. Thousands and thousands of eager peeps, all willing to pound the pavement. Some for a cause, others, just because.


Our start point was particularly beautiful, with a backdrop of St Mary's Cathedral to admire. Looking ever so majestic, against the drab morning sky. We shuffled along College St, onto William St and began to seriously move. The giant Coke sign looking tiny amidst the crowd. It was tough. Painful. Long. Seemingly never ending. My fingers and hands froze as the clouds heavy with water steadily opened above us. And as we finally reached the downhill run to Bondi, I felt as though I may never take this 14km 'fun run' on again.


As we crossed the finish line and saw the "you made, made, made it!" inflatable sign, we were filled with a flood of achievement. We ached all over. Then we headed for the corporate tent on the beachfront. Our company raised funds for two incredible charities. We raised funds for two incredible charities. I ran for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation and Scott ran for the Steve Waugh Foundation. Seeing a gorgeous little girl of about 5 (a recipient of Steve's foundation), carried by her father, who was also carrying the oxygen tank she was connected to, kind of put things into perspective. Our pain may last a few hours, a couple of days at most. These little ones are suffering day in, day out. As are the women who are living with and battling ovarian cancer. One dies every 10 hours. Yes, I can think of easier ways to get from the city to Bondi, though none of them quite as rewarding as running.