So the challenge has been laid down by myself for myself by entering the Melbourne Marathon in a month’s time. Some may say it’s a good thing for me, others think I’m more insane than an American gunman who thinks going on a shooting rampage is actually a part of living in civilisation. All I know is that unlike some of the events that I have done the preparation work needs to be done, and done in reasonably large quantities.
THE TRAINING SO FAR
Even though the entry wasn’t officially lodged until Sunday morning prior to the City-Bay in Adelaide, training for this event realistically commenced with training for the 12km journey in the South Australian capital. It was an easing in process for the week leading into the most recent event, starting with a split run of a pair of 5km runs. Certainly the temptation would be to start with a substantial session as has happened a number of times when returning after Christmas for an abbreviated footy pre-season, but all I feel this does is destroy the legs and actually set back my own program.
Note that every training session I do is my own session, even though the routes that I take are well trodden. I’m sure everyone is different, where most beginners will religiously follow a set program from a personal trainer. Others will depend on gym work (which I shun because I personally don’t see great benefits, particularly when I lift parcels as often as I do), fad dieting (nothing wrong with eating normally or eating not so healthily so long as the consequences are understood and work is done to control weight) and the odd slow burning run. I certainly don’t expect anyone to follow what I do, because what I feel works adequately for me will be as useful as a public servant with a tenuous hold on a job in the Liberal government era. If there is no mention of a day in the schedule, this means there is no specific run training or a so called rest day which is just as important as running reasonable distances. After all I’m always of the opinion that there’s no point in wasting time and energy in training daily for the sake of training daily.
WEEK 1 (5 weeks before Marathon)TUESDAY: 2 x 5km runs, 1km walking recovery between sets. No set pace
WEDNESDAY: Long Run, maximum 90 minutes (eventually 14km in approximately 80 minutes)
SUNDAY: 12km RACE (12km Race pace, full report at https://mhjeffrey027running.com/2013/09/16/trouble-adelaide-far-from-paradise/)
WEEK 2 (4 weeks to go)
WEDNESDAY: 10km HILLS course (55 minutes)
FRIDAY: Long Run, maximum 100 minutes (eventually 16km in approximately 85 mintues)
THE TRAINING TO COME
For some just training for a marathon and treating it as a Grand Final of sorts is hard enough. A quick look at the schedule (which you can find https://mhjeffrey027running.com/planned-events/) will see me take on a Half Marathon before tackling the full distance. There are also other events that I am planning to compete in (half marathon in Sydney 2 weeks after the full marathon, then a 14km event to finish the year a further 3 weeks down the road) AND the probable commencement of football training where it’s likely that this will be the last year. You could say footy training is my form of cross-training when others prefer gym work, swimming or something else that you won’t find me doing.
This planned schedule is by no means set in concrete apart from the events that I am competing in. Considerations in fixing the schedule include personal fitness (physical AND mental), climactic conditions (the days up here in Central Queensland are in the mid 30’s, and September is not yet behind us so the summer will probably see multiple days of over 40 degrees with 80% humidity) and work commitments. Unless stated, all of these runs will be early in the morning as conditions are cooler (somewhat) and the magpies generally won’t attack until after the sun rises.
REMAINDER OF WEEK 2
SATURDAY (Morning or Afternoon): 10km flat (2 laps of a 5km route)
WEEK 3
SUNDAY (Afternoon): 12km minimum easy pace after work (pending physical condition)
MONDAY: 12km minimum easy pace (will only take place if run on Sunday doesn’t take place)
WEDNESDAY: LONG RUN, maximum 120 minutes
THURSDAY (Afternoon)/FRIDAY: Either 2 or 3 x 5km split run or 10km hills course
WEEK 4 (week before Half-Marathon)
SUNDAY (Afternoon)/MONDAY: 15km flat course
WEDNESDAY: LONG RUN, maximum 140 minutes
THURSDAY: 10-12km flat course
WEEK 5 (week prior to marathon)
SUNDAY: Spring Classic Half Marathon, Yeppoon (recovery wade at beach after run)
TUESDAY: 10km HILLS
WEDNESDAY: LONG RUN, maximum 160 minutesTHURSDAY: 12-14km flat course
Given that this is the first time I’m training for a marathon it’s not a precise science on my part regarding how much training I need to do. Often I try to run close to the distance for shorter distances to give myself peace of mind that I can run the distance with some certainty, and based on long runs that I’ve done so far I feel very confident that the half-marathon distance is certainly attainable and within a decent time. Whether I need to alter the training to give myself the confidence in completing the marathon journey without stopping remains to be seen, but with future marathons to enter in 2014 I’m sure I’ll be able to figure out some formula for success in plenty of time.
Until then, let the training continue!
Running events to this point have been relatively smooth sailing, most aspects have proceeded without hitches and the experience has generally been positive. Sadly venturing into Adelaide for the time honoured City-Bay Fun Run provided a first that many don’t want to know about. For an event that has taken place annually for the 41st year in 2013, sadly there are inaugural events that have proven to be more enjoyable.
Normally I post a video of the start on Facebook so the masses can wake up to my ramblings. Well this time I recorded another spiel about nothing on the way to the start area, but it was so long it had to be put on YouTube.
All of my gripes have to do with the organisation of the event on the day. There was nothing wrong with, nor too difficult about the run itself. For a city that hosts the Tour Down Under Cycling event travelling along the route at least gives me an idea of the long straight roads that the peloton uses to their advantage to chase down breakaway riders. The bulk of the 12km course is relatively flat and save for a couple of corners at the start and a few turns at Glenelg heading into the finish line, a giant straight line. Along the main 12km course were starting areas for the shorter 6km and 3km events, all of whom hadn’t started their journey by the time I was refuelling at a local yoghurt establishment. For those chasing a personal best time, this would be an ideal course to achieve this, but timing proved to be one of the major issues this year.
In terms of organisation, at least there was a baggage truck and I made sure I was early enough to use the facility, but that’s where the positives virtually ended. While many start lines blast music and make announcements, the quality of the music made me glad I kept the iPod plugged in for as long as possible, whilst the bloke on the PA system had a voice that makes Bill Shorten sound as entertaining as Billy Crystal at an Oscars ceremony.
There didn’t seem to be as many volunteers at the start line as opposed to other events, and those that were at the start line probably were let down by a lack of a briefing on what goes on. My experiences at start areas from this year has the start gantry assembled close to 2 hours before the event was due to start. When I arrived at the start line 90 minutes before the elite runners set off to Glenelg, the starting bridge was still being inflated well out of position which seemed to be a little odd. Later as the main wave of runners were assembling for the start, nobody was around to ensure that a group of university runners carting a skeleton on a stretcher with wheels was redirected to an area where they would be safe. Then as we finally approached the start area, someone tried to rope off the area before quickly realising the error. It’s these types of incidents that would make runners anxious and/or angry, although my emotion was more of annoyance that another hold up was taking place without necessity.
There were 4 official drink stations along the route with crowding again a minor problem, I even skipped the last drink station given the crowds around the table. What made me take notice was a couple of unofficial stations that sought to provide some relief. I’m certain I wasn’t the only person at the 7km mark to take advantage of the group handing out half cut ice blocks, I’m also certain I wasn’t the only person a kilometre later to raise an eyebrow at a person looking to sell drinks along the route. Perhaps he was looking to target walkers from the shorter distances to make his small profit, for many 12km competitors would not have been carrying currency before reaching Glenelg. Or maybe that explains just why I felt I had to avoid a record number of walkers towards the end of the run, which I am certain cost me an even better finishing time. At least my unofficial timing mechanism (the trusty app on the iPod) was working well, for the official system malfunctioned at the start line meaning the only runners who would get an accurate time would be the elite runners. According to my timer the run was covered in 57:26, although the official results page will add approximately 24 minutes onto the time. For an event where many of the 12km runners are running for time rather than just for being a number at the start line, it’s an utter embarassment and there have been a few facebook posts on their page that share this sentiment.
The finishing area was not total chaos, but it would be as close as you would get. Getting past the finish line and through the finish chutes were OK, but the dramas came at the Powerade table where dozens were congregated to replace fluids as you must in such events. There were a couple of problems I saw with this, one of which was that I prefer Gatorade to Powerade because of the stronger taste (perceptions are everything, perhaps I should have skipped the table knowing I had a bottle in my baggage). The major concern was that the line was very slowly moving, although calling it a line would be stretching the truth, it was more like a scrum. Despite the efforts of a poor soul
First SQUARE medal I have recieved for anything.
encouraging us to move further down, the fact that I was stuck in the pack between 5 others with no way of getting through to reach the back tables made it impossible for myself and several others to follow his instructions. Other events have barriers that at least formulate some manner of order to procedings, but this was a free for all. I’m sure the organisers will blame the narrow bayside streets but maybe putting a temporary fence or barricade wouldn’t take up half a street. At least the medallion (stuck in a bag buried beneath a coupon book featuring the ticket to return to the city) looked the part, unique in that unlike the other medals shown in previous posts this one is square much like what FINA gives to the swimmers at their world championships these days.
Whether I will make a return appearance for this event is debatable. With the usual timing and cost issues being a common factor in interstate trips, the shoddy organisation on race day could well see me look elsewhere for events. There is a silver lining for the whole event, as the 12km has doubled as a training run. I have made entries for a local half-marathon on NRL Grand Final weekend, before the full Melbourne Marathon a week later (I was going to do the half-marathon but entries for that event sold out, it was pointless heading south just for a 10km and there was no field limit for the marathon itself). Now it’s a case of ensuring the logistics for both events are organised and the training levels maintained as October is not that far away.
Just for a little change of pace, here is a little photographic montage of random items that have been associated with the running events I have entered for the period between September 2012 and September 2013.
We begin with a collection of Bibs that I have run in over this 12 month period. These numbers won’t have anything to do with my ability or lack thereof. Most of the time it merely reflects how many entrants there have been by the time I completed my nomination form. Perhaps my number for these events in the future (provided I run in them) will be lower in the next 12 months.
The next couple of pictures are either finish line goodies or promotional gear sent out with the above race bibs. The only thing that complains about this is my wardrobe which isn’t yet overflowing but it IS getting close. I do wear these shirts from time to time, sometimes for training, other times just to wear around to get out of work uniforms.
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- Shirt sent out to most participants in Run Geelong 2012. Sadly a repeat appearance won’t happen in 2013 due to a date clash.
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- Front of the Run For A Reason shirt that most of the 30000 competitors ran in.
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- Promotional Message on the back of the Run For A Reason Shirt.
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- 2012 shirt on the left, 2013 version on the right.
Next comes the fruits of the so called labour of pounding the pavement. It’s a big reason why many of us don’t do it for money and it’s a big lure to get to the finish line. All of these have been collected during 2013, but may well be kept forever. After all, these aren’t exactly medals that sell at an auction house or on EBAY, and for good reason.
Medals for City2South (LEFT), City2Surf (Middle) and Gold Coast Bulletin Fun Run (Right) draped over the Bridge2Brisbane finishers shirt
Certainly this isn’t the end of the running for the year, nor is it a complete collection across the events I have entered for the past year. Sadly I didn’t get a picture of the bib for the Rocky River Run this year, although this was almost an 11th hour (as opposed to last minute) entry. There are also other events that I am competing in over the coming months before 2013 comes to a close. Indeed the next stop is this Sunday in Adelaide for the City-Bay Fun Run where over 30000 will take part. There are other events that certainly have tickled my fancy that are in the intervening period between the conclusion of Sunday’s event and the City2Sea in Melbourne in mid November which will definitely be the last event I will be taking part in this year. A decision on whether I lodge an entry will depend mainly on transport and associated costs of the event, as well as work commitments.
Running bib for the City Bay Fun Run in Adelaide in 2013.
Any budding athlete will ramble on ad nausea about meticulous preparation. Everything from the time they sleep the night before a big run right to what time they commence their post race recovery is often timed to the minute to the point of obsession. Whilst I often like to perform a routine and try as best as possible to stick with it, there are times when circumstances that are beyond my control where this can’t happen, but blame on just why the routine needs to be altered can certainly be placed.
Sadly for the organisers of this year’s Bridge2Brisbane, an event well established in the fabric of Brisbane for over a decade, Sunday will not go down as one of their prouder organisational moments. This had nothing to do with the route of their 10km course with the reasonably flat trek save for the rise up the Gateway Bridge and a small uphill section just over 2km from the end providing enough of a challenge to make this run beyond the basic level of difficulty. Nor did this have anything to do with the after race festivities, although I doubt those arriving at the RNA Showgrounds would have been persuaded to stay for 4 hours just to see if they MAY have won a car. Instead it was transport that proved to be the major issue, more so getting the bulk of the 24000 starters to the starting area on time.
It all seemed simple enough to read on the timetable, arrive at the train station at a certain time, hop on a train to Murrarie station and walk the 800m or so to the starting area. Unfortunately for those wanting a half decent warm-up whilst catching public transport, the first train didn’t arrive into the city loop until 4:55AM with a scheduled final arrival time of 5:15 meaning any type of proper dynamic warm-up was virtually impossible. Trains were then scheduled to run every 5 minutes or so with the intention of ferrying participants to the start area, but confidence slowly eroded with the announcements of the first 2 trains being virtually full and the recommendation to wait for another train. What made it worse was that the 3rd train was originally thought to be empty, but this was full not more than 3 minutes later with just enough room to cram on a few passengers.
The carriage I was standing in was at full capacity as the train stopped at each station before Murrarie with desperate passengers running on the platform in an effort to find space in another car a common theme. By the time we reached Murrarie, the train that was scheduled to be at this station by 6:25 arrived 20 minutes late, thanks to at least 15 minutes of non-movement between the last 2 stations on the line. It meant that the 800m walk to the starting area for many became almost a sprint, if not a last-minute jogging warm-up uphill. For me the terrain of the final walk to the start area thought my chances of a decent time were dashed. It may have been made worse by the look at the starting area for our wave with several runners inside a fenced area and many like myself outside. However I was comforted by the fact that I knew the fence had to end somewhere with the start area around an intersection with on and off ramps to the Gateway Motorway.
The run itself was reasonably flat save for the initial rise up the Gateway Bridge (named after Sir Leo Hielscher who was a long serving public servant from my research), and a short rise after the 8km mark. The second rise was the killer last year when I participated in the 5km event whose course covers the majority of the second half of the 10km (as you’d expect!). Like most other events traffic was an issue dodging between slower runners and walkers, but I was given self reassurance by the presence of a so-called pace runner which many try to follow to get a target time.
My target time for the event was a sub-50 minute effort, which given previous form over 10km courses was achievable. That said the courses for the other 10km events were closer to 100% flat (certainly in the case of the run at Robina in May this year). Everything was going to plan for the majority of the run even though I felt I was going a little too quickly off the bridge itself. Sadly the last km proved to be a killer which can be attributed to concentrating on the slight uphill section with 2km to run. It seemed as though I couldn’t raise a final sustained sprint which was in my pre-race thinking, and instead I could only raise the tempo once into the finish chute. For once my personal timing system (a Nike run app on my iPod Nano) proved to be 100% accurate, or more to the point the timing of my activation and de-activation was perfect. Confirmation came later that afternoon that my final time was 50:10, which based on last years 5km time of 27 minutes could be seen as improvement. Yet there was a feeling of unfufillment rather than disappointment, largely because I felt I didn’t finish the run as well as I should have.
As is the custom for this event, instead of getting a medal each finisher recieved a sponsor supplied Sunday Newspaper and a t-shirt. There were minimal differences from the shirts when they are compared, with the denotation of being a finisher written inside a footprint for 2013 present as opposed to a simple written “I FINISHED” on the back of the 2012 version. There will be times when I will use this as either a training shirt or an old shirt used for household chores so certainly I will find this “prize” useful as opposed to being a simple ornament suitable for cabinets and not much else. I also picked up a sponsors bucket hat which I may use later in the year for non-running purposes, although I probably should have picked up a free pair of thongs (that’s flip-flops for those overseas) as well.
With the next running event this weekend (Adelaide’s City-Bay Fun Run) there are a few that may say that this event was a training run given the Adelaide event covers an extra 2km. But this would downplay how popular the Bridge2Brisbane really is. Close to 40000 competitors from around Australia covered either the 5 or 10km journey and this continues to increase year after year. Whether the transport authorities can keep up with the rising demand will continue to be a challenge for the future. Certainly a third appearance for me is on the priority list, if only to break personal goals.
CITY2SURF Logo
So we come to the big dance for those that aren’t capable of completing marathons, the near ultimate test of those best suited to the 10km journey or for those once a year weekend warriors who build themselves up for the single purpose. Sure there are many who would use this run as a launching pad for bigger and better things, after all the overall race record is held by a marathon specialist and the man with the second quickest time is mentoring a wave of indigenous marathon athletes with a view to competing in marathons in New York amongst others. But for many it is this day where they are pitting their skills against the clock and testing their fitness in front of a nationwide, even worldwide audience.
Personally this is a realisation of a goal that I had set at the beginning of the year. This was not a so called New Year’s resolution, that’s something I fail to see the point in making. Instead the organised events that I entered and finished throughout 2013 were all a small step towards this goal. These events also eliminated any doubts about being able to handle the strain of the event. It’s easy to ask yourself questions such as how am I going to cope with running in big packs? Or a simple am I able to cover the distance without stopping?
Race day began for me at 5AM, at least 3.5 hours before my wave was due to begin. It may seem early enough for many but it would take about 40 minutes of motel preparation with showers, dressing, zinc application (and as it turned out, re-application) and the pinning down of the race bib. After throwing on the extra shirt and trackpants that would store my items in storage (easiest way to beat the restrictions on what I could store in baggage) it was a brisk walk in cool conditions to the starting point in Hyde Park.
Probably the challenging part of the pre-race was actually trying to find the baggage drop off point for my wave. Unlike the City2South that was able to use a single area for all waves, the sheer numbers participating in the waves let alone the whole event meant that there were separate areas for different groups. After a 7:15 drop off of my clothing and belongings, it was time for a last minute pit stop before the usual warm-up and stretching routine. It didn’t matter that this was the biggest occasion in my time in running, the routines still needed to be followed. Finding space for the dynamic warm-up proved to actually be easier than anticipated, possibly because the first waves and the elite wheelchair athletes were starting just as I was finishing.
There were 6 waves that comprised the starting procedure for the City2Surf, 5 of which were loosely based on a prospective theoretical time that a competitor would cover the course and the other based on being able to raise substantial funds for charity. I started in the 4th wave which seemed to comprise the majority of starters, which didn’t require qualifying times to enter. This wave catered for the runners and joggers, with those behind basically for joggers and walkers and for the bulk of those dressing appropriately for the occasion. My attire was conservative, long sleeved skins top with the premiership jumper over the top, running shorts, ankle socks and the recently acquired adidas footwear. There was no way I was going to wear anything outlandish such as a morph suit or any other costume, I’d leave that to the desperate types who’d do anything to try to get on TV or have the mass media take their photos for the next mornings’ publication.
The waiting for the starting gun is always the most difficult part. Sure the time taken to actually position myself in the starting area seemed infinite but judging from the queue snaking into the park it may well have been so much worse. It was probably lucky that there was only an 8 minute gap from the time the gun was sounded to start the wave till the time I actually crossed the start line to activate the timing mechanism. There would have been plenty behind me who may have waited closer to a quarter of an hour, so I can only imagine the anxiety some may have felt.
Part of the outfit and bib number, certainly a one of a kind
It wasn’t exactly a lightning flying start either, although experience had taught me that slow starts are part of the game in mass starts in such events. There was a slight difference to this run as opposed to Perth though, as I was at least able to make decent forward progress without feeling as though I was in rush hour traffic. That said the bulk of the opening kilometres were spent dodging traffic, apologising to others for making contact with them, and trying to to flatten the next generation of runners who were either dragged by or were dragging their parent/significant adult along for the journey.
After 6.2 kilometres came the signature part of the course that often would intimidate the first time runners. I was warned several times by past competitors to watch out for Heartbreak Hill, and it would be unwise to suggest that this was just another hill. The bulk of the 1.6km section comprising Heartbreak Hill seemed to be uphill and of a constant grade, although the reality would likely suggest otherwise (I have a history of misreading things like this). The challenge was big enough, but what frustrated my efforts for a reasonably quick ascent was traffic. I would produce a burst for a number of metres before having to either alter course or slow down to avoid those who let the challenge not quite totally defeat them but reduce them to a slow walk. Still I’m sure that the 9 minutes that passed from the beginning of the ascent to the conclusion of the descent was at least a half decent split time.
The major issue I had during the run was not the course itself, there were more than enough hills and ocean view teases to provide a tough enough challenge. The problem was the comparatively small number of drink stations and the fact that they were only positioned on a single side of the road. The local Rocky River Run had as many drink stations for their 10km course as the City2Surf did, and the City2South in Brisbane in fact probably had one or two more stations. It also didn’t help that it was almost impossible to be able to take a cup of fluid (gatorade on some stations, water at all others) being caught behind about 10 others who all wanted to be at the same spot at the station. The mist tent provided by sponsor Westpac was also a little too early and didn’t provide enough relief for runners, certainly compared to the Brisbane event. To offset this, credit has to go to the couple of kids who used hoses and even old school water soakers to at least try to lend physical assistance to the runners. If anything it did bring a smile to the face
So to the finish, where the last kilometre was largely flat coming off a sharp downhill run. Once again I failed to learn from past mistakes in timing the all important final kick to the finish line. In Perth I was carried away with running on the harness racing facility my timing was well and truly off. This time I thought using the downhill section to launch a final sustained burst would have been sufficient. Problem was by the time I made the final turn into the finish chute the energy had all but subsided, and if it wasn’t for the sight of someone dressed up as Elmo, it may have taken much longer than it should have to finish.
In the end it was almost mixed emotions as I crossed the finish line and started the walk to receive the traditional finishers medal. There was some disappointment given that I was looking to break the 1:10 barrier and with a positive training run on the Thursday prior to the event (12.7 in just over 1:02, albeit on a relatively flattish route). However there was also a sense of joy with completing the distance without resorting to walking, an achievement that even 12 months ago would have been wishful thinking. Plus compared to the City2South where I ran whilst not at near full fitness, my finishing time of 1:13:07 ensured that my personal best time for the distance is now 3 minutes lower than my entry time. With a little luck, perhaps it can get lower and closer to an hour in 12 months time.
0Thankfully at the end of the day after figuring out I was heading in the wrong direction to retrieve my gear, my choice of footwear did pay off. Because I was wearing the Adidas runners I acquired several weeks earlier (and thanks to the timing of the purchase, I completed the run blister free), I was seconded into an area where like minded participants were able to get a free juice (which to be honest tasted less than ordinary, but it may have been the flavour rather than the brand of juice) and a 10 minute massage. There was only one other area that I saw that runners would get a nice rub down and that involved a $10 donation. It did give me more than enough time to at least recover for a while before the wait for the shuttle bus to the connecting city bound train to put a final full stop on the journey.
So where to from here? Certainly a return trip to next years City2Surf is already locked in with goals not quite set at this stage but almost in mind. This year there are at least 3 runs left, and perhaps a fourth is on the cards pending transportation. It all started 12 months ago with the Bridge2Brisbane’s 5km event, and this year in just over a fortnight I return to complete the full journey. After that is a trip to Adelaide for the 12km CityBay Fun Run which at least will mean I have had runs in 4 out of the 5 mainland STATE capitals. By the end of this week, the final run will be determined on November 17, and that decision will be posted here next week. Then there’s the Spring Classic in Yeppoon which is half an hour from where I am based, which I will participate in should I be able to confirm transport to and from the event on the day of the NRL Grand Final.
MHJeffrey027 Running 