Run Melbourne is a sentimental favourite for me as this was the first event I ran, back in 2013 when I was a middle-aged bloke just trying to get fit! Way back then I ran the 5km with Joel and Em; happy to get to the finish line in a bit over 26 minutes. In 2014 I stepped up to the 10km (46:53) then 2015 it was the half marathon and a pretty pleasing time (1:39:46) as I was in training for the Melbourne Marathon (my first marathon) later that year.
Today I was back for another crack at the HM and looking forward to a new route through Melbourne. With a start time of 7am, I was up early (4:30am) for a feed - a couple of wholemeal crumpets with jam and Nutella and a strong black coffee with some glucose. A quick hot shower to wake me up a bit more, then a banana and an Up&Go at around 5am.
Kerryn (bless her) crawled out of bed and drove me into the city, dropping me off at 6am. It was dark and cold (5oC) so I was glad I had decided to wear an old fleece windcheater, as a throw-away at the start line (there were donation bins beside the start shute), but I did question my decision to go with shorts rather than leggings in the predawn chill.
The start was on Flinders St this year, just west of Elizabeth St, which was easy to access from the bag drop at Fed Square. Despite the morning chill it didn't take long to warm up, as we headed off to run a loop around Docklands. This was great and as we ran past the Polly Woodside with the sun rising over the city, I was filled with a sense of joy - how great is it to be able to run!!
Sun out and blue skies - I was glad I went with the shorts and long sleeve top combination, as we ran through the Alexandra Gardens and turned down St Kilda Rd.
The course had quite a few turnaround loop backs - in the Botanical Gardens, Alexandra Ave and Batman Ave. I took water and electrolytes at each drink station, and while I carried a gel on my waistbelt I didn't use it.
I ran at a good pace throughout the race and, while I didn't use headphones, there were some nice periods of flow. Within the last 5km I knew I was a chance to PR so kicked hard for last few kms. The climb up Wellington Pde was an effort but I keep at, as I knew there was a downhill in the run home, along Batman Ave and into Birrarung Marr to nail a new PR 1:37:45, improving my HM best by 2 minutes!!
PS: lesson learned in the post race refuel as I felt pretty uncomfortable in the guts until mid afternoon due to hunger pains.
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