Toasty's Race Report

Toasty can't read anything from blogger right now. He can't write or edit his own; he can't read yours. He's trusting me to edit and post for him. Silly man.

I am doing the quick version. Could you edit it for me, please?

but of course.

Most of my memories of the Melbourne marathon were the sensations I felt through my leg. Lining up at the start, I could feel a knot that had been there since the Tuesday before. The thought of pulling out was on my mind, and many had told to do just that. In fact, if I were to advise someone else in the same situation, I would probably say the same thing. But, I had to know.

and i get to mock you for it.

I had to know if I could finish. I was already resigned to the fact that this was not going to the day I would finish a sub 3:10 marathon. A deliberately slow start would make sure of that.

and the cruddy muffin i got him. all he wanted was a banana and a muffin. i did okay on the banana, but the only muffin on sale on saturday evening was in a 7-11. i was not a good muffin.

I have learned that running slowly keeps a tear from ripping. Experience I should probably not have.

mmm hmmm.

I kept close to 5-minute pace (a bit over), but knew I was in trouble. Each stride hurt where I know the tear had been. With each step, I felt a stab, but nothing I could describe as a ping. So without the ping I kept going while I could.

note to self: learn to make loud pinging noise.


After the first kilometre something strange happened: the stab moved from the outside to the middle of my calf. I thought I was mistaken about where I was hurt, but no, the pain was definitely in a different place.

freak

Further on, the pain worked its way down towards my ankle.

double freak

I ran for about seven kilometres with this sharp pain, but I got used to it. So I speed up, which would be the normal thing to do, right?

(freak)²

I did enjoy that I could look around and take in the views at the previous slower pace.

tourist

The increase in speed was gradual--to around 4:30 minute km, as I worked my way through the field. I settled on this pace from 14 km, and by the turn past half way I was closing in on the 3:15 group, which was about 200 m ahead. I saw my mum, dad, and sister cheering on the side. I stopped and gave mum a kiss, and after the turnaround yelled to my sister, “I’m on fire!” I was joking and enjoying being able to run. The exhilaration that I had was worth all the damage I sustained. are you sure? I loved it!

you are so wrong.

By the way, my half split as about 1:39. I was happy with that because of the easy start.


I ran the second half in 1:48, and struggled from about 32 km on. My effort remained the same, but the power just wasn’t there. My ability to remain relaxed suffered. I survived through to the end. I crossed the line and I had excruciating pain in my leg immediately. It was relief--a result beyond my expectations. This marathon will go down as one of the best in terms of how I felt crossing the finish line. Time had nothing to do with it.

harrumph. you did well, but you shouldn't have run injured. do you need to see the photos of the green paper undies again?


Ally, the last person I ran with when I could train without injury some 4 weeks prior, crossed a minute later. Giving her a hug, I was so happy for her. Soon after, Matty came home looking a million dollars. Nothing better than spending time with friends.

oh, and what does matty get for looking like a million dollars? does he get a hug? you just dole out the hugs like a miser. you owe matty a big sweaty hug.


I’m in China now. I miss my friends. I’m tired from endless business days. I want to see my wife; I love her so much.

me me me! he misses me, too.
here are photos from mel's mary. see if you can spot Toasty. he's so subtle.