Tuesday, August 04, 2009

TOWNSVILLE 2009












I can't go into too much detail as I really wasn't paying that much attention. You all probably know what I mean by that. Anyway I think I'd better get what I recall down now while it's still relatively fresh.

The race started at 5:30am, it was pretty dark, I set off with a group of about 8 guys that kept together for the first 5K going through in just under 20 minutes.
Even at this stage Dave Criniti and Alan Mullen the first and second place getter's were way ahead of everyone.

Allen Mullen a previous winner(2004, 2:40:25)trailed Dave by about 3 or so minutes at this stage but Dave was really flying. (You really have to see this guy run, it is really something else.)This day he was to break the course record going under 2:30:00.

Anyway, by the 10th K or so there was a smaller pack, about 4 of us, following the leaders and we were all running comfortably under 3 hour pace. I mentioned to the guys around me that: "This race would be perfect conditions if it was just a little bit less humid." I got no response and these guys were sweating a lot so I took it as a sign that they were doing it a bit harder than me. Nothing like training in 95% humidity to make 75% seem cool.

By the 20th K there was only me and a fit looking thirty something local battling it out for third place. I started to talk to this guy and found out it was his first marathon. I said, something like "jeez you are doing well, if you run your first one like this you have a good future in this sport." Not long after I said this I pushed the pace knowing that if I didn't put a gap on him now he might very well hang with me and find his second wind.

Luckily for me and thanks to my high mileage training I was able to move ahead knowing with confidence that I could hold this pace. The last 10K I was easily holding 3rd place and the encouragement from Allen and Dave whenever I saw them on the turnarounds helped me to hold on and bring it home without any major dramas.

I was passed by a couple of very fast half marathoners and about five 10K runners in the last 8K, but this helped me as I was forced to wake from a little lapse in concentration and pick up the pace a little. I'm not sure whether or not I did pick up the pace, I was beyond checking K markers at this stage, but I didn't drop off significantly like I usually do and was very pleased to not only come in under 3 hours but to do it with a third place finish.

I'm in two minds now. One, I think I trained long and hard for a 2:56:00 finish, maybe I should have run faster and that is about all I can expect in the future. But that's what I said when I ran my first marathon in 4:10:00 something. And I'm thinking, now I can go faster and with you guys to help me I'll always be able to find ways to improve my trainng and times.

Thanks Dave for your support online and on the day, you are a true gentleman. As I have found of 99.9% of runners and bloggers. It may sound a bit melodramatic but I'm indebted to you all and grateful, more than I can say.

I'll leave you with some photos all pretty self explanatory.

Starting running and aiming for a sub 3 marathon has been a life changing experience. I have no regrets I did this. Now with a bit more balance and sense I expect it to continue to give. I will continue to do it as long as I believe it is worth the effort and is enjoyable. Frankly I can't see the day it won't be.

Thanks, again.

8 comments:

  1. I reckon next stop 2.45....
    but first enjoy your recovery and reflective glory.
    p.s. you make your marathon sound to easy was there no pain involved.

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  2. Sounds like you are the master of the mind games with your competitors!

    I don't think you have to change much in your training. Just by following that routine for a couple of years should see you gradually improving more and more as your aerobic base keeps building..

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  3. Thanks for the photos Scott. You could be Dave Criniti's better looking slightly older twin brother.

    Looks like the boys are scared of turning ugly permanently.

    Robert Song (and Rick) know more about marathoning than me. I reckon you can expect further improvement just doing what you have been doing. Sub-2:50's there now if you jag a cool, calm day on a flat course. And low 2:40s - why not?!

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  4. Thanks for the kind words Scott. I'm just glad your old fortune cookie was on the mark! :-)

    D

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  5. I've got 4 things to say:

    1. I dream about the day that the guys in 1st and 2nd encourage me to try for 3rd!;

    2. You look like a real marathon runner up there collecting your trophy;

    3. You obviously remember your Australian ways, getting up there without shoes; and

    4. I can remember when you were blogging that 3:20 was an impossible dream, so why can't you go faster?

    I agree with the other comments - the training you've been doing can only lead to improvement over the next couple of years. I'm betting on it, and plan to follow your footsteps once I'm up to that many k's!

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  6. Scott, sorry it has taken me a whole week to look in on your blog.TRavel, work, blah, blah.

    Anyway. Fantastic effort. Congratulations. I am very happy for your sub 3 and your 3rd place. I also thank you for achieving all those goals without ducking under my PB. I know Ewen was licking his lips in anticipation of that, but not this time my little chickadee. However, I concede it is only a matter of time, and the way I am running and feeling lately, I don't think I'll ever reach that kind of shape again, so 2:54:50 is your next goal (though I think you can dip well below that if you just keep doing what you've been doing.)

    Cheers

    Steve

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  7. Scott
    A bit belated congratulations on teh sub 3. I have not been Blooging myself much or reading others but up at Glasshouse I mentioned this to Tesso and in fact I mentioned your name and she said you had gone under 3. It has taken me a while to get around to saying congratulation what a wonderful achievement. I hope you continue to improve and have many more. When is your next goal marathon.

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  8. By the way I wish I was IT savvy enough to record my run. I enjoyed see where you go.

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