Devilbend Half Marathon
The Mornington Peninsula Athletic Club invites you
to come down and join the action. Bring the family and make a day of it
exploring the beautifully reinvigorated Devilbend Natural Features
Reserve. There are a variety of distances - 5km, 10km, 21.1km and a new
Kids Mile.
What time do events start?
8:30am Kids Mile event,
under 13s only
8:45am Devil parade (best
devils will have entry fee refunded).
8:40am Warm up with MG
fitness
9:00am Start 21.1km
9:10am Start 10km
9:20am Start 5km
10:30am Presentations
Do I get a medal?
All finishers in all events
will receive a medal
When will I receive my race
bib?
If you register
before 15 July then you can chose to receive your race bib by post.
This will be sent approximately 2 weeks before the event. Everyone else
can collect their bib from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday 6 August or from 7am on race
day. Bibs can be collected from the registration tent at Devilbend
Natural Features reserve.
Your timing chip is attached
to your race bib, must be worn throughout the event and clearly visible on
your front.
Results
Electronic timing equipment
is used to ensure accurate results can be made available online within 24 hours
of the event. We do everything possible to get everyone's time correct,
however if you spot something wrong please send an email to info@devilbend.com so we can fix it.
Drinks on course
Water and electrolyte drinks
will be provided approximately every 2.5km. Fruit will be provided at the
finish.
Parking
The beauty of this event is
its rural setting. Unfortunately parking on rural dirt roads is
limited. Please download and read the participants booklet for all
details re parking.
Where –
Devilbend Natural Features Reserve, Graydens Road, Turing
When -
Sunday 7 August 2016.
Half marathon participants will complete the course
twice, with a slight extension along Derril Road on the second
lap. Starting on Graydens Road you will head west over the reservoir
bridge and turn left onto Derril Road. Once you reach the turnaround point for
your event you will return back past the start line, turn right into Devilbend
Natural Features Reserve and complete a clockwise loop of the
reserve. The finish line is inside the reserve near the main picnic
area. The surface is predominately dirt roads and gravel paths.
Pre-race -
Devilbend has a special place in my heart! Three
years ago, I ran Devilbend 10km because I had joined Mornington Peninsula
Athletics Club (and they run the event). Last year I ran Devilbend 21km, one
week before I had hip surgery (I ran a tired 1:43). I was a little disappointed
in my time but happy enough to make it to the finish.
This year I entered the 21km distance again.
However I wasn’t interested in racing it. I’d recently started a Run Club at
work (Fernwood Mornington) and we had fifteen members participating across all
distances. Plus I’d been talking to a friend, Chris O’Brien about helping pace
a 1:45 group (5min/km pace). My default time for a half marathon was approximately
1:42… I trusted I could manage 1:45 and I’d always wanted to pace a group. I
liked the idea of helping other runners achieve their goal! So my focus was on
Fernwood and pacing others for a 1:45 half marathon.
Three weeks before Devilbend, I ran You Yangs 30km.
I’d also run Traralgon and Gold Coast half marathons so I had no worries with
the distance. The only concern was my left leg weakness. Since increasing
kilometres, my left hip flared which also set off my left calf/peroneals. I
decreased my weekly mileage from 80km to 50km and started clinical pilates
again. But I needed time to improve motor control and strength on the left side
of my body. Time and patience!
The day before the event, I organised our boys for
the Kids Mile. They were both very excited to be running! (Brad agreed to mind
the boys after their event so I could run too). I organised myself – I was
running in a new pink top (Fernwood crew decided to run in pink), knee length
skins, new Asics Nimbus and, my Flipbelt with a couple of gels and small water
bottle. Also, I offered to take a carload of goody bags for participants.
Samantha from MPAC was in charge of packing all the bags but they wouldn’t all
fit in her car.
Race day -
We arrived early to unload the goody bags and
prepare our boys for their event. I advised the Fernwood crew to allow time for
parking, toilet trips and warm up. There were several other runners I was
expecting to see (too many to mention everyone), however I was especially keen
to see Jaye (who I coach) – running 21km and Antonella (who I coach and I was
running to raise funds for a new wheelchair for her daughter). See details
below.
The first person I saw was friend and physio Morgan
(Physio+Fitness Seaford). I saw Richard Does (RD), other MPAC members, RMA,
Pakenham, Langwarrin and more. And Chris, who convinced me to run with a pacer
balloon attached to me. The first event was the Kids Mile. Our boys did a
fantastic job and finished in the top ten. They received their medals and I
said goodbye as I headed to the start line.
Our run started a little quicker than usual for me
with 4:34min/km split. After that our splits were fairly even for the rest of
the run (between 4:44 and 5:04min/km pace). We only ran a couple of kilometres
over five minutes and we made a point of running to feel. The idea was to run a
little faster downhill and a little slower uphill (naturally). The course was
unmade paths and started with a wide road. Towards the end of the first lap,
the trail narrowed and there were slight undulations. It was two laps, which
helped create at atmosphere of support and encouragement amongst runners. I
loved seeing lead runners come through. Our pace group stayed together well.
I’m unsure how many runners we had with us; guessing we started with about 8-10
runners (and finished with about 6 runners).
My body held up okay but I did feel some pain in my
left hip and lower leg. My breathing was fine and I managed to talk along the
way. It was a satisfying feeling to run as part of a pace group. You can learn
a lot about fellow runners when you run together for an hour or two; stories of
injuries and, hopes and dreams. I love a good comeback story! I took a gel at
the halfway point and sip of water (something I really need to work on… I don’t
drink enough on course). Overall, I felt good.
The last few kilometres we knew we were ahead of
target. Chris and I decided to walk the last section and aim to cross the
finish line closer to 1:45 (we weren’t in any hurry). We encouraged the runners
left in our group to run hard to the finish line! It was very rewarding to know
that we helped many of them earn a personal best.
Post race -
Afterwards, I caught up with the Fernwood crew.
They were happy with their efforts (so proud of them) and we were all keen for
some post-race food. I organised to meet them at a local café. I wanted to wait
for Jaye to cross the finish line. The boys and I ran out from the finish line
to meet Jaye and bring her home. I was super proud of Jaye for getting the job
done.
Lessons -
1. Drink water especially when thirsty! (You would
think I would know that by now and even worse, this is exactly the same lesson
I wrote for Devilbend last year!)
Race feedback and will there be a next time -
See previous Devilbend post…
Of course there’ll be a next time!
I still score this run 9/10.
ANTONELLA AND INDIANA -
Antonella Marinucci is a friend and running client of mine.
Nearly 10 years ago, Antonella had twin girls born at 26-weeks. Due to complications, Indiana developed a cyst (cystic leaukamalacia) on her brain that affects her motor skills. Doctors diagnosed her with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Indiana needs surgery however they will not operate until she has the correct wheelchair to undergo recovery (which cost nearly $15,000). Antonella has set up a GoFundMe page and with some help from Oz Child, they hope to run an auction night to assist in fundraising. In the meantime, every run I participate in from now until the end of the year, is for Antonella, Indiana and her family. If you're interested in knowing more, please follow the link. No obligation to donate. I just love that running provides me an opportunity to give to those who need it! Thanks everyone.
https://www.gofundme.com/2fqa564
ANTONELLA AND INDIANA -
Antonella Marinucci is a friend and running client of mine.
Nearly 10 years ago, Antonella had twin girls born at 26-weeks. Due to complications, Indiana developed a cyst (cystic leaukamalacia) on her brain that affects her motor skills. Doctors diagnosed her with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Indiana needs surgery however they will not operate until she has the correct wheelchair to undergo recovery (which cost nearly $15,000). Antonella has set up a GoFundMe page and with some help from Oz Child, they hope to run an auction night to assist in fundraising. In the meantime, every run I participate in from now until the end of the year, is for Antonella, Indiana and her family. If you're interested in knowing more, please follow the link. No obligation to donate. I just love that running provides me an opportunity to give to those who need it! Thanks everyone.
https://www.gofundme.com/2fqa564
