2017 Blackmores Sydney Running Festival Marathon – Dave "Robbo" Robertson
Race Date: September 17th Results: 2017
Background
You might think it a bit unusual that a race report for the 2017 Sydney Marathon begins on the other side of the world in Paris, over 9 years earlier, but it sets the scene for what would become a prolonged journey towards achieving a prized running goal.
A month before making our debuts over the marathon distance, my wife Gabby and I flew across from our then home in Edinburgh, to Paris for the weekend to celebrate Gab’s birthday. By chance it was the same weekend as the Paris Marathon and needing a long run ourselves on the Sunday we kitted up and hit the streets to soak up the atmosphere.
Our very unplanned run saw us end up at the half way mark of the marathon where both a patisserie and a a Metro station were conveniently located. After refuelling with a coffee and a croissant we jumped on a Metro service headed back to where we were staying.
Sitting across was a big, burly bloke who spotted us in our running gear and started chatting. Turns out he was from Boston, had a connection with the Boston Marathon and was in town watching his son run the marathon.
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He was interested to know what we were training for and after explaining we were a month out from our first marathon, in Edinburgh, he asked pretty directly what I was aiming to run. I provided the answer that I was hoping to run under 3 hours.
After looking me up and down, and a brief pause he responded in his Bostonian accent, “Buddy you don’t look like a sub 3 marathoner, you look more like a rugby player!"
Turns out my Boston mate’s judgement was correct as a month later I crossed the Edinburgh Marathon finish line in 3:04:23. (1:29:19/1:35:04)
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Determined to make amends for previous attempts at the distance and hungry to upgrade the PB set in Sydney in 2010 of 3:01:05 (or 2:61), I threw more mileage and training hours at the preparation for this race than ever before - road Marathon number 10, Sydney Marathon number 5, 2017 Marathon number 3.
However unlike standing on the start line before a 5K or a 10K, you can never be quite as confident with the Marathon that good preparation is going to lead to a good result. Nonetheless I was feeling better than ever and ready to give it my best crack.
The plan was for Team Robbo to travel down to Sydney on Saturday morning and stay at a Hotel in the City. However our youngest daughter Emma had other plans as she had picked up a gastro bug late in the week and was setting household records for the amount of vomiting in a 24 hour period.
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Change of plan as I caught a lift down later in the day with Scott White and a car-load of runners from Newcastle, thankful that I didn’t seem to have picked up Emma’s gastro bug but feeling sorry for Gab and the girls who would miss their trip to the big smoke to watch the race.
We head to the Expo at Town Hall where we bump into Jordi Bates in the line and then find Andrew Lloyd at the Gu Energy stand to pick up my gel of choice for the race.
Then its time to find the Hotel, check in and relax for a while before getting the final carbohydrate-laden meal in at a nearby Italian restaurant. Back to the Hotel to prepare all the gear and watch a bit of footy before finally settling down around 9:30pm for hopefully a few solid hours of sleep.
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Pre-race
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I wake up before the alarm at around 4:45am, plenty of time before a 7:05am race start. Not the best sleep but also not the worst bagging about 6 hours. Shower and the all important visit to the toilet. The fuelling plan consists of a coffee, peanut butter toast, a banana and a couple of Beet-It shots. Still got some time to kill so end up having another shower before kitting up and heading out the door.
It’s only a 5min walk to Wynyard Station from the Hotel I’m staying at. I see plenty of other Marathon starters heading to the platform. We catch the train over the Harbour Bridge and spot the back end of the Half Marathon race which has already started, out the window.
Arrive at Milsons Point Station about 6:30am. Conditions are cool which I’m happy about, about 10 degrees C, and some light winds about. I go for an easy walk before heading to the start line. A couple of wees and a can of Red Bull in the final 20mins. No real warm up just a bit of bouncing around…I figure I’ll use the first 2.2km over the Bridge as the warm up.
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I say g’day to Becky from R4YL magazine and chat with a couple of the Officials. Quick fist bump with Kurt Fearnley before he sets off at 7am. I find myself on the front row of the grid. Not sure the East African and Japanese competitors beside me are too worried about being pushed by the bloke in the headband.
Just before we start a mate, Charlie, who I used to play cricket with in Edinburgh says g’day. He’s using it as a training run before he heads to Kona for the World Ironman Champs in a month.
’10 seconds to go…’ Bang! |
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Race
Excitement is high but I try and relax as we make our way up and over the Harbour Bridge. Charlie runs next to me and we have a bit of a chat while taking in the experience of running across this mighty landmark, free of traffic.
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As hoped, the early kilometres are coming out pretty easily. The first 5km pass in 20:21. There are plenty of runners around and supporters cheering from the sidelines. Life is good. Another 5km pass as the course heads out to Moore Park passing 10km outside the Sydney Cricket Ground. 20:25 for that 5K, 40:46 total.
Determined not to repeat the issues with cramping from many previous attempts at the Marathon, I am on the front foot early in terms of nutrition and hydration. With the help of the team at Compeat Nutrition I’ve been a lot more thorough with this and my general diet in the planning for the weeks leading up to race day and the race itself.
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This means that every 20mins (about 5km), at the aid stations, I am downing a cocktail of Lemonade Gu Roctane gel, 2-3 sodium capsules and whatever electrolyte drink I can manage to actually get to my mouth from the cup and swallow. It certainly breaks the rhythm a bit but its all part of the plan to better negotiate the final part of the race.
On the approach to Centennial Park I see Kurt heading the other way and offer him a cheer. Charlie is still running with me as we enter the park, before he peels off to go and run with another mate. I know there are about 10km to cover inside the park. Time to put the head down and keep the kilometres ticking over.
We pass through 15km. 20:27 for that 5km. Another aid station fuel up then a chance at one of the many 180 degree turns on course, to see fellow Newcastle Flyers Jordi Bates and Steve Gallagher who are running together only a few hundred metres behind.
The next few kilometres seem to take a while to pass (16, 17, 18, 19) and I’m now eager to get out of the park and reach the half way mark. I miss a cup at the 20km aid station which again alters the rhythm but am happy with another solid 5K split of 20:21.
Leaving Centennial Park through the Robertson Road gates I get a welcome cheer from Nat Heath and Rich Munro before getting to Half Way with the clock reading 1:26. Maybe a bit quick I think but the body and mind are holding up well and the next mission is to make to 30km where I’m sure to get a real test of how I’m travelling.
The downhill sections from Taylor Square to Hyde Park, and again from Hyde Park down to The Rocks are welcome, reflected by the split at 25km of 19:40. Although due to one of my feet starting to ache a bit I find I’m not completely comfortable letting myself go.
I had made a decision pretty late on in my training program (final 2 weeks) to race in a pair of Vibram Fivefingers. My last long training run in ‘normal shoes’ (Hoka Tracers) had seen an increase in discomfort in a spot under my right 3rd and 4th toes. A problem I had first noticed many years ago but had only started to change the way I ran in recent weeks. (look up ‘Morton’s Neuroma’). The foot and toes were not liking being squished into the toe box of the shoe but I found there was absolutely no pain running barefoot or in Fivefingers.
I’ve run a fair bit over the past 7-8 years either barefoot or in Fivefingers including over the Marathon distance, so my body and lower legs have been able to adjust. However from 25-30km onwards in this race, I was aware of the slowly increasing overall ache in both feet but I figured it was better than the nerve-type discomfort I’d previously experienced in the shoes and would just have to deal with it.
Passing through The Rocks is cool as the crowds are pretty strong and vocal but I’m aware that the number of runners around me has really dwindled. As we pass under the Harbour Bridge heading to Pyrmont along Hickson Road its suddenly very quiet.
Leaving Centennial Park through the Robertson Road gates I get a welcome cheer from Nat Heath and Rich Munro before getting to Half Way with the clock reading 1:26. Maybe a bit quick I think but the body and mind are holding up well and the next mission is to make to 30km where I’m sure to get a real test of how I’m travelling.
The downhill sections from Taylor Square to Hyde Park, and again from Hyde Park down to The Rocks are welcome, reflected by the split at 25km of 19:40. Although due to one of my feet starting to ache a bit I find I’m not completely comfortable letting myself go.
I had made a decision pretty late on in my training program (final 2 weeks) to race in a pair of Vibram Fivefingers. My last long training run in ‘normal shoes’ (Hoka Tracers) had seen an increase in discomfort in a spot under my right 3rd and 4th toes. A problem I had first noticed many years ago but had only started to change the way I ran in recent weeks. (look up ‘Morton’s Neuroma’). The foot and toes were not liking being squished into the toe box of the shoe but I found there was absolutely no pain running barefoot or in Fivefingers.
I’ve run a fair bit over the past 7-8 years either barefoot or in Fivefingers including over the Marathon distance, so my body and lower legs have been able to adjust. However from 25-30km onwards in this race, I was aware of the slowly increasing overall ache in both feet but I figured it was better than the nerve-type discomfort I’d previously experienced in the shoes and would just have to deal with it.
Passing through The Rocks is cool as the crowds are pretty strong and vocal but I’m aware that the number of runners around me has really dwindled. As we pass under the Harbour Bridge heading to Pyrmont along Hickson Road its suddenly very quiet.
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I’m looking down at the watch expecting to see the pace dropping a bit but instead I see 3:50 - 3:55 pace. I force myself to slow down. Maybe I’m in a rush to get to this 30km mark to find out how I’m feeling. A right hand turn at the Slip Inn and up onto the big concrete fly-over looking over Darling Harbour.
The 30km aid station appears after a solid kicker of a rise and we are into the Pyrmont section of the race. 20:27 for that 5km and the total time now reads 2:01:44. I do the Aid Station juggling act which this time includes filling up the 500ml soft flask of Tailwind I’ve carried so far taped to the back of my shorts. |
I see Jordi and behind him Steve again, on the out and back section of Pyrmont Bridge. They are both looking strong but like myself no doubt awaiting the big physical and mental challenges ahead.
I find it tough going through the streets of Pyrmont. Plenty of twists and turns and a couple of unfriendly little rises mean its difficult to establish the rhythm found earlier in the race. On the other hand, it might just be that the pace of the first 30km is starting to catch up with me. Or I just need to harden up a bit, roll up the sleeves and knuckle down.
Conditions still seem to be pretty good although I am noticing the warmth of the direct sun and take pleasure in running through some of the more shaded sections of the course.
Time wise I’m pretty much where I want to be and I feel like I’m right in the fight now. With 10km to go the splits are slowing a bit and I like many other Marathoners at the same point in a race catch myself starting to do the maths in my head to determine the minimum requirements to achieve their goal, in my case to break 3 hours, the primary goal of the race. 5min pace would get it done from here and I’m holding 4:15s.
Time wise I’m pretty much where I want to be and I feel like I’m right in the fight now. With 10km to go the splits are slowing a bit and I like many other Marathoners at the same point in a race catch myself starting to do the maths in my head to determine the minimum requirements to achieve their goal, in my case to break 3 hours, the primary goal of the race. 5min pace would get it done from here and I’m holding 4:15s.
The feet are still increasingly aching, with the rest of the body now joining in as we wind in and out of the piers along the water. The 35km mark finally appears with the last 5km split indeed slower, 21:35. My focus now is to hold it together to reach the ‘parkrun to go’ mark. 4:20s are now the norm as I make my way around Darling Harbour. I’m pumped to once again see Nat Heath who is shouting out support which provides a much needed lift.
Shortly after I finally I hit the 37km mark and say out aloud ‘1 parkrun to go!’ I start to visualise running the Newy parkrun course but when I only get 1km further I’m thinking ‘Shit, that’s still a fair way left to run!’ No more visualising, just keeping ticking along and bagging those metres and kilometres. I’m still doing the maths and calculate that 5min pace would get the sub-3 done from here.
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Back onto Hickson Road again briefly before we enter the Barangaroo section. I push on passing a few runners offering support which is gratefully reciprocated. Still managing 4:20 pace but its getting harder to sustain. Back onto Hickson Road and just before the 40km aid station I see a runner over on the left side of the road with one leg up on the gutter, stretching out a cramp. This is exactly where I cramped up in the 2010 race and I don’t even want to look at him for fear it might bring back those ghosts to haunt me. Whether it was this or whether it was just the previous 40km taking its toll, sure enough as i reach the 40km aid station my left hamstring starts saying hello, first just gently but then it threatens to go the whole hog. I stop to stretch and give it some preventative attention. I actually started laughing to myself at this point… thinking this can not be happening!
Anyway, luckily its short-lived and I get through the 40km mark (split 22:31). The money in the bank from earlier in the race should be enough to break 3 hours and with that knowledge I comforting me I probably started to ease off a bit, partly to keep the cramps at bay but also partly in premature celebration.
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Passing under the Harbour Bridge once again to look across the water at the final destination on the steps of the Opera House, I was cautious but still progressing ok. I had forgotten entirely about Jordi who was finishing strongly and making plenty of ground on me. After smiling for one of the cameramen I was taken from behind by surprise as Jordi whacked me between the shoulder blades with a good amount of force, yelling out ‘ROBBO!’
It was awesome to see him and it gave me a massive boost. I immediately thought ‘let’s get going’ and tried to pick up the pace and bring Jordi with me but unfortunately all this little move achieved was to spark up the cramp in my left hamstring which again needed some brief attention.
I was really laughing at myself now but also disappointed the body wouldn’t let me stick with Jordi for the final kilometre. It was a pretty ginger approach to the finish line spurred on by dozens of fellow members of the Region of Runners lining the course around Circular Quay, which at one point with a couple of hundred metres to go, brought a tear to the eye. |
Up the final ramp and onto the cobble-stone path leading to the finish chute. Pat Carroll is giving it his usual hi energy treatment on the mic and get myself up to go hard for the line. Only to be sniped down by the most intense left hamstring cramp of the day which took my breath away and produced with it a couple of choice swear words. There couldn’t have been 50 metres left to go.
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I considered rolling to the line if I had to but the hop strategy seemed to work ok and then with 10m left to run I could run again and it was a special moment to cross that finish line and fall into the outstretched arms of Jordi and begin the celebrations for both of us breaking through the elusive 3 hour mark for the first time!
FINISH TIME: 2:56:26 (1:26:00/1:30:26). 74th overall. 2nd Dave.
Aftermath
After sweaty hugs of happiness with Jordi, Reidy, Pete Higgins and Pete Davis around the finish area, there are more hugs and a few tears with Jordi’s family nearby. Jordi’s late wife Jen in our thoughts for the race and there’s no doubting just how proud she would be of Jordi.
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Its been a day of honouring another friend who is no longer with us, Benny Walton. It was a privilege to be a part of the ‘Brain Train’ team to #runforBenny and help raise funds for the Mark Hughes Foundation.
It was fantastic to see other members of the Brain Train out on course, including Ben’s wife Shelby, as well as on the steps of the Opera House after the race. I managed to bump into Mark Hughes himself who comments just how much he is once again blown away by the support from the Brain Train.
It was fantastic to see other members of the Brain Train out on course, including Ben’s wife Shelby, as well as on the steps of the Opera House after the race. I managed to bump into Mark Hughes himself who comments just how much he is once again blown away by the support from the Brain Train.
There is more time to soak up the buzz in the afterward where the t-shirt and medal are collected. I notice a solid layer of white salt coating my arms and on the shorts and singlet. I’m caught somewhere between wanting to drink, eat, vomit or lie down. The finish area of a Marathon is not a pretty sight. The rigours of the 42.2km journey taking its toll on all those around me as well.
Its great to catch up with 3 hour Pace Bus Driver Simon Wolnizer, happy that I didn’t require his services today.
Its great to catch up with 3 hour Pace Bus Driver Simon Wolnizer, happy that I didn’t require his services today.
Time for a quick post-race interview with Pete Davis Captain of the Sanitarium Wellbeings Run Against Violence team:
Then one last push for what seems like the biggest effort of the day… the approximately 1 kilometre walk from the Opera House back to the hotel. Finally I make it, stuffed but satisfied.
Huge thanks to my wife Gabby who has been an amazing support this year and there’s no way I would have been able to put in the time to prepare for this race without her. Also, for the feat of sitting on the couch nursing a vomiting child for the best part of 2 days, deserves the medal way more than I do!
Thanks also to the Newcastle Flyers, KART, Glenrock Dad’s Club for the company and support during the training sessions. Thanks also to Alicia from Compeat Nutrition.
Huge thanks to my wife Gabby who has been an amazing support this year and there’s no way I would have been able to put in the time to prepare for this race without her. Also, for the feat of sitting on the couch nursing a vomiting child for the best part of 2 days, deserves the medal way more than I do!
Thanks also to the Newcastle Flyers, KART, Glenrock Dad’s Club for the company and support during the training sessions. Thanks also to Alicia from Compeat Nutrition.
It’s great to have finally gotten the sub 3 hour marathon out of the system and I look forward to having another crack at the distance sometime, but maybe somewhere with a temperature no higher than 10 degrees for the entire race.
And to my mate from Boston on the Paris Metro all those years ago, thanks for the motivation to prove that this rugby player could do it!
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