chasing my shadow
Posted by Campbell on | May 20, 2007
This time two years ago I was in Apollo Bay on a Sunday morning feeling a bit seedy (boys weekend), watching the runners from the inaugral Great Ocean Road marathon cross the finish line. I had just starrted running occasionally and remember thinking how insane it seemed to run from Lorne to Apollo Bay.
Twelve months later I was down there again, completeing my first 1/2 marathon.
This year I was ready to attempt the full 45km.
We drop Ben and his bike in Torquay and head down to the Lorne caravan park. The weather’s a bit dodgy and I’m regretting my tight-arsedness in booking a tent site. Unfortunately the cabins are all booked so we’re stuck with it. And a sand bar has formed across the Erskine River so half of the caravan park is submerged- caravan park guy says he should charge us extra for the water frontage. Now all of this would have been fine had I not turned my back on the tent at a crucial moment. A gust of wind takes the tent. Simon gives chase but too late. My tent is sailing down the river. I strip off and swim after it while Simon grabs the video camera. Tent is saturated. We’re now faced with the prospect of sharing a small tent and quite possibly cooking breakfast in the rain on the morning of the run.
Ben arrives and we drive him down to Apollo Bay. Feel a bit intimidated driving the route of the run- it’s a long way and hiller than I remembered. Then like a gift from the gods the caravan park guy calls and says someone’s cancelled and we can have the cabin. Such a relief to have a kitchen and beds.
Sleep reasonably well and head down to the staring line after a big breakfast. After months of training and anticipation it’s great to hear the starter’s gun and get underway.
I settle into a bit of a rhythm and pull away a bit at the first couple of climbs around Cumberland River. It’s nice once the groups start to thin out a bit. Ultimately running is a solo event. Weather conditions are perfect- cool but not too cloudy or windy. It’s morning and we’re running west so I chase my shadow all the way as the road unwinds before me.
I stick to my plan and it seems to be working- don’t go out too hard at the beginning, but don’t cruise too much, then see how much I’ve got left after the big hill just after the 1/2 way mark at Kennett River. I take a couple of ‘power gels’ in the second half- there’s no magic surge of energy but if seems to help keep fuel in the tank. In the last 15km I’m feeling really sore across my hips but my legs are still going. Ben’s waiting with the camera on the outskirts of Apollo Bay and I pick up the pace a bit; a big cheer from Gary, Rachel and Penny who’ve done the 1/2 marathon carries me over the line.
Collapse in chair. Drink bottle of water. Stagger to table drink bottle of juice and eat banana. Limp to cafe for more water and jelly beans. Simon joins us- he finished 10 minutes ahead of me, improving on his time at last year’s Melbourne marathon- a very good effort as this is a much harder course. Limp to beach to wade in the cold water- don’t go in further than my knees for fear of being knocked over. Back to cafe where a big meal does wonders. Gary gives us a ride back to Lorne, Ben drives us home with a stop for chilli chips in Lorne and chocolate in Geelong. A spa and sauna at the local pool works wonders. Time for more food now.
Then bed.
3:30:31 (42km)
3:46:00 (45km)
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4 Responses to “chasing my shadow”
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May 21st, 2007 @ 8:05 pm
Top effort Campbell, Simon, Gary, Rachael and Stuart. I was totally inspired watching you all and will maybe give it a go myself next year. Maybe!
It is tough enough riding that route let along running it. I think it will take a while until what you have achived truly sinks in.
May 22nd, 2007 @ 4:36 pm
Well done! It’s quite an inspiration to me to do a bit more running.
Currently I think it’s hard enough driving that route, let alone riding… or running!
May 22nd, 2007 @ 8:50 pm
Thanks Marcus. Did you decide to enter the run to the G? It would be a good place to start I reckon.
October 7th, 2007 @ 8:47 pm
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