Lacing up her trainers again
Not one to shy away from a challenge, Janette Beckett is hitting the pavement with a vengeance ahead of next month’s Round the Bays in Wellington.
Despite coming in last place, or 1681st, in last year’s half marathon distance, Beckett is ready to do it all over again, with her only competition coming in the form of beating her previous time.
‘‘I’ve stepped up my training a lot. I used to walk three days a week now I usually do five days but I definitely take my rest days very seriously.’’
Beckett, who competes in the women’s 50-59 division, first entered the Wellington event in 2013 taking on the 6.5km distance.
She has been a fixture on the course since, gradually progressing through the distances on offer.
‘‘I’ve done two 6.5km, a 10km in 2015 and last year was my first half,’’ Beckett says.
The half marathon distance – 21km – proved a challenge with knee pain making the final few kilometres less than pleasant
‘‘I was crying when I crossed the finish line but it was mostly just because I knew I had done it, it was a combination of relief and pride.
‘‘I didn’t even realise who was giving me my medal until a friend told me afterwards it was the Cigna CEO [Lance Walker].’’
Beckett says she’s confident in shaving a significant amount off her time of 4:12:38.
‘‘I am slow, I admit that, but I’m only competing against myself.’’
In preparation for that, Beckett is doing all she can training-wise, participating in weekly park run events in Lower Hutt, along with her very supportive husband.
‘‘We go out every Saturday and once he has crossed the finish line, he will then come back and find me.’’
While Beckett doesn’t consider herself inspirational, she says anyone thinking about signing up should ‘‘go for it’’, like she has.
‘‘It’s totally do-able for anybody, truly.’’
While her focus, for now, is Round the Bays, Beckett is also planning on competing in the upcoming Wellington Marathon, taking on the full 42km distance.
‘‘It’s more mental than anything so I’m pretty keen to do it,’’ she says.
"I am slow, I admit that, but I'm only competing against myself."
Janette Beckett