Run Melbourne 2015

Run Melbourne Half Marathon

http://www.runmelbourne.com.au

The Age Run Melbourne, presented by People's Choice is more than just a "fun run". For many participants, it is an opportunity to give back to the community by raising funds for a cause close to their hearts. Over seven years, we've raised $8.8 million for more than 400 charities and we've set our sights high for 2015 with a $2.25 million target!

Run Melbourne Half Marathon – From the village head to your wave start, located at the intersection of Linlithgow Avenue and St Kilda Road. From here you will head to the start line on St Kilda Road adjacent to Hamer Hall. There is no access to the start line in front of Hamer Hall. The finish area is located within Birrarung Marr, adjacent to Federation Square.

Pre-race -

I’ve participated in Run Melbourne before, for the Satellite Foundation.

The Satellite Foundation aims to offer support on a voluntary basis to children, young people and their families where a parent has a diagnosed mental illness. This includes depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bi-polar affective disorder, panic disorder, eating disorders, personality disorders and phobias.

As much as I enjoy running for a cause, the last time I participated in this event, I was overwhelmed by the number of people, noise, hustle and bustle, car parking and the city itself. I decided I’d never run a big city event again! I do not enjoy crowds. I would much prefer a local run with a few hundred people at most.

BUT… what is one to do when offered a free entry? And when one can’t say, NO because of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)!

Of course I had to say, YES!

About a week before the event, a fellow runner Nadine, offered me her entry into the Half Marathon event (I’d previously offered her friend my entry into Traralgon Half Marathon – what goes around comes around).

I contacted a few people and a friend offered to drive me there (last time my car had been blocked in a multi-level car park for hours, while I froze my extremities off, almost in tears because I couldn’t get into my car… majority of the reason I vowed never to enter again).

Knowing that somebody else would be driving helped ease my mind.

Now obviously this wasn’t an event on my race calendar. I had run an underdone 30km at You Yangs the weekend before and planned on skiing the week after, followed by Devilbend the weekend after that. I decided to treat Run Melbourne as a social event. It was a key race for quite a few friends, and a group of runners from RIOT (online running group) were meeting up afterwards, so I thought it might be fun! I wanted to run properly but considering everything, I was not expecting a PB. I predicted finishing somewhere between 1:40-1:45.

My gear included; New balance 890s, Injinjis, Garmin, VFuel gel, Nathan 4-bottle belt, iPod and clothes to get changed into. I decided to run in my Running Mums Australia (RMA) singlet because I knew there would be a huge RMA presence, and I was excited to be a part of it.

Apart from the ongoing hip/foot issues, I was carrying a minor hamstring injury after deadlifts at my PT session two days prior. Perhaps not my smartest move but if it cost me five minutes on race day, so be it! I asked Brad to Rocktape my leg and hoped for the best.

Race day -

The weather forecast had predicted storms and very low temperatures but it seemed ok. I’m sure some people would have cancelled on the run because of the forecast but nobody can predict the weather in Melbourne. And the saying is true, “The only run you’ll ever regret is the one you didn’t do!” There was no way I was missing out!

We arrived in plenty of time to park the car, toilet stop, bag drop and make it to the start line. I saw a fellow RMA (Jodie) but I missed the standard RMA group photo (because I hadn’t planned on going and I didn’t know about it).

My Garmin found satellites in the nick of time and before long the race had begun. Unintentionally I was carried along for the first two kilometres, at 4:30/km pace. When I realised, I dropped back to sub 5min/km pace (much more sustainable). My hamstring was niggling but not enough to really bother me. I kept my iPod off and absorbed the atmosphere around me. There were over 5, 000 people in the Half Marathon event and just under fifty percent were female. There were even more participants in the 10km event.

The first 10 kilometres were relatively smooth and according to Garmin, I crossed the mark at 47:22 (4:44km/pace). There were a few small hills but nothing substantial. And there were loads of supporters. The best supporters were RMA cheer squad (Zoe Yoon, Michelle Esdale, Carin McCoy, Sarah Jefford and Caz Derby)! Zoe Yoon should be awarded a medal for her commitment to supporting and encouraging others… cowbell, chalk writing on the course, snakes and hugs! Zoe, and other RMA members are truly appreciated by people like me. We love you!

So… I averaged 4:45-4:50km/pace for the first fourteen kilometres. I chatted to a few random strangers, but most people seemed focused on their goal. I had my gel just after an hour and took in a small amount of water. I listened to my iPod randomly but whenever I saw someone I knew, I paused it. The weather was great with minimal wind.

At roughly 15 kilometres, I began feeling tired and dropped my pace to just over 5min/km pace. I had run 30km the weekend before, however trails are so different. When you hit an incline (or rough patch) on a trail, you walk. When you hit an incline (or rough patch) on a road, you keep running. Around 16-17km mark, another RMA greeted me and I started making small talk. I was grateful for the distraction but she apologised for not being able to talk while running uphill J She was focused on her goal and ended up with a great result (about 3 minutes ahead of me). My time was 1:43 (4:51/km pace) as predicted. I was happy enough with that (about 7min slower than my PB but indicative of my current fitness level).

Post race -

I crossed the finish line, received my medal and headed to the toilet (sorry TMI!) I made my way to the local café to meet the RIOT crew and have some breakfast. It was a great morning with old and new friends, stories of PBs and happy faces. Runners high is contagious J The only negative was that we all ran different distances and finished at different times, so our time together was short.

As for the course; it was two laps, which previously would have messed with my head. Since conquering the longer distances, two-lap half marathon courses do not bother me. There were a few undulations and several well-known landmarks. I understand why people enjoy the run but I still prefer local events (far away from the city). My Garmin measured about 450 metres long but I probably ran wide around corners to create some space from other runners.

My injuries seemed to survive yet another day... as usual my hips seize afterwards but it helps when I don't push to capacity.

Race feedback and will there be a next time -

The event was exactly as expected; busy and congested. It is not a PB course for most people, unless you start in front. I did hear of other runners being caught in traffic behind me. The logistics of an event of this magnitude would be very challenging. Will there be a next time? No (Not unless I score another free entry then I might consider it). Would I recommend this event to someone else? Yes (If they like big city, road races). And as mentioned above…

For many participants, Run Melbourne is an opportunity to give back to the community by raising funds for a cause close to their hearts.

What a rewarding reason for running!

Overall, I scored this run 7.5/10.

*By the way… After writing this, I read a report from another RMA (Melissa Flentjar) and it really encompasses the RMA spirit and all that running has to offer… Well done Melissa and other RMA members!

http://runningmumsaustralia.com.au/2015/07/30/my-first-half-marathon-by-melissa-flentjar-run-melbourne/

And Congratulations to the RIOTers too!