Perth 2016

Perth City to Surf Marathon

In August this year I ran my 8th Perth City to Surf marathon. After my 2:47 at Perth earlier in the year I put in a massive training block of about 8 weeks to get ready for this one, including a record 620k cumulative month.  It all came together on the day with a 1:19 half and a finish time of 2:41:41, just 30 seconds outside my PB. Maybe the sub 2:40 dream is back on at 50 years old; 50 is the new 20 apparently.

On the back of this I have changed my training to extra distance and more double-up days. Still some speed work but more 80% -20% between distance and speed. Lots of racing in-between marathons has also helped.

 

Just about to hit the 32k mark and a nice downhill section. Running out of Kings Park.
Just about to hit the 32k mark and a nice downhill section. Running out of Kings Park.
Although I love running at the end of a marathon I am always happy to stop, funnily enough.
Although I love running at the end of a marathon I am always happy yo stop, funnily enough.

 

Perth Marathon June 2016

This was my 12th Perth Marathon and I was coming into some form so was hoping for 2:45 – 2:50 and went through halfway dead on target. Last year I was injured before Perth , after some quality training,  and  this had played on my mind and I blew up to a 2:49. At halfway I was even contemplating dropping out as it’s an out and back twice course so you have the option to step of the course at halfway and just go home! I’ve never not finished a race and that kept me going, anyway that was last year.

This year at halfway I feel great and this spurred me on to a good second half and a 2:47 and change finish. 6th place, just outside the prizes for top5 (for the second year ) Managed to grab an age group win so all-in-all a good day and a springboard for the City to Surf marathon in August.

 

Sandwiched between the winner and second place. (I think runner 472 is playing pokamon)
Sandwiched between the winner and second place.

 

A Dennis Tan classic.
A Dennis Tan classic.
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Perth looking as beautiful as ever. Mind you the photo does not show the strong headwind for the last 4k.