Mark's run in the Gold Coast Maration

I love this race report of Mark's first ever marathon - it sounds like a blinder! I had to reprint it here:

It pissed down with rain all day Saturday - and there was major winds blowing. Was thinking that I don't mind the rain - in fact quite like - but that the wind was going to be a problem.

However, race day Sunday was perfect - slightly overcast but dry and no wind. Got there on time - was about a 2-3 km walk from the hotel so nice stretch beforehand. I don't know how many started but I'm guessing around 5,000 (there was a total of 20,000 altogether for all events). Got a place about midfield which was probably a bit too far back - was 1-2 min before I crossed line after the gun went off.

First 20km was v.easy - went slowly and enjoyed the day - kept my pulse 148-151 range; had no idea how fast (or slow) I was going as am still using my watch that just gives heart rate! There were 5km timing mats - and after a few of these I figured I appeared to be right on 5km pace with almost nothing to spare.

Also after only 10km realised that I was going to need to pee soon. Lasted out for another 10km and thought I'll never be able to last another 20km after that - so dived into gents I'd noticed on run out. Amazingly was packed with about 10 other runners but glad I went as 30s or later I was feeling a hell of lot more comfortable. Realised that I now needed to go a bit faster. Was thinking of your experience throughout this!

Had to re-overtake all the runners I'd spent the last 30 min overtaking - including a guy who seemed to be dragging his right foot out in a huge effort every time he took a stride - and wondered was he fast or was I slow.

A guy in green t-shirt came alongside - and race was on for the 20->25km split. We seemed to match each other stride for stride - and at the end of that 5km stretch I did way below 24min rather than the 25 min I'd been doing earlier. I also realised that was too fast...

Slowed down to usual running pace again - although tried to keep heart rate in the 150's given that I 'only' had 17km to go (although mentally i had shortened to 15km and somehow forgotten about the other 2.2 at the end).

About this time we returned to starting point having copleted southern loop and now comenced the northern loop. Thousands of supporters cheering which was great to hear. No sign of Caroline and the girls - but knew they were out there someway. Course now stretched away from start again and field was definitiely thinning out. Took my 2 gu's that I'd been carrying the whole time and drank a couple of sips of water on the run - still haven;t figured out how to do that.

At about the turn around point for the northern loop 35km in - I finally saw and overtook the 3:30hr pacer. He had a big sign and a few runners beside hime - also saw some of the other pacers coming back.

Definitely found the 35-40km stretch the hardest and could feel myself slowing down and was no longer an effort to keep my heart rate in the 150's. About 3km from the end, the 3:30km pacer came racing past me shouting that there was far to go and we had make a surge. The group then shot past - either he hugely picked up the pace or I had slowed right down. Either way - I sped up to keep up with him. Last 2 km was at speed - and last 200m was virtually a sprint.

Saw Caroline and the girls 100m from the finish - and came in just on the shoulder of the pacer who had pretty much dropped everyone else way behind. Gun time was 3:30:02 - so he was right on the button for him. My net time was 3:28:30. I would never have covered the last 3km that fast without the pacer.

Have to admit felt quite tired after the race - and downed about 3 bottles of water - definitely need to figure out how to drink more during the race especially in the later stages.

Highly recommend the course - absolutely flat and quite scenic. Great location.

We then spent next few days enjoying theme parks. Was great fun.

Cheers,
Mark