Australian Marathon Championships
A few months ago I was unsure of whether I wanted to train for a marathon again, maybe I was a little uninspired, and I was enjoying doing long runs whenever I felt like it. Then I found out that the Melbourne Marathon was hosting the Aust. Champs so I thought I would have a go to see if I could make the State Team. I also found out that IMG were sponsoring the event and that the top 3 of each sex would get race entry, $250 travel assistance, 2 nights accommodation, airport transfers, use of elite facilities.
I decided to put in the training see if I could achieve it. It meant getting up early doing morning runs which get you going and are great with all the birds singing, some dedication to make sure I train, along with consistent long runs and ensuring I trained twice some days. It was challenging sometimes to complete the long runs & do as much of the training I could. I also made the effort to do my stretching at some Bikram Yoga classes.
My preparation was not without a slight hiccup though as doing the Tour of Gawler I was accidentally tripped whilst racing causing a few bad grazes on my a few places so this meant a little bit of time recovering, but it could have easily have been worse so I guess I was fortunate.
As the marathon is a long way, 42.195km, you have make sure that your kit will be right for the full distance so you have to select shoes, energy gels, test out your race-day gear. So I trained in my racing flats to make sure they would last & practiced with my energy gels & got it all right before the big day.
It was good news to know that I had made the top 3, so it saved me alot getting all this assistance. So I was in the team with a couple of experienced runners, but rookie marathon runners.
It was interesting to check out the race expo which had a few products to try out & maybe use in the future. Especially to take advantage of some bargains aswell.
I had a very good weekend & was part of a team that achieved something that does not happen too often, because we tried hard when there was an opportunity. Something that surprised a lot of people & shows potential for SA yet. I managed a 2:47, something I did not have enough confidence to think was in me anymore. A good time although on a faster course than in 2007, but the weather was perfect, cool conditions, a little sun, and virtually no wind, which is handy when you run along the beach road. The unlikely team showed it was well selected with Dale Engler & Ryan Cox doing extremely well, Dale 2:24 became Aust champion, Ryan 2:25 4th very pleasing results for first-timers. To top it all off we got a teams Silver medal, meaning beating NSW, Qld, ACT, Tasmania and we had a great time & enjoyed ourselves at the after party. Being helped out as being in the elite field made it easier too. For those that are interested in the stats I hit the wall at 35km, as I went through halfway in 80 mins, which was a bit too fast then the last half took 86 mins. What a surprise to be part of team to come 2nd in a National Champs, so it was great to beat the other states. If I'm going to take part in the champs next October, I need to post a good time in a marathon in the 1st half of the year as the competition for the State team might be more competitive next year once people hear about what fun we had.
Remember to keep on having a go and to have some desire, commitment, !!
BELIEVE IT and ACHIEVE IT
Adam Zur Eich
