Executive Summary

I’ll get straight to the point. My goal for the Melbourne Marathon was achieved on two counts, a pb and a sub 3:20. The time on my watch, net time, was 3:17:38.

(Edit 11 Oct 2006 : official time 3:17:17)

The Day Arrives

I had a decent night’s sleep, getting to bed about 10.30 pm and out of bed at 5 am. I didn’t need to wake Cherie until 6 and in the interim I did what I needed to do, had some light breakfast, got changed and went through a mental checklist making sure everything was covered.

The plan was that Cherie would drop me off at Frankston and I’d hand in a bag of dry clothes with the organisers at the start to be collected at the finish. I’d ring Cherie later in the day when ready to be picked up.

Arrived at Frankston with about 15 mins to spare but at the time didn’t realize that we parked a good distance from the actual start. As we were walking to the start there was about 5 mins to go and so I told Cherie that I’d have to run, drop off my bag of clothes and get to the start. Cherie and lucky (our dog) headed back to the car. I would have preferred to at least got some photos of the start but that wasn’t to be. As it turned out we had plenty of time as the start was delayed 15 mins.

Why are we waiting

Handed in my bag of clothes at the drop-off point and made my way to the start, mingling with everyone. I suppose you could say that it was typical Melbourne weather. Whilst waiting a good 15 mins for the start, it was cool, warm in the sun, windy at times and just prior to the start it rained just for a minute or so.

And they’re racing

Splits per 1 km

As is always the case with these massive events the start was congested and a shuffle for the first few minutes. I reckon it would have taken me around 45 - 60 seconds before I actually crossed the start line and still shuffling after this. I started the Garmin on crossing the start line.

As it turned out my first km split was 4:33 and when I saw that it was nice to know that I didn’t have to chase an extra minute or so for a slow start. As we all know every second counts, well it does for me.

Early on I passed Digger who was the 3:45 pacer and yelled out to him and I think he replied, "Hey dude".

Splits per 5 km

Within a couple of km’s I caught up with Steve Glover (slacker) and ran with him for a short while. We both caught up with Eat Em and then I eased ahead running at 4:35 ’ish pace. I was feeling quite comfortable at this pace.

After leaving Eat Em and Slacker (only for Slacker to ease by me at Fitzroy St - 37 km) I could see a bunch of runners ahead with two Cool Runners in the pack but couldn’t work out who they were. I eventually figured out that the bunch was 3:15 pacing group and so decided to at least keep them in sight.

Running through Mordialloc I’d just got onto the Beach Rd and there was Freddo (Brendan Fredericks), a colleague from work who spotted me. I think I was looking good at this point and so he should be taking that back with him. Thanks for the encouragement Freddo.

Half Marathon PB

Pace graph

Running through 21 km my time was 1:35:26 which worked out to be a half-marathon pb by about a good 75 seconds. (My half-marathon pb was set at this event last year being 1:36:58). In a sense it sort of phased me a little thinking have I pushed it too much but then I was still feeling quite comfortable at 4:35 ’ish pace.

On going through the half-way mark JayKay yelled out words of encouragement. Sorry JayKay, was a little too slow to respond or acknowledge you before I realized it was you.

A few km’s on the 3:15 pacing bus was still in sight and I was still trying to work out who the Cool Runners were. One was dropping off the pace and as I got closer it was Danny (Awiseman). We had a quick exchange of pleasantries and I continued on maintaining pace of 4:35 ’ish.

A few km’s further on, about the 28 km mark, I came across Tony (Tiger Boy) who appeared to be struggling and not very happy with his performance (I know what it feels like).

The final 10

Heart rate

About the 32 km mark I started slowing up. The split for the 32 was 4:34 and the 33 km was 4:45, only 11 seconds but was noticeable for me. This really peeved me no end as I had hoped I could at least maintain pace if not pick it up a little with 5 km to go. Sadly that wasn’t to be. The pace gradually got slower but not to the extent of stopping.

Came across the Cool Running cheer squad at 35 km at Elwood (I think it was Elwood). I was looking forward to an icy-pole from the 25 km mark and was counting down the k’s. On passing them heaps of encouragement which certainly lifted my spirits. I sucked on the icy-pole for a a good km or two. Thanks guys (and girls) it really helped.

Steve Glover (Slacker - speed demon)

On 37 km my split was 4:59 which was along Fitzroy St when out of the blue Steve Glover passed me. I’m not sure how long Steve was behind with me in his sights, maybe if I had of known I might have picked the pace up a bit. Anyway he passed and was running with two or three others. I tried running with them but after 50 metres or so I just didn’t have it in me.

I turned into St. Kilda Rd and there was Lesley, my sister, on the sidelines with words of encouragement. That picked me up a bit and also found out that she ran 1:55 for the half-marathon.

A little further up St. Kilda Rd and there was Wobbly Man and daughter dancing and carrying on with blue streamers. It put a smile on my face.

With about 2 or 3 km to go I did some basic mental calculations and concluded that definitely I’d get a pb and most likely be under 3:20.

Finish (or what was all the fuss about)

I crossed the line after 3 hrs 17 mins 38 seconds and the gun time was showing 3:18 something seconds. The official time may vary by a few seconds but I won’t know that for another couple of days.

Met up with a heap of runners afterwards and most were pleased with their efforts. A big congrats to Steve Glover & George (hobbo) who subbed 3:15. Apparently George keeled over at the finish and got some attention in the medical tent and I’m told everything is ok.

There’s simply too many runners to name and remember their times so I won’t attempt to.

Marathon Finish - Arts Centre

Transport House

About 12.30 pm I headed off to the Transport House (pub) just up the road at Federation Square and met up with a heap of Cool Runners. This is where the war stories start and will be coloured and exaggerated in years to come.

The plan was that I’d ring Cherie and she’s pick me up and drop me off at Newport, another post marathon BBQ at Noel & April’s place. As it turned out it was just as easy for me to catch the train back to Hoppers, Cherie pick me up from the station, get home, quick shower and out again. That’s what I did.

Hobbo’s BBQ

After quick shower at home I then headed off to Noel’s place (Newport) for another post mortem marathon BBQ. Again the start of war stories and they’ll only get bigger.