This weekend was an outstanding event, I have managed to claw back over 13 minutes on my dismal last two attempts, and needless to say I am very happy with the way the weekend has transpired.
Two weeks ago, my running adventures seemed at least in my own mind to becoming to an end just as quickly as they had started, I lost well over 13 minutes of my target times, which to me is a lot - it was simple I needed to hit this hard and fast in the next four weeks to be on track for the Washington Marine Corps Marathon on 25th October 2009.
I sat down and looked at plans on how to train for a successful Marathon and Half, I spoke to many people, started stretching (still not as much as I should) but I was getting there.
I than turned to the guy who knows exactly how to get my cardiac ability in shape, Steve the trainer, pretty much 6 days a week we hit hard sessions, some days I was slower than others but within a week I started to get a little confidence back and was some what optimistic of hitting 1hr 45m. (The same time as San Francisco)
Boxing, Running, Timed Lap Challenges, and Circuits..... All with the intent to push me further than the last.
Sharon Helped me out with a session on the Spin bike (Now I must admit I was a little scared of that one) but a great effort by Sharon I think she had the ability to 1. Put up with my complaining, and 2. Show me that Spin is within my reach!
Brett got me out in the park and pushed me through a series of sprints, this was a great checkpoint on weather or not I needed to do more!
Finally I got to the weekend and being somewhat nervous about the upcoming race Sunday, I did my usual breakfast place at Port Melbourne, a lazy day round Melbourne town, followed by a early pasta dinner at Lygon street Saturday night.
I set the theme for the next day the night before:
The theme for tomorrow "Jeff won't be defeated by his failures of times gone past, instead he will use them as the motivation to succeed...." the Melbourne Half Marathon 13.1 Miles finishing with a lap of the MCG my first visit to the ground!!!!!
A couple of people replied:
Go for it mate... nothing like that lap, nothing like it in the world.
and
Remember mate don’t promise me the world and give me an atlas....Go for broke mate!!
Waking up to these two comments was a huge motivator, meaning I could not fail!
I headed out at just before 7am, walking down St Kilda Road, I met a couple of other Half Marathon runners from Adelaide: Now these guys were after a 78min time (My Response WOW!!!!!) and where did you place last year, 6th, amazing the people you run into, even more motivation to be my best today!
Wishing each other good luck, we set on our ways.
The Race Started, heading out a little crowded, down St Kilda Road, passed my apartment relatively quickly, than hit Albert Park Lake - 2 minutes a head at the half way point.
Heading back up St Kilda Rd the pacer caught me, and I pulled out my iPod and said to her don't let me fall behind you, than a surge, and another jumping ahead 50 meters, than the pacer catching up again.....
Passed home again (It's a weird feeling to pass your house on a half marathon)
Pushing through many thoughts come to mind, but most importantly I was determined to claw back that time.
In the last kilometre I kind of lost track of the time, and let my mind wander a little, this is a valuable lesson learnt, and cost me some valuable seconds.
Entering the MCG was an amazing experience, taking that last lap and crossing the finish line will be a memory that will last a lifetime.
On the walk home, I stopped and cheered on other still competing, I stood next to a few people who constantly shouted out encouragement, "Keep on going - only 500 meters left", "Go Marathon Man" what an inspiration! I was thrilled to see Paul run through in his Marathon attempt! Congratulations mate!
The running adventure continues with 2 weeks until my first 42km challenge, I cant wait to see how I do, just like this week end, I will give it everything I’ve got, I might even go for broke!!!
For this successful event a donation goes to the Starlight Foundation.
The Stats:
Time: 1hr 39m 02s (Missed my PB by 7 Seconds)
Place: 969/7272
Age Place: 179/799
Heres the Garmin Map
The next attempt i'm going to aim to knock 4 mins 2 sec off this time!
Dont forget to donate to the Starlight Foundation for my Marathon Challenge on 25th October 2009.
Cheers
Jeff
1 comment:
Congratulations,
Fantastic work.
I'm just coming back from extended illness and significant injury.
Thankfully, the injury thing was easily resolved. Rest mostly.
So I'm back on track for Dubai. With a focus on the half rather than the full.
It is truly excellent to hear about your exploits, and the time and training you are putting in.
Distance running is like no other sport.
It's hard.
It can be very lonely.
But the personal rewards are great, and not realised by many.
Congrats again, and I'm looking forward to hearing the news and cheering at your completion time in the next one.
:-)
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