Marathon training seems on track

Today is a day of landmarks.

For me, on a personal basis.

Last year, i tried to do the Great Ocean Road International Marathon (Half), which was 23km at the scenic GOR in Melbourne. That i wrote about here. Then, i struggled after i hit 18km. The last 5km were tortuous, painful and entirely due to my lack of training. I know i had ‘hit the wall’. I started walking when i passed the official half-marathon mark, and only started jogging toward the end. Though i completed, i considered that a failure. But i left hungry, hungry for more of such endurance events.

This year, i purposed myself to attempt the impossible. I would be attempting the full marathon. Well technically, anything more than the official 42.195km is an ULTRA-marathon. So the 45km this year will not only be my first marathon, but a first attempt at ULTRA-marathon-ing. As i think about this audacity of mine, it reminds me of my reading around the surgical blogosphere. It seems i’m not the only one skipping grades.

So, what have i done so far in preparation for this?

Well back to today, i did a 23.42km in 2hr 10 min 22 sec. That works out to be 5:33 min per km. Which i think is pretty good. My first half (11.71km) was done in 64min and the next in 66min. Which i’m personally pleased about because just on March 21, i did a 64:48min. I’ve not only shaved 48 precious seconds, but didn’t drop the pace that much. The weather today was perfect. After i did the first 3 rounds, i know i was onto something good. I actually felt i could go another 5.8km, but it turned out not to be so. There is work to do. My arms turned numb at the end of my 23km attempt. Good thing was, i didn’t stop. Well, not exactly… I stopped 3 times to drink. These were the simulated drink stations at my home, where i placed a bottle of Powerade for myself to take a sip each round.

The event is on May 18 Sunday, and i still got a bit to go. I want to do at least 2 35kms, before i go for the 45km. Wish me luck.

The next landmark is with regards to my personal life. It’s been a good 6 years since i started my r’ship with my significant other. This Sept will be the deadline of her scholarship application to a PhD program in Melbourne, so God willing, she will get it and be in Melbourne for the next 3 years. And hey, i still get to be a doctor before her. I have lined up some landmarks for proposal, marriage and kids, but i shall keep that a secret for now.