Adelaide Marathon: 4.34.10

Adelaide Marathon on Sunday. Finished 4.34 - 5 minutes quicker than last year. 2.15/2.19 splits.I surprised myself not only on the time but almost holding the first half pace on the second half.

The weather was perfect. About 12 degrees at the start overcast and no wind. It stayed that way for the whole of my run except for a light shower and a breeze as it quickly passed over. 

I ran the whole race by myself with no music as I prefer. I reflected on my running career over the last 20 years and the marathons I run and all the other running events I have competed in during that time. This was brought on by this being marathon 313 and moving into second place for marathons run by an Australian.

At about 30k those thoughts disappeared as I focused on just getting to the finish. Afterwards I did further reflection as I quietly walked back to my hotel room as just another marathon finisher on the morning. 

I never set out to achieve that. I just enjoyed the challenge of the marathon in particular and just kept running them. Despite the body being put through over 10 years of alcohol abuse and addiction it came out the other side in good condition. I have no physical issues and certainly no knee, back etc problems. Not even a niggle. For that I am grateful and intend to use that gift of physical health for a long as I can. 

Retirement, not running as many marathons,  not likely at the moment. Stopping running will become and issue if the cutoff time for completion becomes a problem and I can't make them but that seems like a way off at the moment.

So with that in mind I have another one on the weekend and a few more after that. 

Marathon #313 this weekend

A few weeks ago I ran a marathon a few k north of Melbourne at Princess Park to be exact. I think 17 laps that was not boring as there were plenty of people out and about. There where a few soccer games going on during the morning in the centre of the park with the running track circling the park.

The weather was overcast and cool and so pleasant running conditions. 

I had no idea about where my fitness was but thought on my best day just under 5 hours was the wished for finish but I was not confident that it would be. I started off just a bit quicker than the required pace for sub 5 and wanted to hold it for a long as I could. With about 10k to go I know if I resisted the mental desire to slow down I might just make it as I thought the body could do it.

4.54 and satisfied. 

That completed marathon #312 that equalled what was the Australian Marathon Record held by Mountain Man. It was his 80th birthday on the Friday and I managed to attend that event and the share the celebrations with him. He stopped running about 7 years ago when he could not make the cutoffs. I am not there yet, thankfully.

When I first started running marathons in 1998 and soon heard about MM and his massive number of marathons. At that stage with not more that a handful his numbers seemed unreachable. I have been blessed with the ability to run regular marathons (ignoring the cancer treatment I am still getting) and look back over the last 20 years and find it hard to comprehend that I have reached his record.

The weekend I travel to Adelaide for that cities marathon and will sadly pass his record. But I suppose all records are there to challenge us and for some of us if we are really lucky to pass them.

Ignore the time on the clock that was for an ultra being held at the same time. 

Sunday 5th May: Sri Chimnoy Marathon: Royal National Park

This is a love/hate marathon. 

It is on a trail but not technical but enough tree roots, embedded rocks, lose rocks and twigs on the course that if you don't watch a fall is likely. I hate that aspect but love the peace, beauty and serenity and lushness of the Australian bush.

The course was very dry compared to in the past and the bush looked good. 

Being the oldest in the field it was only a few steps from the start and I was already at the rear. But the Sri Chimnoy people know me well and so will wait no matter how long I take although I am always very conscious of being last and their patience in eating for me. 

I didn't fall this time but my great friend Jane did and when I caught to her at about 18k she had had nasty fall with plenty of grazing  but no other injury but some lack of self confidence. So I agreed to stay with her to the end and run at her pace that is always much quicker than me.

We go back a long long time and have shared many marathons and ultras so it was pleasant to have the time for a long chat. Yes both with gold bling for age category wins - I  think we were the only ones in each. 

I am in Melbourne on the weekend to run another marathon and visit my daughter. Her and her mum will enjoy Sunday morning together and some shopping while I am running.