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Smc Marathon Day
Posted by
bobbys
,
15 January 2012
·
122 views
Well - Marathons ae meant to be a challenge - to test one's abilities and to take you out of your comfort zone. I normally would approach this with a "more traditional" approach and include a couple of 30+km runs - and then taper out.
This time around, I jumped the gun, entered and then hoped for the best - at least a 25km run would help.
Given that I wasn't after a specific time, I went out at the BOP with Eagle and we went rather slow (for both of us). I was amazed how hard it was to keep a slow tempo as we both wanted to go faster. We did the first 21.1km almost on target at 2:08:xx and then stopped for a drink at the water table as we had 2 minutes up our sleeve and then proceeded to tackle the 2nd half.
At approx 28km I left Eagle and commenced to go a little faster as it felt natural. I was still feeling good at the 31.5km just before HTFU hill but today I didn't find it difficult at all. Got to the top and I was expecting my body to say stop but this time it was happy for me to keep going. From here. I started ticking over the kms (I wouldn't say with ease but at least with some degree of comfort). I then started to overtake a few other runners who seemed to be struggling. Passed Seris at the 7km to go point (she only had about 3 to go) - offered to swap but she declined (it was a long shot). Kept going and then thought oh well - I might stop just after the drink station at the turn around. Instead, the body was happy and I kept going. The Victoria st hill slowed me done a little but I was still moving and in no pain or major dicomfort. The drink station with 2.5km to go was a great psychological point and great to pass. As I progressed I started getting closer and closer.
With 1km to go, I found another gear and was able to push through and go slightly quicker. I felt I was doing 5min k's (probably more like 5:30 but haven't checked Garmin yet) and managed to finish with a time of 4:17:50. Well within race cutoff - particularly if I wanted to do 6ft which I'm not.
It was the most enjoyable run that I've ever had and managed to learn a few new things about my body. Only had 3 Gels (at 21km, at 28km and at about 35km. weather played a big part and the shower at about 16 - 23km certainly helped keep things cool.
I had been eyeing off the Narrabeen allnighter as my possible first foray into ultras. After this morning's run, provided I can avoid injury, I think it's certainly plausabile.
At least I start my holidays tomorrow so a nice relaxing run along the beach on wednesday to help remove the stiffness might be in order. My next aim is as part of a team for a treadmill marathon in mid february.
Special thanks to Eagle for his support and encouragement today - it played a part knowing that I had such an experienced runner with me.
This time around, I jumped the gun, entered and then hoped for the best - at least a 25km run would help.
Given that I wasn't after a specific time, I went out at the BOP with Eagle and we went rather slow (for both of us). I was amazed how hard it was to keep a slow tempo as we both wanted to go faster. We did the first 21.1km almost on target at 2:08:xx and then stopped for a drink at the water table as we had 2 minutes up our sleeve and then proceeded to tackle the 2nd half.
At approx 28km I left Eagle and commenced to go a little faster as it felt natural. I was still feeling good at the 31.5km just before HTFU hill but today I didn't find it difficult at all. Got to the top and I was expecting my body to say stop but this time it was happy for me to keep going. From here. I started ticking over the kms (I wouldn't say with ease but at least with some degree of comfort). I then started to overtake a few other runners who seemed to be struggling. Passed Seris at the 7km to go point (she only had about 3 to go) - offered to swap but she declined (it was a long shot). Kept going and then thought oh well - I might stop just after the drink station at the turn around. Instead, the body was happy and I kept going. The Victoria st hill slowed me done a little but I was still moving and in no pain or major dicomfort. The drink station with 2.5km to go was a great psychological point and great to pass. As I progressed I started getting closer and closer.
With 1km to go, I found another gear and was able to push through and go slightly quicker. I felt I was doing 5min k's (probably more like 5:30 but haven't checked Garmin yet) and managed to finish with a time of 4:17:50. Well within race cutoff - particularly if I wanted to do 6ft which I'm not.
It was the most enjoyable run that I've ever had and managed to learn a few new things about my body. Only had 3 Gels (at 21km, at 28km and at about 35km. weather played a big part and the shower at about 16 - 23km certainly helped keep things cool.
I had been eyeing off the Narrabeen allnighter as my possible first foray into ultras. After this morning's run, provided I can avoid injury, I think it's certainly plausabile.
At least I start my holidays tomorrow so a nice relaxing run along the beach on wednesday to help remove the stiffness might be in order. My next aim is as part of a team for a treadmill marathon in mid february.
Special thanks to Eagle for his support and encouragement today - it played a part knowing that I had such an experienced runner with me.
