Monday
May262008
My Journey to the Canberra Marathon & SMH Half
Monday, May 26, 2008 at 06:40PM 
By: CPOMT Paul “two dogs” Baker – HMAS NEWCASTLE
My training & lead up to the 2008 SMH ½ Marathon wasn’t the best. 3-weeks from the event I almost pulled out, & 1-week from the event I was not expecting a great outcome. This was due to my running schedule for 2008, which started with 10km’s on 01 Jan 08. All my running efforts were towards my first (full) Marathon, being Canberra 13 Apr 08.
I only came good 1-week out from the SMH ½ Marathon, doing a 60km week. Apart from my Marathon fitness, I had no real preparation for the ½ marathon. I had committed to the race, & had many friends running, so I though, just turn up & have a ‘fun run’. Well the gun went off, and very surprisingly I felt great during the race. My pace was 4:25 / km. I finished the last 3-km’s feeling strong, finishing fast. Result - Gun-Time of 92:49, Net-Time of 92:14 = 559^th , and 111^th in the 35-39 age division.
This was a new Personal Best for the 21.1 km’s by 6-mins, my previous (& only) being the same event 2006 - 98:27.
It’s never too late to start running. I started running semi-seriously 3-years ago, which has varied greatly due to sea time.
I’m no running expert – but some tips;
1. Join ADRAA & NRA,
2. Just start running, with good quality shoes,
3. Purchase a good Heart Rate Monitor – motivational & get to know your body,
4. Find someone to do your long runs with, and
5. Join a social running club (close to home). Here are x2 great ‘fun’ clubs I run with.
Norths Joggers – Bears - http://www.runnorthsydney.com/ (running Balmoral for 40-years)
Northside Running Group - http://www.nrg.asn.au/
Being dedicated to running whilst posted to a ship is not easy. Being onboard HMAS NEWCASTLE during FFGUP has had advantages. NEWCASTLE’s Command actively promotes sport participation. The support command has afforded me with ‘sporties’, has to be acknowledged, and is greatly appreciated. You need this time & support to train for a Full or ½ Marathon.
I am already enrolled for the Gold Coast Marathon 06 Jul 08. Can’t wait to beat my previous time.
My training & lead up to the 2008 SMH ½ Marathon wasn’t the best. 3-weeks from the event I almost pulled out, & 1-week from the event I was not expecting a great outcome. This was due to my running schedule for 2008, which started with 10km’s on 01 Jan 08. All my running efforts were towards my first (full) Marathon, being Canberra 13 Apr 08.
The training for the Marathon equated to 15-weeks, 905 km’s, averaging 60km’s per week, with 4-weeks being 85 km’s. Being new to Marathon’s, my goal time was between 3:30 – 3:45. Well my training and numerous LONG runs must have been spot on, as I achieved a Gun-Time of 3:17:08, Net-Time of 3:16:51 = 182^nd , and 36^th in the 35-39 age division. I was ecstatic with this result. 3-weeks after the Marathon I hadn’t ran much due to an injury – Adductor Tendonosis, requiring physiotherapy. (With my above time, the injury didn’t bother me, and was/is still my first running injury).
I only came good 1-week out from the SMH ½ Marathon, doing a 60km week. Apart from my Marathon fitness, I had no real preparation for the ½ marathon. I had committed to the race, & had many friends running, so I though, just turn up & have a ‘fun run’. Well the gun went off, and very surprisingly I felt great during the race. My pace was 4:25 / km. I finished the last 3-km’s feeling strong, finishing fast. Result - Gun-Time of 92:49, Net-Time of 92:14 = 559^th , and 111^th in the 35-39 age division.
This was a new Personal Best for the 21.1 km’s by 6-mins, my previous (& only) being the same event 2006 - 98:27.
It’s never too late to start running. I started running semi-seriously 3-years ago, which has varied greatly due to sea time.
I’m no running expert – but some tips;
1. Join ADRAA & NRA,
2. Just start running, with good quality shoes,
3. Purchase a good Heart Rate Monitor – motivational & get to know your body,
4. Find someone to do your long runs with, and
5. Join a social running club (close to home). Here are x2 great ‘fun’ clubs I run with.
Norths Joggers – Bears - http://www.runnorthsydney.com/ (running Balmoral for 40-years)
Northside Running Group - http://www.nrg.asn.au/
Being dedicated to running whilst posted to a ship is not easy. Being onboard HMAS NEWCASTLE during FFGUP has had advantages. NEWCASTLE’s Command actively promotes sport participation. The support command has afforded me with ‘sporties’, has to be acknowledged, and is greatly appreciated. You need this time & support to train for a Full or ½ Marathon.
I am already enrolled for the Gold Coast Marathon 06 Jul 08. Can’t wait to beat my previous time.
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