The Melbourne Marathon had been earmarked as my target race for 2022 and I was eager to achieve a big goal; running a sub 3 hour marathon for the first time.

Training

I began my Melbourne Marathon training several months back, building my running base. I had been injured earlier in the year completing the Lumberjack 50k Ultra, but my body was feeling good.

Utilising the Ben Parkes Marathon Training Plan, I moved through several weeks of Easy, Tempo, Interval and Long Runs. As I worked through the plan, I found that I had not allocated adequate training in the past to Tempo, Interval and Long Runs. I knew these would be beneficial come race day.  I would absolutely recommend the Ben Parkes training plans. I’ll be using them again for future events.

In preparation for the Marathon, I entered the Sri Chinmoy Princess Park Half Marathon where I ran my fastest ever 21.1 km. I finished in a time of 1:22:21! This was the motivation and encouragement I needed to continue my training and to be in the frame for breaking 3 hours for the Marathon distance. This had not happened overnight. I had been running more seriously for a few years now and only recently, reached times of this nature. 

Unfortunately, not everything goes to plan. During the training block, 10 weeks out from the Melbourne Marathon, I got Covid-19. A few weeks after that, I came down with another virus that kept me off the training track for another 10 days. As I was reflecting prior to the race, I have never had a training block that was uninterrupted. Hopefully (fingers crossed) the next one will be more successful as I navigate potential injuries and illness.

I reached the final week before the Melbourne Marathon having only completed a couple of long runs with the longest being 33 kms as a result. I wasn’t too worried. I was a little nervous and excited though as the event drew closer. How would I go? Could I hold on in the dying stages to reach the 3 hour goal? I would soon find out.

Pre Race

I awoke on race day morning at 4:00 am and had the usual toast with peanut butter and jam along with a coffee and a banana. I did some foam rolling to loosen my legs up and showered. My race gear was already laid out from the previous evening. I was ready.

A mate picked me up and we arrived at the MCG at 5:30 on race day morning. It was the first morning of daylight savings (felt an hour earlier) just to top it off. No matter. We were both excited and keen to begin. We wanted to arrive with plenty of time to drop our bags off, and use the toilets. If you’re not there early, the lines can become quite long and you risk the chance of reaching the start line later than you may have hoped to.

We took some photos and headed to the start. After a short warm up we discarded our jackets. We were ready for the race to begin. As we had arrived with plenty of time, we were able to move toward the front of the starting corral. We hoped this would mean there would be less people to dodge in the first few kms – this did not turn out to be the case.

Race

The countdown began, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 GO! We were away. 

I had started much further back in previous years, so I was used to the slow start. This occurred on this occasion also, even being closer to the start line. I weaved through the slower runners as we ran up Batman Ave and onto Flinders Street past the station. 

I was looking at my watch a little nervously. I was hoping to stick to a 4:20 min/km (6:59 mins/mi) pace for the first couple of kms however I was held up by the slower runners. It was hard to navigate through without pushing past people. It began to open up but only after my first km of 4:35 min/km (7:23 min/mi). No matter. I tried to push it out of my mind and concentrate on holding a steady pace.

With a Sub 3 Hour finish as my goal, I would need to run at 4:12 min/km (6:46 min/mi) pace. Usually, a Sub 3 Hour finish would only require a 4:15 min/km (6:51 min/mi) pace however they throw in a few hundred metres more at the Melbourne Marathon (or maybe it’s just all the weaving you do!). Although I was confident going into the race that I would be very close to being able to achieve this, I still wasn’t sure. It would be a big PB if I pulled it off.

After 2 kms the race opened up. My heart rate had also started to drop back to a usual running rate – it’s always high with excitement and adrenaline as I race off at the start of events! The faster runners had moved ahead and I was able to find some room to keep my pace consistent. I had been hoping to run near the 3 hour pace group but they had shot off at the start and I had been unable to navigate through others to keep up. Pacing groups at Melbourne Marathon (and probably others too), run to gun time – the time taken from when all starters are released. This is usually much quicker than the net time (which starts when you cross the start line). A useful tip to know before going out too fast especially if you’re starting a distance from the start line.

I ran down St. Kilda Road and entered the Albert Park lake circuit, onto the Formula 1 track. I had moved through the 5km mark in 21:08 (Pace 4:07 min/km / 6:38 min/mi). A little fast perhaps but I was feeling good. Runners had spread out a lot more now as the roads opened up. Albert Park lake was amazingly still. Not a breath of wind, slightly overcast making it perfect for running. I had worn my hat and was carrying my sunglasses which I would use later in the race. 

I took my first Science in Sport Gel at the Formula 1 Pits Building along with some water. There were 8 aid stations in total along the course (some also able to be used twice with the out and back sections) giving runners plenty of opportunity to stay hydrated with water and Gatorade sports drinks. Although there were some runners competing with Hydration Packs and bottles, I didn’t see the need for it. The aid stations are quite frequent.

Compared with my previous Melbourne marathon, I felt like I was moving through the course very quickly. I left the Albert Park precinct, turned on to Fitzroy St and stretched out my legs as I ran down the slight incline and on to Beaconsfield Parade, cheered on by the crowds. 

I was maintaining a steady distance behind the 3 hour pacing group, indicating my pace was on track. I wasn’t catching them, but neither was I falling behind. 

There were several kms where I was having slight panic moments. If I ran a slow km, I felt like I needed to speed up to “make up” the time. I kept reassuring myself that I just needed to keep on churning through the kms. I would get there. I wasn’t thinking too far ahead, just trying to stay focused on the present.

I ran through the half marathon point in 1:28:55 (a pace of 4:13 min/km / 6:47 min/mil). I was on track and feeling relatively good.

As I turned south and headed back down Beaconsfield Parade I saw several friends that were also running in the Marathon. Leigh around the 3:20 pacing group, Daniel and Matt just after the 3:30 group, Curtis at 3:50 and Michael just after the 4:00 pacers. Being on the end of cheers and encouragement were just what I needed to keep at it. 

I had another slow kilometre as I took on water. I tried not to worry. 

This was the first marathon that I tried a different style of taking on liquid. At the aid stations, I grabbed the cup that the volunteers offered me. I received it in one hand, pinched the top with the other, becoming flat and creating a spout. I tipped it on the side and managed to take on almost the entire contents. A great strategy which I will be sure to use in future events.

It was becoming increasingly harder to keep up the 4:12 min/km (6:46 min/mi) pace running up the gentle hills at the end of Jacka Boulevard and Fitzroy Street. We rejoined the Half Marathoners and ran together for 1km or so up St. Kilda Road. It wasn’t easy to find space amongst the Half Marathon runners as they were running at 2 hr Marathon pace, with the Marathon runners moving considerably quicker. I tried to stick to the right hand side of the course for more space but I ended up running directly behind a Marathoner who set the path through the other runners. I found this to be much easier. 

My pace was dropping. Not by much but I needed to keep pushing as I headed up St Kilda Road. It was becoming hot. I tried to run in the shade as much as possible.

My legs were tightening as I turned off at the NGV building and headed through the tunnel and up the hill in the Botanic Gardens. The crowds were building as I reached the peak of the hill. It was hot. I was tired. Where was the finish line? 

I passed the 37 km mark in 2 hours 36 min at a pace of 4:13 min/km (6:47 min/mi) pace. I rounded the corners at the Southern end of the Botanic Gardens and headed for the MCG. I took my final gel and a final sip of water, knowing this would be enough for me to reach the end. 

I needed to keep pushing.

The Half Marathon runners joined up again as we exited the Botanic Gardens and headed for Flinders street station. I knew my race goal was in jeopardy. I couldn’t run any faster. My legs were tired and I was doing my best to hold it all together.

I stretched my legs out as I ran down the hill and into the MCG. I wasn’t going to make it. Or was I? I picked up my pace as I raced around the MCG. The crowds were cheering. My family was there somewhere. I wasn’t going to make it. I just want to finish. I’m going to miss my goal. I can’t run faster. I’m tired. 

Finished. I ran across the line in a time of 3:00:14. I was 15 seconds short of my goal. I was disappointed but I reminded myself that I had set a new Personal Best (PB) by over 12 minutes. Quite an achievement!

I’ll be back again. To conquer the MCG and run that Sub 3 hour finish time. For now though, we were headed to Fonda Mexican in Hawthorn with friends to fill up that stomach again, ready for my next adventure. 

Stats

Distance: 42.73 km 

Elapsed Time: 3:00:15 

Pace: 4:13 mins/km (7:36 mins/mi) pace

Weather: Overcast, 15°C 

Nutrition/Hydration: SIS Gels, Water, Gatorade.

Gear: Ciele Cap, Goodr Sunglasses, Garmin Fenix 6X, Nike Aeroswift Singlet, Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts, Steigen Socks, Nike Vaporfly Next % 2.

Finished: Position 462 out of 6216

Strava: Check it out Here