Melbourne Marathon
Sunday 12th October 2014
www.melbournemarathon.com.au/Events/Marathon
Course -
Start Batman Avenue, head north along Batman Avenue; left into Flinders Street, left into Swanston Street, and head south along St Kilda Road. At St Kilda Junction, runners turn right into Fitzroy Street then right into Lakeside Drive and do an anticlockwise lap of Albert Park Lake. Runners proceed to a right hand turn into Village Green Rd and right into Lakeside Drive and right in to Fitzroy St. Runners then make a right hand turn at Acland St extension proceed north onto Beaconsfield Parade, to a U-turn just before Bay St heading south toward St Kilda along Beaconsfield Parade. At the Beaconsfield Parade intersection with Jacka Boulevard, runners will veer right and head towards Elwood using Jacka Boulevard and Marine Parade to Ormond Esplanade to a U-Turn in Ormond Esplanade near St Kilda St. After the U-Turn runners proceed north along Ormond Esplanade, Marine Parade, Jacka Blvd into extension of Acland St, followed by a left hand turn into Fitzroy St. At St Kilda Junction runners turn left into St Kilda Road continuing to a left hand turn into Southbank Blvd, followed by a right hand turn into Sturt St, proceeding along Alexandra Ave to a right hand turn into Linlithgow Ave. Runners proceed along Linlithgow Ave onto Birdwood Ave to a right hand turn into Domain Rd. This is followed by a right hand turn onto St Kilda Rd, over Princes Bridge into Swanston St to a right hand turn onto Flinders St. Then veer right into Wellington Parade South, turn right into Jolimont Rd, which becomes Brunton Avenue. Marathoners then turn left into Jolimont St followed by a right turn into the finish outside the MCG.Pre-race -
The week leading up to Melbourne Marathon I wasn’t too phased. For the first time ever I was happy to taper. I was so tired from long kilometres, working, kids and life in general. This wasn’t like Canberra. Canberra was my priority at the time; everything else took a back seat and although I’d just started a new job, I was hardly working. I had all summer to train without interruptions. This time, I’d been working two or three jobs, had to train through winter and brave the cold rainy mornings, and I suffered from hay fever and asthma as soon as spring sprung!
Mentally, I decided on a new tactic... I set the bar high! I put it out there that my goal was 3:20 even though I wasn’t sure I was fit or strong enough to deliver. Every other time I’ve underestimated myself, and I tend to finish races feeling strong. This time I didn’t want to die wondering. I wanted to give it a crack, which meant I had to knock 10 minutes off my Canberra time and maintain 4:40 pace.
The day before the marathon, my nerves kicked in like never before. I felt spewy just thinking about the race. Which was exacerbated by my attempts to carb load in the days prior. I’d been engaging in on-line chats about carb loading and although I’d never tried it before, I knew I needed all the help I could get so I made some small changes. I only managed about 8 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight. And that was mostly in the form of juices and smoothies. I felt like a heffalump and put on two kilograms! Blah! So the day before race day, the pressure I put on myself started building and the realisation of how important it was to me became tangible. And the weather report was freaking me out, with reports of hot northerly winds. I took that into consideration when I packed my gear - 3 gels, 2 Nuun tablets in 2 drink bottles (www.nuun.com) and plain water in the other 2 drink bottles. I chose short tights and a singlet top, and wore a sweat band around my wrist because I predicted sweat and lots of it!
My hubby was incredible and kept the kids away from me, and granted me some time to prepare. I had a light dinner and a reasonable night’s sleep and awoke 4:45am the following morning ready to run!
Race day -
On the day, my amazingly supportive husband awoke at 5am to drive me into the city. He packed his bicycle so he could ride along side me when times got tough (a luxury I’ve never experienced before). We were stuck in traffic just before we arrived at the car park and ended up jogging to the preferred start line. I scored a preferred start based on my 3:30 time at Canberra and the fact I just turned 40. (there are some benefits to being old)! I only had about 10 minutes to spare, just enough time for a quick loo stop! Phew! I found Serena (my running buddy) and we lined up together with a few minutes to go. By this stage I was super excited!
There were about 7,000 entrants in the full marathon and being my hometown, I recognised many faces. There were also 10,000 in the half marathon and 7,000 in the 10km event. Melbourne graced us with sunshine and very little wind. For me, the weather was perfect! For others, a little too hot reaching a high of 29 degrees.
The first kilometre started off well, a little congested which was a blessing in disguise because it slowed me down. We started with a sub 4:30 kilometre and felt relaxed. We continued with 4:30 pace for the first 10 kilometres and I clocked a PB of 45:20. I had my first gel around 12 kilometres and the tempo continued until around the 16 kilometre mark, and that’s when Serena picked up the pace a bit. In hindsight I probably should have put my head down and concentrated on my own race but I challenged myself to keep up. I crossed the half way mark with Serena in sight and another PB of 1:35:40 (knocking 2 minutes off my Mornington half marathon time). I decided to relax a little and settle into my own pace. My mantra at this point was “head down bum up!” The next kilometre went from 4:25 pace to 4:43 pace and that’s when I thought I might be in trouble. I had another gel at 23 kilometres, continued working hard and averaged about 4:40 pace, which is what I needed for my elusive 3:20. But my legs were heavy and sore. Usually my legs can handle it but this time they were feeling it by the half way point.
By the time I reached 30 kilometres I was tired. My pace gradually dropped from 4:30 to 4:40 to 4:50. I knew I just had to hang on. By the 33 kilometre mark I was hurting... my toes were rubbing, my water belt was chaffing, my left plantar fascia and ankle were tight, my glutes were heavy and sore, and my left hip started to seize. Carmen (my super sister-in-law) ran with me for a bit and chewed the fat. It was a welcome distraction but she knew I was hurting more than normal. The 3:20 pacer passed me around 34 kilometres and I had a little, sad moment but I didn’t give up! My mantra was “I think I feel my second wind!” (Haha! Wishful thinking!)
At 36 kilometres, Brad (my super husband) rode with me. I’d tried to consumed my third gel but I was feeling a bit sick. I’d been hydrating well but my gut doesn’t really like gels (something I need to consider when I sign up for an ultra!) I was still hurting and now had a twinge in my right hamstring and my left hip was really pissed off! And, an old left shoulder injury was hurting (strange I know, but one of my worst running pains is my left shoulder! My scalenes work overtime and this causes a domino effect... infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis all start to spasm). I’ve had quite a few aches and pains over the years but generally I treat them like white noise (annoying but I can block it out). This time was no different and I’m not quite sure why I’m sharing so much about it. Possibly because it was only yesterday or maybe because so many people say they can’t run because something hurts. We all hurt. But it can be overcome, managed and even improved. You just have to want it bad enough!
Saying that, around 36 kilometres and for the first time ever, I walked about 100 metres. I longed for respite, and the slight hill seemed like the right place to grant myself a breather. I have no regrets about that even though I had a 5:50 kilometre! I began running again, turned on my music and put my head down. My new mantra “You are mentally tough! This is where you need to use that strength!” I know I’m determined and I know that’s what gets me through.
The last few kilometres I’d originally planned to pick up the pace but I had a strong spewy sensation and chose not to risk vomiting. I just focused on one foot in front of the other. I averaged 5:10 pace for the last few kilometres and dropped 12 minutes in the second half! I picked up the pace with about 100 metres to go, last 200 metres was 4:46 pace and crossed the finish line with an official time of 3:23:00 (4:47 pace). I’d broken my PB by over 7 minutes. I would’ve loved a 3:20 but I’m really happy with my efforts and result and now I can aim for a sub 3:20 next time!
Post race -
I ran hard, 10km PB 45:20, 21km PB 1:35:40 and 42.2km PB 3:23:00. I was really happy with my attitude and my attempt to give it everything I had. I was also happy with my result although, as usual I know I can do better, so I’m definitely aiming for a 3:20 next time!
The course was better than I expected, pretty flat with a couple of small inclines. The weather was perfect for me and the home crowd was great! Seriously, my husband is the absolute bomb and I couldn’t do it without his support and more importantly, his encouragement! I love you Brad!
My personal results were 760th overall place, 65th female (out of 1,977) and 12th category place.
Lessons -
1. Stick to race pace i.e. goal was 3:20 so stick to 4:40 pace. I went out too hard and paid for it in the second half.
2. Use anti-chaffing aids!
3. Experiment with different fuel sources other than gels. Also experiment with carbohydrate loading.
4. Buy shoes that are half a size bigger for the long runs!
Race feedback and will there be a next time -
The course was flat and the weather was great, but I did find the course snaked back on itself a bit. Not sure how I feel about that. There were two or three points where the half marathoners and 10km runners came together with the marathoners. It was very congested and difficult to navigate through when my body couldn’t handle any kind of sideways movement! At one point, after the 30 kilometre mark, we came together with other runners who were running slower and it was really difficult. The finish was outside the G this year because they were resurfacing. I’ve read many complaints about this but really it couldn’t be helped. It wasn’t as ambient but so be it! The satisfaction is in completing your chosen event. The views were iconic, the course was relatively easy and the atmosphere was encouraging. Being Spring I struggled with the training, so I’m unsure if I’ll run Melbourne marathon again. I’d recommend the run to others but I might set my sights on Sunshine Coast marathon next. And I’m definitely running Great Ocean Road marathon in 2015. Overall, I scored this run 8.5/10.
An important note:
I ran the 2014 Melbourne Marathon Festival and hoping to raise awareness and funds for Isla, Sandhoff Disease and Very Special Kids.
Michelle is someone I’ve known for many years. Michelle & Robyn were known as the twins at school and they were, and still are very kind-hearted, caring and sincere. They’ve helped me personally and also shared a laugh and a love for MJF and Ferris Bueller ;-)
When I heard that Michelle’s daughter was diagnosed with Sandhoff disease, I immediately wanted to raise awareness and funds to further facilitate the understanding and treatment of this rare and terminal illness. Unfortunately there isn’t anywhere I can donate to specifically for Sandhoff disease, however Michelle explained that Very Special Kids have been wonderful. I’m very familar with VSK, as I used to volunteer for them, so I’m honoured to raise funds for them.
As you can see, this isn’t a typical fundraiser for me. This is about someone who I know, who has a little girl with Sandhoff disease. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandhoff_disease
Running is a way I can raise awareness about Sandhoff disease and funds for Very Special Kids, who work with families everyday with conditions that most of us have never heard about. This is my chance, and yours, to help Isla and her family, and potentially other families in a similar position.
I’m so grateful to have healthy children and I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for parents at VSK. My heart and prayers are with you.
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