The Long Run
It’s been eight months since my last marathon. Kind of sounds like a confessional, doesn’t it? The break was probably longer than I would have liked but the last two hurt as I managed a bulging disc and lack of kms through Sydney and Melbourne marathons. After a break we started a maintenance schedule with gentle running and no racing. The idea was to keep moving and hope that the back would settle down with time. There was a time when I wondered whether I could run beyond a shuffle and then a time that I wondered whether I could run to a standard I could be content with. Unfortunately, until you give racing a try you just never know how it will react.
Also in that time major life changes have come along with Dad’s health slowly spiraling down over several months involving repeated admissions to hospital until his body finally gave out. During this time we’d mind Lady the dog, always with the thought that she would be going home.
After Dad left us came the exciting job of clearing 60 years of accumulated “stuff”. A garage sale, many trips to the Charity stores, two truckloads of metal waste, 3 skips. Wouldn’t have been surprised to find a partridge in a pear tree but finally, the house was ready for sale. It was sold at auction and settlement looms. This chapter ends. Time becomes freer.
I maintained the slow maintenance running schedule with the knowledge that I had several marathons mapped out in 2025 starting with Melbourne in October, Marine Corp in Washington, end of October and New York at the start of November. At some point we all knew there would have to be a step up. The long runs.
A couple of the group signed up for the Ballarat marathon. I wasn’t ready but thought I could run the Half. Too late, sold out. Gold Coast marathon in July, sold out, Sydney, sold out. Best option seemed to be the Traralgon Marathon, a small country marathon of about 100 runners. A double out and back course on the Gippsland Rail trail. Open, dirt trail with very little elevation change. I put in a couple of building runs up to 32 km during a couple of solid weeks and ran a cross-country race of 12 km with AthsVic. I kind of got to the point where if I didn’t commit now I’m not sure when I would.
5 am into the car with Anne along as support in case I needed driving home. 3 degrees and foggy all the way down the two hour drive. Picked up the number, met up with George. Zero degrees and frosty and off we went. I had in my mind the long plan. If I can run sub 3.26 in a World Age Group Qualifying event there is a trip to Capetown a possibility for the World Age Group Championship in 2026. Talk about getting ahead of oneself.
The first catch, of course, is can I finish a marathon and second, could I reach any pace at all? I had run just under 5 min/km the week before in Cross Country over 12 km on a rough, up and down course in very windy conditions so I thought to start out with the 3.30 pacer, Ben who we knew already as he lives locally. That seemed comfortable so I then ran a bit in front of him and joined up with a young bloke from down around Traralgon for company. We ran through to the turn and back steadily.
My aim was simply to get through to the half, sub1.45, declare that a win and then concentrate on finishing. After such a long break I wasn’t confident of what would happen after 30 km but I thought if I could convince myself that I could get to the half then with more training 3.26 is not out of the question. I passed through 21.1 km in 1.41 so job well done and off again. I made it out to the turn for the second time and was expecting to fall apart coming back in but was starting to catch the back runners of the half marathon. Their encouragement kept me going although the distance was starting to tell. The last 5 kms were challenging but I was still moving forward and passing half runners. It became apparent that we were going to be in excess of the expected 42.195 km when I hit 42.2 km with still a distance to go. Crossed the line in 3.35 and 42.9 km. I asked a couple of other runners and commonly the distance sat round 42.9 km. I figure on an AIMS certified course, on road and with a real block of training there is a real chance to get to Capetown. I won the 60+ age group so very happy with how it all went. George was second in the age group so we had a club 1-2
A couple of hurdles loom.
George and I with Knox legend Peter O’Halloran
The little dog
Cute, small and fluffy also old, wearing out and spoilt. All descriptors for Lady, the 14-year-old Spitz cross belonging to my father. We told Dad when his previous dog passed that if he wanted another and it outlived him then we would care for it. And so it came to pass.
After Dad died life was traumatic for all of us and not least of all for Lady the dog. Lady was accustomed to being the centre of attention, almost limitless treats and limited exercise with her mobility challenged master. A change of address and diet, her exercise increased, she lost weight and adapted. Unfortunately, very poor socialization meant she was not good with other dogs. Where does this meet with long runs? No, we are not extending her exercise out to long runs. Small and fluffy not border collie.
It has presented us with difficulties in travelling to long runs. In the past I have run marathons around the country and overseas. Sure it involves planning, but generally getting on a plane, checking into a hotel, running, getting back on a plane and going home. Or, hopping in the car, driving for 2, 4 ,6, 8 or 10 hours, checking into a hotel, running etc… With her poor socialization we can’t leave her with people with other dogs. With hotels and airplanes, no dogs allowed. With her age and health a kennel wouldn’t be a viable alternative.
Add to this now she is on the mend from an exercise induced injury. Believe it or not, on a walk down the street she snapped her Anterior Cruciate ligament (ACL). A football injury. A dear friend who is a vet has repaired her but she is still recovering. While she is at the vets we managed to sneak in the trip to Traralgon. Still would have happened but she would have been in the back of the car.
Where to from here ?
The conundrum is this. Run Sub 3.26 in either of the Sunshine Coast or Townsville Marathons, both on Augst 3rd. Other events are either sold out (Gold Coast, Sydney) or 3000 km away (Perth, Rottnest Island). I had a brief thought of heading to New Zealand but airfares are prohibitive with a trip to New York coming up. Best bet is Sunshine Coast, a lightning trip. Up on Friday, back on Monday and rely on the kindness of friends to mind the dog. Go hard and then go home. It will be a chance to catch up with our younger son Luke who lives in Brisbane so that would also be a positive.
There is an outside chance of sub 3.26 in New York as I chase the speedy Avi Moss of Texas and Michael Brosilow of Chicago before post race beers but the course and crowds aren’t really conducive to fast times. Never say never.
There are very few chances for long races before August but I’m hoping to put together a good training block that will set me up for the series of Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Marine Corp and New York. Interestingly that will get me to 66 marathons in total before I turn 67 in November.
Interesting times ahead. I have a couple of aches and pains from the marathon last Sunday but I’m feeling far more positive than I was a week ago. I know it’s still in there we just have to be patient and tease it out. Don’t break anything.
It’s amazing what one good run will do.