42km achieved! Race Report
Well I hoped to finish my 42k in a time between 5 and 5.5 hours and I just scraped through with 5:27:39.
The first three hours I felt comfortable, happy & elated. I worked hard to stay focused and to be aware of the beautiful city around me, to be grateful for the superb weather, and concentrated on the logistics of my pace and not expending too much effort! At the 21km mark I was right on track for a finish of 5:10 and feeling strong.
At around 24km I felt my pace decline and the struggle start to begin. I knew I would have to walk eventually and started bargaining with myself over what that might entail, what I could still feel proud of and what I would feel disappointed by.
At 26km I tested a short power walk. From there up until about 30km I alternated 2 minutes running and 2 minutes power walking. By now it was a real struggle. Mentally I was struggling to compute when I had taken my last energy gel and when it was time for the next one.
I was really encouraged that I was able to keep walking so fast though. I was passing a lot of strong, fit looking people who were walking slowly. I kept looking for km markers to see what my pace was, I felt right on a precipice.... I kept telling myself it was still possible to make it in under 5:30. My heart rate was elevated above the level I had been running at in the first half, just walking.
Up until this point I had really maintained my goal of keeping happy, having a smile on my face, saying thank you and hello to spectactors and volunteers. There wasn't too much more of that from here on out until the very end!
At 32km I passed an older runner wearing a spartan marathon t shirt and then he passed me, and then I passed him. When it looked like I had passed him for the final time I told him we could race each other, and we started power walking together pulling each other forward. We kept that going for another 5km. This was his 31st Melbourne Marathon, can you imagine! He really kept me fighting and when we separated at 37km, I focused every single ounce of energy I had on beating the clock at 5:30.
At 40km I felt myself choke up with emotion and it was so very hard to keep moving, even with so little left to go. I kept myself moving by thinking of the clock. I tested out my legs with a little jog. I only made it about 50 metres but I hoped I had what I needed to run the last 400m around the G. When it came to the last km I could hear music coming from the G. I could also see a big blur of orange, the finished cantoo group, up ahead. I wanted them to see me run in but it was more than I thought I had left.. could I do it? I decided I could and started running, very slowly and gingerly. When I passed the cantooers screaming my name and giving me high fives I was so choked up with tears, and then Lyn the director of CanToo came out and ran with me to the entrance of the G. I didn't have time to stop but I took a few deep breaths to get the emotion off my face. I wanted to run around the G with a big smile and take it all in.
My legs had other ideas. I kept a smile on my face but I barely noticed where I was or what I was doing, I had to really focus on counting in my head to keep running. I managed to kick up the pace at the very end, I was so stoked.
Finishing was incredibly overwhelming! I have been incredibly sore since, waking up all during the night Sunday in pain. I am still very sore in my abdominals and a bit queasy, and very sore in the legs especially my quadriceps.
But so happy to have achieved my goal!
Sponsorship - Over $3800 raised for Cure Cancer Australia
I am absolutely stoked that with your generous support we have raised over $3800. I have three weeks left to fundraise and will keep striving towards my goal of $5000. The Melbourne Marathon group of marathoners, half marathoners and 10kers have raised over $100,000 so we have funded more than one year of cancer research, it's a terrific accomplishment.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
I did it!
Yesterday I completed 42.2k of the Melbourne Marathon in about 5:27 (official times to come).
Full race report later today, I am stoked!
Full race report later today, I am stoked!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Good times.
this week has been terrific. Great run Monday, great yoga session Tuesday, great CanToo session last night, and great easy run today.
Saturday is my first time back at a Can Too long run, after having missed a few (and only partially made them up in my own training).
It's a 32k, with my longest to date being 22k. Luckily I've had a few around the 22k mark, and my relatively fresh legs will help a great deal. Proportionately it's pretty similar to when I did the half marathon when my longest prior run was the 14.1k run for the kids, plus
my legs are relatively fresh
I am not injured
I'm well hydrated and rested
I'm no longer tired all the time now I've been taking two iron tablets a day
Plus, I've rescheduled my upcoming Perth trip to Feb next year. I had been stressing out big time of how to fit my training and rest requirements in with it!
And the biggest thing of all, is the cloud of anxiety that was shrouding me for about a month seems to have lifted. I have remember that I undertook this whole marathon caper just wanting to finish, and have fun with it!
Last night at training i aimed to stay happy and keep a smile on my face. That was my approach to the half marathon and it really helped me feel the joy.
So, this Saturday, the 32k, I'm approaching it just like I did the half marathon, which is exactly how I intend to approach the full marathon - it's longer than I've ever run before, I expect it to be a challenge, but my goals are to manage the effort, find the joy, enjoy the process, and if at all possible, negative split! And that's all that matters, the time is completely irrelevant.
I've been knocking back a lot of invites to things citing my marathon training but have decided to skip the Saturday recovery run in a week and a half (between the 32 and the 35) so I can go to a bucks night the night before (without stressing about how it will affect me the next day).
This frees me up to do the start to finish series which is 3 8k runs over spring - Sept, Oct & Nov http://www.starttofinish.com.au/default.aspx?s=eventdisplay&id=687
I'll do the first of them on the weekend where I'm missing that Saturday run.
It's so nice not to be feeling as anxious as I was! I expect I'll be hurting Saturday afternoon, so good to have had a bit of an emotional pick me up.
Saturday is my first time back at a Can Too long run, after having missed a few (and only partially made them up in my own training).
It's a 32k, with my longest to date being 22k. Luckily I've had a few around the 22k mark, and my relatively fresh legs will help a great deal. Proportionately it's pretty similar to when I did the half marathon when my longest prior run was the 14.1k run for the kids, plus
my legs are relatively fresh
I am not injured
I'm well hydrated and rested
I'm no longer tired all the time now I've been taking two iron tablets a day
Plus, I've rescheduled my upcoming Perth trip to Feb next year. I had been stressing out big time of how to fit my training and rest requirements in with it!
And the biggest thing of all, is the cloud of anxiety that was shrouding me for about a month seems to have lifted. I have remember that I undertook this whole marathon caper just wanting to finish, and have fun with it!
Last night at training i aimed to stay happy and keep a smile on my face. That was my approach to the half marathon and it really helped me feel the joy.
So, this Saturday, the 32k, I'm approaching it just like I did the half marathon, which is exactly how I intend to approach the full marathon - it's longer than I've ever run before, I expect it to be a challenge, but my goals are to manage the effort, find the joy, enjoy the process, and if at all possible, negative split! And that's all that matters, the time is completely irrelevant.
I've been knocking back a lot of invites to things citing my marathon training but have decided to skip the Saturday recovery run in a week and a half (between the 32 and the 35) so I can go to a bucks night the night before (without stressing about how it will affect me the next day).
This frees me up to do the start to finish series which is 3 8k runs over spring - Sept, Oct & Nov http://www.starttofinish.com.au/default.aspx?s=eventdisplay&id=687
I'll do the first of them on the weekend where I'm missing that Saturday run.
It's so nice not to be feeling as anxious as I was! I expect I'll be hurting Saturday afternoon, so good to have had a bit of an emotional pick me up.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Long time, no post.
Hi All,
Quick update, I've had a crazy few weeks and a very disrupted training schedule, more lows than highs.. Some physical, some psychological, and some logistical.
But, there's just under six weeks to go now, and as of right now I'm feeling excited and positive to face the challenge ahead and make the most of the time that is remaining.
Fundraising wise with the remaining chocolate to sell I'll be at about $3000. I haven't wanted to do another fundraising push until my long runs are back on track, which will be the case, I'm quite positive, after this Saturday, but I also feel good that I have a full four weeks after the marathon where I can focus my energy on raising whatever is left.
This is a quick post to break the not-posting block, so I'll see you again later this week.
Quick update, I've had a crazy few weeks and a very disrupted training schedule, more lows than highs.. Some physical, some psychological, and some logistical.
But, there's just under six weeks to go now, and as of right now I'm feeling excited and positive to face the challenge ahead and make the most of the time that is remaining.
Fundraising wise with the remaining chocolate to sell I'll be at about $3000. I haven't wanted to do another fundraising push until my long runs are back on track, which will be the case, I'm quite positive, after this Saturday, but I also feel good that I have a full four weeks after the marathon where I can focus my energy on raising whatever is left.
This is a quick post to break the not-posting block, so I'll see you again later this week.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
City to Surf excitement
I'm excited about the city to surf now.. there's so many people here at the hostel doing it, it's really exciting! I've had my breaky, I'm hydrating, I'm just about to pop into the shower.
Was just doing a little online research about joining a boot camp for a few weeks to beef up the core strength and cross training in support of the marathon training (given the circus thing didn't quite work out). I'd do it at flagstaff gardens three days a week which would fit in around my three programmed runs (one alone, two with cantoo) and yoga... So I'd only have one workout to motivate myself individually for, and it'd also work me towards my goal of getting up earlier in the morning.. hmmm options options!!
Ok, loving you my dear reader, looking forward to today! can't wait to see bondi! xx
Was just doing a little online research about joining a boot camp for a few weeks to beef up the core strength and cross training in support of the marathon training (given the circus thing didn't quite work out). I'd do it at flagstaff gardens three days a week which would fit in around my three programmed runs (one alone, two with cantoo) and yoga... So I'd only have one workout to motivate myself individually for, and it'd also work me towards my goal of getting up earlier in the morning.. hmmm options options!!
Ok, loving you my dear reader, looking forward to today! can't wait to see bondi! xx
Saturday, August 8, 2009
City to Surf Tomorrow, brief mention of 5k disappointment
It's Saturday night and I'm at the youth hostel in Sydney.
Tomorrow is the city to surf and I'm downloading podcasts and ripping my two new cds by chairlift and the hilltop hoods to load up the ipod shuffle with listening material for tomorrow.
After a few days walking around Sydney I am recquainted with how hilly it is, tomorrow is going to be a challenging hilly course. However - I have run far greater distances in the past, and If I approach it just as a training run it should be an interesting and fun cultural experience (It's 75,000 runners, the largest fun run in the world, and it ends at Bondi Beach which I've never been to before).. I will try to remember to chill out and manage the moment (hence loading up the ipod, definitely not a run where I want to rely on breath association as the only tool to get me through).
Disappointingly, when I bolted out the house on Thursday morning I forgot to pack my cantoo singlet that I'd worn to training and then washed the night before. So I will be running without my cantoo identification, and hence without all the support and cameraderie a CanToo singlet generates! I will still go and say hello to the cantoo guys after the race, you can't stop me.. and at least I've got my shoelaces!
I think it's going to be pretty warm but I'll wear my addidas running tights since I can stuff some cash in the back pocket to head out for breakfast afterwards (If I can.. I'm sure Bondi will be a madhouse).
I'm pretty exhausted right now and a bit dehydrated. The last two days I spent wandering around Sydney and taking in the glorious sunshine, but haven't taken the best care of my hydration needs. I didn't exactly rest the past two days but I didn't train either, my legs aren't fresh but they don't feel like they're about to fall off.
Thursday morning though when I first got here I went for a run up to the Botanic Gardens and then spent an hour giving myself a personal training session, lots of repeated short bursts of activity like sprints and running up stairs and ab work. It was actually great fun and a type of workout I'd like to do more of in the future - very sore Friday though!
I was in part trying to appease for my very disappointing 5k run on Wednesday. I worked hard, had the heart rate about where I wanted it, and managed to just stay in control.. Conditions that I hoped would result in an improvement on the last 5k when I went too hard, had no control, but almost broke 30 mins - this time it was 31 mins something and I was really quite down about it.
But tonight that's not on my mind at all, I just want to get some hydration in me, get the ipod loaded and then get some rest, and get my gear ready for the morning! It's a 9 oclock start and apparently the back of the pack won't start until after 9:30 or perhaps even closer to 10, so I don't need an early start which is quite nice! I will probably shower tonight so tomorrow morning I can get up, eat a light breakfast (not an option on those 7am starts), and head out the door just before 9.
Tomorrow is the city to surf and I'm downloading podcasts and ripping my two new cds by chairlift and the hilltop hoods to load up the ipod shuffle with listening material for tomorrow.
After a few days walking around Sydney I am recquainted with how hilly it is, tomorrow is going to be a challenging hilly course. However - I have run far greater distances in the past, and If I approach it just as a training run it should be an interesting and fun cultural experience (It's 75,000 runners, the largest fun run in the world, and it ends at Bondi Beach which I've never been to before).. I will try to remember to chill out and manage the moment (hence loading up the ipod, definitely not a run where I want to rely on breath association as the only tool to get me through).
Disappointingly, when I bolted out the house on Thursday morning I forgot to pack my cantoo singlet that I'd worn to training and then washed the night before. So I will be running without my cantoo identification, and hence without all the support and cameraderie a CanToo singlet generates! I will still go and say hello to the cantoo guys after the race, you can't stop me.. and at least I've got my shoelaces!
I think it's going to be pretty warm but I'll wear my addidas running tights since I can stuff some cash in the back pocket to head out for breakfast afterwards (If I can.. I'm sure Bondi will be a madhouse).
I'm pretty exhausted right now and a bit dehydrated. The last two days I spent wandering around Sydney and taking in the glorious sunshine, but haven't taken the best care of my hydration needs. I didn't exactly rest the past two days but I didn't train either, my legs aren't fresh but they don't feel like they're about to fall off.
Thursday morning though when I first got here I went for a run up to the Botanic Gardens and then spent an hour giving myself a personal training session, lots of repeated short bursts of activity like sprints and running up stairs and ab work. It was actually great fun and a type of workout I'd like to do more of in the future - very sore Friday though!
I was in part trying to appease for my very disappointing 5k run on Wednesday. I worked hard, had the heart rate about where I wanted it, and managed to just stay in control.. Conditions that I hoped would result in an improvement on the last 5k when I went too hard, had no control, but almost broke 30 mins - this time it was 31 mins something and I was really quite down about it.
But tonight that's not on my mind at all, I just want to get some hydration in me, get the ipod loaded and then get some rest, and get my gear ready for the morning! It's a 9 oclock start and apparently the back of the pack won't start until after 9:30 or perhaps even closer to 10, so I don't need an early start which is quite nice! I will probably shower tonight so tomorrow morning I can get up, eat a light breakfast (not an option on those 7am starts), and head out the door just before 9.
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