Reflections and the future

It's not my usual to reflect too much on the past year but sitting on 99 marathons I thought I might indulge myself.

My initial impression of 2009 and the 12 marathons was one of disappointment but that might be a bit tough in the circumstances. I was training well for Canberra and then a stress fracture in late December stopped any running for 8 weeks and despite an effort to 'catch up', being ill the night before and missing the start all resulted in a 3.17 gun time. I didn't run over the timing mat when I started.

In mid June I managed a 3.06 and McLeay River and thought the best was to come. However an ankle injury before Gold Coast interfered with the preparation and the run and a slow run resulted. After that I tend to move away from speed and focus much more endurance for the ultra's later in the year. That and the persist ant ankle injury resulted in some very average and quite frankly disappointing times.

The injury persisted and the time remained disappointing all through the second half of the year with a 3.27 at Melbourne. After Melbourne I think I now have had the cause of the problem accurately diagnosed and treatment is progressing with what will eventually be a full recovery to injury free running.

I did get one monkey off my back in September by finishing the Glasshouse 100 miles without getting lost this year. It was never going to be fast with the ankle and I was just pleased and relived to have not become last and to finish under the cut off. Getting that finishers medal was such a relief. It is always a pleasure to come back a finish off uncompleted business. That year wait is never easy.

The future:

Well off course GNW 100 in a few weeks. This event always gets me excited and I am looking forward to it perhaps as the highlight of the running year for me. On reflection there really has been no other memorable running experiences for me so far this year. As usual the only aim is to finish in about 34 hours 45 minutes. Bring it on I say !!!!

I was seriously thinking about C2K and have a crew. I am giving that a serious thought as I just cannot see that being done and the fully recovering to be able to have a full 16 weeks proper training for Canberra and Gold Coast later in the year. Yeah you say there is time and I say yest true but not enough to train up fully. At the moment I think I will be a DNS.

I have a young running buddy who I have run quite a few marathons with this year and have been delighted to see his PB improve by about 20 minutes. He has paid me the greatest complement by asking me to guide him in his training for Canberra. I plan to do will enjoy the challenge but I think I would enjoy joining him in the preparation more that I would gain from the satisfaction of running to the top of Kozi. I think I would enjoy the 4/5 months of solid training with all the focus being on Canberra and then on the day the tension of the run not knowing if that sub 3 will come or not. I think that is the thrill I will now look to and leave C2K until another year.

And next year in June I turn 60. That is not pleasant as no one wants to get old particularly when you are old and getting older. However if I continue to put running challenges in front of me and do my best to meet them, irrespective of whether they are meet or not I might just feel much younger at heart. That is never let the calender age control you thoughts and actions - do what you feel like and you might just feel much younger that you actually are.

I hope next years 60 is the new 40 well 50 at worst.

Melbourne Marathon : 3.27.35

Well I didn't start with the 3.15 group as I reflected and thought that was not achievable. I had however said I thought 3.20 - 3.30 was the likely finish time. So I decided that despite the weather forcasting mid to high 20's that I woul drun at the edge on 3.20 pace until at least halfway and see what I felt like then.

I got to halfway in 1.40.40 and that was just about in pace. I felt good and thought I had a reasonable chance of maintaining that pace or close to it to the finish. However the cloud cover had gone, it was getting warn and a strong wind was up and in my face. It was a strength run from 24k to 35k into the wind.

I pushed on but the k's quickly turned from 4.40's to 5.10's but I was able with an increased effort to maintain that pace. Going up St Kilda Road was out of the wind and into the shade but it is a cruel 4k slog up hill.

I managed solid 1.46 return half and was pleased that I did not bled more time and felt strong all the way but fatigued in the last few k's. Not as fast as the last few Melbourne's but about where I thought I would be when all year I have been slower than last years times.

Pre Melbourne Marathon thoughts

Despite this being #99 I am very excited about running it and already have some pre-race butterflies. I am sure that is because I want this one to be quick(relative speaking) and so am mentally preparing for the pain that will occur.

Also I think I am excited because it is the last marathon for me for the year - how quick has the year gone since the Canberra Marathon when I missed the start and was not well. It does not seen like this is the 12th for the year but then again most have been slow and maybe for that reason I have not had any really satisfying marathon.

I am also excited because after this one I will have no more until #100 and I will kind of enjoy being on #99 for the longest break of the year.

I am very tempted to start with the 3.15 group and hope I do not fade behind the 3.30 group.

Easy around the Bay

Just to confirm everthing is okay. Easy with 4k @ 4.30 just to sweep the cobwebs out. Then enjoyed some stretching while watching the day move from grey, pink and then sunshine. Just a wonderful relaxing way to start the day.

No run - taper

I am getting serious for this one and tapered for another day. Respect the distance of the marathon.

No run : Taper

Despite my thoughts about training I decided overnight I might try and put myself in a position to run a reasonable marathon on Sunday. So a little rest was given in the hope that my best running this week will be Sunday and not in training before Sunday.

Bay 31.35 @ 4.32

Was going to do 2 laps but being a taper week I reconsidered did 1 firm lap instead. I will probably to 2 tomorrow but up in the 33's then rest Thursday, another 1 lap on Friday and rest on Saturday.

Bay TT: 31.04 @ 4.26

Yesterday was a firm day so I was not going to be fresh for a TT today but I needed to do one to work out just where my fitness level is at the moment. I want to set a realistic race plan for Melbourne. Based on today I would expect to run between 3.20 - 3.30. The weather temperature and wind will have great deal to do with the final time. I really think 3.30 is more likely as I do not want to smash myself and I want to continue training as soon after the marathon as possible.

Sunday: 2 Bay @ 4.46

Same theory. Dam I need to remember to put the HR on to know what is really happening.

Saturday: No run

Friday: 2 x Bay @ 4.42

I am just pushing the aerobic threshold down (I hope) by some firm laps that are not too long for a taper before the marathon next Sunday. Even laps 32.36 + 33.13. I need to put on the HR moniter to really see if the threshold is comomng down but that woul donly show over a long period of time.

Weeks report : 02.10.08

Over the last few days it certainly feels like summer is here. The weather early has a very pleasant little chill but that soon goes as the sun peeps over the horizon. The mornings around the Bay have just been picture perfect and tempt me each day to get out and enjoy it even if the body is not really willing at the start.

The week in review :

Saturday: Fitzroy Falls Marathon 4.17.41
Very disappointed with the result but then again I probably had and expectation of under 4 that was not gong to be achieved with the recent running taken into account and the weather. One thing I took from it was that as it got very ugly after 30k I managed to run the lot, a bit slow but mentally I just kept driving the body on this occasion the mind was able to control what the body did.

I should say that this was my 98th marathon. Only 7 have been over 4 hours and 4 of those have been at this marathon. I think that is because it is always run the week following a marathon, the course is not that easy and the weather can be a huge factor.

Sunday: No run

Monday: No run

Tuesday:
Was tempted to enjoy the just perfect weather and so went out intending to just have a pleasant walk. But felt very good so went for 6k @ 4.25 per k. It felt firm but manageable - that just should not happen 3 days after a marathon.

Wednesday:
Meet up with JD for a lap. We have done this so many times but I always enjoy his company. A slick 32.36 @ 4.40 and I am sure we both could have gone faster but we will leave that for another day.

Thursday:
I am not sure what I should be doing at the moment - recovery from FF Marathon, a taper for the Melbourne Marathon in a week or so or just some long slow stuff for GNW. Today I thought 2 solid laps of the Bay would be good although I was not sure where it fitted into the picture. Managed 33.21 + 33.12 @ 4.46 per k. It felt like I could have done that for much longer. I think it will do a benefit for Melbourne and maybe I will get that under 3.30 for a nice but not exciting time for the last marathon of the year.