Race Report: Standard Chartered Taipei Marathon 2016 台北渣打公益马拉松2016

Date: 24/01/2016 (Sun)
Time: 05:30 a.m.
Distance: Full marathon (42.195 km)
Official Time: 3 hr 02 min 07 secs
Net Time: 3 hr 01 min 58 secs
Shoes: Brooks PureFlow 4
Race Route:


Race Day
1:30 a.m. - Wake up
2:00 a.m. - Breakfast. (Breads, Tesco malted drink and Nescafe 3 in 1)
2:50 a.m. - Nap
3:20 a.m. - Get ready to go out
4:15 a.m. - To race venue for baggage deposit
5:05 a.m. - Gather at start line
5:30 a.m. - Race start

I woke up around 1:30 a.m. before the phone alarm set off. It was raining, and cold as in the forecast. I was not sleepy nor very fresh. It was like I have taken a nap. 

I then started the routine before race.

The race morning was like dawn before war - you know something is going to happen but can't be to relax nor too excited. Every cell is the body is activated, movement is slow not to miss out anything but head is spinning and rehearsing... Everything was in countdown.

Around 3:20 a.m. (~2 hrs to start) I started to gear up. The plan was to settle baggage storage by 4:30 a.m. (1 hr to start).The hostel was around 500 m to the race venue. I took a slow jog to the van and baggage storage was fast. I ran back to stretch at the shop houses corridor with a lot of runners, then decided to go back to room for the last toilet break, whether it's for psychological or physiological reason. The good part of staying near to the starting point.

Outside the cold and rain seemed to be the bigger topic than the marathon itself. People was running or walking with head down, hood on, body shrinking, shoulder up. Most people was in raincoat like me. Some with mask. Yes my mouth was cold just jogging to the venue. 

At around 5:05 a.m., I headed to the gathering point and managed to get to around 10-20 m before the start line. It was reported later that the weather was 4 degrees and real feel was 0 degree. There was aerobic exercise as warm up along with pump-up music. I took off long sleeve 5 minutes before start and remain with raincoat on top of my running singlet and compression pants.

Opening speech by the VIPs acknowledged the courage of runners to run in the cold weather, not forgetting to remind all the precautions. It has been a topic in Taiwan for that week, some questioned why the race was not postponed. I specially pay attention to race director (or someone for the organizer) speech, where he said the section at the Riverside Park（河濱公園）will be the testing field in that day's condition. And he was right. 

By 5:30 a.m, the run started. 

0 - 10 km (41:27, avg pace 4:09min/km)
I started to run along with other runners. Runners was not slowed down too much regardless of the crowd as it was very wide road, Ketagalan Boulevard （凱達格蘭大道） in front of Presidential Office Building （總統府）where demonstration usually hold. It also partly because I started of in the front.

The big wide road (Ketagalan Boulevard) in front of Presidential Office Building where the race begin. Photo took in the evening. 

From standing around 25 minutes in the cold to running, I felt a twitch on my left knee in the first few steps. “Ouch" I literally shouted but remain running cautiously and normally. Luckily it didn't happen again and there's no any uncomfortable after that. The feet was cold and numb, but not as cold as in Seoul. The sound of plastic raincoat could be hear due to running.

The first 10 km was running in city towards Riverside Park. The surrounding was just lights from the street, traffics, shop houses and also reflection from the runners around me. There's nothing much I can remember but just keep running. 

Half marathon and marathon started at the same time. Therefore some runners was running at a faster speed. 

At the beginning I was running together with half marathon 1h 30m pacer. However I thought he might be heading fast at that moment as I was running at avg pace 4:08-4:09min/km according to my Endomondo App. But he could be on the right pace as I also noticed the app reported the distance some 400-600m earlier than the distance marker.

I was feeling good and didn't feel too much exertion. Breathing was ok. I didn't try to make up for that distance different as I thought the translated pace would be around my goal pace.

I didn't take in gel this section but only energy drinks at the drink station and make use some sponge. 

I keep the raincoat on as it was still raining.  

20 km (1:23:49, avg pace 4:11min/km)
At around 11 km I noticed runners become less due to the half marathon group follow another direction. At one point across a bridge I was far at the back of group of runners and the escort motorbike have to wait for me. He rode behind me slowly and then tried to be in between me and group in front. He kept looking back at me. I was thinking does he thinking of whether want to wait for me? Is he wanted to say something? I knew I look awkward with the raincoat on, and the sound of plastic raincoat was annoying. 

At around 13-14 km we turn into pedestrian part of Maishuaiyi Bridge （麥帥一橋）and down to Riverside Park. This is the only elevation that noticeable. It was short but moderately sharp, narrow, with sharp turn and on some kind of pavement.

The rest of the distance was tru and fro in the Riverside Park. Only I realized the sky has brightened up. The view brought into my vision. It was wide opening with paved road, a bit of green, architecture at the far. There was little twisting on the road and it's not as narrow as in Adelaide River Torrens . Later on runners were to run on the road in two direction, to and back.

It was still raining. There were puddles along the road and by the roadside. I could feel the wind. The sound of raincoat make it become more prominent. 

The pace in this section (11-20 km) ranged from 4:10km/min (11th km) to 4:17km/min (14th km-cross the bridge). The average pace for this 10 km was 4:14km/min. 

I was still feeling good, breathing was ok. I took in one gel at around 15km - 17.5 km. The rest of the station I took a sip or make use of the sponge. 

30 km (2:06:08, avg pace 4:12min/km)
The section after 20 km started to feel some tiredness. The same exertion came with a slower pace. I would like to push more but not confident - feeling I might not able to sustain or become worse.

The pace range from 4:02min/km (24th km) and 4:27min/km (27th km). At around 20 km another runner in white singlet (looked like veteran) slowly approaching and easily pass over me. I tried to follow but feel couldn't keep up. He reminded me also of the runners that came back from the front direction. 

I was trying to keep up and chase back the distance at this point. It can be shown from my pace between 21 km-24 km of 4:17, 4:10, 4:05, 4:02, with a u-turn at 23 th km. At 24th km I was trying to keep up with another male runners in red singlet which came from the back as well in steady pace. Feeling I couldn't maintain, I slowed down again. 

It was this tug-of-war within myself. To push or not to, testing the boundary. The breathing was ok, I'm still in a 3-2 breathing pattern, and in fact continue this way up to finish. However the legs was not dare or not able to push afraid of overdoing.

At one hand I was thinking to keep the raincoat or not. The plastic sound was not pleasant and feel it like a burden. However when rain and wind continued, I looked at those with only singlet and feel lucky at least I still have a raincoat on. Once a while I raised up the raincoat to allow air circulation over my body. The plastic didn't allow sweat to evaporate and was sticky on skin. I may or may not sustain without the raincoat, I don't know. I'd say preparation of suitable running material in rainy and cold weather is better than in a raincoat.

I took 2nd gel at 25km-27.5 km section. During this race I spent lesser time at the station as compare to other races. In other races I'd walk to finish the drink. This time I tried to sip in while slow down running. At some station the water spilled out and I was just merely able to take a sip or two. At one station, I choked out right after the drink enter my mouth and spilled the rest. 

40 km (2:49:59, avg pace 4:15min/km)
Point after 30 km was still running along the Riverside. 
I didn't feel "the wall" but I was feeling lost of interest or lost the fighting spirit.
I was still maintaining the exertion but sort of just hanging there. The wind, I asked, when will it stop? 
31km-40 km pace range between 4:16min/km (31th km) and 4:43min/km (38th km - cross the bridge). 

The slowdown at this session was sort of expected. Which was why I planned for a slightly faster pace in the first half to cushion for second half slow down.
The questions is how much of time one should cushion for?
Should we run hardest at the start and use mental edge to fight in the end.
Or should we control pace as we planned in the first to not defer too much from the target?
The thing I usually face was - the plan doesn't work for the second half.
The second half, or perhaps the last 12 km, is mental. 
In Seoul, I mistakenly ran too fast, and pushed myself very hard in the end as I'm still within target - and achieved it.
In Adelaide, I followed the plan and more cautious. In the second half when I found I was not in the target, I slowed down, I relaxed, I said never mind. 
Of course, the first thing is do enough training. But, should we "trick" our self so we push harder in the later part?
People say distance running is mental game eventually. Our mind would control how much we push to the limit. 

I took the 3rd gel somewhere around 35 km. That's all I took this time. With 4 more gel still hanging in my spibelt over the waist. It then cause bruises to my skin due to prolonged friction.

Finish (3:01:58. avg pace 4:19min/km)
The route joined with other category of runners around 38-39 km. 
There's staff on motorbike reminded other category runner to give way and stay at one side, and other faster runner another side. However instructions was not much taken due to the number of people.

At 40th km I took off the raincoat. A sudden cold I felt. 

Endomondo apps reported the distance almost finish, but the marker still like never ending. 
I lost the energy to calculate which one is correct.
Of course the marker is the reference.
However when my mind was thinking to the distance according to maker, the app reporting knock me down. When I heard app reported "40 km", after a long long time I see the signage "2 km to go". My running was like not going anywhere. It was like using a lagging internet connection.
In the end I refused to believe any one of it and just running.
I tried to run as hard as possible for the last km.
However I couldn't see the end gate until one staff point the way after a turn.
And there was the finishing point, I use my last effort to sprint to finish my first run in Taiwan.

Post-race
I received the medal and a towel from the volunteers. 

Job was done. There was tents serving hot drinks. Queue was long so I skipped.

Hot drinks is most popular tents after the race

I took a slow jogged. Started to cough. Shivering.

A view after finishing point. Wet. Raincoat. Warm wear.

I took a few photos and help others to take photo in exchange of mine. 

A panaroma view at race end venue. People was busy with their own things.

Feeling enough, I walked further to collect finishing kit with drinks, food, and fruits. Only I realized I didn't drink after the run (there's no drink provided after the finishing except the hot drinks - weather was bigger topic). Quickly I drank the bottle papaya drink while walking under the bridge to claim my baggage.

Under the bridge is the baggage collection area. It was even colder there  without sunlight and wind pass through.

In the cold and the wind I changed my cloth.
Took one banana in the finishing bag and a protein bar prepared before hand. 
Stretching, shivering.

Decided to leave, and upon asking, free shutter was further away.

Without proper warm cloth, going back to hostel served another challenge for me.

Upon arriving at 228 Peace Memorial Park（二二八和平公園）, the digital clock showed temperature of 6 degree.
A couple was walking beside, "Wah, 6 degrees and we were running." The guy said to the girl.
He slowdown, brought up smartphone and took a snapshot of the display.

The rest of the day, I spent in hostel common hall watching news that report about snowing in Taipei. 

Taipei was waiting to see temperature will get lower to break record of 3.2 degrees since 1972

At Jiufen （九份）, a Malaysian tourist was interviewed on the feeling of seeing snow.

Greetings from the organizer by email few days after the race

Pre-Race: Standard Chartered Taipei Marathon 台北渣打公益馬拉松 2016

The event is first organized on 2nd of Jun 2013 as Standard Chartered Taipei Charity Run (台北渣打公益路跑）with category up to 12.5 km. In 2014 it was named Standard Chartered Taipei Marathon （台北渣打公益馬拉松）and considered the first year with marathon category. It claimed to be one of few running events in Taiwan with AIMS certified course. 

2014 and 2015 event was held on February. However, the date for 2016 did not announce until near to 3 months before the event, and was set on last week of January, which is 1 week after Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Comments was putting on their Facebook page for the late announcement as well as the choice of date. The date was first appeared on Chinese Taipei Road Running Association 中华民国路跑协会 website without the name of the sponsor. Due to this, there was speculation that Standard Chartered is no longer the sponsor. 

It seemed that the Association was the most important place to get race related information. Eventually the date on their site was right, and the event name added with "Standard Chartered". Later on, the registration go through this site, as well as the race results. Oh I forgot, participants who wish to deposit their baggage have to buy a storage bag from the organizer and it can be repeatedly used in all the event organized by them. 

The marathon route was mostly run along Riverside Park, with minimal elevation. It is a good place for good timing provided good handling the section at the Riverside Park. The section is open to elements such and wind, sunlight and rain. A good place on a good day, a difficult place for bad weather days if one is not prepared.

Elevation Chart from event guide. Both elevations for marathon (green line) was the pedestrian section of Maishuaiyi Bridge 麥帥一橋

The location of the drink station was confusing. I was not sure to read the yellow symbol or the dark labels. I clarified with the staff at the collection area and was told there's drink station every 2.5 km with the first one at 5 km. 

It was raining when I arrived at Taipei on 22nd Jan evening. On the way to hostel, I stuck in the very bad rush hour Taipei traffic. It took me almost 2.5 hr for the journey that took about 1 hr in the non peak hour.This is the unexpected and most torture part of the journey. No one speak in the bus. Upon reaching the city, some passengers chose to continue the journey by foot.

The rain continued when I reach Taipei Bus Station. The rain here was like in Malaysia, wet and one will soaked walking under the rain. I didn't meet with this kind of rain while in NZ or Australia. The "few days of winter" I spent in those countries was only meet with drizzle that still able to walk in it. 

Luckily I brought the folded umbrella and I never feel it so useful in oversea.

Enter the station I grabbed the bread and rice ball for dinner and tomorrow's breakfast. Then looking for my way in the huge station. Settle down in hostel around 9-10pm, I couldn't wait for a shower and go to bed.

The cold climate was all over the news. The coldest winter since a few decades. What I worried of is the rain. 

The rain never stop the whole night.
I could here the raindrops when I opened my eyes in the dark.

News repeatedly reported about current weather and forecast

The next morning I shut off the alarm and thought of omit recovery run due to the rain 

However, few hours later I was running along the corridor of the shop houses. It just doesn't make sense to me to do nothing if I have the time. Saw a few runners running at the corridor too. 

Another agenda of the day was race bib collection. It needed a MRT ride. Collection area was located at the business and shopping district of Taipei (信義區). The process was fast and smooth. Bought the storage bag there. 

Few tents for race kit collection.

Running gait analysis available

The same day spent more time on walking to get Easycard （悠遊卡）for public transport and looking for food. I became frustrated along the way due to keep looking at wrong direction.

The rest of the day was just resting and preparing the mind for next day run.

Race kit included: bib, pins, sensor, storage bag label, singlet, map and a few coupons (not shown). Storage bag was bought. The rest was my race day equipment.

The rained continued in the afternoon, evening, night, then another day.

It rained, rained, ra-a-a-ained.

Post race: Revisiting Adelaide Marathon 2015 route

Next day after the marathon I had a chance to walk the torrens again.

Map of river torrens at Elder Park

Before sunset, I walked along the river. I have plenty of time to look at the surrounding. One by one, I recognized, I recalled. It was like remembering the good memory and able to identified it. The route was filled with people the day before, now it was all empty and quiet. There's only trees, river, architecture, duck and occasional cyclist and people. The run? It's like never happen.

Adelaide Oval is within sight. Music and speaker noise could be hear from there during the race day

Let's look at some spot that I able to recognize.

The bridge. Situated at 7km and 27km. There is a parking lot after the bridge. On race day, the route leads towards residential area, then run back again, but turn left away from the bridge to continue path at river torrents.
Took this photo after a group of evening runners past by. 

This is how direction was drawn on the road. However the arrows was sufficient at each junction and did not cause confusion.

The bridge near university that runners run under it

One section of the road that unable to view the next turn.

Nice path in the evening. On the race day, it was with people and occasionally biker and pets.

Past here about half way and towards the end. 

Running direction from the left, up to the white building and into the bridge to finish.

Race Report: Adelaide Marathon 2015

Date: 23/08/2015
Time: 07:00 a.m.
Type: Run (Race)
Distance: Full marathon (42.195 km)
Official Time: 3 hr 09 min 25 secs (avg pace: 4:26 min/km)
Shoes: Brooks Launch 2
Race Route:


Listed as no. 10 in "Top 10 Marathon in Australia", Adelaide Marathon ("Running Festival") though is not as big scale as other big city marathon in the country. There's few information to get especially from runners friend (for oversea runners) as few people have taken part here. It took me a trip there to find out.

Although not a big scale event, it is an IAAF and AIMS certifies course (listed in their website 2015). From the information I read the route used to run to Glenelg but it was changed to 2 loop around Adelaide parklands, It held on August towards the end of winter which means running in a temperature of 5-15 degrees.

The course was not punishing but it is harder if one is unprepare with the twist and turn, ups and down hill. However it was one of scenic and enjoyable run which when I recall, I'll remember lots of green, water and sunlight. 


Race Day
3.15a.m. - Wake up
3.45a.m. - Breakfast. (Breads and hot chocolate)
5.00a.m. - Rest, short nap
5.30a.m. - Changed
6.15a.m. - Jog to race venue
6.30a.m. - Toilet, deposit luggae.
6.45a.m. - To starting line
7.00a.m. - Race start

The start
Weather was 6.1 degrees when I jogged out. I reached in about 8 min jog and followed other participants to look for Telstra Plaza for store baggage. Stepped inside but couldn't find the counter / storage signage. Look around and saw a lot of people with their baggage waiting too. It was 6.30a.m. No one seemed to be in a hurry. 

I went to join the queue for toilet. Back and the counter was set up. Lots of people still chit chatting and atmosphere was not tense at all. In no time I past my baggage to the staff. My stuff seemed to be one of few earliest one. It was around 6.45a.m. 

I went out to continue few minutes of warm up. I couldn't locate the start line. I thought it'll be easily visible and tried to look around as I warming up.

But I couldn't find it.  On the speakers it announced that the starting location but I couldn't understand due to the slang. I approached to a staff, near a banner with timing mat but no people gather around and ask, "Is this is the start?" Apparently that is the finish line, the start was nearby at the front. I walked to the front, up a few staircase, and it was a space right beside the building. There's no "starting gate", flags nor any banner, it just two cons put from one end to another, with obstacle at both side to made it a "path".

5 minutes to the start. There's no elite area. There were mostly Australian (I guess), I didn't sense any runners like me come all over and feeling nervous. There were no people rushing to the front. They were just politely stand behind an "imaginary line". 

There were no VIPs but emcee and race ambassador Steve Moneghetti stand at a higher ground for the start. He gave speech and some encouragement. "It is a beautiful day to run", I remembered he said something. People clapped, few took photos.

When it's about time, he air horn the race to start. 

0-10 km (42:52 min, cumulative pace 4:17km/min)
The aim is to maintain even pace at around 4:16km/min to finish run before 3 hr.

I started the run with moderate effort. Following the crowd not feeling too hard nor too slow. The first 2-3 km was running along the main road before turning into parkland area up to around 7.5 km, then out to main road again toward residential area in North Adelaide with moderate slope.

The start was very mild elevation and first 2 km was done at surprisingly same duration of 4:22.9 according to Garmin. I was concern about not able to be in a target zone but thought that it was a good sign I didn't start out too fast. 3rd km was done at 4:08/km probably to chase back the time, I then slowed down to pace with other runners. The pace from there was range from 4:12/km to 4:23/km. I was feeling uncomfortable when run into the narrow path in the parkland and feeling a bit nervous. 

Covered the first 10 km at 4:17km/min pace, slightly out of target pace but I was feeling good and thought that I'm following the plan. I felt that I'm in control for not pushing the pace and able to hold back. It was good to feel this way at this stage.

I had a drink at 3 km drink station and a gel at 2nd station at around 8.5 km before enter residential area.

10-20km (1:24:52, cumulative pace 4:15/km)
10-11km was running from residential area and back to the previous road to back to river torrens. It was a zig zag and I tried to remember the topography as there'll be a second loop again.

At around 13.5 km the route joined to river torrens and run along the path passing Oval Stadium towards Adelaide Zoo, Botanic Garden and turn back to Oval Stadium to start the second loop. The route was narrow and share with public. However it was not a problem if one is familiar with the path, you know where it leads to and how it folds. The public who share the route was not a problem either as somehow everyone knows the etiquette of sharing a path. 

It was not easy for me to follow the path though. There's mixture of short up and down with occasionally sharp turn. However I was actually picking up the pace at this section. 10-15 km was the fastest section and done mostly at 4:08min/km. At 20 km, the overall pace has pull back to 4:15/km. It hurt my ankle and muscle but I thought it'll be fine just for the race.

I was pacing with some runners. At this point I somehow identified a female runner in pink whom I guess is aiming at almost the same time as mine. She did not try to be fast nor too slow. There's one guy wearing a green "vegan" shirt was running along since about 2-3 km, but I couldn't gauge his effort yet.

The direction while entering Botanic Garden was a bit unclear as it blocked by plants and need to go through gate.

At route near Oval to start second loop was not usual either. It was a very weird path and turn up the slope.

At half way mark, I was a little bit over 1h 30min. By now I know the Garmin is reporting the time earlier than the official distance mark, and I need to be faster than it is to make it before 3 hr.

Drink Stations
The race provides more water station and at a distance that different from a standard race. For a standard race, it usually has 8 water stations and situated around every 5 km. For this one, there's total 10 water stations and the distance between stations are average 4 km. The first water station come as early as 3rd km, the second one is 5.5 km away and third one come after just next 3.3 km. 

The location of dink stations are as followed:
First lap: 3km, 8.57km, 11.88km, 15.8km, 19.84km,
Second lap: 24.09km, 28.57km, 31.88km, 35.8km, 39.84km

It took me long to think of how to adjust the timing to consume energy gel. 

In a usual race, I'll prepare one gel at each water station (8 gel total). With experience of side stitch, I'll adjust the consuming base on stomach reaction. If something doesn't feel right I'll skip the gel at the next station. On top of that, I will train with gel during run such as marathon-pace run or tune up race to make sure stomach is able to take it.This strategy usually not cause anything during a race. 

However, with the provided location of drink stations, I need to make another plan. There's 10 stations as compared to usual 8 stations. To take a gel starting 1st station (3 km) would seems too early. To start to take at 2nd station 8.57 km would seems later than what I usually did which is at 5 km. Also, to take gel at 2nd and 3rd station which is 3.3 km apart would seems too close.

I didn't really decide even when I started to run. I say let the body tells me. At the 1st station, I feel everything was just started, I skipped. I took one at 2nd station. At 3rd station, I feel stomach was fine and think that I need it for the subsequent distance, I took another gel. And I planned to repeat this at the second loop.

At this point, I've ingested 4 gels, one each at drink station from no 2 to no. 5.

20-30km (2:07:54, cumulative pace 4:16/min)
By halfway, I have had the first loop in my mind. I could expect what to come next.
I was feeling a bit tired after the run across the parkland. 
I was a bit worry for the parkland route. I was in a state of uncertainly but I thought if everything goes the same I might able to push for the last part.

Concentrate and I started the second loop. The first 2 km of 2nd loop although not too fast but was faster than the first loop. It was not easy nor it is too hard. But I start to feel the difficult to control the pace.

I was able to maintain pace around 4:16/km up to 25 km, the pace started to drop when running towards 30 km. 

For reasons that I'm going to find out for very long time, I started to feel the fullness of bladder at around 27 km. Of all the condition, nature's call is the last thing I want in a race, and been trying to prepare for it during the training. I was fighting on what to do. It might be temporary. Seeing other runners took temporary stop and I felt to do so. All of the struggle and towards 30 km, affected the pace.

30-40km - timing is not a reference anymore
At around after 31 km, after running through up hill of residential area, I gave up and made a stop for the urge. When I resume the run, the spirit was not there anymore. It was 30 km, where the spirit is most vulnerable. The point where energy start to run low, and point where the race is still quarter to cover. 

The pink shirt female runner split at this point. The green "vegan" t-shirt guy was unseen.

The pace dropped after this. I was not in the mood. Sometimes the pace was 4:24/km, sometimes it was 4:36/km. I couldn't care more. 

One point while entering the river torrens from main road at around 33.5km, I went into the wrong junction, and called back by people around. Why? Because I read "keep to your left" as "turn left". After that, the run in the park was just a mass. 

At around 38 km, I felt the stomach discomfort. Unable to tolerate, I stopped to walk. The distance was done at 4:53 min. 

At around 39 km, I have no choice but to detour for toilet, or there'll be a code brown in the race.

I forgot to off the Garmin autostop function. The timer was not running when I stopped. However, it's not important anymore.

I was demotivated and down. I continued to run, but there's no joy but questions in my mind. Why and how should I do next time? 

Then, I heard the noise. I heard the music. I realized I was running by the river again. I saw people, families along the path looking at us with smile, some shout to give encouragement. Oh ya, I saw one guy and one girl running in Penang Bridge Marathon t-shirt. I wanted to shout out but I didn't. It's nice when you see someone from your homeland at a foreign place. 

Again, I ran across a even weird route, up a slope, around a restaurant, around a building, into the bridge that lead to finish line in front of Telstra Plaza. 

I crossed the finished line, stopped the watch, a staff used a tool like a racket to scan my bib. I was given with finishing medal.

"Beep~" that's how my Adelaide Marathon 2015 ended. 

Finish line in front of Telstra Plaza that I mistaken as start line

The officers that holding a racket to scan finisher running bib

Post-race
As usual, there's people gather around after the finish line. Different from big city marathon, it didn't need a long path to escort all the runners out. Point of gathering just right behind the finish line. There's banana, isotonic drinks. There's free organic pop-corn given out too. From the t-shirt, I saw runners from Taiwan, a few from Hong Kong. 

As I was wandering, the announcement of apologize given to half marathon runners as finishing medal has all been given out. There's announcement of the winners too.

From  runners' view

I saw the pink shirt female that I paced with near the drink station. I heard the supporter call for "Tracey" while pacing with her. When I check the results, guess what, all the champions for each age group were call either "Tracy" or "Tracey", timing range from 2:58:20 to 3:01:31. For the "vegan" t-shirt guy, I saw him cross the finish line while I was observing the race after all the banana and drinks. He must be stopping somewhere, I guess.

Another view of Telstra Plaza

Start from white building at the left in the photo, runners ran from below to the building through a slope, along the corridor beside it and turn into the bridge that leads to finish line

Overall, despite my personal unpleasant towards the end experience, I'd say this is a enjoyable and nice route, especially the nature, the fresh air and the climate. Though it is not a choice for PB, the feeling of running in cold and fresh air along the trees and rivers, would stay in the mind for a long time.


Lesson from this race:
I came into the run with the most complete training cycle that I ever done, including two tune-up races. I thought I'll be able to handle the race better, if not faster. It works, at least at the first half feeling that everything was in control. The true lesson from this race appears to be the conditioning of stomach to the meal / food / gel / drinks.

The gels and drink ingestion plan and conditioning seem to be the most possible cause, but I can't rule out anything happen few days leading to the race. 

I listed some of the thought before and during the race as reference:
1) Pre-race meal was plain food. Self cook. Was depressed for it at the same time worry to eat out for new food and also for budget.

2) Slope and hills - still have phobia when approaching slope and turn, afraid of hurting the ankle and muscle.

3) Gels and drinks taking - too often and didn't train with it that cause stomach discomfort

4) Not comfortable with the shoes (new model of an old series). Feeling heavier and less responsive. (Of course no one should blame the shoes, but this is one of important aspect)

5) Above all, I took the run not serious enough. This leads to not attentive enough for both training and race. For example, to tolerate the food, to didn't train with gel, to take it easy for drink station planning, to tolerate the new shoes even though felt the different. 

Notes from this run:
1) Maintain good / proper pre race meal.
2) Avoid take gel too often than usually does / trained (e.g.not more than every 5 km). Ingest gel with plain water. Train with gel more especially at marathon race-pace. Try to develop another plan - e.g. take less gel and substitute with race energy drink. This including check the water station distance. 
3) Check properly tech spec (e.g. weight) for new shoes including new model of same series.
4) Incorporate more strength training, jumping and core training.
5) Work for distance after 30 km of marathon. This include maintain steady or strong pace at the end of normal endurance run (medium-long run and long run). Maintain good form and speed towards the end of the training instead of being fast at the start. Train to maintain intensity especially the last part.

Pre-race: Adelaide Marathon 2015

I was not as nervous as previous oversea event for the week leading to Adelaide Marathon.

Probably due to a few reasons:

1) I have get used to the routine - the to-do list, the items to buy. I tried to get whatever needed whenever I drop by to hypermarket or shopping mall.

2) The expectation for the race is lower - I guess this is the main reason that I was not too stressful. This feeling got me since the start of the training cycle. The main aim is to complete the training cycle and if can to maintain the performance. 

Training been keeping at lower pace and yes, I guess this is the most complete training cycle I've completed so far, which is a good thing. 

However, would this low expectation lead to unpreparedness during the race? At this time of writing this, the answer is somehow yes. I'll leave this in the race report.

3) There's fewer planning for touring around Adelaide. I excluded some of the most popular attraction and made this trip easier / budget. Furthermore, there's no need to learn new language (e.g. Korean) to be there. 

Race week of training was done with recovery runs including one dress rehearsal. A dress rehearsal is good for me especially to know what I'm wearing is suitable for the race.

The only worry for me is the food before the race day in Adelaide. Where to get? Will it be suitable? Etc.

21/8/2015

Arrived in Adelaide 7a.m. from overnight flight. It was tiring. 

Getting to the city and accommodation was smooth. The public transport and the map were very reliable. 

While waiting to check in, I had a stroll to nearby groceries (Cole's in Central Market) to get food needed for this few days.

Nothing to do for the day except to prepare my lunch and dinner within few hours to be able to get to bed early.

22/8/2015

Woke up around 3:30 a.m. to get use to biological clock. 

The kitchen was closed until 6 a.m. so have to wake the night staff to open the kitchen. I guess he must be looking at me strangely feeling curious about this Asean got up early for the kitchen. In my heart I uttered that "Sorry but I'm going to do this again tomorrow."

Two main things today: recovery run and collect race bib.

It's very easy to navigate here by checking to Google map. It's a colonial city design by William Light (learnt this from the museum). The city was mapped into various section with street cross at 90 degree each other. On a fine day, one can see from one end of street to the endless of the other street. 

Therefore, it's not big problem to get to UniLoop for a run. Along the way, I get used to the route to Adelaide Oval. According to the information, it was one of the famous training ground for the runners. It was a 2.2 km loop with distance marker near or in the University area.

The loop just beside the road

Gloomy winter morning

After get back from running, shower and took a light snack to continue the second task: collect race bib.

The location was The Athlete's Foot store at Rundle Mall Plaza.  It's the shopping area and it's an easy walk. 

Rundle Mall area

I wasn't really comprehend the scale of the event until I've collected race bib. I learnt new things in each oversea race I took part in. In Rotorua, the finisher-T given out before the race. In Seoul, there's no expo (or held in other location) and the collection place was in a quiet office with no hassle and the detailed of the organizer. In Adelaide, all you have is as what you heard - "race bib collection".

Yes, a race bib. 

Once I entered the shop, greeted by the staffs, and I explained my intention. "Where did you choose to collect it?" One of the girls asked. "Here." I replied. "Oh well," as she picked up an A4 paper name list in table form, "What's your name?" I gave my surname and after a few try, she shook her head and I quickly gave my given name and pointed it to her. Relieved, from a box she picked up the race bib, handed to me and said "It's a marathon! Good luck!". 

A race bib? Yes, it is. I started to understand this is all I need to collect. Stand there I check the bib, my name, back of the bib with detecting chip. I must be frowning to much that the staff ask me is there any other problem? Luckily there's some other runners around picking up the pins, if not I'd leave the place without one.

While participating in an event, the goodies bag is not my concern. Nor a race-T or finishing-T (it's memorable if have but it's fine without it. For Adelaide Marathon it sold as merchandise). Some event provide designated luggage bag (like Seoul) but that's an extra as well. But I'm not comfortable when a main event without Event Details / or booklet. I was a bit worried without able to look at the details one last time in an official material.

Before I came out from accommodation I chat with a guest whom I saw him running in the morning and told him I was going to collect "race pack". I realized I've provided the wrong info now. And I realized this is an minimalist event, later I check also realize the prize was given to top three for each category (normally I check all about the event as past time in the race booklet before the race). In this marathon race day there's also hiccups like luggage storage not yet set up 30 min before the race, and race medal not enough for half marathon participants. However, I'd say the race route, direction and volunteer is perfect for me. There's no complain between the starting and ending point. It was a serious event with serious runners.

Usually my past time before the race was to take race pack photo, and read the booklet. However, the task was easier this time. Here you go with the race bib:

The afternoon and evening were also spent time cooking at eating. 

I made all my pre-race meal, due to worry of new food and also for the budget. However due to my cooking skills, it was a few days of suffer with plain meal. I'm not sure this is a good idea next time.

Went to bed early but as usual it took some effort to sleep every time before the race.