Monday, October 10, 2005
Melbourne Marathon
My plan for this marathon was to start out slower than I usually do and try and run more even splits. I thought I would start out on 3:30 pace and try to hold on the best I could.
All was going to plan until 14km when we turned into this road along the beach and got hit with a very strong headwind. I decided not to let it worry me because my mantra for this marathon was going to be no excuses. I popped my first gel at 15km and worked hard to maintain 5 minute kms. I reached 20km in just over 1:40. So despite lifting the tempo, I realised that I was slowing down. I then went through the halfway mark in just under 1:46. A quick calculation told me that I would have to run an even split second half to get the PB. I tried to tack onto the back of a couple of runners here who were running well and looking strong. I managed to keep them not too far ahead until around the 30km mark which I reached in 2:33. I stopped for a drink at this point and when I looked up to start running again, I'd lost them. So I just kept plugging away, telling myself that the kms after 30km are the championship kms and this is what I train for. I reached 35km in 3:01 where I had my last gel and a very welcome icy pole from the little Virtual Runners. The last 7km were as tough as they always are and I just ground them out. Just before the finish I saw Digger up ahead so I made a concerted effort to catch him and got him just before the finish line to finish in 3:42:32 by my watch. This gave me a second half split of 1:56, which was only 10 minutes slower than the first half. This is the closest I have run to even splits.
Then it was a case of catching up with Cool Runners at the end and hearing the trials and tribulations of everybody's runs. We then ventured to the Transport Bar with another 30-40 Cool Runners. It was great to renew some acquaintances with interstate Cool Runners and meet some for the first time. As always, the warmth and friendship you receive from people you have never met never ceases to amaze me.
Was interviewed by Courtly Love doing podcasts and really enjoyed the experience. Virtual Runner shouted all Sydney Striders a Crownie which was very much appreciated. Thanks for the hospitality guys.
All was going to plan until 14km when we turned into this road along the beach and got hit with a very strong headwind. I decided not to let it worry me because my mantra for this marathon was going to be no excuses. I popped my first gel at 15km and worked hard to maintain 5 minute kms. I reached 20km in just over 1:40. So despite lifting the tempo, I realised that I was slowing down. I then went through the halfway mark in just under 1:46. A quick calculation told me that I would have to run an even split second half to get the PB. I tried to tack onto the back of a couple of runners here who were running well and looking strong. I managed to keep them not too far ahead until around the 30km mark which I reached in 2:33. I stopped for a drink at this point and when I looked up to start running again, I'd lost them. So I just kept plugging away, telling myself that the kms after 30km are the championship kms and this is what I train for. I reached 35km in 3:01 where I had my last gel and a very welcome icy pole from the little Virtual Runners. The last 7km were as tough as they always are and I just ground them out. Just before the finish I saw Digger up ahead so I made a concerted effort to catch him and got him just before the finish line to finish in 3:42:32 by my watch. This gave me a second half split of 1:56, which was only 10 minutes slower than the first half. This is the closest I have run to even splits.
Then it was a case of catching up with Cool Runners at the end and hearing the trials and tribulations of everybody's runs. We then ventured to the Transport Bar with another 30-40 Cool Runners. It was great to renew some acquaintances with interstate Cool Runners and meet some for the first time. As always, the warmth and friendship you receive from people you have never met never ceases to amaze me.
Was interviewed by Courtly Love doing podcasts and really enjoyed the experience. Virtual Runner shouted all Sydney Striders a Crownie which was very much appreciated. Thanks for the hospitality guys.
Comments:
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A good run and it sounds like you stayed positive throughout - are you pleased with it? Marathons are always hard to gauge - I never know how fast to go out and I always find it hard from about 37km (Sydney this year was the exception). Well done.
Congrats Horrie!
Wow, what a day. That wind sounded just terrible, and you are so exposed out there on that course. Bet the aftermath in the Transport Bar made it all worthwhile tho :-)
I'm looking forward to some interesting podcasts.
Wow, what a day. That wind sounded just terrible, and you are so exposed out there on that course. Bet the aftermath in the Transport Bar made it all worthwhile tho :-)
I'm looking forward to some interesting podcasts.
Congratulations Horrie!!!
Great run...tough day with the wind! I hate the wind :) The post run celebrations sound fun :)
Put your feet up now :)
Great run...tough day with the wind! I hate the wind :) The post run celebrations sound fun :)
Put your feet up now :)
Well done Horrie on a great run in difficult conditions. It sounds like you stayed positive throughout the run; I need to get some lessons in that from you ;-)
So which particular part of the dark side is calling you now?
J.
So which particular part of the dark side is calling you now?
J.
Super run, Horrie! Love your mantra : "No Excuses!" It's all about just hanging in & keeping going & you're so good at that!
Hi, Belinda! Take it easy between now & "6ft Track - The Slow Version"!!!Hope you're still going to be there?
Hi, Belinda! Take it easy between now & "6ft Track - The Slow Version"!!!Hope you're still going to be there?
Well done mate!
Gee most of the marathons this year have been tough, imagine what will happen when the planets align!!!
Really sorry I missed posting an all the best message before the run but I was thinking of you guys on Sunday morning.
Recover well and then who knows, just watch that Spud and the dark side, I fear Mr G has trained him well....
Gee most of the marathons this year have been tough, imagine what will happen when the planets align!!!
Really sorry I missed posting an all the best message before the run but I was thinking of you guys on Sunday morning.
Recover well and then who knows, just watch that Spud and the dark side, I fear Mr G has trained him well....
Congratulations Horrie on a great run in tough conditions. Keep on plugging away mate and those quicker marathon times will get easier to achieve when the conditions are right.
I just love reading your posts where you do end up getting carried away in an ambulance :)
Seriously, good run. I often try to run even splits - gives the race a good focus and you can do this regardless of what time you want to finish with.
Enjoy the recovery but don't take too much time off.... Belinda will be all better and running rings around you shortly :) Hi Tim!
Seriously, good run. I often try to run even splits - gives the race a good focus and you can do this regardless of what time you want to finish with.
Enjoy the recovery but don't take too much time off.... Belinda will be all better and running rings around you shortly :) Hi Tim!
Horrie
Congrats on a great effort in such tough conditions. I am glad that you had an opportunity to run your own race to see personally what you had in the tank, you deserved it. Also loved your mantra of no excuses, very much typical of you. Catch you and Belinda soon.
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Congrats on a great effort in such tough conditions. I am glad that you had an opportunity to run your own race to see personally what you had in the tank, you deserved it. Also loved your mantra of no excuses, very much typical of you. Catch you and Belinda soon.
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