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Home again. What a holiday! What an adventure.

I have had such a great time. It is hard to believe that it is all over. Thanks to my wonderful friends, Darryl and Gidget, I managed to survive and stay sane.

Three marathons completed:

Chicago 12 October 2008, 4:38:31
Niagara Falls 26 October 2008, 3:56:04
New York City 2 November 2008, 3:49:01

After my Chicago experience I seriously considered not doing the Niagara Falls marathon in order to be better prepared for New York. On the Saturday before Niagara I ran on an athletics track and seemed to be in bad shape but had a feeling I needed to try some hills. So on the Sunday I did about 8Ks of hill work which I coped with quite well. That gave me enough confidence to tackle Niagara Falls marathon.

Thankfully there was no repeat of Chicago at Niagara. Though my left leg gave me some cause for concern, it was a much more enjoyable run and I was confident that I should be able to give a repeat performance in New York a week later.

The lead up to the New York Marathon was a great experience in itself. The Marathon Expo was awesome. My credit card took a bit of a hit. I caught up with CoolRunners, Rags, Vurt and Ellie. On the Saturday, Race Day eve, we took part in the International Friendship run. The course ran from The United Nations to the marathon 26 mile mark in Central Park. There were 16,000 participants. It was a great event. Runners were displaying flags and country colours and having a good time. We just walked the whole way, about 4k I think.

On Saturday night we went to the pasta party at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. What a piece of organisation that was. They had a huge marquee and arranged it so that people were given various attendance times so that it meant the the many thousands of diners could receive their pasta and drinks, be seated and eat with it seeming like there was no pressure to eat an move out. The queue just kept steadily flowing in at one end, people dined in a fairly casual manner with terrific music pumping everyone up, and then they flowed out the other end with an ice cream in a cup and some cookies. Amazing!

We had to be on the bus at 6:00 AM in order to get to the starting area on Staten Island. It was very very cold. My group was scheduled to start at 9:40. It was a relief when we were called to head for our starting corals. I was among the first few to make it to the coral. I was standing there shivering when low and behold, who should walk in but CoolRunner Rags. Chatting with Rags helped pass the time until we had to move to the start line.

The race itself was absolutely incredible. I loved every kilometer of it. I just ran at an easy pace. Anything under 4 hours was going to be a bonus. If I could equal Niagara, all the better. The atmosphere, the crowds of onlookers, running through the streets of New York, chatting to other runners, I was all a wonderful experience. By about mile 21 my legs were killing me. From the hips up I was fine. From the hips to the tips of my toes was all pain, but I wasn't going to let that spoil this great adventure. I was wearing a singlet with AUSTRALIA on it so I got plenty of Aussie, Aussie, Aussie's form among the crowds lining the course.

Running along 1st Avenue in Manhattan was awe inspiring. It was a sea of runners from one end to the other, almost 4 miles. I was thrilled to reach the finish line in 3:49:01, 7 minutes better than my Niagara Falls time. I had achieved my goal of three marathons. Sure, Chicago was disappointing, but I did finish and it was a wonderful event. Chicago is a beautiful city and I have been through 29 of it's neighbourhoods.

I have to pay tribute to Darryl and Gidget, who not only had to drag me around for almost 6 weeks, they completed the Chicago and New York City marathons and the 10K event in Niagara Falls. That is a fantastic effort. As the Americans say, "Gooooood Joooob". We did go on to do another marathon event....last Saturday we spent 14 hours at Disneyland.

Well the adventure is over. I hope the memories will stay with me for ever. Thanks everyone for all your support. It has meant so much to me.

New York

New York! New York! What a place. What a race. It was such a thrill! Such an experience. I loved the whole event. A complete turnaround from Chicago. I will take more time on my return in order to do justice to the experinence. I was thrilled with my 3:49:01. Wow!

Darryl and Gidget did an awesome job and it was great to be at the finish to see them come in together.

Niagara Falls

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all your comments and good wishes. Today i finished the Niagara Falls Marathon in about 3:56. After Chicago was very happy with that. The weather was almost perfect - very cool and sunny for the most part but very windy. the wind came from all directions. it was a picturesque course. Staring in Buffalo, crossing the Peace Bridge into Canada and then along the Niagara River and finishing at the Falls.

I ran the whole race, no walking, but took it very easy with next week's New York Marathon in mind. My left leg was still sore and stiff and my feet hurt a lot but i was very happy with the result.

The holiday has been terrific. We have been staying in Barrie, a town about half an hour from Toronto. We have spent some time in wilderness country but haven't seen any bears or moose.
I experienced my first snow. Snow fell all day for one day and covered everything. By the following evening it had all melted.

Our hotel room in Niagara looks out over the falls. Awesome!

We will spend some time in Toronto on Monday and fly out to NY on Wednesday. Very exciting.

Bye for now.

Rob

In Chicago

Hi Everyone,

Here I am in Chicago. It seems like a lifetime ago since I left home on my big adventure. Our plane was delayed in Brisbane and we only just made our connection in Sydney by running. After a 13.5 hr uneventful flight we made it to San Francisco at 10:15 AM on Wenesday, almost 2hrs before we left Brisbane. Our luggage didn't make it to the plane and didn't arrive until the following evening. Wednesday ws the longest day of my life. By sheer will power we stayed awake until 8;30 Wednesday night US West Coast time ( had about 3 hours sleep on the plane).

SF was great. We had a great time at Fisherman's wharf, walking up Lombard St, riding the Cable Car down the hill and visiting Alcatraz where we tried to leave Gidget (Michelle) in a cell.

Friday was taken up with travelling to Chicago and registering for the marathon. We booked into the Palmer House Hilton where we have a very good room on the 19th floor. While lying on my bed I can look out the window to Lake Michigan. We are very lucky.

Saturday saw us back at the Marathon Expo which was huge - nothing like it in Australia. We rested on Saturday afternoon. I was drinking lots of water to keep hydrated for the marathon.

Sunday morning we rose at 5:45 and headed for the Marathon at 7:45. We were only about 5 minutes from the start. It was quite warm even at that stage. the Race began at 8:00 with over 33,000 starters. I didn't feel too bad though my left hamstring had been a bit sore. I maintained a steady 5:00min per K pace for the first 10k but I new somehting was wrong when I was thirsty before the first water stop. I was drinking lots at each water station, and there were plenty of them, but dehydration was already a problem for me and my hammy was really acting up. I got slower and slower and had to start doing some walking. I finished the first half in 1hr 48 mins, my slowest ever. I gradually got worse and worse and the temperature was climbing. Many people had started walking by this stage. It was ah horror marathon for me and the finish couldn't come quick enough. I felt shocking. I tried running but would just have to give it away.

I finished in 4:38, but I did finish and I got my finishers medal. Gidget finished in 6: 15 and Darryl about 20 minutes later. Absolutely fantabulous efforts on their parts. Gidget ran the whole first half and Darryl ran the first 12k and walked most of the way from there. Congratualtions Darryl and Gidget.

The organisation of the event was amazing. Everything ran like clockwork. The volunteers did a tremendous job. At least 80% of the course was lined with people cheering us on. At the finishing line some friends and relatives were waiting for their loved ones with bunches of flowers.

We spent Monday recouperating and had massage this morning then went to Navy Pier and had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. Tomorrow we head for Pittsburgh to spend some time with Darryl's rellies. I have to get myself in to nick for the niagara Falls Marathon which I will be taking very easily.

Bye for now,
Rob

Ready, Set, Go.

The big adventure starts on Wednesday. We head to Sydney then straight to San Francisco. Next Sunday is the Chicago Marathon. My bib number is 2039.

Yesterday I went to West End and ran a 10k at the Brisbane Road Rrunners Club. It was great to catch up with Tesso and Clairie at long last. Clairie did 20K yesterday but I was not able to stay for her finish. She was doing pretty well when on the occasions I saw her. It was also good to catch up wit other Coolrunners too. It was good to meet you Funrunner.

Craig came along to the club and did the 10K also. He really enjoyed it and has signed up as a member. Craig is doing the Half in Melbourne next Sunday.

I have been saving the big news till last. Yesterday Tigger finished the 62K Tambourine Mountain run in 7Hrs 14Mins to be the 2nd female across the line. Congratulations Tigger. What a terrific effort. It was a hot and humid day as well. When I spoke to her during the afternoon after the race she sounde bright an chirpy, not spent and exhausted.

My next post will be from the US, probably Chicago.

9 more Sleeps

Yes, just nine more sleeps and I am off to the US on my big adventure. I have been taking the training pretty easy, which means I have hardly done any in the last week. Yesterday I did 16k from Park Road with Tigger. We averaged 4:57 which was OK. However while I was running I was thinking how am I ever going to maintain this pace for 42.2K. It never fails to astound me that I am able to run the actual marathon at a faster pace. I do have to be careful though, and regulate my pace well in order to run the whole three.

Yesterday Tigger introduced me to friend of hers who has lived in New York and run the marathon twice. He was able to share some of his experience which was very helpful e.g because the race finishes in Centarl Park be mentally prepared for the fact that once you first enter Cenral Park you still have about 3.5 miles to the finish line.

Ghicago in 3 Weeks

Whow! I can't believe it, only three weeks until the Chicago Marathon. My bib # is 2039. I guess I had better start tapering.

Tigger and I did 31K this morning. Craig is away on holidays with his family. We ran from Park Road and did the circuit via tha Goodwill bridge, Highgate Hill, Brisbane Corso, Tennyson, Chelmer, Indooroopilly, UQ and Coronation Drive. The storm season has started early this year. We had storms last night so it was fairly humid this morning, though not too bad. As I am typng I can hear another storm rolling in. The thunder sounds almost continuous so it is hard to judge how far away it is. We don't usually get the storms until October.

I was having a look at photos of the 2007 Niagara Falls Marathon. I can't believe the amount of cloths the runners were wearing. I must have been quite cold. That makes me a be nervous. I haven't had much cold weather running experience really. It did get down to -2 here early in August so I wore a long sleeve top and cotton gloves, However the runners in the photos are wearing long pants, jackets, beanies, thick gloves etc. That's scarey! Singlet, shorts, and a cap may be a little underdone I think.

Twice over the Mountain

Tigger has decided to enter and a 62K ultra which is to be held on 5 October. This ultra marathon inlcudes running up Tambourine Mountain. Tigger did warn Craig and I that she was keen to do hills today, so when we met at Park Road this morning it was decided that we should do a double loop around Mt Coot-tha. I didn't exactly feel in the frame of mind to tackle such a tough run but had suspected that it might be on the program.

It was a terrific morning for running, and except for the long hall up the hill on each loop it was a very enjoyable run. I was concerned whether or not it was the right thing for Craig to be doing since he didn't have a very good run last Sunday, however, he had rested all week and assured us that he would be OK. As it turned out he was, and made it back to Park Road without taking any shortcuts.

Having run the mountain, I am pleased to say that my legs feel good. There is no stiffness or soreness so it would seem that my training is on track and going well. As I have said to my travelling buddies, Darryl and Gidget, the training isn't just about getting you across the finish line, it is also about how quickly you recover after the race. When you have places to go and things to see, as we will on our trip, the recovery time will be very important.

Ah! That's better!

After last Sunday's crazy run I took it fairly steady during the week. I rested on Monday and ran my 14K circuit Tuesday to Friday with Thursday being my quickest with an average pace of 5 minutes. On Saturday morning Craig and I met Tigger at her place and we ran a circuit through Tennyson, Fairfield, West End, Southbank, Toowong and Indooroopilly to get Tigger and I home in 2:48 for a 32K run. Craig didn't fair too well and after dropping behind at Highgate Hill, took a shortcut back where he was waiting for us when we arrived. Tigger's husband once again treated us to espresso cofffee which is always good. I finished a very pleasant Father's day with a 7K run bringing my total for the week to 95K.

We, that is my my friends Darryl and Gidget, and I, leave for the US on the 8th October. We fly from Sydney direct to San Francisco where we spend a couple of days before heading to Chichago. The excitement is building.

You Don't have to be Crazy

You don't have to be crazy but it sure does help. I wasn't able to run early on Sunday and was determined to get my long run in somehow. So I decided to drive with Robyn to her workplace at the Carindale Shopping centre which is about 45 minutes form our home on the Brisbane side of Ipswich. I set out from Carindale at 1:00 pm, the hottest part of the day, to run home. I didn't realise just how hot it was. Considering that August was our coldest August in 8 years, I just couldn't believe that the heat would take such a toll on me.

I ran along Old Cleveland Road to Stones Corner, then along Logan Rd, Stanley St, Southbank, Victoria bridge, Coronation Drv, Sylvan Rd, Western Freeway bike path, Centenary Highway bike path, through the back blocks of Wacol to Gailes and Goodna then up the hill to Bellbird Park where home is. 39K in 3:46 and it nearly killed me. It was a very tough run. As Tigger would say, "plenty of character".

I hope I am not crazy enough to try anything like that again.

That bought my total K's for the week to 102 which is the most in a very long time.

Noosa Half

Another Noosa Half successfully completed...well sort off. There is no official record to show that I completed the race, or even started for that matter. My timing chip, no 496, didn't work. I was pretty upset about it, to put it mildly. Anyway enough people who know me saw me out there running my little heart out. Tesso cheered me on. Thanks Tesso.

I finished in about 1:34:45 and was very happy with that. Tigger was the 2:10 pacer, and finished a few seconds under that. Well done Tigger. Craig finished in 1:45. Great work Craig. Craig and Tigger will be running the Melbourne Marathon on the same day as I am running in Chicago.

Training is going well. I hope to concentrate mainly on endurance. Pace is secondary. I might have an opportunity to increase my pace alittle in the Niagara Falls Marathon because the competitors for that only number 360 at this stage. There are less than 7 weeks to go for the Chicago Marathon. Niagara is 2 weeks after that, then New York is 1 week after Niagara. Am I getting excited!

Another 34K Day

Craig was back from his debut City 2 Surf in Sydney last Sunday and he was keen to get another long run under his belt as he is training for the Melbourne Marathon. Tigger is still OS. Craig an I decided to do the same run I did last week, out to Portside and back, a total of 34K. It was a beautiful day for running today. The temp was just right. I made it back to Park Road in 2:55. Craig had dropped back a bit but was happy to let me go.

Niagara Falls International Marathon

Chicago Marathon was going to be my last long run before the New York City Marathon. Chicago is now the second last long run before New York. The Niagara Falls International Marathon will be held the weekend before New York. I had already entered the 10K event there but have decided that I just cannot miss the opportunity to run the marathon, so I am upgrading my entry. You may think I am crazy, and you are probably right, but I am not running to win or even for a PB. I just want to do it and believe that I can without spoiling New York.

From the web site: "The Niagara Falls International Marathon starts by the Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo N.Y. The first 6.5km (4 miles) of the race travel the beautiful majestic parkways of Buffalo before crossing the Peace Bridge into the historic old town of Fort Erie, Ontario. The route then follows the beautiful Niagara River Parkway and finishes at the magnificent Niagara Falls". How could I miss that?

What I want is just to have the experience of running those three events. I am very excited!

I my last post I reported a great week of running. Sadly last week I was suffering from a very bad cold and only did 14K on Tuesday and then 34K on Sunday. I was really disappointed. My 34K on Sunday was at 5:18 pace. A couple of snails passed me. This week I am making an effort to get the mileage up. The temperature here in the mornings has been down to the -2 and -3, cold even by Canberra standards. Yesterday I thought my fingers might snap if I tried to bend them. Today is a public holiday for the Ekka (Royal National Show, or the Brisbane Exhibition which abbreviated to the Ekka). I haven't been to the Ekka in years and have no intention of going this year so today I started my run at 10:00AM and added 4Ks to my 14K circuit to give my 18 which I did at average pace of 5:20 (no snails passed me because it was too late in the day for them but an old lady sideswiped me with her zimmer frame as she zipped by on the inside)

Biggest Week in a While

Finally, I feel as if I am back into training mode. My total K's for the week was 86. That is the most I have done in a long while. Oddly, I chose our coldest week so far this year to do it. On Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I ran my 14K circuit. The times went 1:12, 1:15, 1:16 and 1:08. The temperature on Thursday dipped to -1c. I know it gets colder in places, but for me that was a tad too cool. On Fridays I like to put in a bit of an effort, hence the 4:50 per K pace.

Today Tigger, Craig and I went for a bit of character and set out from Park Road at 5:00AM. We ran out along the Western Freeway to Jindalee, then through Oxley to Oxley Road and along there to Indooroopilly, St Lucia, Toowong and back to Park Road. 30K of character.

I entered the Noosa Half yesterday and look forward to catching up with Scott.

Twigger will be away for a couple of weeks and Craig is running the City 2 Surf in Sydney next Sunday. So I will be doing 34 on my own.

Park 2 Park Half Marathon

Yesterday I ran my fifth Park @ Park Marathon in Ipswich. The event is organiised by the Ipswich Hospital Foundation. It would have to be one of the best organised events in which I have run. I really enjoy participating even though it is a very tough run, being 4 laps of a hilly course.

It was quite chilly at the start line and it seemed like an eternity before the gun went off . The first lap is 6.1K followed by three 5K laps. I got off to a slow start, my feet were numb and it took me a while to get moving.

My splits were 28:36 (6.1K), 23:57, 23:39, 23:36. My Net time was 1:39:50, 2 minutes slower than last year. Must be old age.

It is disappointing that more people from Brisbane don't make the effort run this event. Tigger ran it for the first time yesterday and enjoyed it. There were a couple of guys who came all the way from Tweed Heads.

Not Much in 2 Weeks

It is now more than two weeks since the Gold Coast Marathon. I haven't done much running since then. On Sunday and I Tigger and I did 28k at a nice steady pace and I have seem to have pulled up OK after that. Last weekend I was in Perth visiting my new Grand-daughter, Lily Rose. She is absolutely beautiful. While there, I a did couple of 7K runs on tracks around the Swan River. What a beautiful city and environment to run in. At one point I stopped to watch several Dolphins feeding on a school of fish. They put on a great show.

Next Sunday I will be running in the Park 2 Park Half Marathon in Ipswich. It is a tough run, 4 laps of a hilly course. I love it though. It is a well organised race in a very friendly atmosphere.

A Few Days Away

Robyn and I are off to the Perth tomorrow to visit my son, Anthony, and his wife, Kym, and our new grand-daughter, Lily Rose. We will be returning on Monday.

Anthony is a Health and Safety adviser for Rio Tinto Minerals. This will be our first visit to Perth. We are really looking forward to seeing Lily Rose for the first time.

I am recovering well from the marathon. I did not realise until I checked my records that my time of 3:20:51 was a course PB for me. That's the icing on the cake.

Post GC Marathon

Well I did it! I went much better than I expected with a 3:21 finish. I had a lot of pain in my right foot for most of the race, which took a lot of concentration to manage. that took away some of the pleasure of the run. However, I managed to keep a fairly steady pace and averaged 4:45. After I reached 35K I was feeling fairly good and was able to relax a bit and run with with a degree of confidence that I wasn't going to blow up. I was very pleased with the result.

Tigger did a mighty fine job in getting her brood in under 2:20. Well done Tigger!

Craig had a horror marathon and started cramping after 20K. This combined with stomach problems caused him a lot of grief but he soldiered on and finished. Congratulations Craig!. Don't give up mate. The next one will be great.

Congratulations to Robert Song! 3:12! Fantastic!

Great 10K Ewen! Congratulations. Thanks for the encouragement from the sideline.

Thanks for your encouragement and company out there Toasty. You did a great time considering your recent injury history. Congratulations.

Plu and the CR cheer squad were in fine form. Thanks so much. It sure makes such a difference.

Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement.

Last Post before the Marathon

I was listening to the radio in the car onthe way to the railway station this morning at 6:50 am and heard part of a live phone interview with a 99 year old female masters athlete. I didn't hear much nor get her name but what stuck most in my mind was that she had just come in from training. I thought, " OMG! How slack am I"

I better start doing some real training.

All the best for a great run on Sunday everyone.

Update: Tigger's comment:-

There's no more to say,
Sunday is the day.
The weather could be better,
But we've trained in wetter.
So it's time to be bold,
Go out to the cold.
And whatever the pace,
Enjoy the race.

GC Marathon only a few days away

Yesterday Tigger and I did a nice cool 16k. We practised a slow run for Tigger's pacing duties at the GC Half :-)

A friend expressed concern, over a coffee at Park Road yesterday, that Tigger should ensure that there is not too much helium in her pacer balloons. Tigger, being of slight build, may have difficulty keeping her feet on the ground.

Bring on the Marathon.