Melbourne Marathon : 4.32.02

Well that was an interesting run in the marathon. 

Just as an aside - how inspiring was it to watch the sub 2 hour marathon run on Saturday afternoon. He ran like a machine and looked as relaxed at the end as he did at the start. What a runner and what a champion. 

Despite my thoughts about just being happy with running under 5 hours I did start off thinking maybe I could do a little better - perhaps around 4.30 was the stretch possibility. So I stated off at that pace and it felt not too pushed but I know I could no go any quicker and expect to hold it for the 42k's.

So that was the pace I decided to try and hover around although between 10 - 20k I went a but quicker than planed then eased off.

The 5k splits were very consistent in rounded minutes: 31, 31, 30, 30 31, 32, 32, and then the blow out between 35 - 40k in 36 minutes. I have to say I was pleased to:

• run consistent splits until the last 5k; and
• be back around the 4.30 finishing time. 

Some rest and recovery for the next week with a marathon in Sydney on the weekend. 

09.10.19 Brief Update

I have only run 2 marathons since Dubbo, Sydney and Logan (just south of Brisbane). I was neither fit or prepared for either and that was reflected in the times. A few things with life have got in the way of allowing to have consistent, focused training. I just have not had the time to put in the long runs to have a good base for the second half of the marathon.

I did have that a few months ago but that slipped with the less focused training. 

I am still in the same position with the Melbourne Marathon on Sunday. The might run of 4.04 last year will not be repeated this year and the miss could be by as much as an hour. I am setting myself to  accept a 5.xx finish but I will use all my experience to overcome the total lack of fitness to try and stumble over the finish line under 5 hours.

There is noting I can do at the moment to change my fitness I just have to get the race plan and then important stick to it for the first 30k and then see what is left for the last 12k. No different to any other marathon really but with a bit more pressure placed on me by me. 

Nothing much more to report. Ceasing to practice is perhaps less that 2 months away and it can't come soon enough. That will be the end of over 50 years in the law and 48 as a qualified Solicitor. I thought it would be difficult to end the career and retire but I had been told by others who had retired that when they made the decision they were calm and happy with the decision. That is the way I feel.

I will continue to teach and lecture so I will have plenty to keep me occupied in the law. I still have to complete a University course, so I can now devote more time to that.  I have quite a few personal projects underway but sadly too often neglected for long periods because of priorities with work and teaching.