Week of 10-16 Oct
Sun: Melbourne Marathon
Tue: 10k easy (5.12)
Fri: 10k easy (5.12)
Sat: 15k easy (4.52)
Total 35k
Week 17-23 Oct
Mon: 7k easy (5.28)
Wed: 11k fartlek (4.33)
Fri: 12k moderate (4.48)
Sat: 18k easy (5.15)
Total 48k
Week 24-30 Oct
Mon: 10k incl 12*400 (85-90), 1min walking rest
Wed: 16k (4.42) including 45mins tempo fartlek @ 4.20
Thu: 7k easy (5.27)
Fri: 6k easy (5.30)
Sun: 21k long (4.52)
Total 60k
Nothing much to report. As usual, post-marathon recovery is a bit slow for me. Legs were still quite weak, especially when doing long runs and climbing up hills. In addition, weather has been gettting very warm lately which made running conditions difficult.
Felt some pain in the ankle after the marathon, but after a couple of weeks, it went okay. However, I began to experience some soreness in the glutes this week, hopefully nothing major.
Next race is Singapore Marathon 42k in about 5 weeks from now. I actually registered for this race before signing-up for Melbourne. The original plan was to run it as long training run, but I kinda regretted it now. Have been struggling during long runs in last couple fo weeks. Legs were still not on their best shape, while the weather has been killing me. Will decide in next couple of weeks whether I will still do it as a training run or just bandit the 10k event.
30 October 2011
09 October 2011
Melbourne Marathon
3.09.16 (net)
Overall position 372
As mentioned in last week's blog, I felt that my training this time around was inferior compared to GC '09 and Seoul '10 which yielded 3.04 and 3.03 respectively. In light of this, I thought 3.05-3.10 would be a reasonable target for Melbourne. At the end, I just managed to sneak in under 3.10. But the process of getting that timing was a total fiasco - a positive split of almost 10mins hahaha...
Before the race, my thoughts were either to follow the 3.00 bus and then see what happens, or pace myself to a 'safe' target such as 3.05-3.06 with an even pace strategy. When the gun went off, I still couldn't make up my mind. The start was pretty congested and my first k split was around 4.40 min/km (since my finishing position was 372, presumably there were 500-600 odd runners jostling for position in the first k). To my surprise, I saw the 3-hour bus also splitted 4.40 in the first k due to the congestion. I then decided to lurk behind them, allowing a gap of around 100meters. The first 10k was relatively easy since the course is flatish-to-downhill. Also St Kilda Road and Albert Park F1 circuit was pretty protected from the wind. We consistently churned 4.05-4.15 pace due to the easiness of the course and also to make up the lost time in the first k.
First 10k split 42:15 (official)
Side note: I had k-by-k Garmin splits, but they were not meaningful. They were off by about 100m by the first 10k, then continued to grow linearly. At the finish line, my watch showed 42.6 k, about 400m difference which is still within 1% of accuracy. Interestingly, when I read up the cool running forum after the race, all 305/310 watches (also Timex) showed 42.6k, but one guy who had 610 recorded an exact 42.2k !!! Maybe time for an upgrade LOL
Was still feeling great when we left Albert Park, but then my leg developed a blister and I stopped for a few seconds in order to correct the positioning of the socks. As we entered St Kilda beach, the gap between me and the 3.00 bus had widened to around 200m. The wind started to blow strongly and I was running in a no mans land in between the 3.10 and 3.00 buses without any protection at all. I still tried to churn 4.15 per k pace, but I think running alone against the wind took a lot out of me.
Second 10k 42.52, reached halfway exactly 90 mins.
After the halfway mark, I continued to struggle running in a no mans land against the wind. My legs began to tighten and they got heavier by each step. Negative thoughts started to emerge and my pace began to drift. With a 90min first half and with the expected headwind, HM-ers and FM-ers merging in the last 10k and a series of hills in the last 7k, I realized that getting low 3.00s might be a stretch. For some reasons, my brain told me to play safe and ran at 4.30 pace because it could still get me around 3.05. The 3.00 bus began to disappear from my sight (interestingly, the bus had 30 runners at the start and at the finish, only 3 remained and went under 3)
Third 10k 45.06
So, a slow down from 4.15 pace to 4.30 pace, but wait, it actually got even worse !!! LOL 'The Wall' continued its strong hold on my mind/body and I slowed down massively from then on. From 32k mark until the finish we then had a merging between FMers and HMers which started an hour later. Actually I had no complaints because at that point I couldn't run fast and pass people anyway hahaha. But running with thousands of 2-hour HMers kinda put me in the same running motion as them and my pace slowed to around 4.40-5.00. The hills, although they were not steep, kinda added an extra 'thickness' to the Wall.
Fourth 10k 48.21
Just couldn't wait to get over and done with the race, but to put more salt into the wound, the last 400k was uphill too hahaha.
Last 2.2k 10.26
In retropective, I am quite pleased with the outcome because I think I have finally defeated my injury issues that plaqued me in the last couple of years. I think I could have reached a better result, say if I targeted 1.32-1.33 first half in lieu of 1.30. But going at 3.00 pace (even when I am not up to it) and then hitting the wall really gave a different experience. While it wasn't enjoyable, but shuffling the last 12k of the race at 5.00 pace after averaging 4.20 pace for the first 30k was really an eye opener for me. Putting one step in front of another when nothing left at stake was I must say, an 'epic' experience LOL.
I am not sure whether 'the wall' that hit me was due to glycogen depletion since I took a few gels and sipped sports drinks throughout the race. Also, I felt that I carbo-loaded reasonably well this time. I think it was mainly attributed to a couple of things:
Firstly, sub 3.00 pace was too hot to handle for me, so blowing up was, sadly, an expected outcome. Secondly, I think I trained too hard during taper - was doing 18k @ 4.14 pace about 2 weeks out, 23k with 11k at 4.10 pace seven days out, and then even 3 days before the race, I ran 13k at 4.30 min/km (couldn't help it running at 15c compared to my usual 30c) - this was essentially 1/3 of marathon distance at today's pace !! In retropesctive, the gamble to cram in workouts even during taper just didn't pay off. During race day, my legs were 'toast' and felt like lead after 25k.
Ewen actually spotted me at the finish line and he said that I looked comfortable and did not have that 'trashed look' a other runners. I felt fine after the race too. This sort of reaffirms that the wall wasn't a function of glycogen depletion, but more of muscular fatique, coupled with high energy cost of running (against headwind + went out maybe 5mins quicker than I was capable of TODAY)
All in all, I feel that the positives still outweigh the negatives. Finishing the race after almost 2 year battle with post-tib tendon injuries gives me some confidence that I can run better next time. As mentioned, my training wasn't as good and consistent as my previous marathons, so taking some risk by going out harder than what my form indicated, hitting the wall, but still finishing comfortably under BQ standard ain't that bad of a result, I reckon.
Thanks everyone for the support !
Overall position 372
As mentioned in last week's blog, I felt that my training this time around was inferior compared to GC '09 and Seoul '10 which yielded 3.04 and 3.03 respectively. In light of this, I thought 3.05-3.10 would be a reasonable target for Melbourne. At the end, I just managed to sneak in under 3.10. But the process of getting that timing was a total fiasco - a positive split of almost 10mins hahaha...
Before the race, my thoughts were either to follow the 3.00 bus and then see what happens, or pace myself to a 'safe' target such as 3.05-3.06 with an even pace strategy. When the gun went off, I still couldn't make up my mind. The start was pretty congested and my first k split was around 4.40 min/km (since my finishing position was 372, presumably there were 500-600 odd runners jostling for position in the first k). To my surprise, I saw the 3-hour bus also splitted 4.40 in the first k due to the congestion. I then decided to lurk behind them, allowing a gap of around 100meters. The first 10k was relatively easy since the course is flatish-to-downhill. Also St Kilda Road and Albert Park F1 circuit was pretty protected from the wind. We consistently churned 4.05-4.15 pace due to the easiness of the course and also to make up the lost time in the first k.
First 10k split 42:15 (official)
Side note: I had k-by-k Garmin splits, but they were not meaningful. They were off by about 100m by the first 10k, then continued to grow linearly. At the finish line, my watch showed 42.6 k, about 400m difference which is still within 1% of accuracy. Interestingly, when I read up the cool running forum after the race, all 305/310 watches (also Timex) showed 42.6k, but one guy who had 610 recorded an exact 42.2k !!! Maybe time for an upgrade LOL
Was still feeling great when we left Albert Park, but then my leg developed a blister and I stopped for a few seconds in order to correct the positioning of the socks. As we entered St Kilda beach, the gap between me and the 3.00 bus had widened to around 200m. The wind started to blow strongly and I was running in a no mans land in between the 3.10 and 3.00 buses without any protection at all. I still tried to churn 4.15 per k pace, but I think running alone against the wind took a lot out of me.
Second 10k 42.52, reached halfway exactly 90 mins.
After the halfway mark, I continued to struggle running in a no mans land against the wind. My legs began to tighten and they got heavier by each step. Negative thoughts started to emerge and my pace began to drift. With a 90min first half and with the expected headwind, HM-ers and FM-ers merging in the last 10k and a series of hills in the last 7k, I realized that getting low 3.00s might be a stretch. For some reasons, my brain told me to play safe and ran at 4.30 pace because it could still get me around 3.05. The 3.00 bus began to disappear from my sight (interestingly, the bus had 30 runners at the start and at the finish, only 3 remained and went under 3)
Third 10k 45.06
So, a slow down from 4.15 pace to 4.30 pace, but wait, it actually got even worse !!! LOL 'The Wall' continued its strong hold on my mind/body and I slowed down massively from then on. From 32k mark until the finish we then had a merging between FMers and HMers which started an hour later. Actually I had no complaints because at that point I couldn't run fast and pass people anyway hahaha. But running with thousands of 2-hour HMers kinda put me in the same running motion as them and my pace slowed to around 4.40-5.00. The hills, although they were not steep, kinda added an extra 'thickness' to the Wall.
Fourth 10k 48.21
Just couldn't wait to get over and done with the race, but to put more salt into the wound, the last 400k was uphill too hahaha.
Last 2.2k 10.26
In retropective, I am quite pleased with the outcome because I think I have finally defeated my injury issues that plaqued me in the last couple of years. I think I could have reached a better result, say if I targeted 1.32-1.33 first half in lieu of 1.30. But going at 3.00 pace (even when I am not up to it) and then hitting the wall really gave a different experience. While it wasn't enjoyable, but shuffling the last 12k of the race at 5.00 pace after averaging 4.20 pace for the first 30k was really an eye opener for me. Putting one step in front of another when nothing left at stake was I must say, an 'epic' experience LOL.
I am not sure whether 'the wall' that hit me was due to glycogen depletion since I took a few gels and sipped sports drinks throughout the race. Also, I felt that I carbo-loaded reasonably well this time. I think it was mainly attributed to a couple of things:
Firstly, sub 3.00 pace was too hot to handle for me, so blowing up was, sadly, an expected outcome. Secondly, I think I trained too hard during taper - was doing 18k @ 4.14 pace about 2 weeks out, 23k with 11k at 4.10 pace seven days out, and then even 3 days before the race, I ran 13k at 4.30 min/km (couldn't help it running at 15c compared to my usual 30c) - this was essentially 1/3 of marathon distance at today's pace !! In retropesctive, the gamble to cram in workouts even during taper just didn't pay off. During race day, my legs were 'toast' and felt like lead after 25k.
Ewen actually spotted me at the finish line and he said that I looked comfortable and did not have that 'trashed look' a other runners. I felt fine after the race too. This sort of reaffirms that the wall wasn't a function of glycogen depletion, but more of muscular fatique, coupled with high energy cost of running (against headwind + went out maybe 5mins quicker than I was capable of TODAY)
All in all, I feel that the positives still outweigh the negatives. Finishing the race after almost 2 year battle with post-tib tendon injuries gives me some confidence that I can run better next time. As mentioned, my training wasn't as good and consistent as my previous marathons, so taking some risk by going out harder than what my form indicated, hitting the wall, but still finishing comfortably under BQ standard ain't that bad of a result, I reckon.
Thanks everyone for the support !
02 October 2011
Just a few days to go...
Mon (26 Sep):
OFF. core strength
Tue (27 Sep):
12k easy (5.32) @ river/padang
Surprisingly slow pace even after a full day off. Also, did some drills to prep for tomorrow's track work.
Wed (28 Sep)
2.6k warm up, strides (CCAB track)
6*800m (2.59, 2.58, 3.00, 2.58, 2.59, 2.55) = avg 2.58, av cadence 199
2mins jog in between
6*200m (40, 40, 39.4, 39.7, 39.3, 38.9) = avg 39.6, av cadence 200
2k cool down
Some speed work to freshen things up. Still bugged by cold and felt light headed during the intervals, so I was surprised to do 6 reps all under 3mins (3 miles of work at 5k pace). Ran the 200s controlled (39-40secs) and not all out to avoid risk of pulled muscles etc. It's interesting to see my cadences for the 800s & 200s are basically the same. Stride length during the 800s was 800m/ (200spm*3:00) = 1.33 meters, while on the 200s was 200m/ (200spm*(40/60secs))= 1.50 meters.
Thu (29 Sep)
40mins easy (5.10), Padang grass
Felt unwell. Headache and runny nose. Need to to see a doctor before it gets worse.
Fri (30 Sep)
40mins easy (5.32)
On antibiotics. Did some light drills in advance of tomorrow's workout.
Sat (1 Oct)
30mins warm up (5.30)
20mins tempo @ 4.15
15mins tempo @ 4.09
10mins tempo @ 4.03
5mins rec in between
30mins cool down (5.30)
Total 23k
Last workout for this training cycle. Still taking antibiotics, but in general, felt better. The 20mins and 15mins tempo included a moderate 200m long hill (Melbourne is undulanting between 35-42k). Actually planned to do 20-15-10-5, but decided to skip the 5mins effort since my HR was already above 180. With about a week to go, don't see the neccesity to push it.
Sun (2 Oct)
30mins recovery (5.22) , Padang grass
Total 68k for the week
Pheww...finally made it to the 1-week taper !!! The last 2 marathons have seen me injured 5 weeks and 3 weeks out, so I am very grateful to finally reach this stage.
Legs were generally okay, some soreness, but in general, the problematic post-tib tendon has been holding up so far. Hopefully can get the flu/cold under control in the few days.
Since I am only doing 1-week taper, plan for next week is have a 'drastic taper' by running only over every second day.
In last 9 weeks I have done 74, 80, 55, 95, 87, 114, 90, 85, and 68 km weeks, averaging around 80k per week. That's not too bad for my standard, but most of those kms were really easy, in the 5.00-5.30 min/km range. The slow training pace was attibuted to the post-injury rehab and the fact that I simply need to run slower nowadays between workouts. During that time, I probably had about 6-8 'good' workouts, the rest was mediocre.
Comparing to the GC 2009 and Seoul 2010, this training cycle produces the least mileage and slowest average training pace. But I am excited because I am given the opportunity to toe the start line after DNS/DNF in my last 2 marathons.
Weather for next Sunday looks warm at 23c - which is not much different from SG weather. Windy condition is also forecast, with headwind on the way back. Melbourne is Melbourne!
My plan is to simply determine the pace on the fly. Normally the first few kms can tell me whether the pace will be sustainable or too hot to handle. There are so many uncontrollable factors in the marathon anyway. Being able to start is already half a battle won.
OFF. core strength
Tue (27 Sep):
12k easy (5.32) @ river/padang
Surprisingly slow pace even after a full day off. Also, did some drills to prep for tomorrow's track work.
Wed (28 Sep)
2.6k warm up, strides (CCAB track)
6*800m (2.59, 2.58, 3.00, 2.58, 2.59, 2.55) = avg 2.58, av cadence 199
2mins jog in between
6*200m (40, 40, 39.4, 39.7, 39.3, 38.9) = avg 39.6, av cadence 200
2k cool down
Some speed work to freshen things up. Still bugged by cold and felt light headed during the intervals, so I was surprised to do 6 reps all under 3mins (3 miles of work at 5k pace). Ran the 200s controlled (39-40secs) and not all out to avoid risk of pulled muscles etc. It's interesting to see my cadences for the 800s & 200s are basically the same. Stride length during the 800s was 800m/ (200spm*3:00) = 1.33 meters, while on the 200s was 200m/ (200spm*(40/60secs))= 1.50 meters.
Thu (29 Sep)
40mins easy (5.10), Padang grass
Felt unwell. Headache and runny nose. Need to to see a doctor before it gets worse.
Fri (30 Sep)
40mins easy (5.32)
On antibiotics. Did some light drills in advance of tomorrow's workout.
Sat (1 Oct)
30mins warm up (5.30)
20mins tempo @ 4.15
15mins tempo @ 4.09
10mins tempo @ 4.03
5mins rec in between
30mins cool down (5.30)
Total 23k
Last workout for this training cycle. Still taking antibiotics, but in general, felt better. The 20mins and 15mins tempo included a moderate 200m long hill (Melbourne is undulanting between 35-42k). Actually planned to do 20-15-10-5, but decided to skip the 5mins effort since my HR was already above 180. With about a week to go, don't see the neccesity to push it.
Sun (2 Oct)
30mins recovery (5.22) , Padang grass
Total 68k for the week
Pheww...finally made it to the 1-week taper !!! The last 2 marathons have seen me injured 5 weeks and 3 weeks out, so I am very grateful to finally reach this stage.
Legs were generally okay, some soreness, but in general, the problematic post-tib tendon has been holding up so far. Hopefully can get the flu/cold under control in the few days.
Since I am only doing 1-week taper, plan for next week is have a 'drastic taper' by running only over every second day.
In last 9 weeks I have done 74, 80, 55, 95, 87, 114, 90, 85, and 68 km weeks, averaging around 80k per week. That's not too bad for my standard, but most of those kms were really easy, in the 5.00-5.30 min/km range. The slow training pace was attibuted to the post-injury rehab and the fact that I simply need to run slower nowadays between workouts. During that time, I probably had about 6-8 'good' workouts, the rest was mediocre.
Comparing to the GC 2009 and Seoul 2010, this training cycle produces the least mileage and slowest average training pace. But I am excited because I am given the opportunity to toe the start line after DNS/DNF in my last 2 marathons.
Weather for next Sunday looks warm at 23c - which is not much different from SG weather. Windy condition is also forecast, with headwind on the way back. Melbourne is Melbourne!
My plan is to simply determine the pace on the fly. Normally the first few kms can tell me whether the pace will be sustainable or too hot to handle. There are so many uncontrollable factors in the marathon anyway. Being able to start is already half a battle won.
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