Great Ocean Road Marathon
Sunday 21st May 2006

Short Details
45.4km marathon. 2nd place overall. 2:50:44hr overall.  42.2k Marathon time - 2:38:44 PB (21k splits - ~1:21:54 / ~1:16:50)
Had a really good race. A real highlight.

Long Details
Is that him? Appearing amongst the half marathon walkers was a runner, running quite slowly, showing the effects of hitting the wall big time in the full marathon. We were at 42km...he ran away from the field 41km ago and at Kennett River, 20km ago, he was 5:30mins ahead...about 1.5 km. Now I was about to catch him and take over 2nd place, with just 3km until the finish. He had seriously blown...what should I say..."Ahhh, traps for young players!!"...or maybe "Ohhh, that's gotta hurt!!"? Instead I politely said "Good run, mate" and kept on going...over the marathon distance timing mat at 42.195km in a new PB of 2:38:45hr, and in 2nd place. In running terms...this is living and I was stoked.

The Great Ocean Rd marathon started back in Lorne at 8am. A bit cool...cold, actually...but the sun was promising to break through and give us some fantastic views along the 45.4km distance to Apollo Bay on the world famous Great Ocean Rd. Keep to the left were the race instructions as we ran through the valleys and around the cliff-top peaks. In it's second year the field was far weaker than last year - only 2 international athletes of note, from Kenya and Morocco. Oh, and Steve Moneghetti...

So off we trotted out of Lorne with 404 other entrants. Such a long way to go but within 1km the young guy succumbed to anxiety and took off into the distance. He looked a bit like a runner but also looked a bit wet behind the ears (aka inexperienced). So I thought to myself...we'll be seeing him again later!! Soon after the Kenyan and Moroccan glided past and off into the distance, also. They really did look like runners, and, I thought, the winner would be one of them. By this stage I was in about 6th running with the lead woman (Nadelle) having a nice chat!! No sign of Monna yet...

The weekend includes 2 shorter races on Saturday and a 1/2 marathon (23k) from Kennett River to Apollo Bay, which this year included a few friends and my brother (Sam) and fiance-in-law (Kate). So I was guaranteed at least 2 cheers at the end!! The races distances are not quite standard half and full marathon because the distance between Lorne & Apollo Bay is not quite standard. But this makes it a more unique event and the only chance to run the road with no traffic.

My race plan, like last year, was to run comfortably in the first half and then pick up the pace...sounds easy in theory. As I ran with Nadelle (the lead woman) I joked that this might help get my photo taken...just a distracting thought to take our mind off the distances ahead. But she slowed at about 12km and I ran on...and on...and on. It was beautiful. A light sea mist was reflecting the sunlight over the rocks and waves. Magnificent views in each direction. Then at Wye River, about 17k, we got the first taste of the wind....which explained why those 3-4 yachts just off the coast were going so fast!!

Wham!! Around the point at Wye River and into a face full of head wind. Oh dear...and it was still relatively protected here. Maybe that shocked some others more than me since I passed one guy and closed in on the Moroccan who was slowing dramatically...to a walk at the 20k drinks table. I soon passed him and I was into 4th as we got to Kennett River at 22km and starting to pick up the pace. Past another runner into 3rd, but with a time split of 5:30mins to the leader (young guy) and 2mins to 2nd (Kenyan) there was a lot of daylight between us. And then I was all alone.

The two hardest hills are coming out of Kennett River, into the teeth of the wind on each one. I was really working and feeling like I was pushing a car. That wind was tough. And even once up the hills the wind was still in our face. Arrrgh!! And there noone around to hear my screams of frustration. But at least we could see Apollo Bay off in the distance...still more than 15km away. But I pushed on, not really thinking I'd catch either of the two in front of me but just thriving on the race environment; I love racing hard.

As well as seeing Apollo Bay off in the distance was some rain, blowing our way. Yuk. Head wind and rain - all we missed was mud to make it like a cross-country event. But press on. Alone. The down-side of closing the Great Ocean Rd is that it's very lonely except for a few spectators at one or two farm gates. Not even the cows came to watch!! Then I caught the half-marathon sag wagon with a lone walker in front of it. Yay...another human!!

Although I was racing the road in front of me, I kept hear the imaginary footsteps of Monnas behind me...but goddam it I wasn't gunna turn and look!! Just let him TRY to pass me. Ha!!

The road just kept going, and the head wind just kept blowing as I passed more and more walkers. Into Skeenes Creek about 7k from the finish and a little more civilisation and now some cars turning on from the Colac road. But still no other runners. By this stage I was starting to get a little tired and weary. But I wanted to run strongly to finish, after all this was 'just' a hit-out before the Gold Coast marathon in 6wks.

And then it happened. Another runner. The 2nd placed runner. Talk about lift my spirits. I knew they'd announce at the finish that I was in 2nd place. Sam & Kate would hear it. Just had to keep going. I was in 2nd place. 2nd place. Me. Wow!! Left, right, left, right - I was hurting. But 2nd place. Super, dooper cool. I finally saw the finish with about 400m to run...and my feet didn't touch the ground from there on. Smile from ear to ear. Just so pleased. No sign of Monna. 2nd place. A few high-5's. Arms in the air and walk the last couple of steps over the line. Very happy vegemite.

Yeah!! That was good. Bl**dy damn hard, but bl**dy damn good. Sam and Kate ran around to say hi - they both had great runs - and a few media questions, asking about my Mr Happy tattoo...he's there to remind me to be positive and optimistic, allways. Just keep going and you never know what will turn out.

So that was it. A really warm inner glow, up on stage on step #2 proudly wearing my Relay for Life t-shirt. A good race is what it's all about - regardless of the result. To know your body turned it on...even better than anticipated, and all the effort it took to get to that point. The human body and mind in concert are an exquisite combination!! I love it all.

Thanks to Sam, Kate, Sam(antha), Ginger & Michel for your company and cheers. And thanks to Zoot sports clothing, Fuelbelt, eGel, Keen footwear, Bakers Delight and new sponsor Fitzroy Cycles