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Jonathon's Racing Attacks and Adventure Packs!

Amazing racing and training adventures on roads and mountainous/hilly TRAILS, freewaybikehike and triathlons. Dreams of a SIX FOOT 45km finish,(DONE 2011,2013,2014,2015!),then ULTRA-TRAIL AUSTRALIA (50km DONE 2016! 100km DONE 2018!!!), memorable Melbourne Marathon and Gold Coast racing. Over a decade dreaming of a SUB 3HR MARATHON, sub 18min 5k, sub 38min 10k, sub 90min Half marathon etc...(shattered? or still realistic?)

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Location: Perth, Western Australia, Australia


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42.2km SB; 2004; 3.55 2005; 4.02 2006; 4.18, 2007; 4.10 2008; 3.55
2009; 4.11 2010; 4.05 2011; 4.02 2012;3.49 2013; 4.12 ... 2014; ; 4.08 ...2015; 4.00
2016; 4.11 2018; 4.15 2019; 4.25 2020; 5.38 ... 2021; 5.44 ... 2022 DNF at 37km
More ongoing GOALS;
***PB's pursuit; 5k 21.49, 10k 41.01 21.1k 1.41, ...42.2k 3.49

MM and the G!...

In recent years I have been enjoying races like;
December; 6-INCH(46km offroad)2005;--6 hrs 25 min...
2006; 7hrs 04 min 2008; 7hrs 00min...2009; 6hrs 16min
...2010:--5hrs 49min..2011:---5hrs 30min..2013---7 hrs 24min... 2014--- 7 hrs 06min 2015--6hours 43min ...2016---6hours 41min... 2017--7hrs 3min?... 2018-7hrs ... 2020 8hrs 19 ... 2021 8hrs 51
October; Melbourne Marathon 2007; 4hr 10 . 2008 DNF at 23km..
2009 4hrs 11. 2010 4hrs 05min...2011;4hrs 02min...photos
2012; 3hrs 49min 52secs PB!... ..2013; 4.12 2014; 4.08 2015; 4.05... 2016; 4.53
Rottnest Marathon 2004; 4hr 32min ... 2013; 4hr 16min... 2019; 4hr 41min 59secs
August; City to Surf most years since 1997 see HERE for details,photos.
PERTH C2S PB's; 4K;17min 25 (2002) 12K;52min 52 (1997)
21.1K;1.54.20 (2007) 42.2K; 4.00.20 (2015) (2010 video..45secs into it)
Perth City to Surf Marathon finisher 2009,2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019.
June/July;
GOLD COAST; 2012 HALF; 1.44 2013 HALF; 1.47 2014 HALF 1.49
2015 4.11 ..., 2016 4.11..., 2019 4.25
PERTH Marathon(42.2km)
2004; 3hrs55min
2005;--4 hrs 02 min. 2006; 4hrs 18min 2007;4hrs 33
2008; 3hrs 55 2009; 4hrs 41min 2010; 4hrs 30min
2011; 4hrs 12min 2012; 4hrs 6min 2013; 4hrs 19min 2014 4hrs 48min 2018 4hrs 15min
2019; 4hrs 28min
2021 5hrs 44min
May; Ultra TRAIL AUSTRALIA;
2016 50km 9 hours 50min 956th
2017 100km DNF CP4 57km
2018 100km 24hrs 33min 15 913th
2019 100km DNF CP3 46km 2021 CP2 DNF (severe back injury)
April;TWO DECADES of Bridges racing; 1997; 43min 43 1998; 41min 01
1999; 47min 29 2000; 46min 47 2001; (5km) 30min 01 2002; (5km) 22min 48
2003; 42min 40 2004; 48min 50 2005; 44min 40 2006; 48min 07 2007; 49min 16
2008; 50min 42 2009; 49min 54 2010; 48min 39 2011; 52min 55 2012; 47min 02 2013; 54min 45 2014; 48min 47 2015; 49min 53 2016 52min 20
March;6 Foot Track 45km;
2011; 6.53 2013; 6.54 2014; 6.47
2015; 6.14!!! 2016 DNF


As of October 2022; 37 road marathons finished (Perth x14, Melbourne x9,Perth City to Surf x7 Gold Coast x3 Rottnest x3 SunsetCoast x1)
Have also finished 20+ ultra races; 6 inch 47km ultra finished 12 times, six foot 45km ultra 4 times, Ultra Trail Australia ultras 2 times, Truth 50km ultra once within cutoff (and once outside cutoff), Lark Hill 50km ultra, 6hour track race, 24hr track race.
Also completed the Bloated Goat 31km (1500m Vertical gain) 2 times which is similiar effort to a 46km ultra.
DNFs in UTA100km, WTF50miler, WAMC40miler race, Truth 50km, Six foot and 6 inch.
The first 3 DNFs were after covering more than 42km, and with Truth one was a 25km DNF and the first one I finished the full 50km but was 19minutes outside cutoff battling an ankle injury for 36km.
In road marathons 3 DNFs one at 23km in the 2008 Melbourne Marathon due to severe ankle injury in the first 1km, and PC2S @ 30km, also 2022 Perth Marathon at 37km too fat and slow

Most races October 2009-October2020; >
30/10/2020 50th John Gilmour 10,000m track race 58min
20/09/2020 XTR Sunset Coast Marathon (#36) 5.38
30/08/2020 Fat Lamb PTS 20km
02/08/2020 Perth Half Mara 2.04
11/07/2020 Jumbuck PTS 3.39
08/03/2020 Darlington Half Marathon 2.07
01/11/2019 John Gilmour 10,000m Track race 51min
06/10/2019 Perth Marathon 4hrs 28min. #13 see here
01/09/2019 Rotto Biddi 3hrs.09.44
25/08/2019 City 2 Surf Marathon 4hrs 48min
17/08/2019 TW Parkrun 5km 24.29 (5th)
3/08/2019 Truth 50km DNF (at 25km in 4hrs 26min)
28/07/2019 RunMelbourne Halfmarathon 2hr 03min
21/07/2019 Champion Lakes R2R Halfmarathon 1hr 55min (32nd)
7/07/2019 Gold Coast Marathon 4hrs 25min
16/06/2019 Rottnest Marathon 4hrs 42min
18/05/2019 Ultra Trail Australia 100km DNF at 46km (CP3) 8hrs 58min
17/03/2019 Fat Lamb 20km 3hr 29min 49th of 70
02/03/2019 Lark Hill 25km 3hr 54 (Night race forgot headlamp)
24/02/2019 Swissmurdie 2hr 35
09/02/2019 Busselton Half marathon 2.13 (Late start actually 2.05)
20/01/2019 Chi Gong 1hr 58 134th of 158 finishers
16/12/2018 6 inch 47km 7hrs (12th finish)
21/10/2018 Rottnest Half 2hr 03 min
16/09/2018 Fremantle Half 1hr 58min
04/07/2018 Truth 25km 3hrs 11min 55 (PTS)
24/06/2018 Eagle 22km 2hrxx(59min officially, but 43min on my watch as started late)
17/06/2018 Perth Marathon 4hrs 15min
19/05/2018 Ultra-Trail Australia 100km 24hrs 33min 15secs 913th of 964 finishers
218 withdrawals
03/03/2018 Lark Hill 50km
17/12/2017 6 inch 48km 7hrs
06/08/2017 Truth 50km 8hrs 22min 59
16/07/2017 Jolly Jumbuck 21km 2hr 54min (94th of 129)
02/07/2017 King of the Mountain 16km 1hr 41min
20/05/2017 Ultra-Trail AUSTRALIA 100km DNF (at 58km and 10hours 38min)
26/03/2017 Bloated Goat 30km 5hr 18min
18/12/2016 6 inch 48km 6hrs 41min
16/10/2016 Melbourne Marathon 4hours 53min
25/09/2016 WTF 50 miler DNF at 55km
14/08/2016 Truth 50km DNF at 25km
3/07/2016 Gold Coast Marathon 4.11
14/05/2016 Ultra Trail Australia 50km 9 hours 50min
3/4/2016 My 20th consecutive Bridges fun run 10km 52.20 (hammy strain)
12/3/2016 Six Foot Track DNF at 30km 5 hours.
---------------------- 20/12/2015 6 inch 47km 6 hours 43min
15/11/15 Bloated Goat 30km Trails race (1600m Vert) 5hrs 43min
18/10/15 Melbourne Marathon 4.05
13/09/15 Fremantle 10km 47min 22
30/08/15 Perth City to Surf Marathon 4 hours 00min 20 secs.
05/07/15 GCM 4.11
24/05/15 R4R Half Marathon 1hr 46min 13secs
12/04/15 Bridges 10km 49min 53secs.
04/04/15 Perth Trail Series Truth & Consequences 50km ULTRA 8hours 49min
14/03/15 Six Foot Track 45km 6hrs 14min 11secs Smashing PB!!! (32min)
21/12/14 6 inch Trail 47km 7hrs 06min 30secs
12/10/14 Melbourne Marathon 4hrs 8min (8th fastest marathon in 25 finished)
14/09/14 Fremantle 10km 49min 26 (first K 3.47 5k split 23.02)
31/08/14 Perth City to Surf 42.2k 4hrs 34min
06/07/14 Gold Coast Half Marathon 1.49
15/06/14 Perth Marathon 4.48
01/06/14 Elleker Half Marathon 1.59.
21/04/14 40 miler DNF (28miles)
06/04/14 18th Bridges 10km 48min 47secs...since 1997
08/03/14 6 Foot Track 45km 6hrs 47min 02. (824th) A PB!!! :-)
09/02/14 Snakes and Ladders 15km 2.05
15/12/13 6 inch Trail Ultra 7.24
27/10/13 Rottnest Marathon 4.16.41
13/10/13 Melbourne Marathon 4.12.55
25/08/13 Perth City to Surf Marathon 4.13.28
11/08/13 Perth Half Marathon 1.54.05
28/07/13 Fremantle 10km 50.06 (very sick but first 1k in 3.55)
07/07/13 Gold Coast Half Marathon 1.47.29

16/06/13 Perth Marathon 4hrs 19min 55secs
My 10th consecutive Perth Marathon...Click to see -> how I became a SPARTAN...

19/05/13 Joondalup Half Marathon 1hr 58min 26secs 310th of 495.
07/04/13 Bridges 10km 54min 45seconds.
09/03/13 6 Foot Track 45km 6 hours 54 minutes 20 seconds. 740th of 804...blog post or ...photos! page.

24/02/13 Perth Trail Series Qi Gong 14km 1hr 37min 04 Placed 79th of 117 finishers.
09/02/13 Busselton Half Marathon 1hr 51min 58 secs 219th. full Busso results here
02/11/12 John Gilmour 10k track 47.17 ..see here
14/10/12 Melbourne Marathon 3hrs 49min 52secs ..(777.)
16/09/12 Fremantle 10km 47min 16
26/08/12 City to Surf Marathon 4hrs 42min 41 secs
15/07/12 Lake Joondalup 10km 47min 30.
01/07/12 Gold Coast Half Marathon 1hr 44min 49 secs. 1668th of 9035 finishers

17/06/12 Perth Marathon 4hrs 6min .. (post and photos here)
20/05/12 Joondalup Half Marathon 1hr 47min 01secs. (151st of 313 finishers)
15/05/12 Masters 5000m 21min 58secs
13/05/12 Bunbury Half Marathon 1hr 46min 45 secs. (76th of 240 finishers)
22/04/12 PTS Ellis Brook 21.8km trails race 3hrs 12min 28secs. 39th.
01/04/12 Bridges 10km 47min 02
25/03/12 17.3km (690m ascent) Swissmurdie trails race 2hrs 19min 17secs 54th of 60.
20/03/12 MastersWA 1500m in 5.56, 100m in 14.3, 400m in 76.4, 5000m in 23.33.
26/02/12 WAMC Swan Twilight 5km 24.32
26/02/12 Perth Trail Series Qi Gong 14km 1hr 44min 08 secs 70th of 102.
04/02/12 Busselton Half Marathon in 1hr 49min 31 secs.
18/12/11 6 inch 46km 5hrs 30min PB!
09/10/11 Melbourne Marathon in 4hours 02minutes 49secs...photos...

12/09/11 Fremantle 10km in 45minutes 50 secs.
7/8/11 Perth Half Marathon in 1hr 47min 46 secs.
17/7/11 Lake Joondalup 10km in 46min 33secs.
19/6/11 Perth Marathon in 4 hours 12min 54secs (351st of 547.)
12/6/11 Lake Monger 10km in 48min 09secs
22/5/11 Bunbury Half Marathon 1hr 51min 44secs 109th of 261 finishers
10/4/11 Bridges 10km 52min 55
12/3/11 6 foot 45km in 6hrs 53min 07 secs...819th...of 877...33 DNF's...4 outside 7hr cutoffRace Report and race photosPre & post race photos,initial ELATION
Note; Completing 6 foot is a major goal achieved which I have had in mind since 2005!!!!!!!

4/3/11 3000m in 12min 40 (19th of 19 finishers)Momentum building a little,sub 13 done! :-)
18/2/11 5000m in 23min 31 (20th of 20 finishers...4 DNF's)..results
5/2/2011 21.1km Busselton Half in 1hr 51min 41 secs for 124th of 218 finishers.
19/12/10 46km 6 inch trails race in 5hr 49min (63rd of 79 finishers)
10/12/10 5000m in 22.43 18th of 18!
5/11/10 John Gilmour 10,000m in 47min 36. (23rd of 31)
10/10/10 Melbourne Marathon 4hrs 5min...2895th of 5027 finishers...
12/9/10 Fremantle 10km in 46min 53...a big SB and my best time since 2005!
29/8/10; 42.2km in 4hrs 15min for 537th of 830 finishers...my 6th best of 12 M. finishes.
19/8/10; 5000m in 22min 06.0 secs (SB by 0.6 of a second, & Stan did a SB also that night)
22/7/10; 5000m in 22min 06.6 secs. (SB and 17secs off my track PB)
20/6/10 Perth Marathon in 4.30.
13/5/10; Masters 2000m 7.55 (first sub 8min run since 2005) & 5,000m 22.42
22/4/10; Masters 800m 2.46 & 5,000m 22.29!~(2nd best ever track 5,000m, track PB is 21.49,)
3/4/10; Australian Masters 35-39yrs; 4th in 1500m 5min 34secs. see here...
28/3/10; Bridges 10km in 48min 39secs. 388th of 1646
25/3/10; 300m in 47.6, 600m in 1.57.0 100m in 14.6
18/3/10; Masters 1500m in 6.03 & 10,000m in 49min 35
28/2/10; 4th place in 6 hour Track Race at Coker Park; 45.003km
6/2/10; Busselton 21.1km in 1hr 52min 50 secs
20/12/09;6 inch 46km 6hrs 16min
15/11/09; Peninsula 5km 22min 5225th of 73.
6/11/09; John Gilmour 10km 48min 39
11/10/09; Melbourne Marathon 4hrs 11 min 33 secs
4/10/09; Freo funrun 5km in 22min 53 secs
... ...
2011; 5hrs 30min 6 inchPB!! 2012; 3hrs 49min PB(Melbourne Marathon)!!2014; 6hrs 47min PB! @ 6 foot!

The next big things racing wise maybe;


6 inch 47km
on 20th December @ 0430hrs, countdown (activated a few days before?) is;


Kathryn and I welcomed our daughter K into the world May 2015 A.D.!

Kathryn and I welcomed our daughter J into the world June 2010 A.D.!
Kathryn and I welcomed our son J into the world in late July 2007 A.D.!
Our challenge is to be good parents with the Creator Gods help!



... 2004 ...2005 ...2006 ...2007... >...2008...2009...2010 ...2011... 2012.

but for the most important thing in life;
there is only 2 ways to live!...Bible Gateway...

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Return to Rottnest Marathon 16min faster

...
No signal for 1st K so the 3.44 I did to pace Kevin and Dave is not on the garmin, and had to stop there for a minute or two to get signal, so had to run a bit extra at the end of the marathon to get the 42.2k on the garmin so I could complete the October marathon challenge on strava. Had enough battery life charge to go the distance this time. Weather good, slight headwind early on and a bit warm towards the end in the direct sunlight, but no major crosswinds on the causeway so overall very good weather. Biggest hassle was the midgies/mosquito swarms near Bulldozer swamp on all 4 laps, which we had to run through, that was annoying. Had a bit of a go at chasing the 3.49 PB early on, and got through halfway in about 1.54, but the hills were taking their toll on me each lap, and my last 12k-18k was too slow...and any chance of PB,(3x6 inch runners) sub 4(AB), or SB(RobD) ) slipped away. Managed a Rottnest Marathon CR (course record for me) though, smashing the rather slow 4.32 in much tougher weather I did back in 2004. Had a lot of fun on the first 25km or so, and my 28km split was similar to Melbourne i.e. 2.35... By the end I was snails place, and my body was hurting a lot. Looking back on various points in the race; 1. when Peter and Barbara went past me on the 2nd lap about 17km into it, that was my last chance to PB, I needed to stay with them...2. Likewise Andre passing me at 30km was my last chance to stay on sub 4 hours, and 3. Rob getting past me at 36km was my last chance to improve on this years SB... Sooo that marathon number 22 done, a better Rottnest time on the board and my 4th 6 foot track qualifier for this year. I think that's the first time I've done 2 marathon races in 14 days, so bit of a backup for me... Fantastic to be on the island and be part of the 20th Rottnest Marathon... As far as PB's go its back to the drawing board and try again in 2014 I hope for me. Maybe next year I can lose about 5-10kg of fat and train more consistently, build the momentum, get the work done, and perhaps race a bit smarter. More finances would help a lot too and a slightly less chaotic life. What I will take from my 4 road marathons in 2013, is a big slab of racing experience and training base....(stronger legs)...
Big thanks to Christina for amazing photos!!! that have preserved the memories of a fantastic day of racing by many on a paradise of an island. more photos with Dash Photography also. Thanks God for the chance to catch up with lots of friends and enjoy another marathon...

Monday, October 14, 2013

MM #7 Seasons Best 6th MM finish despite obstacles

MM #7 Seasons Best 6th MM finish despite obstacles!!! A 4.12.55 for me is a small 33 second Seasons Best beating the 4.13.28 from City to Surf in August, and the 4.19 in the JUne Perth Marathon. A SB is a SB, and I'm taking it, it wasn't easy to get this time around... I tried hard, but that was the best I could do that morning... PHOTOS in future weeks to come...Results @ http://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/Home/QuickResults?clientId=1&raceId=931&raceName=Melbourne%20Marathon via http://melbournemarathon.com.au Photos will be at @ http://www.marathon-photos.com/ I am race number 7654. Garmin ran out of charge at 41km, but I kept going onto the MCG...with the trusty $14 big w stopwatch going the distance. Glad I took 2 watches. Need to get a watch with longer battery life, especially for ultras. -------------------------------------------------

THE FIRST 25KM;Good conditions early, and I started just ahead of the 3 hour pacer but well behind the 2.50 pacer. When we got to Fed square I tried to go with the 3 hour pace group but it felt too fast, so let them go, and soon afterwards Jarrad came past on his way to an eventual 3.08!.. When the 3.10 pace group caught me I tried hard to go with them, but again the legs just felt too tired, and I was making heavy weather of it. Made sure the first 5k was under 23min, and then tried to settle a bit. Gill came past about 6k on her way to a 3.11!!! About here I really started to struggle, but hung in to keep my first 10k under 50min with a surge from 9k. Then the wheels started to fall off big time, tried several times to try and get back to some sub 5's but the legs were not interested and I knew then that a PB today was unlikely, but tried to keep it alive, with a big 3k surge to get from 18k to 21k, and try and keep the half marathon split under 1.50. That took too much out of me, and despite getting my first gatorade at 25k, which gave me a boost as Linda went past on her way to a 3.55, I knew I was struggling to hold onto a sub 4, as we started the first easy climb back to St Kilda Rd. Saw Rick just ahead of the 3.30 pace group as well. Was fantastic to see lots of BTrunclub shirts out there and 7 of us finished, even Julie who had hardly run in the last 3 months! ----------------------------------------------------

26km to 42.2km; Figured I need to be sub 6min K's to have a chance of going sub 4 hours, so tried for that, but again it was too hard, and the rain and strong windchill started to kick in, and I was digging deep just to keep going. Walk breaks becoming too attractive. Went through 28k in 2.35 after a 14k of about 71min, so fairly solid splits, but really hurting a lot going down St Kilda Rd about 32k into it. Nice to see Fi (BT) and Horrie (6 foot track) about this time, when I was hurting a lot, in a bad patch, trying to find something to keep going. With the downhill under the subway coming, I found some momentum and some spectator yelled out "you will finish 7654" ( I must have looked like a dead duck), so I yelled back "I will"... At 35k the Garmin started saying battery charge low, and I was getting pretty low physically too... The tan hill seemed pretty easy this year (my hills training on the Bibbulumun and for C2S paid off), but I did walk a bit of it, and really needed the Gatorade. Had one more Gu Chomp left (went through a packet of those and it helped a lot, and less messy than gels), which I used at about 39k as we splashed our way through the rain, and the bitterly cold windchill hammered us. When the 4.10 pace group went past me at 38k, I knew that sub 4 hour was gone, and that if I wanted to beat that 4.13 from City to Surf, I was going to have to try and find something. If that failed there was always 4.20 (6 foot qualifier), but I really wanted to try and salvage a Seasons Best. So tried to step it up a notch, and got through the drink station and downed my last Gu chomp quickly, and as we hit Fed Square/Flinders St Station at 40km, was passing a lot of people, with two women one in a light blue top and one in a gold top also doing the same, don't know who they were, but all 3 of us picked it up from there. The 3 of us mowed down a heap of runners and I ignored the drink station at 41km, and wound it up for the final push to the MCG just as I have for many years now. Familiar feeling waiting for the gate to the stadium to arrive, the big crowd of spectators, runners to pass, and the announcer in the stadium, and the rush of excitement and adrenalin as I entered the MCG which never fails to disappoint, guess thats one of the things that has kept me coming back year after year since my MM trips began for me in 2007. Passed about 30+ runners during the lap of the stadium, weaving in and out of them, and I knew from my wristwatch (which I had on gun time 12 seconds ahead of net time,i.e it took me 12 seconds to cross the start line at the start, and the garmin was on net time i.e I started it when I crossed the start line) I had to really finish strong to get under 4.13 and make sure of a SB. Did that and that eased the mental pain/disappointment of going nowhere near a PB a bit. -------------------------------------

Post-race and Pre-race Down below the MCG free apples, bananas, Powerades and water, a free feast worthy of MM "the runners Mecca" as Radar so aptly described it at the Tan the day before. Saw a lot of people in space blankets, and I think with the extreme wind-chill anyone injured or walking a lot for more than an hour would have been a slight risk of hypothermia today...After a week of very little sleep, the previous day doing too much walking around Melbourne (tired legs in race), and eating very little (low energy during race not a good combo with tired legs), because with $59 spending money (yes I know I was mad to even come on this trip) and $50 going on an unexpected hotel bond pre-charge I incorrectly thought would be $10, the only food I had on Saturday was a little instant mashed potato, toast/mocha and Gnocchi Gorgonzola (only non-tomato based sauce pasta I could find on the menu, should have gone for chips instead!, more carbs...?) the BT Runclub people shouted me. Had to walk about 20km on Saturday with several trips to the MCG first to get racepack and catch up with TRC Frontrunners/ BT Runclub at the Tan, and then to get my Gatorades into the special drinks before 3pm. No money for Taxis or even train fares/ tram fares. The pool at my hotel was nice and I managed to get into that for a short swim/walk about 9pm Saturday night to try and settle my tired legs before race day... FRiday I also had a very intense day at work with 8 hours solid of very intense/attacking driving at work, then the 10pm to 4am flight with 2 hours sleep on that, so this trip was right up there with one of the most exhausting missions I have ever done. So its my slowest ever Melbourne Marathon (previous worst (PW) was a 4.11 in 2009), but managed to salvage a Seasons Best 4.12. Big thanks to all the BT Runclub people for encouragement, shouting me some much needed food, and giving me a lift to Lygon St and back (for the Gnocchi). My first visit to the famous Lygon St (we went for Pasta Rustica), and it was an encouraging pre-race TEAM Dinner, nice to catch up with people beforehand, although going to The Tan beforehand was my favourite pre-race gathering. Hoped to get to The Transport to catch up with any die-hard "Coolrunners", and, and two other gatherings afterwards, but with the wintery weather, all my bags to carry, and only one train fare on my Myki left into the city, I just wanted to jump on the skybus to the airport and get out of Melbourne, before I fell asleep and ran out of energy. -----------------------------------

At the airport that night; Late on Sunday Evening at the airport I found out I still had $1.30 on another account at the airport, so ordered an apple-pie and a softserve icecream, but their icecream machine was broken so I got a small fries ($1 but I got it for 30 cents) upgrade instead... had a little more instant mashed potato and found myself something to do for 6 hours at the airport, and battled to stay awake. TOUGH trip! ----------------------------

General evaluation, thoughts, etc Disappointing result, but hopefully my body is up for it again next year, and maybe next year the finances will be in a better state, if they are not, I'd have to consider not going because it was just too hard this weekend. But my 5 year streak (2009-2013) is alive, my 6th Melbourne finish (DNF in 2008) and 21st Marathon is done, I've got a Seasons Best in my slowest Melbourne Marathon, 7 BT runclub people finished the Marathon, the place I stayed in was a good new option, and I have a lot! to be thankful for. No injury issues at all on the day, and the back problem I had for a week seems to have stayed healed. Knee was not a problem at all. Big positives. My training buildup was always going to be iffy for a PB with very little intervals, and only 1 decent medium run with BT people. I think if it had not been such a hard week (averaged less than 5 hours sleep per night this week and had a lot of hassles with juggling work and the kids babysitting this week), and my $$ was better so I could eat more on Saturday and spend less energy walking around I might have landed the PB despite the cough and back injury interrupted last 4 weeks... My low intensity long runs and overall time on feet (similar to mileage but measured by minutes not Km or Miles) the best I've done in the last 6 years, although still could be better. Hopefully next year, my body, finances, training etc will be up for another PB shot as I edge closer to becoming a Spartan at MM (4 to go)... Right now have some physical, sleep, food, and finances recovery to do, not to mention my poor wife having to put up with me being away again on another "running trip", although she has been pretty good about it, and our whole family has made it to MM 3 times 2012, 2008 (when none of us made it onto the MCG), and 2009 (One of our kids wasn't born then). Soooo thanks BT, and thanks God! for the opportunity for another memorable Melbourne Marathon magnificent "mecca" weekend.... http://trailblazer777.net/marathonmcg.html ••• Device: Garmin Forerunner 10 Shoes: Nike Lunaracer blue (526.9km)