Running Thread - Join our Strava Club!

[braddsey]

I did Ballarat last year and had a similar experience. You really need to keep with a pack or you're going to struggle once you're out of the township.

Great course through. Had a lot mates PB this year - really want to have a crack again in 2027 as it is quite flat and offers some really competitive pacing. Must be the second biggest marathon in Victoria.

Sunday after the run I said "never again". 2 days later I was wanting to have another crack at it next year! Really enjoyable event.

 

[Wetdog]

Not only was it broken once, but twice, second place also sub 2 hours and third broke the previous world record.

Imagine being told before the race that you would break the world record, only to then find out afterwards that two blokes ran sub 2hr and you only came third!

 

[darrenmorgan]

6 months for me since the Syd/Chicago marathon double last year and my running is a shitshow. Feels like I’ve never run before. A myriad of leg problems (calf, Achilles, hammy) plus general motivation and all that then feeds on itself and you lose more and more shape. Feel like im starting again now. Ran the 10k at Rotorua Mara this morning, mostly a trail run and so pretty tough course, but jeez it reminded me how far off I am from where I was only 6 months ago. Focus is now on Run Melbs Half, then a couple other halves after that (Taupo, Run the Maine) then hoping I get into Melb half in the ballot this week, so I can do the 10k and half double on the Sat/sun (already got a spot in the 10).
No fulls for me this year, I think my body is telling me something.

 

[Willo_]

Threw my hat into the ring for the ballot for Melbourne today, see how it goes but I am signed up for Geelong... and really not that interested.
Plan ideally get into Melbourne and then maybe just jog Geelong as my last long run, and happily stop for drinks, walk a bit, do recoveries etc and basically get through so the kids can see me finish and be happy with that.
Should I NOT get into Melbourne, I will be sniffing around for an entry during the transfer window I reckon.. so if anyone at any point will bail or not be able to compete there is someone here who will be keen

well....
Looks like i am doing 2 marathons in 3 weeks..
Got into Melbourne

 

[Wetdog]

well....
Looks like i am doing 2 marathons in 3 weeks..
Got into Melbourne

Congrats mate! I missed out!

 

[OneohtrixPointNever]

Yeh I also didn't get in - the competition must be huge. There's going to come a point where you'll need to apply for it or be an elite runner.

Going into the ballot for the Half Marathon. Hopefully that is more successful and tbh I'm keen to try doing the half - probably covers the better parts of the race.

I've signed up for Brighton Beach Marathon and have Traralgon half in June, with a 10k fun run in a few weeks. Been loving the threshold sessions. Nice change of pace from Marathon training - shorter long runs and a lot of race pace effort.

 

[Willo_]

I had a theory that it was all a scam to get people to pay for the VIR stuff and other ways to get in first, then most that applied in the ballot would get in as well.
Obviously not and I am just very lucky
I feel bad for anyone that missed out, the half will be worse you would think with the people that missed the full also having a crack at it

 

[Willo_]

Yeh I also didn't get in - the competition must be huge. There's going to come a point where you'll need to apply for it or be an elite runner.

Going into the ballot for the Half Marathon. Hopefully that is more successful and tbh I'm keen to try doing the half - probably covers the better parts of the race.

I've signed up for Brighton Beach Marathon and have Traralgon half in June, with a 10k fun run in a few weeks. Been loving the threshold sessions. Nice change of pace from Marathon training - shorter long runs and a lot of race pace effort.

hopefully you get that half bib! I personally reckon the course for the half is really good and perfect to bang out a quick one. A few friends of mine have thrown their hat in the ring for it, so i hope everyone i have spoken to gets in!

 

[OneohtrixPointNever]

hopefully you get that half bib! I personally reckon the course for the half is really good and perfect to bang out a quick one. A few friends of mine have thrown their hat in the ring for it, so i hope everyone i have spoken to gets in!

It's always touch and go! Bit hard to plan for the race when you've got no idea if and when you're going to be a part of it. I remember getting a last minute allocation in August for Melbourne 2024.

There's a few regional marathons at the end of the year I might try to get into.

 

[Wetdog]

It's always touch and go! Bit hard to plan for the race when you've got no idea if and when you're going to be a part of it. I remember getting a last minute allocation in August for Melbourne 2024.

There's a few regional marathons at the end of the year I might try to get into.

Which regional marathons are you considering? I’m also on the look out for a race, preferably before it gets too hot.

 

[OneohtrixPointNever]

Which regional marathons are you considering? I’m also on the look out for a race, preferably before it gets too hot.

Geelong is in September - considering that. There's one in Hallora (Warrugal?) on December 6th I'm tossing up.

Could go a different track and do a trail run in Mt Macedon in October. There's a few different options there including a 50k ultra.

Ultimately I think two marathons a year is enough but I get the itch and don't want to wait until April next year to do another one, unless I get the opportunity to run overseas.

 

[Running_Lifter86]

It's always touch and go! Bit hard to plan for the race when you've got no idea if and when you're going to be a part of it. I remember getting a last minute allocation in August for Melbourne 2024.

There's a few regional marathons at the end of the year I might try to get into.

I have definitely started looking at smaller local runs. I might do the Berwick half marathon, $70 entry and 50 mins from home. They might only have a 150 runners all up.

 

[OneohtrixPointNever]

I have definitely started looking at smaller local runs. I might do the Berwick half marathon, $70 entry and 50 mins from home. They might only have a 150 runners all up.

Yeh i had a look at that but it's a pretty boring course - think 4 or 5 laps? Did something similar for the Bendigo fun run and it felt really monotonous.

 

[OneohtrixPointNever]

My schedule is:

May 17th - Run for Memory 10k fun run
June 14th - Traralgon Half
August 28th - Brighton Beach Marathon
October 13th - (Melbourne Half?)

First year I've focused on periodisation. Started the year doing up to 150km weeks but ended up with shin splints and probably negatively affected my performance in other races,

Concentrating on properly hitting faster sessions and I'm noticing some quick gains in particular with my threshold work. Adding on a km or two extra if I'm feeling good.

 

[Running_Lifter86]

Yeh i had a look at that but it's a pretty boring course - think 4 or 5 laps? Did something similar for the Bendigo fun run and it felt really monotonous.

Yeah 4 x 5.5km laps, probably the trade off from smaller/local runs....this one is flat so could lend itself to a quick run (spring winds pending)

 

[darrenmorgan]

My schedule is:

May 17th - Run for Memory 10k fun run
June 14th - Traralgon Half
August 28th - Brighton Beach Marathon
October 13th - (Melbourne Half?)

First year I've focused on periodisation. Started the year doing up to 150km weeks but ended up with shin splints and probably negatively affected my performance in other races,

Concentrating on properly hitting faster sessions and I'm noticing some quick gains in particular with my threshold work. Adding on a km or two extra if I'm feeling good.

rest of my year currently is:

• June - Brisbane 10k
• July - Run Melbourne half
• August - Taupo half, Mt Maunganui 10k
• Sept - Run the Maine half (mostly trail run)
• Oct - hoping to do Melbourne double, 10k and Half (entered in second chance ballot for the Half)
• Nov - a half somewhere in the States, location TBC

that's if i can shake this Achilles tendonitis which has plagued me this year. Ran in Rotorua last weekend (10k only) and its flared up to the point I cant run again this week. Have already had to cancel planned runs in Ballarat and Run for the Kids this year. Extremely frustrating, its amazing how negatively it affects mental state and motivation etc. when we can't run

 

[OneohtrixPointNever]

rest of my year currently is:

• June - Brisbane 10k
• July - Run Melbourne half
• August - Taupo half, Mt Maunganui 10k
• Sept - Run the Maine half (mostly trail run)
• Oct - hoping to do Melbourne double, 10k and Half (entered in second chance ballot for the Half)
• Nov - a half somewhere in the States, location TBC

that's if i can shake this Achilles tendonitis which has plagued me this year. Ran in Rotorua last weekend (10k only) and its flared up to the point I cant run again this week. Have already had to cancel planned runs in Ballarat and Run for the Kids this year. Extremely frustrating, its amazing how negatively it affects mental state and motivation etc. when we can't run

Run The Maine is a possibility for me too.

I've run from Castlemaine to Maldon up and back before and the changes in elevation are pretty insane. Looks like this course cuts through a field but that's a tough run! Would be running for a place moreso than a PR.

 

[darrenmorgan]

Run The Maine is a possibility for me too.

I've run from Castlemaine to Maldon up and back before and the changes in elevation are pretty insane. Looks like this course cuts through a field but that's a tough run! Would be running for a place moreso than a PR.

I did it a few years back, follows the rail
Lime mostly on old fire trails. Lots of hills and uneven surfaces, with a Flat stretch in the middle through Muckleford. They steam train you up from Castlemaine up to the start at Maldon station, which is pretty cool.

 

[darrenmorgan]

well, missed out on the Melbs half second chance ballot the popularity of this event has just gone gangbusters in the past 2 years. might be worth them considering having an amount of spots set aside for local runners (or runners who have run the event 5+ times etc) like some of the bigger US marathons do. does anyone know the approx. field size for the events this year?

 

[Wetdog]

well, missed out on the Melbs half second chance ballot the popularity of this event has just gone gangbusters in the past 2 years. might be worth them considering having an amount of spots set aside for local runners (or runners who have run the event 5+ times etc) like some of the bigger US marathons do. does anyone know the approx. field size for the events this year?

They should do 2 things to increase the number of spots.

1. The 10km and Half should be on Saturday. The Marathon standalone on Sunday.

2. The time limits should be shortened. Cut off 2:30 for Half and 5:00 for Marathon. This will reduce the number of applicants who intend to walk/run. It’s a run. Not a walk.

They can then reduce the road closure time on Sunday and switch that time to Saturday meaning less disruption for the city.

 

[OneohtrixPointNever]

I missed both the full and half too.

Signed up for the 10k but tbh probably for the best after running Brighton 6 weeks prior.

Next half is in 3 weeks and then it’s back to full marathon training.

 

[Willo_]

far out I must have been so so so lucky with getting in via the ballot, i don't htink i have heard of a single other success story in the half or full.

 

[OneohtrixPointNever]

far out I must have been so so so lucky with getting in via the ballot, i don't htink i have heard of a single other success story in the half or full.

They need to move to a nomination-based system.

As harsh as it is, too many just want to complete a marathon so lots of decent runners miss out.

That’s probably the future of running in general tbh.

 

[Running_Lifter86]

They need to move to a nomination-based system.

As harsh as it is, too many just want to complete a marathon so lots of decent runners miss out.

That’s probably the future of running in general tbh.

I believe the London Marathon is now doing a marathon on both Saturday and Sunday, but i don't they have announced how they will determine on what way to divide the runners.

 

[darrenmorgan]

I believe the London Marathon is now doing a marathon on both Saturday and Sunday, but i don't they have announced how they will determine on what way to divide the runners.

as i understand it, if that goes ahead over 2 days next year it would only be as a one off. they had 1.3 million registrations - they don't charge anything to register for London ballot - they really need a refundable registration fee, would at least make some people think a bit more carefully. i think I've missed out close to 10 years straight now.