I’ve ran thirty two sub3 marathons and was on a twenty nine in a row streak before missing out in Melbourne in 2022.  Last year I put in a reasonable marathon training base before Bibra Lake marathon and ran a three hours and four minute race. The course is dead flat and a six lap loop,  around a lake funnily enough , as if the Bibra Lake marathon didn’t give that away ? I wasn’t feeling the love for the race from the start and was working far too hard maintaining marathon pace early on, to my credit I managed to hang on the sub3 bus until about sixteen kilometres from the finish. I then lost the four minutes which tipped me over the three hour goal.  Full race report here if you’re interested. ( https://www.runbkrun.com/2024/07/09/bibra-lake-marathon-race-report/ )

This should have been a stepping stone to the Perth Marathon in October but unfortunately I had the small matter of a backyard ultra between the two events, in August. This should have been no problem but I just seemed to drop the ball post the BYU (backyard ultra) and basically didn’t do enough training. Of course with a marathon you get found out pretty quickly and in my case around ten kilometres in I was in trouble, not good with thirty two kilometres ahead of you.

Perth was only the second time I have really hit the wall in a marathon, on marathon number forty eight. The first time was my first marathon in 2002 when I knew nothing about long distance running.  Funny how twenty two years later and I’m repeating the same mistakes albeit in my defense I ran a 3:14 compared to a 3:52 the first time.

Worth reading the race report for this one , a tale of woe. ( https://www.runbkrun.com/2024/10/08/perth-running-festival-when-marathons-go-bad/ ) On the brightside I did win my age category but only because my good friend Micky cramped in sight of the stadium with victory in his grasp, cheers Mickey.

So here we are again in June with the Perth Marathon in October but before then we have  a 100 miler in June ( https://www.cape2capeultra.com.au/ ) , Bibra Lake half in July, the Transcend 65k ultra in August ( https://transcendtrails.com/ ) and a couple of shorter races inbetween.  It’s looking similar to last year but the difference will be I’ll train for the Perth Marathon as my A-race with all other events there to keep me honest and because I just love racing.

To help me in my quest I have invested in the latest best super shoes, well best as of June , the Puma Nitro R3’s . Albeit last year I brought a pair of Saucony Endorphin Elites two and a pair of Nike Alphafly two’s , and both failed to deliver albeit lack of training wouldn’t have helped their cause.  I managed to get the Saucony Endorphin Elites 2  at a reasonable price but the Alpha’s and the Nitro R3’s both cost around $350 AUD each. ( I hope my Wife never reads this post ! )

I have also roped in Bix nutrition and Vlad Ixel, the founder, has agreed to supply all my nutrition for this sub3 attempt.  I’m a big fan of all bix products and have been behind Vlad and his company from the start.  You really need to follow Vlad on his Youtube channel (

Vlad Ixel

@vladixel · 46.5k subscribers · 210 videos

Subscribe

Vlad Ixel

Ice Marathon in India?

1 month ago

Vlad Ixel

Racing 33K Through Hong Kong Mountains ...

3 months ago

Vlad Ixel

UTMB Malaysia - Race Day

4 months ago

Vlad Ixel

UTMB Translantau - Hong Kong - ...

4 months ago

Vlad Ixel

Asia Pacific Trail Champs - Part ...

5 months ago

Vlad Ixel

AP Trail Championships - South Korea ...

5 months ago

Prev

123...3435

1...35

Next

) and his products are available here ( https://www.bixvitamins.com/en-au )

The Bix active recovery electrolytes tabs taste so good, you have to be careful not too overdose , great flavours as well. The Performance Fuel mix is also fit for purpose and again my go-to when I need some help, finally the 40gram carbohydrates GU’s just give you more bang for your buck, i.e. more carbohydrates delivered in a liquid form that is digestible on the run. Vlad is an elite trail runner and has been at the top of the trail running arena for many years based initially in Hong Kong and now in Perth albeit he competes regularly around the world, supported by his great company of course.  I’m looking forward to seeing how fast the bix and Puma combination , together with serious training, can make me in October when I put it all on the line for sub 3 number thirty three.

Follow me on

or follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/runbkrun/

Big shout out to fisiocrem , this product is just incredible for tired and aching legs. I use it daily and have noticed a vast improvement in recovery.

Bix hydration is just ace, a product brought to life by Vlad Ixel a professional ultra runner who knows a thing or two about hydration. ( https://www.bixvitamins.com/ )  The best thing about Bix is it tastes good with many different flavours and you never get sick of drinking it, this is a big plus as Maurten and Tailwind (both great products)  can be difficult to digest later in the event.  From the website :-

As an Australian elite multiple trail running champion, with wins in over 40 ultra-marathon races across Asia, recovery from training and races has always been my top priority. 

In searching for a solid recovery and hydration supplement, I recognized that critical vitamins and minerals – both in diversity and quantity – were missing from almost all supplements on the market. I had the feeling that in an effort to maximize their bottom-lines, companies in the hydration space, failed to deliver a product that could meaningfully assist athlete performance. 

In order to address this, I began the development of a hydration product. After two and a half years of development alongside a leading German sports scientist, BIX Recovery, an advanced, high-quality recovery drink was born. 

BIX boosts 12 active ingredients scientifically balanced to replace lost electrolytes and assist in immune function. It’s designed with quality vitamins and minerals, in quantities that work! 

BIX is a recovery solution for everyone, that will get you to the top of your game!

What can I say about HumanTecar,  ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) it looks great, smells great and is awesome for recovery or even pre-run/workout. Read about the science behind it first and then try the products. The compression bandages are just magical after a long event. Put these on and the next day you are recovered, I have used them on a number of occasions and they never fail to astound me albeit the family poke fun at me as I look like a ‘mummy and smell funny’ !

Fractel ( https://fractel.com.au/ ) have your performance headgear covered. I love the colours and the functionality of these hats, I guarantee there is one model you’ll fall in love with.

Shokz headphones, let you keep in touch with the world around while losing yourself in quality tunes or podcasts. ( https://shokz.com.au/ )

T8 running apparel is the best you can get, second to none. Designed for the ultra humid Hong Kong conditions the owners live in.  It is light and does away with any chaffing worries. T8 is the name given to the highest typhoon warning in Honk Kong,  storms and typhoons with gusts exceeding 180kph, which explains the branding. ( https://t8.run/)

Follow me on

or follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/runbkrun/