Surprise Surprise M7 Marathon : 3.33.04

Were did that come from. No idea except perhaps that i decided in the first half k of the start that I would run one with a time that was at the upper end of what I could do rather than run well within my fitness level.

 

I started off behind the 3.45 pacer but then saw the 3.30 pace just 50 meters ahead and in a snap decision thought i would put myself behind that group and see how long I could hold. On purpose I never joined the group but stayed about 30 meters behind. By 15k I thought the pace was either a little quick or the pacer was running to have sometime in the bank. Either way I eased off and kept my pace in bewteen the 5.00 - 5.05 range. The 3.30 pace group were soon lost in the distance. I was fine with that as I was running the race how I wanted and how I felt most comfortable.

 

I reached 20k with my average pace at 5.02 per k and decided to try and maintain that for as long as I could. To my surprise the pace was being maintained through 25, 30, and 35. I fully expected after 35 k to have one of those moments when your brain without any warning decides that walking is a great option and you start walking before you have been given the chance to debate it with yourself.

 

Thankfully that did not occur and I maintained the pace to the end. I was fatigues but some how the pace was able to be maintained though off course the effort to do so was becoming greater and greater as the finish line approached.

 

Splits 1.46.17 and 1.46.47.

 

A usual week for training and then a marathon Saturday and Sunday. Aim: both under 4 hours. I will take the time in this one and not chase a time on the weekend. The weekend is all about survival.

Yes another weekend and another marathon

Nice recovery week so far. I felt good so I was out on Tuesday for 14k on some hills. Took a conservative approach on Wednesday and did not run. Lat two days have been both 19k with today much quicker than yesterday and it felt easier. I must now be recovered. Depending on how I feel tomorrow morning I may do a solid 14k.

Remember I am running through these marathons and am not tapering etc so I know I am running them fatigued but I am holding up well at the moment. 

So the M7 marathon on Sunday running along the bike path next to the motorway. Sounds ugly but really it is fine. No wimping on this one I will start off with 3.45 in mind and hope to make. Again if there is a melt down and I am much slower that is fine in the circumstances. 

By the way the tubes were taken out last Friday. Lets hope I have no more issues.

Hunter Valley Winery Marathon: 3.45.44

What more can I say but splits 1.53.xx and 1.52.xx.

Could not have run any quicker. Most surprising was the strong second half on a double loop course AND after the hard 14k run on Saturday morning. Nothing broken no twinges in fact I feel very good.

Now to think about the M7 marathon next Sunday to make 4 in 4 weekends. It would be so nice to run another 3.45. I expect I will start off with that finish time in mind.

Another Sunday approaching and another marathons to run

The week was steady for training out a few days with about 60k or running including 14k this morning. I am 'training through' all of the marathons until the end of August. That is no taper and I will run them on tired legs. I am building up for some ultra's later in the year and I need to keep the base building training going.

I cannot afford to ease off between marathons as the base will just not get built and I cannot rely on the marathon run each week. I know that the times for the marathons I run will be slow but I accept that because my main focus is the base for the ultra's. Still I hope to keep them just under 4 hours with even splits.

It is difficult to have Monday/Tuesday off and then try and knock out a couple of 14k runs and at least one 20k run and maybe a 10k in the days left. They are not quick, all being around the 5.30 per k pace but that is hard enough

Hunter Valley marathon is the 3rd in 3 weeks. .It is a double loop with a short but steep hill near the start of the loop and a very long gradual incline in the back end of the loop which can get you to walk if you give in mentally. Hopefully that does not happen and I run the whole way and just sneak in with a 3.59 again. But if it drifts out to 4.15 I will not be surprised or disappointed.

Dolls Point Marathon: 3.59.23

On Sunday Sri Chimnoy half marathon at Dolls Point for some was morphed into a marathon. 

Marathon Man Trent Morrow wanted another marathon on his way to trying to break the world record for the most marathons run in a year. So a few runners used this event to run a marathon and help Trent notch up another. I think # 74 so far this year trying to get to 160 by the end of December.
It was basically a 10k loop. We ran one loop early and one after most had finished. A great spot by the water of Botany Bay. Very pleasant conditions.

By running on Sunday I filled in a weekend. That means that I plan to run 9 marathons in 8 weeks. It is early days yet. It started last weekend at the Gold Coast and will finish with Mudgee on the 25th August.

Gold Coast Marathon: 3.41.59

Perfect conditions for the marathon maybe just a little headwind at times in the second half but that was cooling.

Not my quickest marathon but one of the most satisfying,. Why:

• Even splits;
• Holding back to 25k when the effort needed was significantly increased just to maintain the pace;
• I could not have run a better time with my present fitness and considering I do not train any longer than about 18/19k - no 30k long runs.

The preparation might have been slightly better with me trying to deal with some medical issues but that's another story. My race plan was that ate very best I might get 3.45 but in attempting that I would likely blow out by 10/15 minutes. But I was happy for the blow out to happen rather than aim for 3.55 and get it and wonder what might have been ....

So I stated off very steady but just ever so slightly quicker than an even paced 3.45 finished. But it felt comfortable but I was not sure for how long. Short report is I had splits of 1:50:56 and 1:51:03 for 3:41:59. Gotta be happy with that.

The 5k splits were all within the 25/26 minutes with no last 15k slow down.. 

After the race I went to the area for those who have run 10 plus GC marathons and had the pleasure of talking to Deek, Mona and Pat Carroll for 15 minutes or so. First class company as in regard to marathon times for Australians the order is Deek, Mona, Clayton and Pat. 

Pre Gold Coast Marathon thoughts ...

No updates for a couple of weeks. This week has been fine with training each morning and each were good sessions. The week before was wet wet and wet in Sydney so there was little opportunity run and be dry or it was just a good excuse to not run.

Also we had a few family events and those always seem to set the usual routine out. Anyway this week was back to daily running in the morning.

A few weeks ago Macleay was 3.38 and the weather was cool for the whole run. The Gold Coast Marathon is flat similar to Macleay but the weather is likely to be warmer. My training was almost non existent for a week or so and it was not at the same intensity. Conclusion 3.38 is not possible and something in the 3.50 - 3.55 is likely. I can live with that.

Additional factor for a possible meltdown over the last 12k is that this is not a focus race. That is I have trained solidly this week and have added distance to my sessions including a hard 14k this morning. No taper and I have a focus on a couple of ultra's later in the year and I want to focus on them and run through the marathons despite knowing the last bit will be a struggle. When that factor is taken into account a 4.15 is possible but I will still be okay with that.

My plan at the moment is to start off at 3.45 pace and stay with it for a long as I can. Fingers crossed.