Thoughts about M7 marathon

On Sunday I am running the M7 marathon. This is the old Blacktown Marathon although nothing remains of that event except in ends in Blacktown but not in the same place. That marathon started outside the Town Hall at George Street and we ran along Parramatta Road to Parramatta and then along the Great Western Highway to an oval at Blacktown.

Those were the days !!! Just run along the road side as much as you could. Run through the lights when they were green for you and on occasions you might see a policeman on his bike monitoring the race. No issue with them at all. BUT those days are lone gone. 

Now traffic management plans need to be in place and sometimes they cause the death of an event. Anyways these days it is on the cycle path next to the M7 motor way. Starts and finishes at running track at Blacktown. A great event with a partnership between the council and M7 people. 

It would be nice to be close to 4.16 finish like Gold Coast. Thats a wish not based on any scientific calculations.

Night lights on the Bay this morning that caught my eye.

20.07.19 Moon Marathon (Hunter Valley): 4.45

I ran the Moon Marathon last evening at the Hunter Vally. Celebrating the landing on the moon 50 years ago. It started at 4.30pm with 4 x 10k and a bit laps mostly on a bike path wandering around the golf course. I have not run with a headlamp for many years so thought that was going to be a long forgotten skill - not really it all came back with within a few steps.

Hills and inclines and more hills and more inclines in parts. Much more than I expected. For that reason it was challenging as the laps went by. Perhaps slower than I expected but the undulating course and running at night contributed. First in age, oldest runner and not the last to finish. 

Enjoyed the course and running in the night was quite pleasant.

A week to recover before the M7 next Sunday. Should be about 4.30 if all goes well. It also has some long testing inclines.

Yes that's the moon on the horizon.

18.07.19 Short update

After 2 mornings of firm 15k runs it was time to put the foot down a bit. So it was a lap of the Bay with the hope I would get a PB for 2019. 

It was 36.43 now 36.12 - so very happy with the slight improvement over the just under 7k's.

Then it was some Yasso's - 800m and with all other fitness being done for the marathon the 800 time should be about your marathon time when minutes and seconds are simply converted to hours and minutes. 5 done with a 200 metre walk rest in between. All between 3.56 - 3.59. I will not take that as I am in sub 4 shape but I am getting there whether I actually run a sub for later in the year is the big unknown. 

The morning both before and after sunrise have been spectacular for the moon sightings. 

Delete comment: Please read my comments. If you have any queries please contact me. It was very good work. Most of the group that I have considered have been incorrect (to a degree) in a majority of their answers - you have the majority correct.

14.07.19 Half marathon: 1.54.12

My first half marathon in about 5 years with the Sri Chimnoy people on the shores of Botany Bay. Wonderful clear morning but a chilly 8 degrees. I was hoping to get under 2 hours and thought it was possible but not certain. Started out aggressively - for an old bloke - trying to stay at 5.25 pace for a long as I could and hope that was a balance between not being too fast and not too slow.

Ran through halfway spot on 5.25 pace and then I knew it would be just a matter of time before the slow down came. And I waited ... and wait .... and waited with 4 k to go it was so marginal to then and thought with just 4k to go it might huge but at least only brief.

It didn't really come. Finished with a 1.54.12 and over all 5.27 pace so I only lost and 20 - 30 seconds on the second half. Pleased with the result.

Gold Coast Marathon : 4.16.55

At the GC marathon on Sunday I managed 4.16 that was my quickest since Melbourne in October last year when I ran 4.04. I was pleased. I was probably fit enough to run 4.10 at best but clearly f=did not give myself a chance because of the marathon on Friday  

I expected huge slow down on Sunday because of the marathon on Friday but it was much less than I expected with splits of 2.02/2.14.

Two weeks for the next marathon at the Hunter Winery Marathon. It will not be fast as it starts at 4.30pm on Saturday night !!!!! The one after that might be close to 4.10 at the M7 although it does have some testing hills that will probably push it to the 4.25 - 4.30 finishing time.

Friday's Marathon at the Bay

I couldn't resist running a marathon on the Bay this morning. Part of the Bravehearts 7 marathons, 7 days, 7 states. This was #5 in 5 days for some. 

Overnight and the forecast was for rain during the event. However it was cloudy and only a few drops   on the first lap of 6 around the Bay. Cloud cover in the morning with them scattering at time but no sunshine. Temperature got to about 15 with no wind so very pleasant running conditions. 

The aim was to run controlled and well below my limits. Not sure if a 4.31 did that although I always felt I could push the pace a bit more than I did.

We fly to Ballina in the morning and will spend most of the day with my son, his partner and our granddaughter before driving to the Gold Coast to collect my race number and stay there overnight. After the marathon we drive back and spend a couple of days with my son etc before flying back on Tuesday night. 

I am not sure what time I will run on Sunday but I will be starting out at 4.15 pace and see how long that lasts. Not long I expect but it will be fun having a go.

02.07.19 Update pre Gold Coast Marathon

I have had few weeks of running a marathon but at least by my standards I have had good block of training. Focused on shorter sessions but much higher intensity. 

So for instance in the last 3 weeks my 5k time has come down from the high 29's to the low 26's and even one in just over 25. That gets me down to about 5.15 pace on average and I can manage that but not much quicker at the moment. 

Today I had a solid session in the taper for a marathon on Friday and Sunday. I really should not run the marathon on Friday but it around the Bay my daily run a few hundred metres from home. It will be as gentle as a marathon can be trying not to do too much damage for Sunday. 

The lap of the Bay at 5.19 per k pace and quickest in many months. 

Then a set of 3 Yassos (run 800m and the time indicates the marathon time - just call the minutes/seconds to hours/minutes) BUT you must have all of the endurance training etc. In my experience provided all the base training has been done it is an accurate predictor. But you also need to run a a correctly paces marathon.

Each were indicating the best marathon time i could run is 4.05. That probably means I might scrape in with about 4.15. The prediction is there so lets see what happens with a lot depending on how much damage I do to Sunday's marathon at the Gold Coast.

Saturday 15.06.19: Sri Chimnoy

Sri Chimnoy running event on Saturday with many events of various times - 6, 12 and 24 events plus the marathon. 

For me it was the 4th in 4 weekends it was all about firstly to finish, secondly under 5 hours and to enjoy the event on a track (so different from the usual marathon) so you see the other competitors as the laps are run. Each of my aims was meet with a 4.40 with splits of 2.17 & 2.23. 

A few weeks rest before the next one.

Friday 14 June 2019 Update

It was a beautiful crisp morning at the Bay. Just the hint of a breeze. Decided I might set down some times for for favourite runs and distances and I approach the last few days of my 60's. A lap of the Bay was an obvious choice - I haven't been under 40 or a 6 weeks or so but then again I have not run one flat out in that time either.

A k or so warm up and as is usually the case the 7.30k pace seems too fast to sustain but ..... it is warm up mode and body and mind are in that mode.

Warm up complete and a few deep breaths and I was away. Too dark to be able to see the pace other than a glance every now and then as I passed into the light of a distant light pole. But it would not have made much difference as I could not have gone quicker anyway.

I am pleased with 38.20 @ 5.32 pace. There is more pace to be gained over the next few weeks but it does put a mark in the sand for the last to go with my 5k of 26.15 earlier in the week. 

Marathon Saturday 

A track marathon among other distances with the Sri Chimnoy people at Blacktown It will be my 4th n 4 weeks and the aging body does not recover from that sequence as well as it did in the past. So 101 or so laps is not my preferred way to complete 42.195 but it is what it is. Others can run for days around track and seem okay. 

It is also unusual to be starting at 11.00 am. A little challenge in itself. 

No time being pushed for but just under 5 hours will be fine to keep the 4.xx times going.

09.06.19 South West Rocks Marathon: 4.37.07

My wife and I drove to South West Rocks (on the coast from Kempsey NSW) on Saturday afternoon. It is an easy and comfortable 5 hours north of Sydney and an express way after getting past Hornsby.

This is the 14th time I have run this event. This year there was a new course of 2 out and back laps. I did enjoy the old course of an out and back along the river but issues with running a long a country road that was not closed to traffic has caused the change so that only one dead end public road was involved. The surface varied from concrete paths, grass and road and all things in-between but it is what it is. No complaints.

There was light rain as we drove into the region and the forecast was it would clear during the night. That happened and it was a perfect morning to run a marathon or just be out and what the beautiful sunrise overt he water. No wind at the start and just some scattered clouds for a short time. Then the clouds disappeared and it got warm but not enough the have a significant affect on running. 

I finished in a time that I was happy with in the circumstances. This was my 3rd in 3 weeks and 5th in 6 weeks. The old body does not recover as quick or as well as it did in the past.With disasters in Newcastle and Canberra with 5.59 and 5.23 respectively I am pleased to be back under 5 hours in the last 4.

Another marathon on Saturday on the track at Blacktown then a weeks rest before a hectic July/August.

Western Sydney Marathon 4.31

I ran the Western Sydney Marathon yesterday that is held at the Olympic Rowing centre at Penrith - 6 laps to be exact. Its 42.2k no matter how you run it but I prefer an out and back or point to point course bit it is what it is.

I had just 6 days recovery from the last one. With a lack of a solid base of fitness because I have not put in the months of solid consistent training then running them was always going to be a challenge. Also dare I say as I get older recovery is slower that in the past.

I squeezed in just two 17k runs on Wednesday and Thursday. 

The conditions were perfect. 10 degrees, sunshine and no wind. The maximum at mid morning was not going to be high so the weather was not going to be an issue. This event was usually held in late September when the temperature was generally a significant issue late in the morning. 

I ran hard the first half just to see what I could  I could do and passed through the half in 2.10 - my quickest for a while. I knew the second half was then going to be a challenge to hold that pace and not have the wheels really fall off. I managed to hold the pace in the second half much better than I expected andwas very surprised to run 4.31 and a few minute  quicker than last week. 

2nd in the 60 + age group three weeks off 70. Another marathon next t Sunday when I travel to one of my favourite small marathons at South West Rocks on the coast just out of Kempsey.

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.

29.04.19 Steady base building

My base was somewhat lost with the 3 weeks of almost no running and I am trying to rebuild with some steady pace and increasing distance.

My focus marathon at the moment is the Gold Coast in about 10 weeks time. My first marathon in the 70+ age group. But I have 6/8 to complete before that one. No real aim for Gold Coast but perhaps in the back of my mind is to go as close to 4 hours as possible. I have a lot or work do do in the time I have if I am to go even close to that time. 

So it is steady base building as I said. 17k this morning and repeat the next day and then next and ...

A off road marathon on Sunday that is always a challenge for me as well as running this and the next 6/8 with really no taper. 

Nice subdued colours for sunrise this morning. 

26.04.19 Friday

Yeah - out for the second day in a row.

Beautiful running conditions. I was out very early as I had to leave home earlier than usual. It was nice running almost alone early on. Some very tired legs this morning after some very irregular running over the last few weeks.

No hills so it was just two laps of the Bay. The times were a long way form the 38's I was running 6 weeks ago but I am sure that pace will come back sooner rather than later.

I took the time to be in the moment this morning and so looks some photos as for most of the first lap it was dark. Nice to see the Bay in darkness early in the morning.

Update 25.04.19

My first run at the Bay for a little over 3 weeks . Many things got in the way work, travel , life issues and just a general no interest. Not my usual mental position. However I know I have to get back into daily runs if I am not get this marathon season started. I was running so well during March and perhaps I just pushed it too much and burnt out.

The break may have been good both mentally and physically. I will see how the next week or so goes to see if I can get back into auto pilot - up early, don't this of anything else but the morning run, get that done and then deal with the day. 

Amy way 14k at a steady pace.

Beautiful conditions and a wonderful sunrise. Yes I missed a dawn service ! but my thoughts were about the significance of today.

Canberra Marathon - more

There have been manta course changes over the 20 marathons I have run here. The new course takes in many parts of the old course and in particular it run through the old finish twice. It was weird running through it and in particular with no other runners around me. 

If you have run the old course you will know there is a long up hill run along side of the park. Just as you reach the end of it there is a marker for 42k a right hand turn and then the finish line in in sight. On the second lap I walked that section recalling the time in 2002 my emotions ran near their highest ever for me as I know that I had less that 200m to run to get that first sub 3. 

I walk and recall that finish that is still clearly in my mind. The very first Canberra marathon finish I unfortunately have no memory of it. 

That walk was a welcome break but it also gave me time to reflect and It brought back some wonderful memories of many past finishes.

I also ran my 100th and 200th marathons here.

In particular my first sub 3 in 2002.

14.04.19 Canberra Marathon

It could have been much worse and I was expecting much worse than the 5.23 I ran.

Life has had many distractions over the last month. My workload in the office and teaching have both increased significantly and I was committed to meet many deadlines. In addition I had assignments due in my uni course. That meant trying to fit more hours into the day and something had to give and really sadly it was my training. 

So over the last three weeks I have run just 3 times. Each being a marathon. Not the way to train for one and it was very evident in the last 15k I suffered because of no training. I hope to put my life back into perspective in the next couple of weeks before my next marathon. I am not sure how I am going to do that but do that I will. 

It was nice to complete my 20th Canberra Marathon but it was not pleasant for the last 2 hours that was a real struggle. At the moment I can run a 4.30 - 4.45 marathon until 25k's and then the lack of training hits in when I am reduced to ugly shuffle and those k's just get long and longer. If you have run a marathon you will know what I mean.

I fully expected that it would struggle to go under 6 hours so I should have been pleased with the result but I was not. I hope the time spurs me onto some serious regular training for the rest of the year.

The weather was perfect. Still and about 14 at the start. The cloud cover stayed for most of the time I was out on the course. The temperature maybe rose to 21 or so. So the conditions were ideal for running a marathon. No photos from the day I was too focused on the job being done and the struggle in the later part.

But .... my first finish in 1998

07.04.19: Newcastle Marathon

We drove to Newcastle mid afternoon on Friday and so had very pleasant Saturday around town and at the beach.

The weather was warm on Saturday and it was expected to be warm on Sunday and that was the case. Daylight saving ended on Saturday night so a 6.00am was sunrise. We were staying not far away form the start and I walked to the start and it was already about 19 degrees.

Soon after the start there was a beautiful sunrise over the ocean. 

It didn't take long for the the weather to warm up. The course was 3 laps of 14k and most of it was unshaded. I have no complaints about that - it is what it is and it is the same for all runners. 

I had not run all week due to many commitments. I therefore knew I was badly out of condition and in particular over the second half as my endurance fitness. I knew it was going to challenging because  of the lack of fitness and the weather : result just a few steps under 6 hours. I thought I might be a bit quicker but life is fall of dreams ....