Canberra Marathon/50k
What a day! Briefly (well, not really briefly) it all went something like this ....
Ran the first few kms with Clairie, which was an absolute hoot. We just laughed and chatted to people etc etc while hanging with the 3:30 pace group. Then she sped up a little as she had lots more socialising to do before pulling the pin at Cowbell Corner as planned.
I hung with the pack for maybe 6 or 7k a while and then slowed down a little - it was nice to have a bit more room. From then on it was just a matter of keeping the legs moving for another 40 odd kms. I think I hit the half mara mark around 1:46 or 1:47.
I really had fun out there. I can't recall ever enjoying an marathon or ultra so much. There were only two low moments. First when I spotted JD who'd been attacked by the cramp bear :-( I caught up soon after and stopped very briefly for a chat. It made me so sad after all the hard work he'd put in. But it also made me realise they could get me too and so I was meticulous at all aid stations afterwards making sure I took in enough electorites. Then a little later I saw Rith struggling with a dodgey foot problem. He'd also busted a gut training for this one. I can see both of them well and truly seeking revenge at the Gold Coast.
The support from spectators this year was without a doubt the best ever not just for a Canberra marathon but any race I can recall - at different spots along the way there was the CR cheersquad (Jen, Lulu and others ... I'd name you all but I'd forget somebody for sure), Aki and Ewen, Gnomey, Kit & Razor, Bernie G, Wildthing. Loads more! My training buddies Lizzle and Robbie - they were everywhere!
Clairie was just fantastic - the girl has enough energy for two people ;-) She had all these different signs including one that said something like "stay focused". Those words stuck in my head for the rest of the race.
Then there was Katy. It really was worth being out there running just to see her. What a gem.
I hit the marathon mark in just over 3:36 according to the results. Funny, it wasn't tough at all running on to do the 50k. I did however pull up and check to see how a few people went. To see CJ and my PCRG training mate Kelly there and find out they'd both nailed a sub 3:30 gave me such a boost mentally. And I knew my other PCRG-er Celeste finished a minute or so in front of me after a fantastic race. Go the girls!!!
50 metres up the road I lost a little bit of time with a shoelace malfunction on both sides, wierd how they'd hung in there solidly until then.
The next few kms weren't too bad but at about 45k the legs became rather heavy and things got tough. The headwind wasn't exactly pleasant, but at least it became a tailwind after the turnaround.
It was something being out there with the other 50k-ers, especially Blue Dog, and Flakey, and Queen Bee, and Spagetti Legs, and Mr WT, and Bandana, Kato, and RB, and Aunty K and Dazza, and and and .... Its hard to describe the feeling. Each and every one commented or hand slapped or acknowledged the other in some way, whether we knew eachother or not. It was like we were all in our own special little club.
And we got to see Clairie again and Katy another two times :-)
I hit the 49k mark and saw from my watch I could walk and still go under 4:30. But why walk now when I hadn't walked before that (other than through a few drink stations). Coming up the home stretch before the final turn to the finish I spotted a very happy Gronk and his buddy on their way to becoming marathoners - yay!
Now it was finally time to switch off the music and soak up the atmosphere. Running up that stretch to the end is truly amazing. All the cheering etc, you'd think you were in an Olympic Games Marathon .... and winning it! And what a buzz to have coach Pat and his partner Susan there on the finish line.
My official time was 4:26.43. My goal was to run between 4:20 and 4:30. Best of all I didn't hit the wall, or cramp, or resort to walking, or any of those nightmarish things that make you say "never again". I'm a very happy chappy :-))))
Congrats to all who ran. There were some fantastic results. Well done all my fellow bloggers - Brissos Mat (woohoo!!!!), Toasty & Eddie, Canberrans CJ, Strewth & Speedgeoff, Sydneysiders Eagle, Superflake, Go Girl, Gronk, Horrie & Uncle Dave, Port's Portrunner. Once again I hope I haven't forgotten to mention anyone.
And also congrats to all my buddies at PCRG, and CoolRrunning, and the Brisbane Running Buddies, and BRRC, and Intraining. Have I forgotten any of my clubs? ;-)
Thanks to all for the support and advice in the last few months.
A great day, a great weekend. Can't wait to do it all again next year. I'll be lining up for the ultra for sure ....
50 is the new 42.2!
Ran the first few kms with Clairie, which was an absolute hoot. We just laughed and chatted to people etc etc while hanging with the 3:30 pace group. Then she sped up a little as she had lots more socialising to do before pulling the pin at Cowbell Corner as planned.
I hung with the pack for maybe 6 or 7k a while and then slowed down a little - it was nice to have a bit more room. From then on it was just a matter of keeping the legs moving for another 40 odd kms. I think I hit the half mara mark around 1:46 or 1:47.
I really had fun out there. I can't recall ever enjoying an marathon or ultra so much. There were only two low moments. First when I spotted JD who'd been attacked by the cramp bear :-( I caught up soon after and stopped very briefly for a chat. It made me so sad after all the hard work he'd put in. But it also made me realise they could get me too and so I was meticulous at all aid stations afterwards making sure I took in enough electorites. Then a little later I saw Rith struggling with a dodgey foot problem. He'd also busted a gut training for this one. I can see both of them well and truly seeking revenge at the Gold Coast.
The support from spectators this year was without a doubt the best ever not just for a Canberra marathon but any race I can recall - at different spots along the way there was the CR cheersquad (Jen, Lulu and others ... I'd name you all but I'd forget somebody for sure), Aki and Ewen, Gnomey, Kit & Razor, Bernie G, Wildthing. Loads more! My training buddies Lizzle and Robbie - they were everywhere!
Clairie was just fantastic - the girl has enough energy for two people ;-) She had all these different signs including one that said something like "stay focused". Those words stuck in my head for the rest of the race.
Then there was Katy. It really was worth being out there running just to see her. What a gem.
I hit the marathon mark in just over 3:36 according to the results. Funny, it wasn't tough at all running on to do the 50k. I did however pull up and check to see how a few people went. To see CJ and my PCRG training mate Kelly there and find out they'd both nailed a sub 3:30 gave me such a boost mentally. And I knew my other PCRG-er Celeste finished a minute or so in front of me after a fantastic race. Go the girls!!!
50 metres up the road I lost a little bit of time with a shoelace malfunction on both sides, wierd how they'd hung in there solidly until then.
The next few kms weren't too bad but at about 45k the legs became rather heavy and things got tough. The headwind wasn't exactly pleasant, but at least it became a tailwind after the turnaround.
It was something being out there with the other 50k-ers, especially Blue Dog, and Flakey, and Queen Bee, and Spagetti Legs, and Mr WT, and Bandana, Kato, and RB, and Aunty K and Dazza, and and and .... Its hard to describe the feeling. Each and every one commented or hand slapped or acknowledged the other in some way, whether we knew eachother or not. It was like we were all in our own special little club.
And we got to see Clairie again and Katy another two times :-)
I hit the 49k mark and saw from my watch I could walk and still go under 4:30. But why walk now when I hadn't walked before that (other than through a few drink stations). Coming up the home stretch before the final turn to the finish I spotted a very happy Gronk and his buddy on their way to becoming marathoners - yay!
Now it was finally time to switch off the music and soak up the atmosphere. Running up that stretch to the end is truly amazing. All the cheering etc, you'd think you were in an Olympic Games Marathon .... and winning it! And what a buzz to have coach Pat and his partner Susan there on the finish line.
My official time was 4:26.43. My goal was to run between 4:20 and 4:30. Best of all I didn't hit the wall, or cramp, or resort to walking, or any of those nightmarish things that make you say "never again". I'm a very happy chappy :-))))
Congrats to all who ran. There were some fantastic results. Well done all my fellow bloggers - Brissos Mat (woohoo!!!!), Toasty & Eddie, Canberrans CJ, Strewth & Speedgeoff, Sydneysiders Eagle, Superflake, Go Girl, Gronk, Horrie & Uncle Dave, Port's Portrunner. Once again I hope I haven't forgotten to mention anyone.
And also congrats to all my buddies at PCRG, and CoolRrunning, and the Brisbane Running Buddies, and BRRC, and Intraining. Have I forgotten any of my clubs? ;-)
Thanks to all for the support and advice in the last few months.
A great day, a great weekend. Can't wait to do it all again next year. I'll be lining up for the ultra for sure ....
50 is the new 42.2!
posted by Tesso at 7:05 AM
32 Comments:
i've said it before and I'll say it again - you're my hero! I'm a bit tired thinking about it...
:)
Love your work Tesso, sounds like you had a ball out there, doing it easy, watch out PMC hey?
Big congratulations to you!
You know another 8kms doesn't sound like much but in reality I bet it's bloody hard. Your all guts Tesso. Well done.
Tesso,
Your time was fantastic and to have not had any major blow up over 50K with that time is something on top of that. I'm going back to look over your blog's training record. Obviously you did a lot right there.
How is Clairie, how the hell is one suppose to "Stay Focused" "with all those signs".
just that one would have done the trick.
I'm thinking very seriously about coming to Canberra next year you make it sound like a hoot and I've got some people down there I'd like to punch in the guts.
The thanking you gave all at the end of your report makes you sound like a Hollywood star accepting an Oscar. Well you are surely the Queen of our hearts long may you run!
A great report on a great run by a great lady. Well done Tess on the run itself. I can't ever see myself going the extra bit after 42.2. It inspires me a great deal to read about your approach to "going the extra mile" and for the support you take in from others like Clairie but also the support you, too, give to others. Wonderful stuff.
Wow Tesso! Not only did you style it in for your goal time, but you managed to do it with a smile! Congratulations on a great run - just reading about it makes me feel like getting out there for a training session.
I suspect that the support you get is because of the support you give. As Scott said in his Nagano report, the thought that all you guys are out there for support can really keep you going when it gets tough.
Well done, and thanks!
I heard you had a great day out :-)
Sounds like you felt strong and focused the whole time. Great stuff.
TA
Always a pleasure to provide cheering for you! You're a legend! Fantastic to see you achieve your goal with such style. Wish I'd seen Katy, it sounds like it was much appreciated!
you are a goddess! you looked strong the entire way. i was thrilled to cheer you on 6 times! man, you're a nutter, but you're OUR nutter.
now sit!
soak!
CHILL!
... until wahwick
That's just stupendous!
Congratulations on a job well done. And thnak you for giving me a chance to use a word like "stupendous".
Great race report there. Almost felt like I was running it.
Fantastic run Tesso. I agree it was our own special club doing the 50k. Such a great feeling. Thats why I love big races the crowd is superb.
Well done Tess. You did a spectacular job! It was a great boost seeing you running along very strongly again and again.
For sure, I'll be lining up with you next year, Tesso! Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog - to think I might have been missed this year, brought a little tear to my sentimental old eyes!
You truly are a Team J legend - congratulations on a fantastic result Tess - great stuff mate ;-)
great stuff Tess. was so pleased when i looked up the results on Sunday and saw you did it, and right on target! I have a nice bottle of red for you upon our next catch up - same one as the one missed recently.
the extra little bit is more than many a training run for us mere mortals.
Well done Tesso. Now I am regreting I didn't come down to just be part of the scene. I'll just have to mope about a bit more.
Nah, 42.2 is the new 5k. After reading TD's blog I'll have to run a decent marathon one day and qualify for Boston!
I must say Tess, you looked really good out there whenever I saw you. Just having fun on a long run. How do you do it?! Enjoy your recovery weeks (or is that a couple of days?).
Tesso, you made it look so easy. You took to that 50K run like a duck to water. Blue Dog will have you lining up for one of his Ultra adventures before long.
The Canberra Marathon sure is special.
Is running 50k that easy?! What a fantastic run. It must be so wonderful to have everything go so well. Congratulations!
Congratulations Tess on achieving your goal, what a great effort. I think 42.195 km is my max limit.
Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog!!
What can I say that hasn't already been said?! Congratulations on a terrific run - I am in awe ... 50k ... absolutely amazing.
See you Sunday :)
Congratulations on achieving your goal for the 50km. We were in our own private club along that footpath, weren't we? Thanks also to you and JD for the fold out bed the night before. Very much appreciated!
Woo hoo....so 50 is the new 42.2 heh? Well I guess that means I'd better get some practice in over the next few years. Because by the time I'm up to it the 100M might be the old 42.2 :)
You ran like a racehorse - strong and grinning the whole way. Seriously you looked way too happy to be a runner in the middle of an ultra race.
Well done on finishing and getting a great time. I know you can go sub 4:20 easily but will have to make sure you dont' stop to chat so much next time - oh and get someone fast to do the laces up ha ha ha
Wow Tess! Congratulations on a fantastic 50km & you enjoyed it too! Good on you - not everyone can say that!
Oh, no - she's crossing to the dark side!!!
Congratulations, Tesso. Well Done!
Cheers,
Ben
I'm in awe of your ability and seriously believe your form at the moment is understated. You are running so well and deserve all of it.
You are a champion over the long distance.
yes but what is the new 50? ;)
fantastic tesso!
Congratulations Tesso on a well run 50km. It really was fun out there wasn't it! Now that my legs are better all I can remember is how much I enjoyed the day.
It was great to see you in Canberra before, after and out on the course. Thanks for your comment and for all your support and encouragement leading up to it, I really appreaciate it.
Geez 50 is the new 42.2?! Talk about changing the goal posts when I've only just managed my first 42.2!! :)
Woohoo! Only just gotten time to read all the race reports! Fab stuff! :)
I haven't been on bloglines for a bit and I thought I had missed this report....well done! What a Champ!
Thats an awesome effort Tesso, really enjoyed reading your post.
MAR.
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