The Dragon Runner

Sri Chinmoy Track Marathon

20 Jul 2019

15 June 2019 - 8hrs 5min 17sec

I entered this event last year with no training to make up the numbers & to see how far I could actually run. When I got to the halfway point I withdrew, but in the year since I have been wanting to try again. I'm still not training like a marathon runner should, but I am far better prepared this year.

Way back on 3 April I posted my "Reflections on Motivation & Planning" & following my success at the Western Sydney Half Marathon I committed to another step in my plan by entering the 42.2km marathon event at the Sri Chinmoy 24 Hour Track Race.

My event selection was very deliberate - the time limit I effectively had was 22 hours. Offsetting this benefit to me is the nature of the course which gets very repetitive when faced with 102 laps of a 414 metre loop in lane 3 of an athletic track.

Lapped events like this have other benefits & drawbacks to be managed along the way. Every lap you pass the aid table with food & drink available so there is no need to carry any supplies with you. Every lap you also pass your own camp where the chair beckons relentlessly.

I am lucky that I know quite a few of the other runners & spectators at this event so there is a lot of support & encouragement for me. Even so, and following on from my experiences at Western Sydney Half Marathon two weeks before I set no time goals here. My plan from the start of the race was to run 600m & walk 400m, with the ratios to be adjusted throughout the race as exhaustion began to set in.

Before the day I had realised that my knees were still beat up from the half marathon so I debuted new supports on each knee & this extra bit of help got me moving again. I had but a single goal to focus on - the finish line.

The event got under way with clear blue skies & a warmer day than what I remembered from last year. I soon realised that my bucket hat was needed to keep the sun off my head - the first time I've ever worn such a hat in an event. It's lucky that at my pace the use of brand new equipment in goal races can sometimes be okay.

Each time a passed the aid station I alternated between a drink or a piece of fruit to ensure I remained hydrated & had enough energy to keep marching forward. Later in the race I began to add in some less healthy options such as potato chips (salt) & chocolate (sugar) as my body demanded these extras. I was also nibbling on jelly snakes throughout the day instead of using any gels.

After 10km I was really beginning to notice the tiredness in my legs, but I was not suffering from any knee pain as the new supports were multi-adjustable & I was able to tweak the settings as I went. The laps kept ticking off as I marched ever closer. Passing beyond 25km I realised that I had only covered such a distance on six times before in my life - it really is a leap into the unknown for me in many respects.

My experience in these long events is growing but I am very much a novice competitor. I had both Cathie Wiltshire & Penny Redfern talking to me regularly throughout the event. They made sure I was comfortable & was eating & drinking enough. This is amazing support as both were already busy crewing & volunteering.

My lack of experience really showed late in the race when I was struggling in the last 10km with fatigue. I can remember not being able to express how I felt or what I thought I needed at that time. I was vague & a little bit light headed at times so I am again eternally grateful that Cathie sat me down in her tent, gave me Gatorade & got me moving again 5 minutes later. Cathie has previously helped my hugely at the CBR48 & Narrabeen Allnighter events.

The sun had set & a light rain shower had wet the field before I finally made it through the final lap. I was cold & damp before receiving a huge surprise immediately after finishing - I was presented with a trophy for finishing in 7th place in the Open Male category. (Yes, there were only 7 of us but I'll take it. My first ever marathon trophy!)

The assistance to me continued well into the night with Bob Fickel taking over driving duties to get us home & Anni Fickel serving dinner for my son & I when we got home. Thank you!!

PS. Bob finished well before me, was 3rd in his age group, but did not get a trophy as they only gave first & second in age awards. It's another thing for us to joke about over a cold beer, but somehow I just know Bob's Westfield Sydney to Melbourne medal trumps all others!

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