Marysville Marathon
Sunday 6th November
Brett Saxon from Trailsplus, is the Race
Director of the RACV Marysville Marathon Festival.
History:
The Marysville Marathon Festival features running events of 4km,
10km, Half Marathon (21km), Marathon (42km) and Ultramarathon (50km) on scenic
valley trails and forest tracks, bypassing sparkling rivers and waterfalls. The
participants travel alongside the Steavenson River and Falls. The Marysville Marathon Festival was born from the ashes of
the 2009 Black Saturday fires. Ultra Runner and Local GP, Dr. Lachlan Fraser,
is passionate about his hometown Marysville and surrounding communities. His
vision to create the Marysville Marathon Festival was about bringing people
back to Marysville. He wanted to be sure the town and communities received the
support they needed. He knew this wouldn’t happen overnight. The creation of
Marysville Marathon Festival was never planned to be a once off event, it was
to be here for the long haul.
The Neil McKern Marathon (1946 – 2014)
Dr. Neil McKern and his wife Carol lost their part-time home in
Marysville in the 2009 fires, which they rebuilt in following years. They
joined in the community recovery, and Neil was instrumental in establishing the
Marysville Marathon Festival. Neil excelled at running in the late 1970s.
In 1978, he came second in the Victorian Amateur Athletic Marathon
Championships in 2hr 21min. He was an esteemed CSIRO scientist,
accomplished musician and gardener, and a loving family man.
Pre-race -
After running The Tan marathon in August, I secured my
spot for Two Bays 56km in January 2017. My focus since then was hills! I
started training at Lysterfield and on the Two Bays trail. I scheduled hill
repeats and worked on leg strength. I entered Surfcoast Hell Run and
Marysville. Marysville was an important run for me, but mostly it served a
bigger purpose (preparation for Two Bays). The elevation for Marysville was 1600m
(more than Two Bays) so I knew it was a good test! I trained hard on trails and
hills during the weeks prior. I ran 35km on the Two Bays trail only two weeks
before Marysville. I was prepared and excited! The other reason I wanted to run
Marysville was the 2009 fires (as mentioned above). I remember Black Saturday
very clearly. It was beyond heartbreaking. And once again, this would be a
rewarding way to help a community in need.
My aim was to finish the marathon feeling good and strong (and
take photos along the way). My injuries were generally OK, but both hips tend
to seize from long, hilly runs. My left hip (operated one) was relatively good.
However, my right hip had deteriorated significantly over recent months. I
asked Brad to Rocktape both legs in an attempt to deactivate my hip flexors. I
had no time goal but suspected I would finish somewhere between 5hrs – 5hrs
15min. Strangely, I wanted the extra time on feet so it was OK to go slow. My
other goal was not to GET LOST! Somehow I managed to get lost at Surfcoast Hell
Run and I was slightly paranoid about history repeating.
So, some of you might have seen on my 360 Running Facebook
group, that I often surprise my husband (Brad) with race entries. It usually
involves me suggesting a race that will help with another race… A couple of
months earlier, Brad signed up for Two Bays 28km. All his idea! I suggested
Marysville half marathon as a training run. It was an added bonus that we could
drive up together and stay the night before in a local hotel. We booked The
Black Spur – humble, country-style accommodation – and it was perfect. It was
quiet and calm. I packed my hydration vest with gels, protein balls, rice bars,
first aid kit (with snake bandage), space blanket, and dissolved a Nuun tablet
in the bladder. I organised my compressive and Luluemon shorts, Trailsplus
singlet, compression socks, sunnies, Garmin and Brooks Glycerin. I considered
wearing trail shoes; I tested out my Saucony Peregrine a couple of weeks prior
and they were OK. But my calves pulled up tight. I didn’t want to risk injury.
I ran efficiently in Glycerin and decided to stick with what worked. The
weather was the biggest factor when deciding on shoes. We’d experienced some
rainfall, enough to soften the ground but hopefully not too much to make it
slippery. Time would tell.
We had dinner in the restaurant but I started with stomach
pain (I had some digestive issues from bad PMS again). I left dinner early
and went back to the room to rest. Eventually I fell asleep.
Race day -
In the morning, I woke early with an uneasy stomach. The
pain from the previous night had subsided but… lets just say I popped a few
Gastro Stop! As mentioned in previous posts, I blame nerves (and PMS) for overactive
digestion!
Once we got our shit
together (pardon the pun)… We drove
to the event registration area and arrived in plenty of time to organise our
bibs, and mingle with fellow runners. The weather was fresh but surprisingly
good for running. Before too long, we were called to the start line and misty
rain began falling. Brett (Trailsplus) announced the countdown and we headed
off to the right (and uphill).
The first 8km were a mixture of uphill and downhill with
an easy, non-technical trail. I was relatively comfortable and maintained
tempo. The surroundings were green and
Taggerty River was flowing freely on our left hand side. It was really pretty
and I was happy!
Around 9km, we hit Lady Talbot Drive (a loop) and started to
climb. My pace dropped to over 6min per kilometre as I began to walk a little.
I chatted to a fellow runner who was visiting from America. We talked about the
fires, creepy crawlies, snakes and geography. The climbing continued without
respite until the 16km mark… (Between 14-15km we covered over 130m elevation
gain and my split was over 12min). From 17km until around 24km, we ran
downhill. Now this is where I’ll stop and explain…
My memory is
terrible and the run was over a month ago now (should’ve downloaded my thoughts
straight away). So, I’m using Strava to jog my memory.
The downhill sections started as Lady Talbot Drive looped
back around and were just as steep as the uphill. Steep downhills provide a
different kind of challenge especially on a rocky trail. My mantra for this
section was Concentrate – Concentrate – Concentrate! My brain hurt from
analyzing every step. On these types of trails, foot placement is so important!
About 21km we returned to the easier, less technical trail. I relaxed a little,
soaked up the scenery again and took in some deep breaths.
Around 29km, we ran back through the start area and
continued up the road towards our ascent to Steavenson Falls. The trail became
single track and there were a few really tough kilometres… (Elevation gain was
90m, 119m, 95m and 120m and splits were 9min, 12min, 10min and 15min
respectively).
Seriously people… It took me 15 minutes to cover 1-kilometre!
My mantra was God please help me – God please help me!
After 30km, my legs were TIRED! I was strangely happy but tired. Along the way,
I met another runner who wasn’t feeling great and I offered him a protein ball.
I soldiered onwards and upwards until eventually I reached the lookout (and an
aid station). HOORAY! I remember the aid stations along the way were more than
adequate but I didn’t need anything. However when I saw the aid station at the
lookout, I was so happy to see faces of support! I stopped and chatted, took
photos and helped myself to some potato chips. I was feeling a little sick in
the stomach (after 2 gels and a rice bar) and I needed something savory. I said
thanks and returned to the single track. I ran about 100 metres and decided I
wanted more chips so I ran back to the aid station (yes I’m a bit strange but
damn those chips were good). I took another handful and with a spring in my
step (or was it a limp), I started running again. Only 6km to go!
On the way down, I admired the greenery until I nearly
tripped over a gutted wallaby! (Not a great sight for anyone, especially a
vegetarian). I shook it off and continued twisting and weaving along the trail.
I stopped to take more photos of the view (the
damage from the fires remains so widespread). And a fellow runner caught up
to me and said hello. We ended up continuing at a similar pace and practically
running the last 5km together. I stopped a couple more times for photos (and a
short video of the waterfall), and he would catch up. Then we would run together
again. We weren’t breaking any speed
records (our splits averaged 6-6:30min) but the conversation was a great
distraction. It was much easier to keep ticking my legs over. He told me
Marysville was his first marathon (crazy but awesome)! As we came around the
last bend, I saw Brad waiting to take some happy snaps. He encouraged me to
keep pushing as we entered the race precinct. I was so happy to see the finish
line! I crossed the line in 5 hours 11 seconds. I was happy and proud of my
efforts.
Post race -
Soon as I finished, I congratulated my new running buddy (super
job especially for a first marathon). I found Brad and he asked how I was
feeling. My hips were sore and tired but otherwise I was OK. And I had some
numbness and tingling in my left foot (nerve sensations from my hip/back) around 30km… (Yes something I need to manage better).
After hydrating (and purchasing an event top), I noticed
some fellow RIOT friends. I knew sitting wasn’t a good idea (tight
hip flexors) but I could lie down (prone) and still chat.
There were around 70 participants in the marathon; I
finished 19th overall and 5th female. I was happy with my
time and navigational skills (YAY I didn’t get lost)!
Lessons -
1. Pack my own potato chips… they were the best!
2. Manage my hips better… I know what I need to do!
Race feedback
and will there be a next time -
The course was well-marked, and the race briefing and
notes were thorough (as always from Brett). The aid stations and volunteers
were great!
Marysville marathon is a tough course but the views,
scenery and community make it worth running! I loved everything about it; the
hills, waterfalls, people and more. I’m so happy I ran strong. I would highly
recommend this event to others. I might have to return for the half marathon
(or who knows maybe the 50km)!
Overall I rate this run 9.5/10.
