Run for the Young –
November 27th 2016
Our 3rd Annual ‘Run for
the Young’ is an exciting Marathon Charity Fundraiser
Located in the picturesque
Yarra Valley, this event is run by Bridge Builders Youth Organisation. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Bridge
Builders to assist them in continuing the valuable work the Charity already
does in our local community.
Runners can choose to
participate (walk or run) in a 5km, 10km, 21km Half Marathon or 42km Marathon.
Location: Lillydale Lake – Swansea Rd, Lilydale. The 10km, 21km and 42km start
at 7am and the 5km starts at 8am. The Marathon course will be open for
approximately 6 hours, concluding at 1pm. More information can be found in the Runners Guide.
Bridge Builders is a non-profit
youth organisation based in Lilydale, delivering youth services to the
Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, and around the State. We aim to influence and
grow the lives of young people, and we use events and business enterprise
as a way of engaging and developing young people.
Pre-race –
This is another race report I
left too long to write and I can’t remember much.
Back story is… there is no
back story!
Basically, I wanted to keep my
long runs going in the lead up to Two Bays. Run for the Young looked
interesting, I hadn’t run it before and I like exploring new areas. I ran Marysville
marathon three weeks prior, so I was tired and certainly not planning on
breaking any records. However, I did want to run a sub 4hour marathon.
I qualified for Two Bays using
The Tan marathon (back in August) but I was undertrained and finished in 4:05.
I wanted to improve on that.
I looked up on the website and
saw the course had a little bit of elevation (but nothing compared to
Marysville). The race started at 7am and the weather prediction was typical
Melbourne… might rain-might not, might be cool-might be warm… take three
changes of clothes just to be sure! I decided to run in shorts but take a long
sleeve top and gloves. And the usual calf compressions, Brooks Glycerin and
Garmin (and iPod). I also decided to run with my pack and dissolve an
electrolyte tablet in my bladder. I wasn’t sure what the trail or terrain was
like and I wanted to be prepared.
Race day –
I set my alarm for 5:30am and when
it sounded, I seriously considered staying in bed. Sleep was much more
appealing than running 42km. I didn’t need to run it to prove I could manage Two bays… After all, I survived
Marysville. But I knew I would regret not running it. So I snuck out quietly
(trying not to disturb my family), grabbed my bag, muesli bar (breakfast-on-the-go) and pack.
It took about an hour to get
there, there were no cars on the road and I arrived with time to spare. The marathon pack was small (about 80 people)
which I loved. Obviously, some runners choose smaller races for better odds of a
podium finish. I simply like less people, less fuss, less everything (except
kilometres).
When the starting buzzer sounded,
I was relaxed (maybe a little too relaxed) and happy to go for my Sunday
morning long run. We began running through the carpark, across the road and straight
up a hill. The hill wasn’t too steep but immediately my legs felt heavy.
Although, my mind was keen to keep running (and training for Two Bays), my body
(and legs in particular) seemed to be struggling. I was a little concerned (two
years ago, I had over-trained, which resulted in adrenal fatigue and thyroid
issues. I really didn’t want to go back there). I put my worries aside and
focused on the task ahead. My first split was a slow 5:42min, followed by
5:19, 5:14, 5:23 and 5:16min/km pace. Around the 6km mark, the course began to
go downhill a little. I didn’t feel energetic, but I managed to keep a sub 5min
pace for a few kilometres.
The scenery along the trail was
pretty, green and lush. The trail was easy and non-technical. It was a shared
bike path. There were no overgrown areas, but beautiful ferns and trees either
side. There were a few road crossings, manned by very friendly volunteers
(they were so encouraging).
From about 10km-30km, my splits
were around 5:20min (my default pace). In that time, I took two gels, water and
electrolytes. My legs were weighing me down so heavily… I made a deal with
myself that I could walk a little once I reached 30km. At the 30km mark, I
walked and scoffed down a few chips from my pack. The walk was good! Too good…
I needed to get moving again. That split was 6:30min but I was still on target
for a sub 4hour marathon. I willed my legs to keep moving…
left-right-left-right… just keep swimming. I listened to music on my iPod and
focused on my long-term goals. My mantra was; How bad do you want it?
The last 10km were slow, ranging
between 5:30-6:30min, which was a bit of a bummer. Yes I was disappointed but I
was tired. My right hip flexor was giving me some grief, but nothing
major. It was mostly fatigue. The last few kilometres included a lap of
Lillydale Lake. I was hanging for the end. Eventually, I saw the finish and crossed
the line in 3hours 50min… Thank God for that!
I was really happy with how hard
I worked for that sub 4hour! It wasn't pretty (or fun) but I was
determined. There was no way I was giving up just because I was tired. I pushed
on and achieved my goal. I finished 7th female and 36th
overall.
Post-race –
After the race, I was handed my
participation medal, and I found some lovely, comfy grass to collapse on! I was
happy but exhausted. I chatted to others and eventually decided it was time to
go home.
Lessons -
1. I need to revisit my nutrition
and recovery plan when training for an ultra. My body needs more than what I’m
giving it!
2. Use anti-chaffing cream!
3. Get some sleep and recover
properly!
Race feedback and will there be a next time -
The event was great; undulating
course, pretty scenery, super friendly and encouraging volunteers, plenty of aid
stations, not too many people, low-key atmosphere and well-organised and
planned.
Overall I rank this run 9/10
and I would definitely run it again! (BTW I'm beginning to wonder how helpful my scoring system is to others... I seem to like most runs!)
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