The 2012/13 race season was a bit of a whirlwind, 10 triathlons, two half marathons, one full marathon, several training camps and capped with my first Ironman race. Since staring this blog I have gone from racing in the Clydesdale category with no fear of the possibility of an impromptu qualification weigh in to an ink carrying Ironman athlete. The numbers I am seeing on the bathroom scales now are lower than I can ever remember and, though there is still work to do, those figures have remained below the mark required to step out of the age groups.
The new race season has already commenced and this year I am shifting my focus. I have entered fewer events this time, only five triathlons and two runs, but they are all long. Last time we touched base I wrote on the eve of the first of my races, the Sandypoint marathon. This past weekend I completed the second event on my calendar, the Melbourne marathon. The plan for these two races was firstly, to get a good run under the belt early and to experience the inaugural event for Sandy then have good crack at Melbourne, hoping to finally stop the marathon clock under four hours. Strong headwinds and a bit of rolling course greeted us for the Sandypoint race yet I ran fairly comfortably throughout and several times made a conscious effort to ease back off the gas to ensure I didn't push too hard and blow up. Despite the conditions, course, and being the first hitout I recorded my second fastest marathon to date, holding an overage of six minutes per km from start to finish. (Also, I did follow up with a short six km "cool down" run with Shane Hutton as he and a small entourage completed his epic 230km circumnavigation of the bay)
My build back in preparation for the Melbourne marathon had me realising that a sub four hour marathon was not likely in my immediate future as I found I was unable to hold the required pace during my long weekend runs. On race day, the predicted rain was late and the winds stayed fairly calm. Saturday had been rather warm but Sunday was pleasantly cool and when the overcast day did deliver upon the meteorologists' promise I only had eight km left to cover and I almost welcomed it. Again, I ran comfortably, didn't get caught up in the temptation to match others' pace as they ran past early then spent the back half of the race overtaking more than being overtaken. As I turned onto the MCG and into the final straight with my usual big finish I noted the clock over the gantry was showing only just over four hours had past since the gun had started this race. How long after the pistol shot had I actually started, a minute, two. Was the time difference enough to put a "3" in front of my official race time?
I was close
Both my Garmin and the congratulatory email I received told the story,I had missed the mark by less than a minute. Though I missed the goal I am stoked with the outcome as, based upon recent training, I had thought I was well off my best form, finally considering I hadn't allowed sufficient recovery between the two events. I am now further buoyed that I might actually be able to meet the demands my hectic and demanding race calendar requires. (two marathons, three 70.3 race, a long course race called "Sufferfest" and another Ironman)
The Melbourne marathon also served as a bit of a swan song for me as it was my final race as the Tri Alliance male ambassador for Victoria. Later today (as I note it is now after midnight) I will be handing the role over to another member of the club. Like I said at the outset, the season gone was a whirlwind and I was honoured the have completed it carrying the team flag throughout. Generally I am a fairly quiet person just getting the job done but I have had the opportunity to get involved more deeply with the group and tried to put myself out there much more. It's been a blast and I have gained so much from the experience, whether it be from working with some of rookies, sharing knowledge or a meal with other team members, volunteering at races or simply supporting from the sidelines. I don't know who will carry the torch next but I wish them all the fun I had and more.
See you out on the course some time soon, remember to smile more, thank the volunteers and high five the kids!
The new race season has already commenced and this year I am shifting my focus. I have entered fewer events this time, only five triathlons and two runs, but they are all long. Last time we touched base I wrote on the eve of the first of my races, the Sandypoint marathon. This past weekend I completed the second event on my calendar, the Melbourne marathon. The plan for these two races was firstly, to get a good run under the belt early and to experience the inaugural event for Sandy then have good crack at Melbourne, hoping to finally stop the marathon clock under four hours. Strong headwinds and a bit of rolling course greeted us for the Sandypoint race yet I ran fairly comfortably throughout and several times made a conscious effort to ease back off the gas to ensure I didn't push too hard and blow up. Despite the conditions, course, and being the first hitout I recorded my second fastest marathon to date, holding an overage of six minutes per km from start to finish. (Also, I did follow up with a short six km "cool down" run with Shane Hutton as he and a small entourage completed his epic 230km circumnavigation of the bay)
My build back in preparation for the Melbourne marathon had me realising that a sub four hour marathon was not likely in my immediate future as I found I was unable to hold the required pace during my long weekend runs. On race day, the predicted rain was late and the winds stayed fairly calm. Saturday had been rather warm but Sunday was pleasantly cool and when the overcast day did deliver upon the meteorologists' promise I only had eight km left to cover and I almost welcomed it. Again, I ran comfortably, didn't get caught up in the temptation to match others' pace as they ran past early then spent the back half of the race overtaking more than being overtaken. As I turned onto the MCG and into the final straight with my usual big finish I noted the clock over the gantry was showing only just over four hours had past since the gun had started this race. How long after the pistol shot had I actually started, a minute, two. Was the time difference enough to put a "3" in front of my official race time?
I was close
Both my Garmin and the congratulatory email I received told the story,I had missed the mark by less than a minute. Though I missed the goal I am stoked with the outcome as, based upon recent training, I had thought I was well off my best form, finally considering I hadn't allowed sufficient recovery between the two events. I am now further buoyed that I might actually be able to meet the demands my hectic and demanding race calendar requires. (two marathons, three 70.3 race, a long course race called "Sufferfest" and another Ironman)
The Melbourne marathon also served as a bit of a swan song for me as it was my final race as the Tri Alliance male ambassador for Victoria. Later today (as I note it is now after midnight) I will be handing the role over to another member of the club. Like I said at the outset, the season gone was a whirlwind and I was honoured the have completed it carrying the team flag throughout. Generally I am a fairly quiet person just getting the job done but I have had the opportunity to get involved more deeply with the group and tried to put myself out there much more. It's been a blast and I have gained so much from the experience, whether it be from working with some of rookies, sharing knowledge or a meal with other team members, volunteering at races or simply supporting from the sidelines. I don't know who will carry the torch next but I wish them all the fun I had and more.
See you out on the course some time soon, remember to smile more, thank the volunteers and high five the kids!
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