Training Log Archive: BA

Wagga Wagga Trail Marathon. Well, I made it!! Pretty happy all round, and I think it was fun! I was really hoping to break 4 hours and managed to just scrape in. I was really unsure about how I would go and just started out trying very hard not to push it too much. I took Scotty's advice to run the first 10km steady, to not build up lactic (Deek had said during the olympic commentary that if you're tired at 10km, you're stuffed!). The first 10km was pretty flat and on lots of bike path, and I just ran at a nice steady pace (I think I did about 5 min/km, and I felt fine at 10k). Then it was off onto some fun undulating fire trails, with a couple of big hills, and a nice downhill run to the halfway mark. I tried not to go too hard downhill (I had to have learnt something from that deep space half mara last year when I went way too hard on the down!). I possibly pushed it a bit too much coming into the halfway mark, but I was just so excited to reach halfway still feeling good, and I was looking forward to seeing my cheer squad (thanks jase and zoe and abby and shannon and grant!). I did about 1:51 for the first half which I was happy with. I knew the next bit would be tough as it was hilly and I'd be getting tired, so just tried to focus on running steady. It was pretty hard work running in pomegalarna as the climb was on single track with lots of little dips and twists. My hip flexors were starting to really hurt.... once over the hill at about 30km, it was a downhill stretch to the 32 km mark. I knew once I got there, it would be flat all the way back. But that last 10km was a killer! I was starting to feel a bit light-headed, and there was 1-2km on a flat, straight, dirt road that was a bit glarey, and I was struggling! I knew I had to start thinking lots of positive things to keep going, and thank goodness for le tour as I borrowed from jens (shut up legs) and paul sherwen (dug into that suitcase of courage), plus a bit of toddler parenting (told myself sternly in a parent-voice that i HAD to keep going, I really needed to keep going!). Oh it was so hard, and then there kept being all these stiles to cross! It felt like hundreds, but I think there was about 6 or so. Each one took all my strength not only to get over, but to start running again once I'd made it over. Anyhoo, by this stage I was doing a lot of looking at my watch to count down the km, and I knew I'd really have to keep pushing to break 4 hours. I've never been so happy to see the finish line! The most painful thing was definitely my hip flexors, they were just cramping.

For further reference, I had small amount of muesli and a banana for breakfast about 1 1/4 hours before the start and it was perfect. I had 3 gels, could probably have done with another at 10km to go but I didn't think of it and was a bit over them. I was thirstier than I thought I'd be, and just had sips of water at most drink stations. I think I paced it well, I know I slowed a lot at the end but I don't think it was because I started too hard, I think it was just a very long way!!

I reckon I might do another one again one day.....

C • Fantastic effort BA 16