KELLIE Mentha set herself two goals at the start of the year — to run a half-marathon in under two hours and clock up 1000 kilometres.
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But not even when she committed herself to the lofty ambitions did the Warrnambool mother-of-three genuinely believe she would tick both goals.
Mentha, 46, will be among 250 competitors contesting the Crater 2 Coast Half Marathon from Koroit to Warrnambool tomorrow.
She will also run the half-marathon as part of the Melbourne Marathon Festival in October and has managed 915 kilometres in nine months.
“I’ve been really surprised at how consistent I’ve been by having that goal in the back of the mind the whole time,” she said.
“I kept thinking 1000 kilometres, that’s ridiculous. Last year I ran around 600 and I thought that was fantastic.
“To think I could do 1000, I thought it would be really challenging. And it has been really challenging but it’s been enjoyable.”
Mentha, in her first year as a Warrnambool Athletics Club member, took up running about two years ago. She was a regular in the gym and cycled a bit before having children but soon found herself braving the dawn to pound the pavement.
“I started doing the couch-to-five-kilometres program: you build up over a few weeks. I got to five kilometres and haven’t stopped,” she said.
Her best effort at the start of the year was 10 kilometres. They’re now her short runs, with her longest runs closing in on 20 kilometres.
Mentha said she would attempt to keep herself calm during the first 10 kilometres tomorrow in the hope of finishing strongly.
“I’m going to follow John Keats’ quote and that’s ‘there should be no heroes in the first half and no wimps in the second half,” she said.
“I’m interpreting that as I’m going to run within myself for the first half, not be concerned about trying to keep up with anyone.
“I want to make sure I set myself up really well, particularly in that first six kilometres. The tough bit in the course will be the section along the old highway from Illowa to Rundell’s (Mahogany Trail Rides), that’s quite hilly.
“Then it’ll be a matter of settling in and getting through the second half. I’d love to run it in under two hours.”
The Crater 2 Coast Half Marathon starts at Koroit’s civic green and follows the rail trail to Jetty Flat. Walkers start at 8am and runners set off at 9am.
Warrnambool Athletics Club will run buses from Jetty Flat to the start line, leaving at 7am and 8am.
afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au
