2012 Canberra Marathon

[c2105026]

Hello all,

Just thought I'd share my experience with the Marathon I did yesterday.

Was freezing to start with, gun went off at 7 am, by end of first 1-2km my knee was already playing up. Going into Parliamentary tringle I knew it was not going to be a pleasant day....by 6km going around parliament house was already looking for suitable road camber to lessen strain on joint. Going past the first 10.5km turnaround for 2nd lap I was in noticeable pain, gave dad the thumbs down as I passed him (our sign language as how I felt). By 16km was having issues with starting again after stopping for a water break (knee was locking up).

By 25km had hit my wall, the knee cause a shortened gait which slowed me up and used more energy (was expecting a 30km wall), and as the 4:00 pace group passed me at 28-29km ripped off my pace band, now focusing on 4:13 race time (i.e. 6:00/km average) then at 32.7km at water station I could not get going after stopping for water. Was in agony. Seriously thought about pulling out. Sat down in gutter on parkes way contemplating this as I openly wept. At the motivation of marshals, and other competitors I got up and started limping. Limp became a hobble, hobble became a walk, walk became a jog. I was alive again! Resolved not to stop for fluids anymore.

By 36km had slowed up further, now getting along at 6:20/km pace. 37, 38, 39. Kms ticked by slower and slower, was tortorous. Round bend for final slog up towards finish line. Finished in 4:11:19. (all without supernatural intervention LOL!)

Had emotional breakdown afterwards, compintation of pain, exhilaration and disappointment. Depleted glycogen stores did not help neither.

Am now stopping running for 4 weeks to get ITB to heal itself; if this can happen will have a crack at sydney marathon.

[the_gelf]

Touching story, thank you so much for sharing. Hope you can find a way to address your knee issue. You deserve to be proud of your achievement and your mental fortuity.

[Logic]

Job well done Cnumbers!


i sent this from my iPad

[Logic please]

Bloody good job cnums, thanks for letting us know.

[c2105026]

Well have bitten the bullet and entered the 2012 Sydney Marathon, 16 September.

[the_gelf]

Originally Posted by c2105026

Well have bitten the bullet and entered the 2012 Sydney Marathon, 16 September.

Well done, lots of time to prepare. Be easy on yourself

[cyclist]

Fucking good effort mate!

Well done and take it easy and get that knee healed properly before hitting the training again.

James

[Mjt]

Awesome effort c# you should be proud

[c2105026]

Well, just to update....

In everyday usage knee is basically fine. Doing strengthening exercises on my glutes and hip abductors every day. Started going for short jogs; Illio-Tibial Band Syndrome playing up still but had improved from 200m to 1400m of discomfort free jogging. Was cross training heaps. Saw doctor last friday, he advised to take 2 weeks off all running, cycling, aerobics, elliptical training to get full benefits of anti-inflammatories, so am just walking 4km or so a day.

Have pulled out of sydney marathon but have entered the half marathon that is run at the same time and uses the scenic half of the course. Have been accepted as an official Charity entrant for camp quality for city to surf; this means I am out in front of green group; these guys held me up a bit last year and cost me a PB.....