1077 replies to this topic

[jenko]

while i feel heaps bad for you for the injuries and how much that sucks, ive just seen a podiatrist and been told to lay off as well(strain in a muscle i cant remember the name of, rubbing on a bone i cant remember the name of) and was considering running this morning anyway but having read these posts ive had a rethink of my plans and decided to relax. best of luck for your rehab and i also am aiming for the startline of the gold coast marathon!

Edited by jenko, 12 November 2011 - 08:02 AM.

[SNOTRAG]

It is great to see such an interest in the Gold Coast already.  Gives you that buzz to be part of it.

My girlfriend (best running buddy ever) did the 10K this year and it was a really well run event.  You can't help but feel great next to the sea going for a run.  I was having a beer watching, so was even better for me.

That will be her first Marathon so I am really excited to be doing it with her.

Anyone visiting Gold Coast for a holiday/marathon should find reasonable priced accommodation. Off season after all.

Only down the road from me so its an awesome opportunity. As far as timing goes...no thoughts just yet but pretty much just working on my enjoy the event plan at the moment.

..and losing 10Kgs

[Greenman]

33 Weeks to go!!!

Still plenty of time to get heaps of long runs in.  

For those who aren't injured:

-How is your training going?  What are you doing?  
-How are you handling the heat on the long runs?
-What are your goals at this stage?


Cheers!

[brownsinglet]

For me atm, it's all about building a good base.  2 runs , 3 strength sessions and circuit training one week, 3 runs, 2 strength sessions and circuit training the other week.  After 3 months of this I'll incorporate more running and just concentrate on one strength session per week.  This approach for me seems to be going really well.  
I'm not really doing any long runs at this stage, I'm really just working in minutes and my longest time running has been about 1 hr.  Until February (and after most of the hottest days of summer) I won't be pushing it past this time very often.  As for goals, something around a 3:30 finish would do me nicely but I don't really have any idea how I'll go at this early stage.

Cool running everyone

[katess]

Hi all, new poster but long time lurker - I love this forum, so motivating!! I am planning on running my first HM at Gold Coast 2012... at the moment just slowly building the k's up and trying to stay injury free. I cheered for a friend doing the half a couple of years ago and the atmosphere was just amazing... I'm very excited!! Booked accom last week so it feels a bit more "locked in" now! Happy training everyone

[brownsinglet]

katess, on 17 November 2011 - 09:57 AM, said:

Hi all, new poster but long time lurker - I love this forum, so motivating!! I am planning on running my first HM at Gold Coast 2012... at the moment just slowly building the k's up and trying to stay injury free. I cheered for a friend doing the half a couple of years ago and the atmosphere was just amazing... I'm very excited!! Booked accom last week so it feels a bit more "locked in" now! Happy training everyone

Best of luck Katess,

Yes the atmosphere plus endorphins makes for a pretty awesome experience   I'm booking my accommodation tonight also, Injury is the only thing that will stop us now (but that isn't happpening )

[monaltrie]

33 weeks to go and the excitement begins to build....but we have to get thru some pretty hot and humid months so long runs may have to wait until we move into autumn. But what a fun event and all the peripheral activities.....would recommend  the weekend to anyone...5K to 26k...great atmosphere!!

[monaltrie]

Sorry...got my numbers wrong...or should I say measurements...42 K

[Kaiser]

Was staying at Surfer's this year and managed to get accommodation pretty late. Not sure if I'll head to GC for '12, but if I do I'll want to stay in Southport near the start/end.
Katess & Brownsinglet Is there a need to get accommodation this early? Any places to recommend with a decent price for a few uni students?

[Clark]

Hello everyone!

Sorry about my last post bit of a rant however just annoyed at myself for getting injured (re ITB).  Anyway doing lots of stretches and have started yoga and things are much improved. Thanks to everyone for their moral support and positive suggestions - it was greatly appreciated.

My running log this week has been Mon @ 2k, Wed @2k and Fri @2k.  The ITB feels good so my weekly increase will be 1k per training run per week.  Thus with 33 weeks to go and by the time of the GCM I will be running Mon @35k, Wed @35k and Fri @35k.  My goodness if I can do that well I will be fit!  Nah just kidding - I will be far more sensible than that (unless enthusiasm overcomes me and of course that never happens!)

Hi Katess -  it is good you have come out of the closet and are no longer a lurker.  Yes it is far more motivating when you advertise to the world your intentions to engage in an activity.  It gives a sense of ownership and of accepting responsibility to actually do it rather than just talking about it.  So good on you - read multiple pats on the back for you - is there an emoticon for that?! The best I could think of was   and

Hi Kaiser - I have booked accomodation at the Southport Tourist Park (6 Frank Street Labrador ph 07 55312281 or google their website) in a self contained unit. Got four beds and is on both the half and marathon routes about 1k from the startline heading north just over the bridge.  It is costing about $550 for 3 nights.  They have an array of differernt levels of accomodation and mine is about in the middle.  I have heard it is good and so only time will tell.  If I do a PB then it is a good place to stay!

All the best to everyone with their training and hear (try read) from you soon.
Clark

[katess]

Thanks Clark!

Kaiser I'm not really sure whether there is a real need to book so early but for me it's part of the motivation - a bit of financial committment! I've from Brisbane so have just booked accom for one night - staying at the QT hotel. A couple of years ago though I stayed with a friend at Paradise Inn - not fancy but our room had a double bed and 2 singles so might be a good inexpensive option for a group.

32 weeks and counting - Happy training all!

[Greenman]

Great stuff everyone!  Encourage and feel encouraged!!!

I have accommodation booked right out the front of the start/finish line (just a walk across the road).  Hopefully there won't be too much set up noise the night before.

With Gold Coast having won the 2018 Commonwealth Games, we just might be running on the actual Commonwealth Games course!!!!  

Can a 47 (in 2018) year old still compete at that level?  

[Kiwisuz]

Hi everyone, this is my first ever post!

GC 2012 will be my 5th GC marathon and clearly I love the event!  My aim for 2012 is to do my first Ultra (a 50km trail run in the Glasshouse mountains) three weeks after the marathon.  I'm a bit nervous about pulling up sore so plan to perhaps run a bit slower than I normally would and try to think of the marathon as my last long training run rather than go all out.  Easier said than done though when I would also like a new PB (last years PB of 3.19 was a beaut).  What do you all think?  Sensible to slow down and aim for perhaps 3.45 to conserve legs or go all out...?

[jjason]

Hi guys,i am planning on next years full, I have been training for this for just ovr a year,and have been following this thread, just a quick question,  any tips on where is the best place to stay, would like somewhere close to the start finish line, so my wife and kids don't have to far to walk, thanks in adavance , Jason

[Greenman]

32 kms...I mean weeks to go.

Hi Jason.  I have booked at Harbour Side Resort, which is a 30 meter walk across the road to the start line.  Never stayed there before so I can't recommend it from experience.

Hi Kiwisuz.  I guess you need to decide what your priorities will be.    If feeling good in the marathon, the temptation might be to go after the PB (at least that is what I would do!!)


OK, Time to check in everyone.  What did your last week's training consist of?  Mine is below:

Weekly log:

Goal for 2012 Gold Coast Marathon: Beat my 20 year old marathon PB of 3:07.47 (a LOT of work to do.)

Training completed this week: 50km over 4 sessions, long run 25 km.

Issues this week: Heat and humidity.  Only a month or so ago, I didn't need a drink at all on my long run.

Aims for the coming week: Easy week.  Perhaps some short, sharp runs.

I learned this week... that a 41 year old body doesn't work in quite the same manner as a 20 year old body does.  I have to work harder for less results.

[Brendan90]

As I am running the 2012 GC I suppose now is as good a time as any to join this thread! I have a big 2012 planned...

Weekly log:

Goal for 2012 Gold Coast Marathon: Sub 3:45

Training completed this week: 26km, (low km rest week)

Issues this week: None, feeling stronger than in recent months

Aims for the coming week: 6.5km Monday, 15km Wednesday, Marysville 1/2 Marathon Sunday.

I learned this week... My body is almost 100% again after surprising myself running City2Sea (Melb)

[jjason]

Greenman, on 20 November 2011 - 02:34 PM, said:

32 kms...I mean weeks to go.

Hi Jason.  I have booked at Harbour Side Resort, which is a 30 meter walk across the road to the start line.  Never stayed there before so I can't recommend it from experience.

Hi Kiwisuz.  I guess you need to decide what your priorities will be.    If feeling good in the marathon, the temptation might be to go after the PB (at least that is what I would do!!)


OK, Time to check in everyone.  What did your last week's training consist of?  Mine is below:

Weekly log:

Goal for 2012 Gold Coast Marathon: Beat my 20 year old marathon PB of 3:07.47 (a LOT of work to do.)

Training completed this week: 50km over 4 sessions, long run 25 km.

Issues this week: Heat and humidity.  Only a month or so ago, I didn't need a drink at all on my long run.

Aims for the coming week: Easy week.  Perhaps some short, sharp runs.

I learned this week... that a 41 year old body doesn't work in quite the same manner as a 20 year old body does.  I have to work harder for less results.

Thanks for the info I will check it out, cheers Jason

[jjason]

Right thats done, accommodation booked,3 nights, staying at main beach, that means it is all systems go!! can't wait, alot of trainning to do but I am excited. Word of advice book pretty soon if you can, travel agent says it is filling up quite fast, keep running, cheers Jason

[Clark]

I hope everyone is all bright and bubbly now that summer is here!   Here in sunny queensland the sun is so bright that we wear sun-glasses and wake up at about 4:45am.  I am not going to get into the conversation about wearing out the curtains however the runing shoes fade if left in the sun Which is a good excuse to get out and train.  I'm happy, been out 4 times this week - mind you only at 3k a time (coming back from injury) however it is wonderful to complete a week - to hit my targets  - and to pull up with no ADDITIONAL injuries yahoooo.  Next week's target is 5 times @ 3k.  Then I will increase distance now that frequency is at the level I want.  I am aware of the smirks however lets compare times at the end of the GCM for we all will have wonderful tales to tell. I must admit my wife's joke of "run like the wind Bullseye" (remember Toy story 1?) every time I walk out the door for a run is wearing slightly thin.

I believe what led to all this was I was recommended to see a Remedial Massage Therapist - he has just moved to town and recently moved to Oz from Germany.  Well Well Well Well Well  My goodness does this guy have wonderful hands and the things he does with my body or should I say the way he manipulates my body.  He loves to explain what he is doing and it is a hoot as he has a very heavy German accent and his grasp of Australian English leaves him perplexed - so I get a good massage and laugh at the same time.  So, the next time you travel through the holiday capital of the known universe and beyond (namely Bundaberg) contact me and I will give you the name of this guy.

Now I must end on a sad note.  Did my run today - great.  Tomorrow is my rest day - and I am so happy with my running that I do not want to rest.  BUT REST I MUST for that is what caused my last injury - lack of rest and attempting to increase distance too fast.  The sad bit is I must not run tomorrow - now I have my wife reading over my shoulder and saying that is OK as I can cross train - I do not believe working in the garden tomorrow with her qualifies as cross training.

Stuff it I will end on a happy note.
Q did you hear about the two blondes who walked into a building?  You would have though one of them would have seen it!

Edited by Clark, 26 November 2011 - 03:42 PM.

[Greenman]

31 Weeks to go.

These weeks are flying by!!!

Had an easy week this week, allowing the ol' body to absorb a few weeks of increased mileage.  Ran with Brisbane Road Runners this morning in the 10km event.  What a fantastic morning.  I was very impressed!     Man it was hot though. No chance for that desired 10 km PB.  Perhaps next time.

Can't wait for the cooler weather.  I wonder what the correlation is between cooler weather and additional pace???  

[DatMan]

Looking forward to the 2012 race. Will be my second GCM and I think it's a great course.  Will be much better prepared for the next effort. More kilometers in my legs will help me to not fade so much near the end.

And it's good fun!

[brownsinglet]

Great story Clarke, I looked up all over the internet for you and can't find anything about gardening being a cross training activity. I can't remember where but I did read that you should NEVER do gardening while running because it can restrict blood flow in your legs and hamper recovery  

I've had a good week.  

Monday: Run from work (12k's)
Tuesday: Cycle to work
Wednesday: Strength
Thursday: 10k Tempo
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Circuit training 45 mins
Sunday : 16k

Lots of variety but my body is cained and looking forward to another rest day or light exercise tomorrow.

Keep up the good work everyone

Edited by brownsinglet, 27 November 2011 - 10:53 PM.

[GoldCoastRunner]

Hi everyone. Its great to see so many people getting hyped up for the 2012 GCM.

Personally I can't wait to give it a proper crack in 2012. After assuming the 3 hr pacing duties in 2011 and helping/ motivating many people to run there sub 3hr PB, I myself feel that I have some unfinished business between me and my marathon PB.

My training is starting solid in January with a few other blips on the radar including The North Face 100, Six foot track and Super Sport series races.
One thing thou I am going to try this year is the use of the newly launched PARK RUN events. As they are held every Saturday (at a reasonable time 7am) I plan to use them as 5k TT to test my fitness a different points in my lead up. I also plant to use these at the end of my long runs, running anywhere up to 30k before hand and then using the hype and motivation of the other runners at park run to run a hard 5k.

This i believe will help me with my second half of the race, learning to run hard on very tired legs could possibly lead to a negative split. Its a new concept I am trailing in my training but all the science says it should work a treat. Is anyone else thinking of doing something like this , or keen to join me and compare results.?

[GregR]

GoldCoastRunner, on 28 November 2011 - 12:16 PM, said:

Hi everyone. Its great to see so many people getting hyped up for the 2012 GCM.

Personally I can't wait to give it a proper crack in 2012. After assuming the 3 hr pacing duties in 2011 and helping/ motivating many people to run there sub 3hr PB, I myself feel that I have some unfinished business between me and my marathon PB.

My training is starting solid in January with a few other blips on the radar including The North Face 100, Six foot track and Super Sport series races.
One thing thou I am going to try this year is the use of the newly launched PARK RUN events. As they are held every Saturday (at a reasonable time 7am) I plan to use them as 5k TT to test my fitness a different points in my lead up. I also plant to use these at the end of my long runs, running anywhere up to 30k before hand and then using the hype and motivation of the other runners at park run to run a hard 5k.

This i believe will help me with my second half of the race, learning to run hard on very tired legs could possibly lead to a negative split. Its a new concept I am trailing in my training but all the science says it should work a treat. Is anyone else thinking of doing something like this , or keen to join me and compare results.?

Sounds like a good plan although the early start to get the 30km before 7am would be a bit of challenge for me!

[Brendan90]

Starting to build up my long run for Tokyo in Feburary which i hope to maintain throughout the year. Feeling fairly good at this stage. No complaints.  

Last week's km tally read:

Monday: 6.5km @ 5min/km
Wednesday: 15km @ 5:25min/km
Sunday: Marysville Half Marathon 21.1km @ 5:39min/km

Total: 43.1km

I also do 4 days of gym a week of heavy weights for back, shoulders, arms and chest. Not trying to gain mass but just to keep everything even and to maintain muscle - I tend to get too skinny if I don't.

Will reduce the load this week to about 35km, then I'll bump it up to 47-48km next week with a long run of 24km. Not interested in speed at the moment, I will begin focusing on speed in the weeks before GC and aim for a PB there, will just try to run solid 4:00:00 marathons till then.

Brendan

Edited by Brendan90, 28 November 2011 - 08:22 PM.

[GoldCoastRunner]

GregR, on 28 November 2011 - 07:20 PM, said:

Sounds like a good plan although the early start to get the 30km before 7am would be a bit of challenge for me!

Yeah I am hearing you but I only plan to crack out 30k before hand a couple of times in my lead up. Mostly I will be looking at putting 10k or so in the legs before hand and if needed run extra afterwards. It's all about developing the ability to maintain fast leg turnover and the elusive "Second Gear" when on tired legs.

[Isthisnametaken]

I am keen for next years GCM. I finally cracked the 100 min mark at the Central Coast HM so it is now time to step up!!!

Was toying with doing the Canberra as my first Marathon but decided I would like a little break for the full on training over the festive period so GC it is.

I will be following the program from this years GM - Intermediate - and see how it goes. In the past I have had an achillies injury but it is OK at the moment. I have not run since the last weeks event but am going for an hours run tonight. A friend of mine has committed to the Canberra event so I will run with her to help her along and keep her honest so no rest for me, just not as structered for the next few weeks.

My plan is to get under 4 hours with a hope of a 3:45 but it is all about finishing.

John

Edited by Isthisnametaken, 02 December 2011 - 10:31 AM.

[Greenman]

30 Weeks to go!!!  Crikey!!!

Been carrying a strain behind the left knee for the past two weeks.  Felt really good, so went on 10km treadmill run yesterday and it has swollen again.  More ice!  

With only 30 weeks to go, anyone serious about this race will be right into their training now.  So....what are you doing?

Quiet week for me due to knee strain.  Very low kms.

[Brendan90]

Had an injury worry this week which limited me to only 1 run of 14kms.

Woke up Thursday morning after running the day before with a sore posterior tibial tendon + soleus muscle in my left leg, which is super unusual as I have never had a problem whatsoever on that side; but plenty on the right. Iced it and took anti inflammatory tablets and it was feeling better by Friday night. Sunday morning now and I can't feel it, but I'm going to wait till Wednesday to run again so it's had a full week to recover.

I'm fairly confident the cause was running too soon with a little too much intensity after the Marysville 1/2 a few days earlier which really shook the legs and stabilizer muscles around in the slippery mud. Hopefully it isn't tendinitis. Staying confident it isn't.

So only 14kms this week. Will Run 35-45 next week provided everything feels good. Hopefully a long run of +20km.

[nrb62]

A couple of solid weeks for me. 58ks last week and 63 this week with a 5k time trial yesterday (New Farm parkrun) and a long run of 23ks this morning. I'll be doing that time trial every 4 weeks or so up to GCM just to give me an idea of how I'm progressing. I was targeting 3.30 for the GCM but might have to revise the time after running 18.07 yesterday and then running fairly easy 5 min ks this morning. I dont want to put too much pressure on myself this far out from the GCM though!

[brownsinglet]

Great work on your 18.07 @ the Brisbane Parkrun nrb62.  With times like that and running fairly easy 5 mins k's Id be gunning for a sub 3hr @ the GCM.  I ran an ok 22 min + time for my first parkrun, was hoping for a bit more but I'll settle with that until next week  

Mixed it up again this week

Monday:  Rest
Tuesday:  6.5k's
Wednesday:  Speed session
Thursday:  Rest
Friday:  26k's Cycling
Saturday:  5k Parkrun, Hills session and Pushup session
Sunday:  17k's 5:20 pace

I wish Greenman and Brendan90 a speedy recovery  

[mutk]

I am undecided whether to do the GC Marathon this year. I am currently recovering from Achilles and heel problems, and  have been prescribed 'No Running'  until end of December. By that time it will have been more than two months without a run!! Obviously I will lack a decent basis to launch a Marathon race prep from I will play it by ear as I do think its possible to do an ok Mara with that amount of time to train. The issue is that I need to gradually buildup milage effectively from zero again.

What I will probably do is either the HM or 10km at GC, and maybe aim for the Melbourne Marathon for my one and only full for the year.


Good luck to those aiming for the GC 2012

[Brendan90]

Cheers BrownSinglet! Feeling good this week; just ran a quick 6.5km and felt 100%. We'll see how i go in the morning and if all is well my program will re-commence, looking for 20-25km this Saturday.

Brendan.

[brownsinglet]

Brendan90, on 05 December 2011 - 01:59 PM, said:

Cheers BrownSinglet! Feeling good this week; just ran a quick 6.5km and felt 100%. We'll see how i go in the morning and if all is well my program will re-commence, looking for 20-25km this Saturday.

Brendan.

Good luck mate and sounds like you may be getting on top of it.

My plan for my long runs is to run the same distance 3 times then have an easier week then increase the distance by 3km. The third time I run the distance I'll try to run it as fast as I can and have an easier week leading up to it. Doing this by early May I'll be around the 32k mark.  If I'm able to cope I'll try run the 3 x 35k's and taper through June.

[Peterhorse]

GCM is a goal race for next year, well every year since 2006 but only got to do 3 in that time due to injuries... So... the plan right now is - build strength, build steadily, do triathlon for cross training benefits and hook into the serious longer runs in the new year. Been doing some 2-3hr walk/jogs at Mt Coot-tha every second weekend and i'm sure the uneven tracks and decent hills is working.... ever so slowly though.

Looking forward to GCM already!!

[Clark]

Hi everyone, now is the time to avoid temptation over christmas and let your goals slide a bit by either not training or over indulging over christmas.

My training is going wonderfully well, no injuries and the like.  I am having some issues with orthotics and that is pi##ing me off.  If you want to read the saga go to Running Gear, Shoes and Socks thread.

Not long now and it will be 2012 and soon after that we will be jabberjawing either at the start line or the finish line congratulating each other for a job well done at the GCM!!

[Brendan90]

Another bad week for myself yet again!

Came down with shingles on Monday morning... First time I've had it, and for anyone who hasn't, it is more painful than you'd think! The rash mainly just attacked my right side of my torso, and the nerves down my right leg (sensitive skin on calf/quad, really sore knee/ankle).

The doctor gave me the all-clear to run as I didn't have a temperature or fever, ran on Monday for 6.5km and felt fine, then attempted a 25km on Wednesday as I had planned. Ankle was on fire 18km in, and called it quits at 22.5km. Hoping it was just the shingles affecting the nerves, and nothing else.

Almost 100% now, about to leave the house for my usual Monday 6.5km. I'll attempt a 25-28km again on Saturday.

Just can't seem to get the body right. Currently 10-11 weeks out from Tokyo, starting to worry a little bit at this point!

Hope everybody else had a positive week!!

Brendan.

[2Tonne]

Brendan90, on 12 December 2011 - 04:36 PM, said:

Another bad week for myself yet again!

Came down with shingles on Monday morning... First time I've had it, and for anyone who hasn't, it is more painful than you'd think! The rash mainly just attacked my right side of my torso, and the nerves down my right leg (sensitive skin on calf/quad, really sore knee/ankle).

The doctor gave me the all-clear to run

I had shingles last year, starting on the top of one glute and down to the hamstring. It was so painful! I couldn't stand up, sit down or lie on my back. I spent three days lying face down on the couch. I don't think I did any running for two weeks. At least you can only get shingles once! (or at least I hope that is the case)

All the best with the recovery

[Brendan90]

Cheers 2Tonne!! I need all the encouragement right now to keep me positive for the race!

Unfortunately though shingles (or the virus in general), can return at any stage during ones life. The occurrence rate for shingles for a person under 60 is about a 1-3% chance, and apparently can be brought on by either extreme stress levels, or a totally broken down immune system. Sounds like someone training for a marathon!!

You must have had it far worse than myself 2Tonne if you weren't able to run for 2 weeks, I would lose my mind not being able to run for that long!

[Isthisnametaken]

Work is very busy and am not as likley to be able to run at lunchtime as I once was. I have to work out a plan so that I can keep those muscles movin. Ran for about an hour a week ago. Got to get back on board before I loose too much fitness.

[Brendan90]

Isthisnametaken, have you tried to get up early and run before work? Sometimes it's the only option, the early starts can be hard at first but you slowly get used to them!

Had a really great week of training this week. Shingles appear to be gone, and legs are feeling great! I'm trying to cut a little bit of fat at the moment to get lighter on my feet (I'm 74kg, would like to be 71-72kg), so I've increased weight sessions at the gym. My calorie intake is staying the same as I don't want to risk not providing my body with enough nutrients to fuel my runs and to recover properly.

Long run this week was successful, ran 26.5km today. Was very hot in Melbourne today so I did a little bit more walking through my drink stations. Average pace was 6:20/km, minus the walking it would probably be about 6:00/km.

The week looked like this:

Monday: 6.5km run, chest/arms at the gym
Tuesday: back/shoulders at the gym
Wednesday: 10.5km run
Thursday: chest/legs at the gym
Friday: back/shoulders at the gym
Saturday 26.5km run

Total running: 43.5km, 4 hours 22 minutes

Next week's long run will be aiming for 30km.

Hope everyone else's training has been going well! I'm finally pleased to have a good week!!

[Isthisnametaken]

Brendan, I have thought about getting up and running before work but I currently stumble out of bed at 4:50am and any earlier seems a little bit extreme. I have sorted out a bit of a running schedule where I will run at work and then make the time up in the arvo. Six of one half doazen of the other I guess.

Am I being too ambitious to follow the advanced course from the Pat Carroll program? I have run 6 HM's in the last 2 years witn a PB a few weeks ago of 98:45. Should I just stick to the Intermediate? I am hoping to go under 4 hours but would think I could shoot for a 3:45.

Cheers,

John

Edited by Isthisnametaken, 18 December 2011 - 06:51 PM.

[TheGoat]

Brendan90, on 17 December 2011 - 05:38 PM, said:

Isthisnametaken, have you tried to get up early and run before work? Sometimes it's the only option, the early starts can be hard at first but you slowly get used to them!

Had a really great week of training this week. Shingles appear to be gone, and legs are feeling great! I'm trying to cut a little bit of fat at the moment to get lighter on my feet (I'm 74kg, would like to be 71-72kg), so I've increased weight sessions at the gym. My calorie intake is staying the same as I don't want to risk not providing my body with enough nutrients to fuel my runs and to recover properly.

Long run this week was successful, ran 26.5km today. Was very hot in Melbourne today so I did a little bit more walking through my drink stations. Average pace was 6:20/km, minus the walking it would probably be about 6:00/km.

The week looked like this:

Monday: 6.5km run, chest/arms at the gym
Tuesday: back/shoulders at the gym
Wednesday: 10.5km run
Thursday: chest/legs at the gym
Friday: back/shoulders at the gym
Saturday 26.5km run

Total running: 43.5km, 4 hours 22 minutes

Next week's long run will be aiming for 30km.

Hope everyone else's training has been going well! I'm finally pleased to have a good week!!

Brendan what event are you completing in Tokyo?

[TheGoat]

Ok here is 2 questions from someone who is a newbie to GC marathon and too lazy to look back through the threads

Is GC a fast course?
Does the event fill up or can I leave rego until later in the year?

[Brendan90]

Paul, I'm doing the Marathon, which is on February 26th 2012.

[meinmuk]

PaulOConnor, on 19 December 2011 - 12:59 PM, said:

Ok here is 2 questions from someone who is a newbie to GC marathon and too lazy to look back through the threads

Is GC a fast course?
Does the event fill up or can I leave rego until later in the year?

Hi Paul,
It's fast and flat. It does get warm as the day gets on.
I'm not aware of it fiiling up particularly fast.
Andy

[Brendan90]

Meinmuk, would one assume that GC would be capped at a higher amount than MM and thus less likely to fill up due to no merge being in place with the half marathoners?

I honestly wouldn't know! What is GC capped to anyway?

Brendan.

[TheGoat]

meinmuk, on 19 December 2011 - 08:50 PM, said:

Hi Paul,
It's fast and flat. It does get warm as the day gets on.
I'm not aware of it fiiling up particularly fast.
Andy

Cheers, I like the fast part but Im not sure if I like a course competely flat, although Im sure I wont be complaining at 35km if I did get up to the Gold coast to run it!

[TheGoat]

Just wondering about the location of this event and if it is exposed, I recall running the Melbourne marathon a couple of years ago and having to run the back half into a cruel head wind that totally blew out alot of runners splits, has this ocurred in the past at the GC

[mutk]

PaulOConnor, on 20 December 2011 - 09:40 AM, said:

Just wondering about the location of this event and if it is exposed, I recall running the Melbourne marathon a couple of years ago and having to run the back half into a cruel head wind that totally blew out alot of runners splits, has this ocurred in the past at the GC

I did this years and last year.. Both times wind was a minimal factor. I did the HM 2009 and that too was affected minimally by wind. Temp is typically 15-20, clear and calm. This year the leaders in the full complained that it was cold and 'difficult'  conditions. I felt that it was crisp and pleasant but I am not a fast runner   It got a bit hotter and muggy after the 3hr mark but not enough to significantly affect the run IMO.

No doubt weather will have played a part in the past, and some runners may have been hit by a headwind historically. But it is most likely to be calm and cool enough for a good run at the time of year the event is run. GC has a reputation as a 'personal bests'  course, its fast flat enough, and good weather usually. It is not completely flat. It has enough flat to find a good rhythm and a fair few undulations to stop it being dead boring. Nothing at all that I would call a hill though.


Cheers