2 Red Balloons at the Gold Coast Half

I'm back in cold, windy Canberra after a short holiday to warm, sunny Surfers Paradise. My excuse for the holiday was to race in the 'Gold Coast Asics Half Marathon', held last Sunday. I would have preferred to race in Saturday's 10k but couldn't get a flight until mid-morning Saturday. My weekly 'long' runs over winter have been around 12k with weekly mileage at about 60k so my enthusiasm for racing a hard half marathon was rather lacking!

I knew there'd be a split-timing mat at 10k so I decided in advance to race hard to 10k (hopefully running around 48 minutes), then jog/walk my way to the finish and collect my 'finisher's shirt' and medal. It was cool (about 9C) and calm on Sunday morning as I walked the 2k from my unit to Southport for the 6AM start. The road was already crowded and loud (inspirational?) music blared from speakers adjacent to the start. The City-to-Surf-like crush of bodies kept me from moving forward so I started not too far from the 'red balloon' (1:50) man. I abandoned my idea of running a fast 10k and decided to run at 1:50 pace for as long as I could.

One minute after six and we were off. Exciting! Once past the start mat I was able to run fairly freely and didn't have too much trouble keeping with the 1:50 group. As is my habit I ran the race not looking once at the Garmin and felt after the 5k marker that we were running a little quick. Post-race splits showed the story: 5:22, 5:05, 5:08, 5:03, and 5:02. The red balloon man was averaging 1:48 pace. Ouch! Anyway, I kept running, feeling comfortable. Enjoyed watching the leaders coming back at the far turn — Reuben Kosgei way out in front (1:04:56) with Milly Clark leading the women (1:14:03). I passed the 10k timing mat (my split would be 51:34) feeling okay (especially my breathing) but 1k later my legs were getting sore. I'd also dropped 100 metres off red balloon man. I decided to stop running at 12k and walk for a while. The walk had lasted about 1.5k when I saw Tesso run past on white 2-hour balloon pacing duty.

I started running again with a spur of the moment 'B goal' of breaking 2 hours (thinking of Karla and her life-time goal of breaking 2). My stride became smoother again and I managed to get into a rhythm of clicking over ks around 5:30. Before I knew it the 18k marker came up, then over the little bridge and 20k. Nearly there! Into the park, past the grandstands in the finish straight and under the clock. 1:58:32 on the clock ended up being a net 1:56:59. Pretty happy with that! Met Jonathon after the finish (he'd run a season's best of 1:49) and walked back to my unit at Main Beach. Then down to the course at 28k to watch the marathoners come past. Saw the leader Silah Limo looking sublime and smooth, racing to a 2:09:14 win, the fastest marathon ever in Australia. After a while 2:09 man Lee Troop came by, finishing his last marathon in Australia (2:27:23). Well done Troopy! Then the female winner Asami Kato (2:28:51). I was sorry to miss recognising the legendary Yoshihisa Hosaka who won the 65-69 age-group 'by a mile' in 2:52:13.

The next morning I ventured out for a jog up to the delightful sandy trail at The Spit — tentatively at first. My legs didn't feel too bad. I could run! Over the next two days I managed a couple more easy runs and a 45k mountain bike ride with Roger (4:04 in the marathon). A happy finish to the short holiday.

Speedygeese shirt produces a season's best half marathon

Post-race jog on the delightful trail north of Main Beach

Confounded by unexpected tactics

Last Saturday I was thinking of having another crack at my Parkrun 5k PB (22:52) — until I commenced my warm-up jog with Andy. I couldn't coax the legs into anything resembling warm and fluid movement. The temperature was 2 degrees Celsius. I was cold! I put aside the PB attempt and decided to take the race as it came, running fast if my legs were agreeable and most importantly, finishing ahead of my rival Jim.

After the pre-race briefing I positioned myself in my usual spot, 10 to 15 metres behind the start line. The Tuggeranong Parkrun uses a 'chute system' to produce a clean start for all runners. We line up in a chute that's about six runners wide, self-seeding according to expected finish time. The front two rows would be for sub-20 minute runners. Jim usually lines up on row thee while my habit is to stand about 8 to 10 runners back from the front row. I was in my grid slot when Jim walks in at the last minute and stands right behind me. What's going on here? I was confounded by his unexpected tactics. He should be up ahead — the hunted!

The race starts and after three or four seconds we're off and running. Jim ambles along beside me. Is he just having an easy run? An off day? Then after 100 metres or so he overtakes on my right, taking to the grass. There he goes! But he doesn't — he just runs nice and steadily (as is my custom), a metre or so ahead. Then he's on my left side; then ahead again as we zig-zag around the corners near McDonalds. As we run under the bridge at 1k I sense Jim is slowing so I ease ahead. I'm more than a little surprised when he surges decisively past just 500 metres later. Just after the 2k mark his pace falters and I move ahead once again. Stay behind, will you?!

At the U-turn on the out-and-back course I see that the elastic hasn't stretched that much. I'm worried. I have no idea of our pace, as I'm running by feel. I can see John up ahead (on his way to a PB) and Andy in the far distance (he'd run 22:24, a time I hope to achieve before too long). My major goal is to keep Jim behind — knowing that he likes to run a fast last 500 metres I decide to push hard from the footbridge, which is about 1.5k from the finish. The only runner within striking distance ahead is Kelly, pushing her daughter in a stroller (and she's already stopped a couple of times during the run!). My 'run hard from a long way out' tactic is successful — I finish 4 seconds behind Kelly and 6 seconds ahead of Jim. Woohoo! Time was 23:18 which I'll put down to the cold weather. Splits were good once again — 4:44, 4:42, 4:39, 4:37 and 4:36. I'll need a warmer day for a serious PB attempt. 10 degrees and sunny would be nice.

Racing scared (and cold), with Jim out of sight behind

Warming down with Brian (22:30 and 34-minute 10k runner in the 'old days') and Andy (22:24)

The Hunter Becomes the Hunted

I'll let you in on a secret: my tactics for racing during a 5k. These tactics are sensible, but take practise to execute to perfection and don't always guarantee success. After the start I ignore my opposition and begin at even pacing to produce a finish time I know I'm capable of running. This is harder than it sounds, as adrenaline is high at the start of a short race. Many runners fly off with Usain Bolt-like acceleration. I ignore these speedsters and settle into my even-paced rhythm, running by feel (feeling a bit slow usually ends up being perfect).

After about 500 metres I look ahead (it's always ahead) to spot my opposition. Last Saturday this was Jim (red singlet) and Graeme (aqua long-sleeve shirt). I keep running evenly and this is usually enough to gradually shrink the gap. By 2k I was just 10 metres behind Jim but Graeme seemed to be out of reach, still about 50 metres ahead. I quickly drew level with Jim and passed him before the turn. In the middle of a 5k my even-paced running continues (it feels like I'm running faster). On Saturday this saw me drawing away from Jim, then just after 3k (somewhat surprisingly), rapidly gaining on Graeme (running next to a lady in black).

If I'm even with my opposition at the 4k mark of a 5k I begin my long surge for the finish. Sprinting isn't my forte so I like to get away from my opposition well before they get a sniff of the finish line. Such was the case on Saturday — I drew level with Graeme, sensed he was weakening, and moved ahead. In retrospect I should have overtaken with more authority and perhaps he would have thrown up the white flag. He didn't. The hunter had become the hunted. My tactic in the final kilometre of a 5k is to keep running hard and save my alactic energy (modest sprint) for the last 150 metres. At the Tuggeranong Parkrun there's a small hill 150 out and I sprinted off that as hard as I could. I thought I was destined for a 'win' but with 50 to go Graeme flew past with a devastating sprint. Bastard!

I'd run a Parkrun PB (22:52), so happy with that, but not happy to lose the race with Graeme by one lousy second! My k splits had been 4:31, 4:35, 4:37, 4:37 and 4:32. My goal this year is to run 21:59 (or better) for 5k so to be less than a minute away from that goal is encouraging. I'm also looking forward to more exciting races. Love racing!

Go! Graeme (aqua shirt), myself behind John in blue shirt

Sprinting, Graeme in hot pursuit — Tuggeranong Parkrun

A good 5k and racing Jim

Last Saturday I raced the Tuggeranong Parkrun 5k in a time which confirmed my improving form: 23:12 — 30 seconds faster than my best this year. Not far off the 22:46 I ran last April prior to the DVT 'injury'. I'm happy! The race was one in which I was catching people all the way — Jim unusually early at about 200 metres (he was taking it easy due to a second race that afternoon), others before the turn, Karen as she was approaching 3k and a few more after the bridge. My splits were very even: 4:38, 4:38, 4:37, 4:39 and 4:40. Not an express last kilo, but I was getting tired! With some interval training (or more endurance?) the idea of holding 4:30 ks seems entirely possible.

I also raced Jim the previous week down in Albury at the Nail Can Hill Run. One tough mother of a fun run! Caught up to Jim before 2k (he'd started at a suicidal pace) and ran away, 'winning' in 61:01 to his 62:12. My splits show the rather steep hill in the first half of this 11.3k trail race: 4:58, 5:20, 8:09, 7:06, 5:27, 4:48, 4:47, 5:20, 4:41, 5:18, 4:40 + 0:28s. Jim was happy as he'd run his 7th 'age buster' race — three more and he'll be awarded the coveted 'Age Master' racing singlet.

I like racing Jim because he always puts in an honest performance, racing hard all the way (unless there are extenuating circumstances, like recovering from having his ankle in plaster last year). At the moment we're closely matched but 20 years ago I could win by using the secret weapon of... youth! We're different in many ways but our racing times are similar. Jim's 64, I'm 57. He weighs 60kg, I'm around 74. My training is 6 or 7 days a week of MAF effort running and a weekly race for a total of 60 to 70 kilometres. Jim rarely trains — he just races. A typical week might be two races on the weekend and one on Tuesday or Thursday. Very occasionally he'll do a steady training run, but not often. So it surprises me somewhat that we're close rivals. Racing Jim is good fun!

Myself and Jim after driving 350k to Albury on the morning of the Nail Can Hill Run. Yes, Jim's 'driving endurance' equals his running endurance!

The second age of high motivation

I enjoyed a good run this afternoon — a run which showed I've finally improved from a plateau of fitness on which I've been stuck for the past six weeks. Nine kilometres out and back beside the 'Tuggeranong Creek' at MAF heart-rate (129) and an average pace of 5:25 per kilometre. So, 699 heart-beats per k — a number I haven't seen since before the hamstring injury in October last year. Exciting!

I'm extremely motivated to run well. I turn 57 this week, which is really "pushin' sixty" as Ken White would say. I don't feel that old! Early forties maybe. The last time I felt this motivated was in my early thirties. I'd been running since 23 and desperately wanted to run some lifetime PBs before I hit forty. I turned to Geoff Moore for coaching and trained with his small group a couple of times a week.

Below is a page from my 1990 training diary. The numbers seem incredible now, but they were pretty average for the group. I wasn't the fastest runner — that honour belonged to Geoff, who would push out 1k repeats in well under 3 minutes. I didn't run the most mileage — sub-3 hour marathoners such as Mary Silver would have been running 140 kilometres per week or more. My training was consistent and did result in lifetime PBs for all distances from 1500 metres to the half marathon. In 2014 my focus is on 'racing well' from 3k to 10k. Especially the 5k! I'd love to run 'a good' 5k and hope to do so this year!

In the days before computers (and Garmins!) we used a paper diary to record our running.

Great racing!

I'm really enjoying racing the Tuggeranong Parkrun on Saturday mornings. Never thought I'd say that, being a natural 'afternoon/evening person' — I take forever to get going in the mornings and afternoon runs are always more comfortable. Since my last post I've chipped another 17 seconds off my 5k time, running 23:43 on March 8 in an exciting race with a few of my regular competitors. As usual I ran by feel but couldn't quite catch the fast-starting Jim. However I managed to draw level with Karen (PB of 22:57) just after the 4k marker and running with a good measure of desperation, held on for the 'win'. Splits were 4:50, 4:45, 4:46, 4:47 and 4:35.

Yesterday I had a 'couldn't get going' type of run with Jim and Karen disappearing ahead in the fog. 24:08 for myself while Karen just out-leaned Jim in the sprint finish, both timed at 23:41. I still enjoyed the race, passing some other veterans and youngsters in the second half — including the old bloke and young lady pictured on my shoulder in the photo below.

I'm a track racer at heart, but competing in a field of six or seven for 12 and a half laps on Thursday night is becoming less appealing. I'd love track racing to be like the 'old days' when there were two divisions of the 5000 with 25 or so runners in each. Perhaps when the new track at Woden opens competitor numbers will improve. The great thing about the Parkrun is the intensity of the competition — that's all through the field, but especially around the times that I'm now running. Yesterday there were 41 runners finishing in the space between 22 and 25 minutes. That's my space! No wonder I look forward to it every week.

Preparing for a sprint finish with 200 metres to go in the Tuggeranong Parkrun

Chasing Karen with just over 1k to go in the 8 March Parkrun

Chipping away at the 5k time

I've had some feelings of improved fitness over the past 4 weeks — barely perceptible at times, but I sense movement in the right direction. Yesterday I had a good Parkrun 5k race, placing 55th (out of 208) and 3rd M55 in 24:00. That's 33 seconds quicker than when I raced Leonie on January 26. Also encouraging is that I trained normally during the week rather than taking two days off prior to the race as before. Average HR was a little lower too at 146 compared to 148 — a good sign.

The race itself was good fun. It was Tuggeranong Parkrun's 1st birthday event and special guests at the run were Katy Gallagher (ACT Chief Minister) and Rob de Castella. They congratulated organisers Kelly and Gareth before lining up at the back of the field for a run. Shortly after the start I found myself running just behind my long-time rival Jim. I tailed him and a girl in blue through the first km before pushing ahead under the bridge. To my surprise Jim struck back shortly after on the footbridge across the lake and surged to establish a 20 metre break. Luckily a lady in purple came past and I latched onto her in an effort to keep the elastic to Jim from stretching too much.

For the last half of the race I was running as hard as possible. Trying to limit the damage and not giving myself a chance of catching Jim. He actually extended the gap to 16 seconds at the finish. I ground to a chug up the slight hill into the park (that felt like the mountain displayed on the birthday cake!). Kilometre splits had been 4:51, 4:49, 4:45, 4:50 and 4:44. So, a happy race in spite of finishing behind Jim, the aforementioned lady in purple and a mum pushing a child in a stroller. Hopefully a sign of more happy races and fast times to come.

Deek posted this great photo of the birthday cake on his Twitter account

Barely a ripple on the lake during the February 8 Parkrun