The Race on the Great Ocean Road
"The Great Ocean Road is a 243-km stretch of road located on the south-eastern coast of Australia" (Wikipedia). My first visit was in May 2013 and although the weather was a little bit dreary then, you still couldn't help but notice and appreciate the spectacular coastal views you get as you drive along this piece of road.
I learned about the Great Ocean Road marathon when I ran the Melbourne Marathon in October 2013. One of our pacers told me about it and how it was 3 kilometers longer than the standard marathon distance. Having been on a road trip along the Great Ocean Road, this piqued my interest and kept it at the back of my mind so I can reconsider this at a later time.
It was in February 2014, as summer was about to end, when I finally decided to run the Great Ocean Road marathon and began my training. A month later, I officially registered for it.
Solo Training
Training alone for a big race is a huge undertaking. You need a higher level of discipline and self-motivation so that you don't fall off the bandwagon.
Having been spoiled back in the Philippines with the availability of very affordable coaching options, I hesitated on getting the same services here in Australia. The good thing is that there are applications available that can proxy for an actual coach, like the micoach app by Adidas.
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| micoach app |
The app is available for both iPhone and Android devices. You'll need to setup an online account so that you can customise your training plan based on your target finish time. After you've done this, it's very easy to synch this up with the app on your phone (as easy as one click of a button - seriously!). After which, the rest is essentially up to you, with a huge amount of determination and will power, and your phone. If you don't like lugging your phone on yourself, you also have the option of buying the micoach devices instead.
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| Choose a training plan based on your target finish time |
So for about 12 weeks, I tried as best as I could to keep to my training plan. Since the Great Ocean Road course is very hilly, it was very fortunate that I lived in an area that had an abundance of hilly terrain that provided the challenge I needed to prepare for this difficult race.
The Bush House Cottage
My neighbors took interest on my running and it was really cool that I was able to invite a couple of them to support me during the race. Since the venue was 2-3 hours away from Melbourne, we opted to book a place for 2 nights in Lorne, so that we have enough time to leisurely make our way to the venue, and drive back to the city afterwards.
We also took the opportunity to do some sight-seeing on the way to Lorne, making several stops at notable tourist attractions. It was a lovely day that Saturday when we drove to Lorne - the skies were clear, the sun was out, and there was a steady gentle breeze.
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| Anglesea Beach |
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| Split Point Lighthouse |
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| View at one of the decks near Split Point Lighthouse |
We were able to book a 3-room cottage at the Lorne Bush House Cottages, which was a short 5-minute drive from the main town of Lorne. I appreciated that it was a little bit away from the main town because it provided the calming quiet and solitude of the bush where you're constantly serenaded by the sounds of nature. On our second morning there, we even had encounters with the local wildlife, like the curious congregation of cockatoos who became excited when we started offering them bird feed and then a little bit later the shy parrot who eventually warmed up to us and ate from the palm of our hands.
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| One of the Bush House Cottages |
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| A cockatoo feeding frenzy |
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| Hand-feeding a parrot |
I certainly enjoyed my stay at the Bush House and would go back there again the next time I visit Lorne.
Race Day
On the morning of the race, Phyllis, one of the two neighbors who graciously joined me on this trip, drove me to the start line. The race course is point-to-point, and we'll start our 45-km journey in Lorne and finish in Apollo Bay.
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| Feeling strong and colourful at the start line of the Great Ocean Road Marathon |
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| The Great Ocean Road race course map |
The race crowd quickly thickened within 30 minutes, and I positioned myself somewhere in the middle so that I don't get pressured to keep up with the faster runners. I was so amused by the huge amount of runners who were wearing something orange that day - just when I thought I would stand out in my colourful gear. I also couldn't help but notice the intensity of excitement and anxiety all mixed together that was buzzing through the crowd. Before we knew it, the race gun was off and so were we!
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Running on the Great Ocean Road
When I run long races, the first thing I'd do is find something to distract myself from the thought that I'm running a long race. Well fortunately, distractions are something that I didn't run out of while on the Great Ocean Road.
As soon as we were through the start line, we were met with an abundance of views of the coast, rain forests and hillsides. You get such a sensory overload that I immediately almost forgot why I was there in the first place.
Running on the Great Ocean Road
When I run long races, the first thing I'd do is find something to distract myself from the thought that I'm running a long race. Well fortunately, distractions are something that I didn't run out of while on the Great Ocean Road.
As soon as we were through the start line, we were met with an abundance of views of the coast, rain forests and hillsides. You get such a sensory overload that I immediately almost forgot why I was there in the first place.
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| The first of the many ascents on this course |
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| Running along the coast |
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| Looking jolly while running-hopping up a hill! |
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| Running can become so easy when you have this view |
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| Another ascent and still smiling! |
Drink stations were also available every 5 kilometers where water, sports drink and bananas were available. That we had bananas available at every single one of the drink stations was awesome and I took advantage of that, taking a bite of banana at every station so that I don't run the risk of getting hungry (which I didn't!) during the latter part of race.
The sports drink (Dextro Energy) was good too - it was mild and non-carbonated which made it very easy to drink, so I did not hesitate having a cup every other drink station.
Running is more fun with company
I was doing good on time during the first half of the race (I was past the 21km mark at 2hrs27min). Then I made what was supposedly a quick toilet stop at the drink station near the Wye River. I ended up waiting in line for 10 minutes because I did not pay attention to one of the volunteers telling me about another rest area a few hundred meters away from where we were. I ended up going there anyway because the person who came before me was taking so long in the porta-potty.
So after that visit to the loo which took longer than I planned, I began to struggle because of very sore legs. It was also that part of the race when the ascents became more steep and difficult. Despite that, I still tried to keep a steady pace until I reached the next drink station where I tried to recover as best as I could before moving on.
When I made another stop at the 30th kilometer drink station, I met a fellow pinoy and decided to run with him and his partner. After a couple of minutes, I couldn't keep up with their pace so I let them go ahead.
After the 35th kilometer marker, my legs couldn't take it anymore so I added a little bit of walking in between to help ease up the soreness in my thighs and calves which I couldn't ignore. That was when I found company in Erica Walker, the Running Diva herself! I've written about Erica in an earlier post and I really appreciated this encounter since it was very instrumental into the setting of this goal that I have about running 42 full marathon races before I turn 42, and the reason why I started blogging again.
At the time, Erica was also having trouble because she was nursing an injury. She was keeping to a plan to be able to manage the pain better. Since I was also struggling, we kept each other company for the rest of the race.
A few kilometers later, we convinced one other lady, Kelly, who we both noticed was also struggling a bit on the side of the road, to come join us so we can help each other out and cheer each other on. We then found out that it was Kelly's first marathon - which I find amazing having this very difficult race as a first full marathon - so Erica and I committed to making sure that Kelly crossed that finish line.
It's always nice to have company during events like these, and making new friends at the same time. It makes crossing the finish line sweeter and memorable.
The sports drink (Dextro Energy) was good too - it was mild and non-carbonated which made it very easy to drink, so I did not hesitate having a cup every other drink station.
Running is more fun with company
I was doing good on time during the first half of the race (I was past the 21km mark at 2hrs27min). Then I made what was supposedly a quick toilet stop at the drink station near the Wye River. I ended up waiting in line for 10 minutes because I did not pay attention to one of the volunteers telling me about another rest area a few hundred meters away from where we were. I ended up going there anyway because the person who came before me was taking so long in the porta-potty.
So after that visit to the loo which took longer than I planned, I began to struggle because of very sore legs. It was also that part of the race when the ascents became more steep and difficult. Despite that, I still tried to keep a steady pace until I reached the next drink station where I tried to recover as best as I could before moving on.
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| Great Ocean Road marathon elevation map |
When I made another stop at the 30th kilometer drink station, I met a fellow pinoy and decided to run with him and his partner. After a couple of minutes, I couldn't keep up with their pace so I let them go ahead.
After the 35th kilometer marker, my legs couldn't take it anymore so I added a little bit of walking in between to help ease up the soreness in my thighs and calves which I couldn't ignore. That was when I found company in Erica Walker, the Running Diva herself! I've written about Erica in an earlier post and I really appreciated this encounter since it was very instrumental into the setting of this goal that I have about running 42 full marathon races before I turn 42, and the reason why I started blogging again.
At the time, Erica was also having trouble because she was nursing an injury. She was keeping to a plan to be able to manage the pain better. Since I was also struggling, we kept each other company for the rest of the race.
A few kilometers later, we convinced one other lady, Kelly, who we both noticed was also struggling a bit on the side of the road, to come join us so we can help each other out and cheer each other on. We then found out that it was Kelly's first marathon - which I find amazing having this very difficult race as a first full marathon - so Erica and I committed to making sure that Kelly crossed that finish line.
It's always nice to have company during events like these, and making new friends at the same time. It makes crossing the finish line sweeter and memorable.
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| About to cross the finish line with these two lovely ladies I met on the road |
So we all crossed the finish line at about 5 hours 30 minutes. My race time for the 45km was 5 hours 28 minutes, while I crossed the 42km mark at 5 hours 16 minutes. It was not the finish time I was gunning for, but it was still a very fulfilling finish.
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| I survived the Great Ocean Road Marathon! |
When we were past the finish line, we all became very emotional and spent several minutes exchanging hugs with and congratulating one another. It was quite an experience! I will never forget these two ladies and I hope that I meet them on the road again one day soon!
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| A token photo with the ladies I finished the race with |
The Aftermath
So my lovely neighbors were waiting for me at the finish line, with my bottle of Milo and a change of clothes. After doing some needed stretching, and changing out of my stinky running gear, we had a big burger lunch in one of the food shops in Apollo Bay.
On the drive back to Lorne, I couldn't help but feel wonderfully amazed that I just ran on the very same road we were driving on! The whole experience - of running up and down the road through it's various twists and turns just a few hours before - all came rushing down on me. It became a little bit overwhelming but I wasn't able to help exclaim that this is one of the most awesome running experiences I've had so far.
So my lovely neighbors were waiting for me at the finish line, with my bottle of Milo and a change of clothes. After doing some needed stretching, and changing out of my stinky running gear, we had a big burger lunch in one of the food shops in Apollo Bay.
On the drive back to Lorne, I couldn't help but feel wonderfully amazed that I just ran on the very same road we were driving on! The whole experience - of running up and down the road through it's various twists and turns just a few hours before - all came rushing down on me. It became a little bit overwhelming but I wasn't able to help exclaim that this is one of the most awesome running experiences I've had so far.
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| With my groupies, Mozez and Phyllis, on the way back to Lorne |
That night, I enjoyed a good soak in the hot tub available in the Bush Cottage, which helped a lot with my recovery. Most of the soreness I was feeling during and right after the race was gone the next day.
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| I deserved a soak in the hot tub after that gruelling 45-km run! |
I can compare this race with the Subic International Marathon. Both were a challenge mainly because of the route that included a lot of steep ascents. Both races also exposed me to what I still significantly lacked as a long-distance runner which was endurance.
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| How I ran the Great Ocean Road marathon |
Endurance will be something that I will continue to work on as I continue my journey to finishing 42 full marathons. I look forward to the day when I will no longer consider sore muscles as an excuse to slowing down at the latter part of any race. I also need to work on my pacing so that I can keep the same cadence until I finish - I still seem to peak too early in the race.
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| Thank you Great Ocean Road! |
I quite enjoyed the Great Ocean Road marathon, and I would run it again the next chance I get. But for now, I'm counting the days until my second encounter of the Melbourne Marathon!
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