Portland 3 Bays Marathon
Sunday 4thNovember 2018
The Portland Runners Club has been helping Portland residents and visitors get into running for 35 years. We support or run several local events - The 3 Bays Marathon, Portland ParkRun, The Winter Solstice Fun Run & The Narrawong Mouth to Mouth.
Port of Portland
Marathon - 42.2km
The Marathon, in its 35th year takes in Bridgewater Bay, Discovery Bay and Portland Bay. We start in Portland outside the 'Big O' Milkbar on the corner of Otway and Blair Streets and follow Otway St out to Bridgewater Bay via a gently undulating course. Spectacular views are afforded as competitors climb the first of our two big hills, the 'Dipper'. From there the course weaves through Bridgewater Lakes and past the intriguing limestone caves, before runners attempt the second climb, the 'Shuffler'. The course then heads back to town along 'Cashmore Straight', a mentally challenging 8km's of flat straight road. Then, back through town, skirting Portland Bay with a welcome descent down Bentinck Street to the finish line.
Pre-race –
I’d run Sydney marathon seven weeks prior and I had no intentions of rushing into another race. My friend talked me into Portland marathon! I went into it with no expectations. My “plan” was to see how I felt on the day. If I felt good, then I’d attempt to beat my time at Sydney (3:36:58). If I felt tired, then I’d run slow and enjoy the journey. I love country towns and smaller events. I’d never been to Portland and I was really looking forward to it.
The drive to Portland was nearly five hours. We arrived in time to collect our bibs and meander through the local markets. We checked in to our respective motels and decided to drive the course… It was good to see the hills (notoriously known as the dipper and shuffler). I wasn’t worried, I like variations and I don’t mind hills (my hips don’t always like them though). After our drive, we headed to the pre-race dinner. We chatted to other runners and met some of the Hybrid Fools – runners who entered the 60km trail and marathon! 100km in 2 days… Impressive! After enjoying a glass of red wine and a tasty vegetable risotto, we said our goodbyes. I was back in my room early enough to sort through my gear for the next day. I packed shorts, calf compression, Two Bays top, Vivra pouch and Flipbelt. I was a little underprepared… while riffling through my suitcase, I realised I forgot my hairbrush, toothbrush and I had minimal fuel for the race. I had an At One bar, V-Fuel gel, Endura gel and Nuun electrolytes. Thankfully I remembered my Injinji socks and Hoka Cliftons! I set my alarm and went to sleep easily.
Race-day –
I slept well until my alarm woke me. I had some oats and a green tea before walking to the local McDonalds (where we agreed to meet). After a quick toilet stop, we walked a few minutes to the start area. We mingled with other runners (there were approximately 60 runners in the marathon), the race director gave a briefing and we assembled at the start line. The weather was cool with a hint of rain.
The run began well with a comfortable sub 5min split. The course was open road but perfectly safe. Runners spread out quickly and traffic was minimal. Whenever cars approached (few and far between) I drifted onto the edge of the asphalt. There were farms and paddocks either side of us. The surroundings were calming and I held my pace over the initial undulations. The first 13km were constant ups and downs but I maintained a steady sub 5min pace and I felt relatively good. The weather changed to light rain with very slight headwind. It was perfect running conditions.
Just after 13km, I had my first gel and that was my first split over 5min pace (5:02). I calculated that I’d have a second gel at 26km and a bar around 32km. Seriously… what was I thinking? Not enough (and I would never advise one of my runners to follow my scatterbrained plan). From what I remember, I reached “the dipper” around 18km climbing about 40m. The dipper is exactly as it sounds (up-down-up) and the decline in the middle offers a picturesque view of green acres into the distance. There was a long stretch of downhill and I said “hello” to the cows and sheep, reassuring them I was a friend (aka. vegetarian). As I ran around the corner and started to climb the inevitable hill, I could see the half-marathon runners ready to start. I heard the race director count down 3-2-1… I just missed the window of opportunity to get ahead of them. It didn’t matter though. The hill affectionately known as “the shuffler” slowed me down. I dodged runners and walkers as I shuffled up “the shuffler” until… I decided to walk. I didn’t really mind walking a little as I was already tracking faster than anticipated so who cares if I lost 20 seconds on a walk-break. That split was 6:53min (70m elevation). Regardless, I felt better for it and soon began plodding again.
From 23-32km I fell into an easy rhythm and sustained 5min pace along the flat road. My headspace was so good that I imagined the finish clock… 3:30 (what a sweet daydream). I smiled in appreciation as spectators clapped and cheered. The volunteers throughout the entire event were enthusiastic and always ready with water or electrolytes. There were motorcyclists roaming up and down the course to ensure each individual marathon runner was ok. (You’d never get that kind of personalised care in a big city event!) I recall looking at my Garmin at 26km (when I planned on taking a second gel) and thinking, “I’m ok, I’ll wait a little longer.”I wanted to have my gel just before an aid station so I could follow it with water. The aid stations were 5km apart so I should’ve had it around 29km. But again the little voice said, “I feel fine.”I had right hip pain deep in my groin but it was tolerable (and nothing new). I preferred to keep running. Then all of a sudden… I hit a wall. I’m not going to say, “the wall” because I don’t think I did… I don’t think it was that bad? Maybe it was just a small wall? I don’t know. I’d never experienced it before however I went from 4:57min pace and feeling dandy to 5:15min pace and feeling shite (as my son would say). My mindset was great, I was thinking, “only 10km to go”but my legs were fighting against an unseen force. I quickly scrambled around in my Vivra belt and took a gel followed by part of an energy bar. I struggled to keep running with my pace decreasing further to 5:26min and 5:39min. I even walked at 40km for no reason at all. Well… maybe the reason was fatigue but that is a given when running a marathon.
Reaching 40km gave me hope and strength. I crossed a road (with guidance from marshals) and continued towards the water. Portland is very a pretty town with panoramic views of the bay. I glanced at my watch and knew I had to move faster if I wanted to beat Sydney marathon time. I ran down Bentinck St and could hear noise from the finish line. “Just a little bit further…”
As I ran through the finishing passage I heard the announcer call my name and time of 3hours 36min 27seconds (31 seconds faster than Sydney)… Points for consistency!
Post-race and feedback –
After I crossed the line and I placed 2ndfemale in 3:36. Apart from a silly mistake with fuelling, I was happy with how I ran especially considering the hills. As I said, I enjoy variety, country towns and water views. The people were super friendly and prizes were fantastic! If you’re looking for a weekend (marathon) getaway, I highly recommend Portland 3 Bays running festival!
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