Saturday, December 06, 2014

C2K

Entered

Ran - 5/6th December 2014

Pulled from the course at 208k after just under 38 hours

Course cut to 220 finish due to the weather

 Nice long road at about 85 k

"Edge of the world"


Heavy rain for 6 hours
Wet, cold and struggling with a lean with 15k to go
Slow going and pulled by the RD for my safety and the safety of the crew

Friday, November 14, 2014

Belated; Carcoar 3.54

Somewhat late. I have not been well.

A disappointing time that was 12 minutes slower than last year. I just could not get into top gear and run quickly, freely. It was a struggle on the flats whereas last year I ran quickly on those same sections. No explanations why. I guess just the ebb and flow of the body and on this day it had ebbed out much further that I would have expected. 

This was the last marathon for the year and the 25th for the year. I have not really reflected on the year to day and the marathons ran. I may do that a kind of summary for the year to close that part off until 2015 and hopefully to do it all again. Health permitting.

At the moment I am just trying to get my head around running C2K - the 240k monster in early December. I have run it three (3) times before so I know what it is about and what is required. But it is so long that no amount of training get you prepared as so much can go wrong over the almost 2 days it takes to finish or at least that is how long I will take.

I have 2 crew and would love to have another. It is not an easy ask to be away from Sydney from Thursday to Sunday and then stay awake for 2 days and nursemaid an old bloke trying to do something that is not that easy. 

Friday, October 31, 2014

Carcoar Marathon - preview

A whole 3 weeks on Sunday since my last marathon. I did finish the Melbourne with a pain/strain in a new spot on the left leg near the ankle in the muscle running down next to the shin bone. I rested until the following weekend. Ran Saturday with no issue, Sunday was fine with just 'something' near the end of the run.

Monday morning run did not last long and it was off to the physio later run the day. Not much could be done other than some rest and self massage as the spot of pain is only about 5cm in length and as wide you your little finger. So small but it has taken until the last few days for it to be almost gone. 

End result very little running in the last 3 weeks but maybe that is a good things as this could haven been the first sign of the body being pushed just a bit further that it could and should have been. Therefore I have just accepted the position and did what I could for the recovery but for a while it seemed to be not improving despite the rest and massage.

So last year at Carcoar I ran well. In fact much better than is expected or anticipated. This year I have run much better than for years but the injury has me concerned that by just moving over 42k it will come back. Not much I can do about that concern and at the moment I am not sure whether 'taking it easy' will have the possibility and not redoing the injury or was it just one of those things that happen and if fully recovered will more than likely not happen again. Who knows? Certainly me. If the marathon was a week later I would be more confident the marathon would not re injure it.

Last year 3.42 on a tough course. If I had no injury and had trained after the MM I would speculate that was at risk of being beaten. Now I don't think so. But will I have a go? I am not sure of my race plan at the moment and I may not have one even at the start. Just see how it goes and if there is the slightest twinge back off. That in fact might well be the race plan. 

Nice drive, nice weekend away. The Hydro Majestic hotel has had about 30 million dollars spent on restoration. We drive right by. Lunch on the way up and high tea on the way back.

Here:

http://www.hydromajestic.com.au/

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Melbourne Marathon: 3.24.28 !!!!

It seems the more I run marathons the quicker I get BUT there is limit to most things and I think I have reached it. I am not sure I could go any quicker except maybe with a proper taper. But really I am very happy to have run this time and then 2 in 2 weeks under 3.25 is very much a bonus. AND about 20 seconds faster than last week.

I said in the race preview 3.22 but as I said I did not think that was going to happen but I was prepared to give this on a full out effort and see where I finished or more precisely the time I would run.  I was not aware there would be pacers at 10 minutes spaced times so I was surprised to be standing near a balloon with 3.20 on it at the start.

Despite the number of runners at the start it was orderly and most seemed to have placed themselves well as there were not many slow runners to weave around. Within a k and turning into the wide tree lined St Kilda road I was running at pace in space.

I was not running with anyone and so just settled into my pace that was hovering around 4.50 minute k's and that felt very comfortable reflected by easy breathing. Things just seemed to cruise along like that until about 27/28k when I felt I needed to increase the concentration and effort to maintain the pace. The Garmin then died for reasons unknown and from then on I had no idea of the pace I was running and just did it by feel.

I thought the 3.30 pacers might come by at any time but I did feel I was maintaining a good pace. I was passing runners easily but that is not guide as they could just be slowing more quickly than me. The weather was becoming warmer but I was not bothered by it. At 35k I was becoming fatigued but still felt I was maintaining good form and pace. Put me head down to suffer the next 5k to the 40k marker.

With a great deal of relief it came where I was expecting it and then just pinned the ears back and focused on a strong finish. Soon I was over the finish line and couldn't see any clock so I had no idea of my time but knew I had not been caught by the 3.30 pacers. I didn't know my time until I checked the results on line much later. 

Some Stats

The timing mats were at 10k & 18k and I have no idea where halfway was on the course. Best Garmin guess is 1.42.28/1.40.00 splits for an overall average pace of about 4.50. Bonus was age group win by about 25 minutes. I thought it was a soft time to win in. 

At the end of 10k I was overall in 1340th place and finished in 828th place. Significant is the strong finish by being 1186th at 30k and improved 358 places in the last 12k compared with the modest improvement just 154 places over the first 30k. 

I clearly have too much time on my hands but as it is the biggest marathon in Australia I looked at some figures. It appears for both genders there were just 76 runners over 65 or 1.18% of the field. My 828th finish put me in the top 12.89%. 

That was my 24th marathon of the year and the last flat road one. 6 have been under 3.30 and 2 under 3.25. This has been a year so far where I have run more marathons than ever before and my times in the quicker ones have been quicker than I have been in 4/5 years. 

Carcoar Marathon and beyond

Carcoar Marathon in a few weeks and last year I ran 3.42. It would be nice to finish the year off by running this one quicker than last year. I then I have about 5 weeks to do some serious training and otherwise generally get ready for the 240k monster that I Coast to Kozzi. I will need more than luck to finish this one for the second time and my guess is to be the oldest finisher. 2 crew organised and still looking for another. Both woman and both my GH buddies - how wonderful to have them with me on the epic journey that is C2K.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Preview Melbourne Marathon

Another week has rolled by and as another Sunday approaches there is once again another marathon to be run. This weekend the big daddy of them all with regard to entrants - approaching 8000 with no limit. The biggest in Australia by far. A bit different to the small but delightful country ones with 50/60. 

Melbourne marathon #12 and my second last one of the year. Only Carcoar to go. 

How did running go this week? Well good. I ran easy on Tuesday and Wednesday with some stretching in the mid of an easy Bay run. Quite relaxing and some warmish weather although it is variable at 5.30am each morning. 

I felt good on Thursday morning and thought I might just give a lap of the Bay a push. I have not done that for a few months and it was about March the last time I was under 30 but then again I have not tried during that time either. It was not comfortable for a 30.09 finish - dam I should have looked at my watch and squeezed a little bit more out of myself near the end. But no matter it was quicker than the 30.25 or so the week before and I had a quick marathon in my legs. 

Come Friday - just a slight chill in the air at 5.30am but still pleasant and ideal running weather. Slowly warmed up with the 750m run to the start of the Bay thinking should I or should I not have another lap. I couldn't resist and this time I was keeping an eye on the pace like and eagle eyeing a prey from high up in the sky. 

Pleasing to press the stop button for 29.50 and first time under 30 as a 65 year old being 4.19 pace for just a few steps under 7k. 

So where does that leave me for Sunday. A bit more speed that recently and a lot and and mean a lot of marathons run this year and lots of steady endurance running and all year injury free.

Can I go quicker than last week - yes I believe so.
Do I want to - absolutely
Do I think it is possible - yes 
Will I pacing for a 3.22 finish - yes 
Will it happen - unlikely but not through lack of effort.

The weather is predicted to be 28 by 10am and we start at 7am. I suspect the weather will result in a slow down.  If I miss will I be annoyed. No because I will have given it my best shot on the day. 

My daughter lives in Melbourne so We will spend time with her returning late Monday. As well as the marathon it is the start of the Melbourne Festival and we are fully booked with classical music, circuses and rock and roll music events during the weekend. 

Tuesday, October 07, 2014

Western Sydney Marathon : 3.24.49 !!!

What can I say about the time. First time under 3.25 since April 2009 which was my 100th marathon. This one marathon # 193. So just never say never. In my preview I had said I was running well and that I just needed the weather to be kind as regards temperature and wind.

It is a 6 lap course with the last 195m tacked onto the end. There was great cloud cover for the first 3 laps and running was reasonably pleasant. Then before you knew it the cloud cover was gone and the heat intensified quickly and there was a slight breeze but it was just circulating the hot air. The run then became an effort to maintain pace and focus.

After a while in the conditions you just want it over and pacing etc becomes less of a focus and just getting to the finish line becomes the objective and priority. At the time I felt the struggle to stay focused and on pace became much more difficult and in fact I didn't look at my watch much over the last 2/3 laps I just run.

At the time I thought I might just hold on for a sun 3.30 and then over the last 2/3k's I had a peek at my watch on elapsed time and tried to do some sums and thought maybe I would get under 3.30 but I was not sure by how much.

The 7k splits were interesting (in round figures) : 32/33/34/34/34/34.

So despite feeling the difficulty rising as the laps went by I was somehow able to hold my pace. I am almost as pleased with that compared to the time. Smile is still on my face.

I was out this morning just to get everything moving again to prepare for the Melbourne marathon on Sunday. No thoughts about time at the moment but might give the Bay a hot lap on Friday to try and give a sub 30.25 a push. Then I might speculate.

Thursday, October 02, 2014

Thoughts Western Sydney Marathon

As is often the situation just before I marathon I give thought to what running I have done since my last marathon, and therefore and assessment of my fitness and recovery from my last marathon. Leading to a loosely conceived race plan for the day.  

No marathon last weekend so I am on the way to recovery from it and the 100 miler the week before. The first week after the marathon I did not run until the Thursday and then easy for a few days. I felt good and so ran my just under 14k loop as a TT on Tuesday. I have not run it seriously for 3 months or so as when I was running weekly marathons I run it but it was never pushed.

When I was not running weekly marathons in March to May I hovered around 66 minutes or just on 5 minute pace. The I banged out a 64.48 in early May and have not been within 4 minutes of that since. Tuesday 63.53 - the quickest ever. The Wednesday before meeting up with some friends I did a Bay run in 30.24 - not the sub 30 I ran in March but okay.

Conclusion: I am running as good as I have in training all year. 

Last year at this even with something just over 4 hours as I ran with a friend to the end. And the year before at 3.48 is no guide as that year I was not running the times that I am this year. Sydney 3.31 just 2 weeks ago. 

So .... decisions decisions ... not really. The course is flat flat flat so the only thought from the start will be pacing at a 3.29 or better finish. All that can happen is that the temperature or wind will work against that and it will happen. In this one I will not finish wondering if I could have gone quicker - that will happen out on the course. 

Monday, September 22, 2014

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. 

Friday, September 19, 2014

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.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

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 :D

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  :wub:  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. 

Monday, September 15, 2014

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.           

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Glasshouse 100 miler : 27.21

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

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

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. 

Thursday, September 04, 2014

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. 

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Tan Marathon on Sunday

Sunday is running the TAN track in Melbourne for another marathon. Lots of laps of the iconic running venue in Melbourne.

For me marathon #190 and #20 for the year. That is the most marathons I have ever run in a year and and only 5 to go to get to my planned 25.

The body has no issues and fingers crossed it stays that way. As is usually the case I ran very early this morning before having a warm shower and a slight sleep in. Nice 4.30 pace for the 7k around the Bay.

Sunday will be steady with a planned time of between 3.55 - 4.10. If it slower i will not mind. Plan to do some of the later laps with my daughter who lives in Melbourne. That will probably be walk run and so the time might be much slower if that happens but we will have fun.

Here:

http://www.trailsplus.com.au/tan/

Mudgee Marathon

This article was published in the local newspaper this week:


http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/story/2514049/on-a-mission-running-festival-regular-hoping-to-run-his-200th-marathon-by-april-next-year/?cs=1611

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Mudgee Marathon: 3.35.37

Mudgee put on an absolute glorious day on Sunday. It was about 9 degrees at the start and that is much warmer than the the usual zero or below. There  was some early light cloud but by mid morning it had gone with the warming sunshine evaporating the clouds


Last week I slowed really badly in the second half and was wondering if It would happen again. I ran through the half in just under 1.47 with the hardest section over. There is along steady  climb from 10k and It is not over until about 19k. Then a long and mainly downhill run to the finish although there are many rises and falls. The falls do not help, as the race progress the speed generated (if any) by the falls seems to be never to be enough to compensate for the slowing ion the inclines. 

I kept waiting for the pace to slow and the fatigue to set in. As each k went by and the pace was being just maintained. As the race progressed towards the finish  I was becoming more hopeful that it might not occur at all or much later than last week. 


In the end I did not slow and finished in 3.35.37. Only a minute or so slower than last year. Happy.

No run today but I will ease back into a slow trot around the Bay to embrace the pre dawn. Next week the Tan Marathon in Melbourne. Many laps but I don't mind that. It is historic and I enjoy the challenge of Anderson Street hill. It will be steady on just either side of 4 hours. The following week is the first Dubbo marathon so I have no idea about the course but that should be steady as well to ease into the Glasshouse 100 miler the following weekend. Just all about survival for the next few weeks. 


        

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Easy 15k in damp overcast conditions

I thought the rain in Sydney had gone but no it was back this morning. Just light but enough to make running a little unpleasant. It didn't stop the rowers being out or the sun just peeking over Iron Cove Bridge in a gap in the clouds before disappearing  behind them.

I feel a little fatigued from the trail marathon but at least i am out running and enjoying the freedom and absolute basic pleasure of running. Today had nothing to to with recovery, training or anything other than sheer pleasure.
Some rowers in the far distance and one with a red light with the lights of Leichhardt Oval showing

Not clear but the sun rising over Iron Cove Bridge before disappearing behind the clouds

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Wagga Wagga Marathon : 5.04.22



Another great weekend away travelling to Wagga from Sydney.

I arrived in Wagga about 5 pm on Saturday with beautiful blue clear skies and sunshine for the sat half of the 5 hour drive down. Rain was predicted but certainly did not look like it. However t steady light rain started in the early hours of Sunday morning was still happening as I was getting ready for the early 7.30 start (provided to the over 60 runners). A slight wind required thought about the selection of clothing. Opted for tights and light hooded jacket and long sleeve top underneath. You can always take off a lawyer. I was pleased I did as the light jacket stayed on the whole time and I never felt uncomfortable. Then again I was not moving too quickly either. Shoes were not an issue it was always going to be trail.

The week leading up to the race was one where my energy levels ebbed and flowed more that usually. Partly I think being the recovery from the previous double marathon weekend. I was also very busy with work and my usually good eating routine was out late in the week. 

I felt strong and comfortable until about 23k into the marathon. Just after that the 4k of very tight technical section starts and I am not good on them. Too much of a fairy. Was also feeling a little fatigued and light headed and on reflection i was probably a bit dehydrated. Anyway not an excuse. If I was it was my fault. Just an explanation. 

I struggled through the technical section and it did not get much better from 30k to the end. I kept moving forward as quick and as best as I could but it was not pretty. I am not used to that struggle after 30 as I usually come home strong but that is what happens in marathons. 

The 5.04 finish was slower than I expected but then again the course in parts was full on mud and the going was slow. Overall this marathon did not leave any pleasant positive feeling as some do.Despite my difficulty with technical trails the run was enjoyable in regard to running through some great countryside and I did take the time to take some pics. 

Yes there were many hills and no this is not the tight technical sections. I enjoyed the rolling hills and the wide track. The technical came later and I was just in the mood at the time to stop for pictures. 

I need to recover and get mu head in a good space for Mudgee next weekend. I know the course well and hope I can fix the things I did not watch last week in the lead up. 







Thursday, August 14, 2014

Preparation for Wagga marathon on the weekend

The answer is none, well really I have done very little running since the double weekend 10 days ago. I thought I needed some recovery time both physically and mentally. So I have only run easy a few times. I not really concerned as I think I needed to ease off for a short while and take whatever that means in regard to the loss of fitness if any.

Last year I ran this with a friend and we finished in 4.59. She is not with me this year and so I expect to be a little quicker although the marathon the following weekend at Mudgee is more of a focus. 

Also I have been a little distracted over the last 10 days or so with not good news about the cancer. Tests etc are still being done and some more definite news might be coming late next week when I have another appointment with the oncologist.

Next week I am about to start a major detox that should last 4 weeks. It is quite tough and is being done with guidance but I am not sure how it will affect my running and training. Not the best time to start but we have decided we should try now and if it becomes too much with training and running marathons we will suspend it for a month but I would prefer to start now and maybe just maybe I can get through and the marathons without too much slowing down.

Wednesday, August 06, 2014

Two days two marathons: 4.25 and 3.46

Two days, two marathons, two different results and feelings. 

Saturday  was the Bridge Walk Marathon that is a very low key event aimed at raising money for a charity and most of the entrants are walkers although they tolerate us runners. 

I felt slow and was. I felt fatigued and 6 minute pace was too quick and I could not sustain it for more that the first few k's and then really struggled the whole way despite it being very flat. It was through a lot of wetlands on a cycle path and board walks at times.  Then the last 12k or so along Morton Bay.

I finished in 4.25 and was pleased to have a very tiring and really unhappy run over. It was a struggle most of he way and was so pleased to finish but I was concerned that if Saturday was like this Sunday could be much worse. There were no positive thoughts flowing after this run. 


 Wetlands

 Bike path


Low tide on Morton Bay - finish in the far distance on the right - loooooong way 


I did  what I could overnight to rest and recover.

Sunday was the Brisbane Marathon with 650 starters as well as the company of the half marathoners  for half the distance. I felt fresh with no stiffness and decided to start off with a pace for a sub 4 finish although I thought that would not happen but it would be a nice challenge to see how long I could maintain that pace. 



I stayed just behind the 1.55 half pacer for the half marathon. I felt I was running within myself but near maximum effort. I felt that was not going to continue in the second half but then again that is why I run marathons. To face such a challenge and see what I can do mentally and physically over the next 2 hours or so. If it was easy it would not be such a challenge.  

The half marathoners finished to the left of the first lap and the marathoners went right for the second lap. I was between the 3.45 and 4.00 hour pacers and on my own with the marathoners well spaced out. For reasons I cannot explain I was feeling stronger the further the race went on BUT was waiting for that final step you take running and then without a conscious thought or decision you start walking. I kept thinking it could come at anytime and was really working the mental side hard to stay positive. 

As usual at about 30k I was in a position to know the really hard part was starting. I was still feeling good and decided that I would up the effort so as to just maintain my pace. I then started passing other runners rather easily. That is so positive and so the next 12k's just rolled by without a thought of possibly walking. 

The stats back that up. In the 20/30k split I was 191st in time. Between 30/41.1k split I was 85th in time. I finished overall 135th so I was much quicker over the last then my over all position. Amazingly I was 3rd in the 60 - 69 age group and just 30 second behind 2nd.

A week off before marathons at Wagga, Mudgee, Melbourne and Dubbo in consecutive weekends, the the following weekend at Glasshouse 100 miler and the next weekend the Sydney marathon. So a busy time ahead. 

Monday, July 28, 2014

M7 marathon: 3.29.31

3rd sub 3.30 in 4 weeks of 4 marathons in 4 weeks.

I struggled through the whole race. I never felt comfortable from the start and it stayed that way to the finish. I wavered between feeling uncomfortable to very uncomfortable. I started off just behind the 3.30 pacer who I know well and expected that he could keep and even pace so I was happy to be behind him but I did keep a check on my pace.

I started off with a pace that would get me to a 3.30 finish and just kept working hard to maintain the pace. 

Through halfway in 1.43.30 and just perfect time.

The plan was to stay with the pacer until about 30k and then assess where I was at and what I could do. The 3.30 group seemed to slow significantly on the way up a hill at about 31k and it was then that I decided I needed to be in front of the group and run my own pace and set my own rhythm.

I was then in clear space and on my own. Set my rhythm and headed for home. I was never confident on the way back that I would be under 3.30 and with k markers I was doing some maths every couple of k's and it seemed I was hanging in but it was close. It would just take a slow k on one of the hills and I knew I would not be able to get it back.

At 40k I had just over 11 minutes to make it. Clearly made it with a a second half of 1.46.01 moving from 62nd at halfway to 31st at the finish. As I have said before I am not sure where this form has come from but I will take it. The M7 course has not changed since it's start 7 years ago and this is my second quickest except for the first.

An easy weeks before a marathon next weekend on Saturday and Sunday. I will very much ease of the pace but still with the aim for both to be under 4.00 but that might be difficult on the Sunday.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

M7 Marathon: pre race thoughts

This will be marathon 185 and the 15th of the year. It doesn't seem like 15 they have gone so quickly. I have another 10 planned to make 25 for the year and my biggest ever. My most in a year was 18 in 2013. Nice when you have a long streak of injury free training and running.

Last year this marathon was my quickest for the year with 3.33.04 and I have been running slightly better recently than I did at this time last year. As a comparison last year I ran:


  •  GC in 3.41 and this year 3.26 (15 minutes)
  •  Macleay 3.38 and this year 3.31 (7 minutes)
  • Hunter Valley 3.45 and this year 3.35 (10 minutes)
I am not usually concerned about numbers, times etc but I just thought today I would. It seems by the comparisons I am running consistently quicker and hope that will repeat on Sunday. I usually have a good idea of my fitness level and despite this being the 4th marathon in 4 weeks the issue is not fitness but whether fatigue will be a factor in the last 12 ks. That might be a factor if I am too quick up to 30k. So already I am getting my head space into be very patient and being on about 3.26/3.28 pace at half way, hold that until 30k and then see what is in reserve to hopefully at worst maintain my pace to the end.

There is nothing I can do in the next few days to change the outcome. I am where I am at and it will all come down to pacing on the day. 

The end time has nothing to do with luck. It will all be about me running my own race, being focused on that and ignoring what is going on around me and what others are doing. I should do that in all the races but lest be honest sometimes we just run and are very much influenced by what is happening around us in a race. That can be a good thing or bad. At the Gold Coast once the race settled down you are often surrounded by other running at your pace although they come and go but you are very much shoulder to shoulder for a long time.

M7 starts off like that but quickly you can be alone or with a group the breaks up at a water stop and never reforms. I know I am a bit of a rhythm runner and this course despite some rolling hills is okay for me. 

The following weekend a double in Brisbane like last year. Only wish is that they are both under 4 hours. Anyway that is something think about when this one is over. 



Monday, July 21, 2014

Hunter Valley Winery Marathon: 3.35.xx

Well I did't start at 3.35 pace. I was a bit quicker but it finished up being a 3.35 marathon more by luck than precise execution. 
It was a perfect morning for running. The temperature was around 10/11 degrees at the start and compared to other years that was warm. The marathon is 2 loops and often the wind comes up a bit in the second lap and that combined with THE HILL and the other long inclines always presents a challenge on the second lap to maintain the first lap pace.

My best over the last 6 years has been 3.40 and I set out challenge that by running freely in the first lap and see what I could do on the second. It was not a race plan of even splits a I wanted to try something different although I knew that would result in fade more than usual. I was hoping I would no be an embarrassing fade with a walk/stumble/death march a the end.

Short story - 3.35 finish with about 1.45/1.50 splits. At 35k I had 34 minutes to get home for a sub 3.30. It was always going to be a struggle with the long incline just after 35k and lasting ?2k. No excuse but then I ran into the back of the 10k runners/walkers and I was slow down/speed up pass/weave some more run of the track to pass more - you get the idea. I am very much a rhythm runner and this over the last 4k was not what I can handle well.

No complaints - that is what happens an I suspect I was not going go under 3.30 anyway.

I have to say I am more than pleased to run what in all the circumstances is good time and much better than I have generally been running for the last few years. Then M7 Marathon next Sunday which is a relatively quick course but I am not sure how I will hold up with the 4th in 4 weeks.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Hunter Valley Winery Marathon : pre race thoughts

At this time of the year it is a case of ... another Sunday and another marathon.
 
This Sunday it is located in the Hunter Valley about 90 minutes drive from Sydney and in the fabulous wine area. This year for the first time my wife will be travelling with me and again for the first time I will overnight in the area. So a drive up on Saturday morning and a visit to some wineries and lunch during the day. There is a boutique cheese make in the area and we will fit a visit into that as well.
 
Sunday the marathon and then maybe another winery visit before returning home. I do not drink any more but I have no issue in visiting wineries and my wife sampling some wines. That part of my life is well behind me and being around wine etc is not an issue.
 
This week I have trained well running Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with Friday off,
 
The marathon. It will be my 6th at the Hunter and my best is 3.40 in 2010 and my slowest 3.52. So I have a small range of finishing times. How I would like to run a PB for this course. Crash and burn is a possibility but that race plan will be 3.35 starting pace and see how I hold on.
 
 

Monday, July 14, 2014

Dolls Point Marathon: 3.28.48

Well I started off as planned with the aim of a sub 3.30 finish and then see how long I held on for. Obviously I held on to the finish. 

I rarely looked at my Garmin as I wanted to run to feel. When I did check I was averaging about 4.55 per k pace. That felt comfortable but at the very top end of that. So as the race went on it was a matter of how long I could sustain the pace and whether last weeks run and a solid week of training would cause a quick slow down because of fatigue.

A strong head wind come up on the last lap and there was a 5k battle with that before the turnaround and the hope it would be a tailwind on the run home. For me it felt like a tailwind or perhaps it was just the lack of the headwind.

I amazed to be under 3.30 again. What ever is happening I intend to squeeze as much out of this form fro as long as I can. So I will continue with some hard training sessions but training smart - that is maximum benefit for the minimum effort. 

Another one next weekend at the Hunter Valley. It is a tough course with some long inclines that take away the leg speed on the flats and downhills. Ah well, take each course as it comes.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Dolls Point Marathon: thoughts

I am having a quiet day at home with my daughter and her partner who are up from Melbourne for the weekend. Out for a late breakfast for his birthday.

That does not prepare me as usual for a Sunday marathon as I travel and stay away from home for most. I need  to focus a bit more than I have today. I am undecided whether tomorrow it will be a lazy run just under 4 hours or will I push down to a 3.3x. I have a couple of more important marathons ink the next 2 weeks and want to be as fresh for them as I can be taking into account I am running 4 marathons in 4 weeks.

At the moment I am inclined to start off at the quicker finish and see for how long I can hold on.