Traralgon Half Marathon 2016

Traralgon  

When: Sunday 5 June 2016


Where: Starting from Traralgon Recreation Reserve & Showgrounds (Whitakers Road)


Course: This year’s fantastic new course utilises the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail for the WIN Network Marathon and Aussie Broadband Half Marathon. More information about the course in on the website.

Events: Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km and Kids race.

Drink stations for the half marathon are said to be every 4km.

The Traralgon Marathon – Australia’s Oldest Marathon

The Traralgon Marathon is the oldest current marathon in Australia and was first run on 24 August in 1968.  The race was an all male affair and was won by Barry Sawyer in 2:26:53.

The women’s Marathon began in 1978 and there have been 19 female individual winners.  There have been 31 individual male winners of the Traralgon Marathon including 2012 winner John Mackenzie who has dominated the event in recent years.

The event has had some well known runners over the years including Famous Australian Boxer, Johnny Famechon, Ultra-marathon runner, Cliff Young and World Champion Distance Runner, Derek Clayton who still holds the race record of 2:13:39 in 1970.  Clayton apparently did the race as a warm up for the Mexico Olympics in October 1968 and was in a class of his own.  He broke the world record for the second occasion in 1969 at Antwerp in a time of 2:08:33 and it stood for almost 12 years.

Pre-race - 

Last year I planned on running Traralgon half marathon with two friends (Michelle A & Michelle H), who were aiming to break 2 hours. Unfortunately I got the flu the week before and I was too sick to run (I couldn’t even drive there to support them). Michelle A broke 2 hours but Michelle H had unfinished business with Traralgon half marathon.

In 2016, Michelle H worked tirelessly towards her goal of a sub 2-hour half marathon. As redemption from 2015, I asked Michelle if she would like to run together. We had only run together a couple of times in preparation for Traralgon 2015, so it was uncharted territory for us to run together again (knowing that Michelle’s pace had improved). But I really wanted to help.

Michelle is one of those selfless people; she supports others expecting nothing in return. She is genuine, kind and caring. And has no idea how much strength and potential she possesses as a distance runner.

My aim was to run with Michelle and provide as much reassurance and support as possible. I knew that physically (and according to her statistics on Strava) that sub 2-hour was realistic. The only potential problem was nerves.

My hip had also been a little saw since a long run the week prior. I didn’t think much of it. I had been running with no pain for months, and my distance was steadily improving. The pain was low grade, but…

Race day -

On the morning of the race, I met with a client/friend of mine (Isabelle). I drove us through the thick fog (I could barely see the road… 5am, dark and very foggy). We arrived safely. As we parked the car, we saw the marathon runners starting. The weather was very cold and the sky was grey. We were expecting rain. As usual, I said I could handle the rain once we were running but I hoped for a dry start line.

We caught up with some fellow runners from RIOT; Michelle H, Michelle A, Jaye, Drew and a few others. Everyone seemed relaxed and keen to support Michelle in her sub 2-hour quest!

I was concerned for Isabelle because she had ITB issues. Isabelle only recently began running but she progressed sensibly and supported her running with strength training. Unfortunately ITB pain was proving to be her nemesis. We agreed that she would run it (and if pain kicked it, she would walk it). I had expected to cross the finish line with Michelle and go back out to meet Isabelle. 

We gathered at the start line as a few drops of rain fell. I said hello to a few friendly faces from Pakenham Road Runners and wished each other good luck. Michelle told me her plan to go out at a moderate pace, and increase until the last few kilometres, then come home under 2-hours. I was happy to follow her lead. The buzzer started and we were off!

The first few kilometres were 5:34, 5:34, 5:45 and 5:33. This was a little faster than Michelle planned, but understandable knowing that race atmosphere and adrenaline carries you along. Michelle was intensely focused! I ran ahead at once stage to take some photos, but apart from that, we ran together quietly (although I may have suggested slowing down a few times). From 5km onwards, we picked up the pace a little… 5:19, 5:23, 5:28, 5:26, 5:23, 5:19, 5:27, 5:19. It varied with small amounts of elevation (I mean ‘small’) and muddy puddles that we attempted to dodge. The rain was intermittent, and the unmade path was muddy and messy. My feet were wet and I had pebbles in my shoes.

At the turnaround point, we ran a 5:30min/km pace due to no water station. The water stations were supposed to be every 4km however the first one was slightly over and the second one was significantly under. Michelle was planning on taking a gel just before the 8km mark (and follow it with water) but the inaccuracy of the water stations messed up the plan. As we turned around, I noticed a lady (spectator) with a water bottle. Michelle panicked a little when there was no water, so I asked the lady for a sip from her bottle. She was so kind; she ran with us for a bit as we drank some water, and encouraged us to keep going. Thank you!

The course and scenery was lovely. I would run it again. I enjoyed the mixture of road and trail.

Around the 15km mark, the course climbed slightly which was enough for Michelle to breathe heavier and push harder. That was a 5:35min/km split (her slowest over the entire 21km). Followed by 5:27 and 5:15 as we hit a small decline. From 19km onwards, Michelle knew she could lift her foot off the pedal and still achieve her sub 2-hour goal. Up until this point, I encouraged Michelle to slow down a little (knowing she was ahead of schedule). But I had a sneaky suspicion, I could bring her in under 1:55… so with a few kilometres to go, I told Michelle to ‘drop the hammer’ and pick up the pace. The final few kilometres were 5:19, 5:25, 5:21, 5:18 (and 100-metre sprint to the finish was 4:58min/km pace)! Michelle crossed the finish line in 1:54… What a superstar!!!

As we approached the finishing chute, I dropped back and watched proudly as Michelle lifted her arms in the air and received her medal. You really deserved it Michelle! Well done!

As soon as I crossed the line, I ran back out on course (knowing that Isabelle was still out there). I contemplated not going because my hip had been nagging since the 4km mark. I never mentioned it… It was low-grade pain and I had no intention of stopping (but I had some concerns). I decided a few more kilometres wouldn’t make any difference. As I headed out, the rain started falling more heavily. I ran past some familiar faces including Michelle A and Jaye. After about 3km, I saw Isabelle walking towards me. I knew she was hurting. We walked home together and as we neared the chute I encouraged her to finish strong. She ran (hobbled) over the line and was awarded her half marathon medal.

I love seeing the look on a runner’s face as they cross the finish line and receive their medal. The feeling of setting a goal, being determined and achieving that goal is incredibly satisfying. It is addictive and there is nothing else like it. I was really happy for Michelle and Isabelle (although I was worried about Isabelle’s pain). They are strong, determined and deserving women!

Post race -

After everyone had come across the line, we went out for lunch together at a local restaurant. It was the perfect way to celebrate Michelle achieving her sub 2-hour goal, and introduce Isabelle to the RIOT crew.

The weather certainly didn’t dampen the atmosphere and post-race celebrations. I have a feeling Michelle still takes her Traralgon half marathon 2016 medal to bed with her at night (or maybe sneaks a loving stare at it occasionally).

Race feedback and will there be a next time -

I loved the course and scenery. The atmosphere was perfect for me; not too many people, a friendly country run and no fuss. The only negative was the aid stations weren’t spaced out correctly. And as usual, you can’t control the weather! I would definitely run it again. Maybe the half marathon or perhaps the full marathon… one day.

Since Traralgon, my hip has given me some trouble but nothing serious. I have increased distance too quickly post-op. I need to take a step back and look after my body (and mind).

Overall, I scored this run 8.5/10.