Exhaustion & Pride at the Cirty2Surf

This is the story of six cardio-challenged friends pushing their legs to the very limit on a long and arduous journey to the beach. Okay, so it wasn’t that dramatic. But that was pretty much our City2Surf experience last Sunday.

Let me just give you some context so when I tell you how long it took us to finish, you don’t freak out like everyone else. My version of exercise is yoga, or a short walk to a big lunch. Before the race, when people asked us enthusiastically if we were ready, Anth and I almost didn’t have the heart to tell them that we literally hadn’t prepared in any way besides buying coloured zinc and hairspray. Our group was in a similar boat, plus we were the type of people who liked to eat, talk, sing and take toilet breaks. Lots of them.

So it’ll come as no surprise that it took us three and a half hours to complete the course. Put into perspective, the fastest time was a mere forty-two minutes, and some of our other friends power walked it in an hour and a half. Also, at one stage, two old ladies with canes were beating us (we actually were mortified when we realised this and really picked up the pace).

That being said, it was one of the most fun and challenging experiences of my life. We alternated between walking, jogging, skipping, strolling and dancing along with the sideline entertainment. I stopped to take photos a hundred times (compulsory for this blog post). We found flaws in the giant Double Bay mansions, so we would feel better about never being able to afford them (residents are now aware that their houses are “too cylindrical”, “too brick-y” or my personal favourite “just too nice!”)

Most of all, we realised how beautiful Sydney truly is. The sandstone buildings, the gorgeous still blue water of Rose Bay, the quiet, leafy streets of double Bay, the iconic-for-a-reason Bondi Beach and the ever-present hazy view of the Centrepoint poking out of the city skyline. 

After the race, we were completely out of it to the point where all we could think about was food. So we treated ourselves to a feast of fish and chips and burgers, and went and got the obligatory celebratory Messina scoop. Although we were aching all over and falling asleep on the bus, we felt a wave of pride. We may not have gotten the best time (or even an acceptable time), but we had great company, a thousand laughs and a new appreciation for our city. Plus, we had raised money for CanTeen, a charity that is close to our hearts, and that felt great.

I’m already excited for next year, and the opportunity to beat our personal best. And the old ladies with their canes.