Begin Again
After the disheartening outcome of my last race, I resolved to move on and start anew. I've already signed up for the Melbourne Marathon in June, I just needed to tweak my original plan for the year and drop the Ultra Tan race to give myself time to recover and build up momentum for the next round of training.
Medibank is celebrating it's 15th year as the major sponsor of the Melbourne Marathon Festival and it's the 37th year of the Melbourne Marathon racing event itself.
I really wanted to do better in the race this year, and since my ITBS acted up during the Sri Chimnoy Marathon, I sought out the professional help of a chiropractor and a remedial massage therapist. I've also signed up for the Bangkok Marathon at this point which was happening 4 weeks after the Melbourne Marathon, so I just want to make sure that I prevent any kind of injury for my back-to-back races - backing out is no longer an option!
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| After running for 2 hours and 50 minutes - the longest run I did during training |
The Switch
I was doing great, I was feeling healthy again, and I even switched my diet to vegetarian and soon after to vegan. Surprisingly, I went through the transition like a breeze. I did my research, and I also informed the people who frequently surrounded me to get their support. I initially did it for health reasons. Even with my physique, I actually have high cholesterol. I read an article about a writer who tried going vegan for 60 days who ended up sticking with the diet for the long haul. She talked about the benefits she gained and it got me curious.
I've yet to see my blood test results and check if my cholesterol levels have already improved since I went vegetarian/vegan. But overall, I feel lighter. My digestive system seems to have adjusted really quickly and really well to the new diet, and so far, I haven't been tempted to go back to eating meat.
It also helped that there are more options available now for vegetarians and vegans, which I think is the biggest contributing factor which made the transition so easy for me. That and the fact that I've finally reached the point that I'm really enjoying my veggies more than any animal-based product.
As for the impact to running, I don't think there is much since my usual go-to source for nutrition is the humble banana, which I've already been accustomed to before I made the switch.
The Unplanned Break
Now going back to the Melbourne Marathon. So I still sucked with staying true to my running training program. However, I found it easier to stay faithful with my Fitness Blender workout program, which actually helped strengthen my core and the key muscle groups of my legs. I felt that the therapy sessions with the chiropractor and the remedial massage therapist were helping a lot too.
However, if there's anything that's constant in life, it's those unexpected interruptions.
I have been travelling interstate for work for over a year. At the time that I was training for the Melbourne Marathon, I was commuting between Melbourne and Brisbane from the middle of winter into early spring. The disparity between the two cities' temperature, and the stress that business travelling brings became too taxing for me. I was actually doing a good job avoiding getting sick, but the inevitable eventually happened. Six weeks out from the race, my immune system gave in and broke down when I caught a nasty flu virus.
I was out for the count for 3 days which meant no training until I got better. It took me a week to get rid of the virus, and another week to fully recover. I was able to resume my Fitness Blender workouts a week after getting sick, but was only able to pick up running again after 2 weeks. I did what I can to pick up my training where I left it, but to be honest with you, I wasn't really doing a lot of running before I got sick any way, so there wasn't much to pick up from.
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| Doing my favourite stretch - the downward facing dog - after one of Fitness Blender's workouts |
The Prep
Since I was able to make it to the early bird registration, I received my race bib in the mail this year. I originally planned to pick up my show bag on the Friday before the race, but I totally forgot about it so I decided to pick it up on Saturday morning instead.
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| Token jump shot at the entrance of the Melbourne Marathon Runners Expo |
Unlike the previous years, I didn't spend too much time preparing for race day. I didn't even buy anything new to wear. But I still wanted to go out there and catch a few people's attention so I decided on wearing my Under Armour Super Girl/Woman shirt. I guess this was my way of psyching myself up for the race so that I can try and channel what the shirt I was wearing symbolised. I was also excited to wear the Adidas Ultra Boost and see how well it will keep my feet comfortable throughout the race. And of course, I couldn't go without a single piece of orange clothing to complete the outfit!
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| My fabulous running attire on Race Day |
Curiouser and Curiouser
As with any of the races I've joined, I looked forward to the curious characters who are running the race with me. This year's winner is definitely this guy who's suited up as Spiderman. I give him props because running for 42 kms literally covered from head to toe is quite a feat in itself!
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| DC meets Marvel at the Melbourne Marathon |
Deja vu
So I sought out the 4hrs30min pace group again this year, in the hopes that I can brainwash myself into running harder than I trained for (kids, don't try this at home). Guess who I saw pacing us again this year...
I had a laugh seeing John again. I guess after last year's disaster, he's out here again to make sure that he brings the people tagging along with him through the finish line within the time that he's advertising on his chest. Way to go John and nice seeing you again!
The First 10 KMs
So the plan was to keep up with the guys trying to make it under 4 hours and 30 minutes. Realistically speaking, I was only planning to keep up until I can. The first 10 kilometers were uneventful. However, it was a chance for me to appreciate the beautiful day and the very cooperative weather. It was time I spent checking out the runners who were keeping the same pace that I was. It was also the best time for chit chat since we all still had a lot of energy at this stage of the race.
The highlight of those first 10 KMs was me ripping one of the holes of my race bib, so my bib was attached to my race belt on just one side. Luckily, one of the runners I asked for a pin gave it to me so that I can reattach the other side that was barely hanging on to my belt.
I also brought a banana with me which I ate after crossing the 11-km mark. All seemed well, and I continued to enjoy my time on the race course.
Lessons on Nutrition
As in previous races, I would normally survive the rest of the race if I eat something after the first 10 KMs. So after finishing off my banana somewhere between the 11th and 12th KM, I was feeling confident that I was going to last the rest of the race on carbs and sugar from that snack. Well...
One thing that I forgot to take into consideration was the fact the I recently switched diets. About 1.5 hours before the race, I had a decent breakfast made up of a bread roll and a banana-blueberry-coconut milk-lemon-chia smoothie. Thirty minutes before the race, I ate another banana. But it seemed that wasn't enough to sustain me for the rest of the 42 KM.
So despite having eaten another banana after 10 KMs, I suddenly felt hungry right after crossing 20 KMs. I didn't have anything else on me that I can eat, so I began to worry. I also noticed some of the runners I passed on the course eating bananas, so I almost kicked myself for not paying attention to what they were serving at the last drink station. So for the next 9 KMs, I was on the lookout for either food or a cup of Gatorade, which was the official drink of the race.
Being a vegan, I can't eat jelly beans or gummy snakes because both contain ingredients that are animal-based or animal-produced. In the next 9 KM, I was very conscious of avoiding these hand outs from the well-meaning spectators on the course. However, having passed two drink stations that were only serving water, I was getting desperate. I was also starting to feel a little bit nauseated by the time I passed the 28-KM mark.
So when I reached the next drink station, boy was I glad to see that they're serving Gatorade! I quickly gulped in 2 cups, and felt immediately better after that. But here's the sad bit I will share with you - I took 2 pieces of gummy snakes from the next lady I saw handing this out near the drink station. :( I know that I'm going to pay for this momentary lapse of judgment for the rest of my life! I don't know how to make up for this yet, but what I know for sure is that I'm going to bring 3 pieces of bananas with me on all my future races to make sure that I have something to fall back on when I run low on fuel!
Sore but not tired
I forgot to mention that I've broken away from the pace group at the 24KM mark. I was feeling hungry and I started feeling pain on my left knee cap so I decided to ease up on the pace while I'm trying to figure out what was wrong with my knee and how to manage it for the rest of the race.
After 27 KMs, my tummy wasn't feeling too good either, so I started taking short walking breaks. I also started thinking about all those training days I missed because of all the excuses that I've thought of and I couldn't help but want to give myself a good smack on the head for not having more determination during training.
Anyway, after getting much needed fuel at the 30-KM mark, I started feeling better again. I have to be honest with you - right before I reached the drink station with Gatorade, I was already considering the idea of quitting again because I was about to pass out. But that didn't happen, which was a good thing. Sometimes, you've just got to suck it up and just keep on! And there were just 12 KMs left to run, so there's actually more to lose than to gain at this point.
The next 5 KMs was a mind-over-matter exercise. I really believe that these kinds of endurance sports were created not just to test your physical fitness, but to also see how strong your will is to get through the challenge. And if your mind is determined enough, it can actually influence the body to follow suit - which is what happened to me during this race.
When I passed the 37-KM mark, I suddenly realised that I wasn't actually tired - it's just my legs that were really feeling sore which was making it difficult to sustain a consistent running pace. I noticed that my breathing wasn't labored at all, and my upper body was holding up even if I've been on my feet for a little over 4 hours already. And thankfully, the pain on my knee cap went away which was one less thing to worry about.
Right before I reached the 38-KM mark, I saw a lady I was running with earlier a few metres ahead of me. I went to say "Hi!" again to her and asked how she was doing. I also considered that it would actually be good to run the rest of the race with someone as additional motivation. These events aren't meant to be experienced alone anyway, right? So I made up my mind and decided to join her until we crossed the finish line.
I found out that her name was Dom and that she was also running with another lady, Melissa, whom she met on the course earlier. Both of them were running their first marathon that day, so I also doubled up as a cheerleader for them in the last 4 KMs of the race. And we made quite a trio!
The Last Four Kilometers
I've always relished the last 4 KMs of the full marathon races I've joined. It's the last stretch of the race, and you're so close to the end, you can almost taste it. The last 4 KMs of the Melbourne Marathon traverses the busiest thoroughfares as well, so you always get a good crowd of spectators who are cheering you on, reminding you that you're not too far away from the finish line now and that you just need to keep going on. I love every millimeter of those last 4 KMs!
Since I was wearing the Super Girl/Woman shirt, I was getting a lot of shout outs from the crowd, and I've tried to answer back by raising one or both of my hands as if I'm about to fly away, which they enjoyed back. All the love and the joy and the excitement the crowd dishes out is the equivalent of a sack full of bananas that fuels you up as you inch your way closer to the finish line (yes, i'm very fixated on bananas).
Dom and Melissa were also doing a good job with keeping up the pace and continuing with yelling out encouraging words to each other. Soon enough we were entering the Melbourne Cricket Ground for our 200-m victory lap to the finish line!
This race turned out rather well than I've ever hoped to be! I met 2 new friends and I finished my 7th full marathon, and I finished it again under 5 hours - 2 minutes faster than my finish time last year! That deserves a "Woohoooo!!!"! I was sore all over, but the happy hormones were giving me a high!
So I sought out the 4hrs30min pace group again this year, in the hopes that I can brainwash myself into running harder than I trained for (kids, don't try this at home). Guess who I saw pacing us again this year...
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| John, my friend - we meet again! |
The First 10 KMs
So the plan was to keep up with the guys trying to make it under 4 hours and 30 minutes. Realistically speaking, I was only planning to keep up until I can. The first 10 kilometers were uneventful. However, it was a chance for me to appreciate the beautiful day and the very cooperative weather. It was time I spent checking out the runners who were keeping the same pace that I was. It was also the best time for chit chat since we all still had a lot of energy at this stage of the race.
The highlight of those first 10 KMs was me ripping one of the holes of my race bib, so my bib was attached to my race belt on just one side. Luckily, one of the runners I asked for a pin gave it to me so that I can reattach the other side that was barely hanging on to my belt.
I also brought a banana with me which I ate after crossing the 11-km mark. All seemed well, and I continued to enjoy my time on the race course.
Lessons on Nutrition
As in previous races, I would normally survive the rest of the race if I eat something after the first 10 KMs. So after finishing off my banana somewhere between the 11th and 12th KM, I was feeling confident that I was going to last the rest of the race on carbs and sugar from that snack. Well...
One thing that I forgot to take into consideration was the fact the I recently switched diets. About 1.5 hours before the race, I had a decent breakfast made up of a bread roll and a banana-blueberry-coconut milk-lemon-chia smoothie. Thirty minutes before the race, I ate another banana. But it seemed that wasn't enough to sustain me for the rest of the 42 KM.
 |
| Looking fresh, but feeling hungry after running 20 KMs! |
Being a vegan, I can't eat jelly beans or gummy snakes because both contain ingredients that are animal-based or animal-produced. In the next 9 KM, I was very conscious of avoiding these hand outs from the well-meaning spectators on the course. However, having passed two drink stations that were only serving water, I was getting desperate. I was also starting to feel a little bit nauseated by the time I passed the 28-KM mark.
So when I reached the next drink station, boy was I glad to see that they're serving Gatorade! I quickly gulped in 2 cups, and felt immediately better after that. But here's the sad bit I will share with you - I took 2 pieces of gummy snakes from the next lady I saw handing this out near the drink station. :( I know that I'm going to pay for this momentary lapse of judgment for the rest of my life! I don't know how to make up for this yet, but what I know for sure is that I'm going to bring 3 pieces of bananas with me on all my future races to make sure that I have something to fall back on when I run low on fuel!
Sore but not tired
I forgot to mention that I've broken away from the pace group at the 24KM mark. I was feeling hungry and I started feeling pain on my left knee cap so I decided to ease up on the pace while I'm trying to figure out what was wrong with my knee and how to manage it for the rest of the race.
After 27 KMs, my tummy wasn't feeling too good either, so I started taking short walking breaks. I also started thinking about all those training days I missed because of all the excuses that I've thought of and I couldn't help but want to give myself a good smack on the head for not having more determination during training.
Anyway, after getting much needed fuel at the 30-KM mark, I started feeling better again. I have to be honest with you - right before I reached the drink station with Gatorade, I was already considering the idea of quitting again because I was about to pass out. But that didn't happen, which was a good thing. Sometimes, you've just got to suck it up and just keep on! And there were just 12 KMs left to run, so there's actually more to lose than to gain at this point.
The next 5 KMs was a mind-over-matter exercise. I really believe that these kinds of endurance sports were created not just to test your physical fitness, but to also see how strong your will is to get through the challenge. And if your mind is determined enough, it can actually influence the body to follow suit - which is what happened to me during this race.
When I passed the 37-KM mark, I suddenly realised that I wasn't actually tired - it's just my legs that were really feeling sore which was making it difficult to sustain a consistent running pace. I noticed that my breathing wasn't labored at all, and my upper body was holding up even if I've been on my feet for a little over 4 hours already. And thankfully, the pain on my knee cap went away which was one less thing to worry about.
Right before I reached the 38-KM mark, I saw a lady I was running with earlier a few metres ahead of me. I went to say "Hi!" again to her and asked how she was doing. I also considered that it would actually be good to run the rest of the race with someone as additional motivation. These events aren't meant to be experienced alone anyway, right? So I made up my mind and decided to join her until we crossed the finish line.
I found out that her name was Dom and that she was also running with another lady, Melissa, whom she met on the course earlier. Both of them were running their first marathon that day, so I also doubled up as a cheerleader for them in the last 4 KMs of the race. And we made quite a trio!
The Last Four Kilometers
I've always relished the last 4 KMs of the full marathon races I've joined. It's the last stretch of the race, and you're so close to the end, you can almost taste it. The last 4 KMs of the Melbourne Marathon traverses the busiest thoroughfares as well, so you always get a good crowd of spectators who are cheering you on, reminding you that you're not too far away from the finish line now and that you just need to keep going on. I love every millimeter of those last 4 KMs!
Since I was wearing the Super Girl/Woman shirt, I was getting a lot of shout outs from the crowd, and I've tried to answer back by raising one or both of my hands as if I'm about to fly away, which they enjoyed back. All the love and the joy and the excitement the crowd dishes out is the equivalent of a sack full of bananas that fuels you up as you inch your way closer to the finish line (yes, i'm very fixated on bananas).
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| About to launch as we make the turn to the last 2 KMs of the race |
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| The victory lap at the MCG |
This is the best finish any one can ever experience in a race and I think that all races should end this way - inside a stadium with the crowd cheering you on that you feel like you're a rock star! Great job to the organising committee for bringing back the finish line inside the MCG!!!
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| Crossing the finish line like a super star! |
And what better way is there to end the race than with a group hug right after crossing the finish line? Nope, nothing can definitely beat this!
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| Group hug! |
All's well that ends well, and I'll definitely be signing up for next year's Melbourne Marathon again! See you there!
But first... Next stop - Bangkok Marathon!
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