25 October 2020 – TRT ‘All In’ 50km

Back in April after my local virtual marathon PB, I set my sights on my next goal -my 50km PB and the Australian over 45s record.

I had a crack in June (huge thanks to Paulie Hannell for certifying the course for me) but it was too soon after the marathon and whilst I ran a small PB (3:15) I was someway short of the 3:06:29 record.

I re-grouped and decided to have another crack at the Ned Kelly Chase 50km in October in Victoria, giving me a decent 16 weeks to recover and build again. The event was of course cancelled so I worked with coach Gary Mullins at TRT running to help set up our own time trail event. Gary and his team set up a half/marathon/50km on a flat loop in the lowlands out at Richmond and got the course certified and measured.

I put in a solid block of training with some quality long runs, plenty of hills and some decent tempos. I knew my form was coming along when I ran Jeet and Jerome’s Penrith 10km in late August in 33:26 with no taper in amongst a 125km week. Also felt strong during CT and Enda’s virtual Boston marathon and my own virtual London Marathon, both quality long runs.

On race day, despite all the rain, conditions weren’t bad. It was a cool 14 degrees on the start line and didn’t rise much from there. The course was a short first leg followed by 7 laps of 6.68km and a final 560m out and back to make up the distance. 

Target pace was 3:43 for the Aussie age group record and 3:41 for the world age group record of 3:04:48 (also the English and British record), achievable but tough.

We set out soon after 6am, around 15 TRT runners chasing the marathon or 50km. I had planned to run with mate Gary Mullins who was also targeting the 50km records but on the day he decided he was going to go out at mid 3:30s to try and break his marathon PB then hold on for the 50km.

First few laps were cold and it was more of an effort than hoped to hold the target pace. I was churning out 3:44s and 3:43s but any faster just wasn’t comfortable. 15km in and I got my mental game on and started to believe in myself. 2 laps down and 5 to go. Gary had now stretched out of sight but luckily I had wingman Dave Criniti to keep me company (a valid record needed a cyclist or runner with me at all times to confirm I had completed the course and not cut any corners). Dave was superb, cool and calm, sharing KM splits and positive vibes. For once my Garmin measurement was matching the course and I knew the average pace was accurate. It had edged from 3:44 to 3:43 and we went through 25km in just over 1 hr 33 mins. Whilst the world age group record had slipped out of reach, the Aus record had not, but I had work to do.

Nutrition was going well, had taped a GU gel to a water bottle for each of the 6.68km laps but was mindful not to drink too much water as was cool. Started to push a bit. Km’s 34-38 in 3:39, 3:41, 3:41, 3:39, 3:41. I could now see Gary ahead in the distance and this gave me more reason to fight hard and push on. Whilst he was ahead the records were his. I grew in confidence and pushed again. 3:38, 3:37, 3:37, 3:39 km splits reeling in and passing Gary and soon crossed the marathon finish line in 2 hrs 36. Just one and a bit laps to go. I suffered a bit from the push past Gary and my legs started to tire, a few slower kms 3:45, 3:45, 3:47 and the average pace on 3:43 still. I knew the record was going to be close.

The tougher part of the lap with the rougher surface, puddles and wind was now behind me and into the nice home straight with a final push, 49^th km in 3:40. I knew I needed to cross the lap/finish line in around 3:02:10 to give me 4 mins 10 to cover the final 1.12km (560m out and back). Over the line and the watch said 3 hrs 01 something, game on and a final sprint, legs getting heavy and heart pounding, glanced at my watch leading towards the u-turn and the pace was 3:25. The turn hurt but my legs responded and got back up to speed fairly quickly, glanced at the watch and pace was 3:19 and then again and its 3:12 ! head up, 100m to go and finally over the line in 3:05: 53 and had shaved 36 secs off the Aus record. Plus a huge 9 min PB.

I was spent, staggered around a bit and soon cheered Gary over the line. So glad to have something to show for my strong form this year. Celebrated with a non-alcoholic beer before the drive home. Sadly the morning soured though when I read the Whatsapp message that Trav had come off his bike and had a bad accident.

After the disappointment of the cancelled trip to London for the marathon, the record attempt was a welcome focus. Has been great having a coach for the first time in my 25 years of running, being accountable and motivated from believing in sessions and why you are doing them. Hats off to Gary for making me stronger without investing any more time, still an average of 100km a week. Huge thanks to Dave Criniti too for getting up at 4.30am to run with us on the day.

Very satisfying although always dreaming big and couldn’t help but reflect on whether I could have run 66 seconds quicker and nailed the world age group record………