Sydney Marathon : 3.31.44 yeah !!

I have run 16 Sydney Marathons and completed my 14th as Blue Line Legend (that is having run all of the Sydney marathons since the event has been run by Fairfax). And it completed my 22nd marathon for the year with just three (3) more to go to complete 25 for the year. 

I am not sure where that time came from considering the 100 miles in my legs from the weekend before. I started off with the 3.30 pacers but let them move slowly ahead at about 10k and from the on I kept my own pace and as it turned out I was not that far behind them at the end.

I ran the whole race in my own space and was happy with that. After halfway my Garmin decided to close down and so I was very much running on feel but I also had the belief I was falling further and further behind the 3.30 pace group after I lost sight of them. After 30k I had visions of the 3.45 pace group overtaking me. Clearly that did not happen . I was just too far behind the 3.30 group to catch sight along Hickson Road and give chase. If there was anything in the tank to do that. Probably not. 

Almost even paced with 1.44/1.47. Crossed the start line in 724th position and finished in 490th by steadily moving through the field. The 5k splits were a bit varied with between 24/26 minutes up to 35k and then the last 27.22 and that is where I lost the sun 3.30. 

In my preview in my last post I speculated in getting to 30k in 2.26 - 2.28 - I was there in 2.27.24. Perfect but at the time i was just running without any thought to pre set times. 

Best time since 2005 when it was 3.28. Since then except the 3.36 last year they were all run in the 3.50's because I had run the 100 miler either the week before or 2 weeks before. 

What more can I say. Run much quicker than I could have reasonably expected, almost even paced and despite having at the moment a very marathon unfriendly eating plan in place it does not seem to have been an issue and I though it would be a major issue in the ability to maintain a pace of the second half of the marathon.

Next weekend will be only the second weekend since the first week of July and Gold Coast I have not run a race. It might be nice to be home for 2 days on the weekend. But then 2 in 2 weekends with the second being the Melbourne Marathon that I have not run for a couple of years. 

Preview: Sydney Marathon

Since GH run on Thursday & Friday. It was easy and felt okay. I have no niggles or blisters. Despite this I know I have not recovered. My muscles are still damaged and a few days rest and 2 easy days is not enough.

What would I like to run on Sunday. No slower than 3.59.59 as I have not run a Sydney marathon over 4. Having said that I should have a race pace plan before I start. I will assume that 3.30 is not a remote possibility because of the miler last weekend. It might have been possible if that had not been run.

Do I think I could run a 3.3x time. Best case result. I could go on I think  it will be 3.55 after a last 12k slow down as I will start off at 3.3x pace and see how long I can hold it. That should see me at 30k in about 2.26 - 2.28. If I reach 30k in that time ALL I have to do is hold on for another 12.2k at the same pace. Very much easier to say than to do on the day.

Not really fingers crossed. What happens is not luck. It is having a realistic race plan and staying with it as long as you can and if you you can't ease of and have another race pace. I think the secret is not to hang on as long as you can if it is clear you will slow down - make the decision to slow down early instead of the body do that. I believe if that happens the overall pace will be slower than making the decision to slow down early and try and maintain that slower pace for the rest of the race.

I was reminded of this photo recently

Great North Walk 2005

I had withdrawn. Blue Dog was still in and had just left the last CP heading for Patonga. His crew thought  he might take while and so there was no hurry to leave.

Middle: Paul Arther (City to Surf winner)
Uncle Dave (Dave Criniti)

Just for the memories: My 2007 GH Report (First go at 100 miles at GH)

For what it is worth here is the report of a very disappointing result.

My preparation was as good as it could have been and I really never had an option in my mind of a DNF. Maybe foolish or maybe just wise to be positive . 

I and some others had a pleasant Friday being driven around the area by UCB and Suzanna. Thanks for that.

Powerlines now that was interesting but it was all over in about 40 minutes.

I was fine up to checkpoit 8 at about 45k although I had a slight lean and some intermitent back pain caused by the lean. Managed the two loops and only got lost one one which was my first navigtional isse for the day. The weather was warming up and the lean and pain were getting no better. The next easy section of about 20k was very difficult - the lean was more pronounced and the pain increased and did little running and was slow. From 85 to 100 I was able to run steady but with quite a bit of discomfort.

Second navigational issue was going off course in the 4k along Hamburger Hill and taking almost 1 hour instead of 30 minutes. Arrived in 14 and half hours which was much slower than expected. A quick in and out and the last 60 was started. 

Again lost direction down Hamberger Hill and again took and hour. The discomfort was increasing and it was impossible to run. So a revised finish time was set and I gritted my teeth for a loooooooooooog walk. Thoughts of Horrie last year came to my mind. I got to Checkpoint 9 managing about 5k and hour and so it was just going to be a matter of keeping going. The discomfort was manageable walking but not so running.

Blue Dog was at 9 to 'run' with me out to 10 and back. He had other things to do early in the morning and a quick calculation meant at my pace he might notget back to do them so we agreed I would continue alone. His parting last words were 'don't get lost' !!!

Steadt walking got me to 10 still with pleanty of time to finsih under 30 hours. Left 10 about 2.00am and then about 5/6k into the loop lost the course and could not find it. It was a beautiful sstary night and some pain killers I tool at 10 kicked in and I was able to run and I must have got into a trance and I thought it was said atthe race briefing there would be a chalk line across the path and I was looking for that not the white tape course markers on the trees.

A sixth sense told me I had run too far. I went back the track split and I could not rememeer the split and I had to make a choice. I did and it was the wrong one as I went up that track and could not find any makers and when comeng back I was again presented with a divided track. I thought it was were I had been before so I went left but still could not find any markers. By now I was hopelessly disorintated and lost. I just kept moving hoping to see a course maker but didn't.

About 4.15am I phone Blue Dog to tell him I was okay but lost so that there would be no panic about whether I was injured.  I just kept moving and was waiting for the sun to come up so that I could get my directions. As it turned out I had run back to the start but on the otherside of Steve Irwin Drive.

I was bitterly disappointed    but I leanrt a lot from what occured and will not make the same mistakes again. First stay alert at all tiimes and concentrate on the course would be important but I am very new at this and so I guess you have to accept that through inexperince errors will be made. I have no idea how I managed getting lost when other runners seeing the course for the first time didn't. But thats the way it happens and just reminds me that you must stay alert all of the time.

Some positives - wet and muddy shoes for 140k do not cause blisters, what I ate and drank was fine as I had no problems in that regard, running at night alone on a course you have never seen before presnents no mental barrier and for some reason the early morning tirdness did not come. 

Geart course, great aid stations, great organisation, great bunch of fellow competitors and I expect to be back next year to smash the 100miler.   

And thank you to my wonderful travelling companions Blue Dog and Bernie G. Despite saying don't come out on the course they were and doing anything they could. 

GH 100 miler : Race Report

What a great weekend on the Sunshine Coast in south eastern Queensland. The weather was just perfect maybe a touch warn for a few hours in the middle of Saturday but if you were in an exposed position a light breeze but there are not many exposed positions on the course where I was at that time. However it could have been and has been much hotter in the past.

The night was perfect. Cool but not cold and an almost full moon. In some parts that meant I could and did turn of my lights and run by moonlight. Ad then being able to seethe wonderful sky full of stars. But enough of the BOM report.

My 7th start in 8 years (missed 2012when it clashed with the Sydney marathon) The first year I was lost all night in the eastern section and got a 100k finish. Since then 6 miler finishes with this one at 27.21 just 3 minutes slower that my 2011 PB.

Before starting the race I was concerned about whether I could finish. That just shows a healthy respect for the distance and what can go wrong in 28 hours or so and also taking into account my illness that in itself is not directly impacting on my running but what might occur in the future in never far out of my thoughts. However I try to ignore them if they come along as thinking about possibilities in the future is useless. If something happens the I will deal with it then.

What I eat has changed significantly over the last few months and it is not that useful in being fueled for a marathon let alone 100 miles. That concerned me more than anything else but I did try to eat normal on Friday and was selective what I ate at the aid stations. 

I ran with a friend until 92K when her issues caused her to withdraw. I continued on alone but was very comfortable with that. Anyway I never was close to any other runner at anytime to run together. I just kept moving and watching that I was never beyond being very comfortable and easily maintainable. That really how he race went for the next 70k. Food hydration ad feet were never an issue. Same shorts and socks for the whole race, to changed on dark for something dry and warmer and they stayed until the last CP when a short sleeved top s put on for the rising temperature soon after sunrise.

Changed my shoes at 110k because they were in my drop bag. I did not need to. They were my NB road marathon shoe and were perhaps more suited to the eastern section that is very flat.The Salomon trail shoes are bit stiff to me but on the trails that are fine for me. The NB's were perfect.

I was 38th of 40 finishers. With 67 starters there was a 40% DNF that is slightly higher than the overall race's history of 35%. Perhaps arising from the high numbers of first time 100 mile starters. What was please for me was the 9.41 time for the eastern section. That placed me 25th in the field. Nice to finish strong with the medial issues I have had and the strict eating plan. That made it difficult to properly carbo load and eat during the event but it appears what I did was okay. 

I did at the time feel like I was .. well not getting stronger as the race progressed but that I was not getting slower. The last section of 12.5k was run in 1.51 at an average pace of just under 9k an hour. Not fast compared to a marathon but to me good  for the last 12k of 162k.

My race is made possible by the RD and the many people who work behind the scenes, the vollies on the day and in particular those on the CP aid stations. Thank you to each and everyone of you. Ian the RD special thank you. I hope to be at the start next year.           

Glasshouse 100 miler : 27.21

Just sitting at the airport back to Sydney. More later.

Dubbo Marathon: 3.39.47

That completed the 21st marathon for the year. Just 4 to go being:

•  Sydney
• Western Sydney
• Melbourne
• Carcoar

It was my 9th under 3.40 and 4 have been under 3.30. Also the 10th in 10 weeks. One weekend there was no marathon to run that fitted in and another weekend I ran a double. It is certainly the best I have run in 3/4 years. I have no certain explanation as my training has been about the same but then again with marathons almost each weekend for 10 weeks there is not much training done apart from a recovery and that usually meant running easy on Tuesday. 

Then two solid days of about 14/15k. Friday and Saturday (yes I ran on the Saturday morning before the Sunday marathon) was usually about 8k and as quick as I could go around the Bay.

Dubbo

What a wonderful weekend in Dubbo.

I drove up on Friday afternoon with my wife ad daughter arriving just after sunset which by the way was a spectacular orange. Nice meal in town on Friday. Up early n Saturday morning for a 90 minute run around town and l the river. The after breakfast to the local Farmer's Market that had great fresh produce, local cheeses, fresh baked bred and other delights.

The off to the zoo for most of the day. What and experience.And the weather was clear and warm. Back to the motel to watch the last half of the Swans win. Dinner with a runner and his friends.

Sunday cool, clear skies and no wind.Three laps along the river That was fine it was scenic. 3.39 and happy with that with the GH 00 miler next weekend.

Home in Sydney by 6 pm. Just a perfect weekend away from Sydney. If the marathon is held next year I will be back.

Glasshouse 100 miler 

Starts Saturday morning and will take me about 28 hours if all goes to plan. But in an ultra they rarely go to plan. I know the course really well. This will be my 6th start with 5 100 mile finishes. But I still get nervous about whether I will finish and if there will time when I will need to call on all my experience and the will to complete or will it go smoothly with just the need to keep moving forward no matter what. 

All those thoughts disappear as soon as you start as you are then wholly focused on each step and what needs to be done with regard to that. 

So so pleased my running buddy 'Blue Dog' is travelling up with me after about 4 years away from the event. 

My concern gets raised when at 65 I am the oldest in the miler by 8 years. It doesn't really concern me but it does make me very determined to always keep in mind on the day the FIRST goal is just to finish and time is not relevant. Anything under the 30 hour cut off will be fine. Best possible expected time high 27's so that I am on the last 50k knowing I have plenty of time on my side. 

I will be back on the other side of this event. 

Tan Marathon : 4.18.37

With a 9.00 am start it was warm at the start and got warmer although not unpleasantly hot. 

11 laps of the Tan that means 11 times up Anderson Hill. Not a overly long or steep but it gets that way by the 11th time up it. The Tan is an iconic place to run in Melbourne in the city so it is busy as on a Sunday morning. But that was fine this was never intended to be quick and was just a steady run enjoying the atmosphere of running with and past others who are not in the event.

This is what is said about the Tan and Percy Cerutty:

He inaugurated the run around ‘the tan’, the track around the perimeter of the Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, still used for training and races to this day. Percy’s house was nearby. One of his former top athletes, John Landy, Governor of Victoria at the time of writing (May 2005), has his house (Government House) within it. He used to scream at Landy to run faster and faster up Anderson Street Hill (part of the Tan circuit) as he thought him too lazy and lacking the killer instinct.

There was always something to see or to run around and pass and the laps just cruised by. I was not watching the pace or the lap times and just kept in cruise mode with my thoughts sometimes on the race and running and sometimes pleasantly drifting off to other places and times. 

My 22 year daughter lives in Melbourne and is on radio. I had the weird experience of being on the shuttle bus from the airport to the city in the afternoon and hearing her on air. As I often remind her I was there for her first sounds and words.

She joined me for the last two laps and we talked the whole time about running together for the first time for along time and compared our experiences at the Queen concerts. I saw them on Wednesday in Sydney ans she saw them on Saturday night in Melbourne. Before we knew it we were approaching halfway around the last lap saw the time and put on a slight sprint to get under 4.20 for whatever significance that is. It felt important at the time. 

This weekend the last of my 10 marathons in 10 weeks with a new marathon at Dubbo. I know nothing about the course and therefore have no idea about a time. It is exciting to go to a new event and new course. 

Driving up Friday for a visit to the zoo in Saturday.