Capital Marathon, Half Marathon & 10k

[davebullet]

It would be good to catchup with you at the end. I'll tell you my entry number, that way you'll be able to spot me (yeah right). I might just have to park the shiny SV at the end as an incentive.... could slow me down carrying the all the gear for the ride at the end though.

I must admit to being in the training doldrums. I'm managing regular runs, but not the longer distances I need to put in... trying to muster the motivation to do 18kms today in the glorious wellington rainshine. I'm trying to do the long runs in the weekend, but alas this weekend was too busy (soccer with the kids, multiplayer starcraft, cake baking and pancakes with my youngest all too much fun).

[bungbung]

Offroad is the new long distance. I'd much rather run up Tinakori hill than around the bays.

[kiwifruit]

Off road is my preference, too. Much easier on the body and more interesting etc.

Did my longest ever run yesterday, 4hours on MTB trails, hilly, muddy tracks, gravel... went really well! Felt a little stiff after (still today) but nothing painful. Enjoyed the eating and running, no problems getting quite alot of food down between the 1.5h and 3.5h mark.

Try to get at least one long run (long time, not necessarily long distance) under your belt in the next few weeks, it will help you no end on the day! ....perhaps arising pre sparrow fart and running before breakfast could suit?

[davebullet]

Getting some longer ones in. Did an 18 in 81 mins today. The split at 43 mins was at a comfortable pace. Picked it up into the northerly for a 38 min return.

Will try and get one more decent long run, and a few hill runs. I'm hoping by gutsing it out on the day, 89 mins is doable.

How is training going for the rest of you?

[Jase W]

Well I ended up entering the 10k rather than the half (the half was probably a little too ambitious for a newbie like myself). As far as training goes, I've only really been doing short runs in the evening (3kish) with a couple of 5kers thrown in. I would like to get a longer run in before the event (8kish).

I too enjoy off-road, and am contemplating entering the Mizuno off-road half marathon in september...

[kiwifruit]

Sounds like you're going to do a pretty quick time Dave!

Training going well here. 5 hour run last weekend, 42km, my longest ever. Was a mix of road and offroad, few hills. Was taking it gently, average heart rate was 135. Felt comfortable and had gas for a faster final km (4min). Have a few 4+ hour runs under my belt now, one more this w/e then the next long one will be the event. Hoping for a sub four but 4:25 is prolly more like it.

[davebullet]

Sounds like you're going to do a pretty quick time Dave!

Training going well here. 5 hour run last weekend, 42km, my longest ever. Was a mix of road and offroad, few hills. Was taking it gently, average heart rate was 135. Felt comfortable and had gas for a faster final km (4min). Have a few 4+ hour runs under my belt now, one more this w/e then the next long one will be the event. Hoping for a sub four but 4:25 is prolly more like it.

Looks like sub 4 hours is quite achievable, especially if you can finish the last km in 4 mins! Considering you were off road as well.... It's a flat course so the wind will be the only obstacle.

What sort of food are you going to take? 21kms without food is ok - but 42km I couldn't imagine without something to eat.

[kiwifruit]

Looks like sub 4 hours is quite achievable, especially if you can finish the last km in 4 mins! Considering you were off road as well.... It's a flat course so the wind will be the only obstacle.

What sort of food are you going to take? 21kms without food is ok - but 42km I couldn't imagine without something to eat.

We'll see I'll be happy to finish running. never know what can happen on "race" day.

I've been experimenting with food in training. I'll be eating home made muesli bars (oats, nuts, dried fruit, honey etc), heaps of spirulina tablets, bananas, and a honey sandwich or two on the day... along with about 2 litres of water. Its been interesting getting used to eating on the run, at the start i couldn't eat much at all... now i can eat loads! The rolling smorgasbord.

[davebullet]

We'll see I'll be happy to finish running. never know what can happen on "race" day.

I've been experimenting with food in training. I'll be eating home made muesli bars (oats, nuts, dried fruit, honey etc), heaps of spirulina tablets, bananas, and a honey sandwich or two on the day... along with about 2 litres of water. Its been interesting getting used to eating on the run, at the start i couldn't eat much at all... now i can eat loads! The rolling smorgasbord.

Sounds like how Dean Karnazes started!

For me. It's pasta the night before and 3 slabs of home baked bread with lashings of butter about 2 hours before running. Did the trick last time... but as you say, you won't know until on the day!

[jrandom]

lashings of butter

'Lashings'. Heh. Straight from 'The Famous Five Run a Marathon'.

[davebullet]

Well, 2 weeks to go lad / laddets. Starting the tapering period now (last long run yesterday out to Keneperu from J'ville - just over 20kms in 1:29 - so feeling quietly confident). The runs up to Mt Vic made the middleton road 1.5km climb seem gentle by comparison.

How is everyone feeling / going?

[kiwifruit]

Good work Dave! I recon you'll go 1:27:30

Been a slow week for me, campylobacter stopped my training until yesterday. Lost a bit of condition at a fairly important point which has revised my expectations to 4:30 to 5h. Goal is still sub 4 tho! Looking forward to the event.

[bungbung]

Pretty good run yesterday, 12km loop from waterloo to the top of Wainui hill road, north via the firebreaks to Summit road and back to home.

Aiming for a sub 2 hour, tried 21km last weekend into the Southerly over a relaxed 2.10 so I'm quite happy.

It is quite difficult for me to work out my pace while in motion. Does the Capital 1/2 have the pace runners labeled with their times? I recall seeing them, but can't remember which event it was at.

[kiwifruit]

Does the Capital 1/2 have the pace runners labeled with their times? I recall seeing them, but can't remember which event it was at.

Yep, look for the balloons with 2:00, 1:50, 1:40 etc etc, very helpful pacing tool. You could probably go with the 1:50 group, sounds like your training has gone well

[davebullet]

Pretty good run yesterday, 12km loop from waterloo to the top of Wainui hill road, north via the firebreaks to Summit road and back to home.

Aiming for a sub 2 hour, tried 21km last weekend into the Southerly over a relaxed 2.10 so I'm quite happy.

It is quite difficult for me to work out my pace while in motion. Does the Capital 1/2 have the pace runners labeled with their times? I recall seeing them, but can't remember which event it was at.

If you are doing 2:10 on hills, then on the flat you should be able to maintain an average faster pace. I find I don't quite make up the uphill parts going downhill, so I think sub 2 hours is definitely achievable. I'd hang with the 1:50 bunch as kiwifruit suggested:

Here are the baloon colours from the harbourcapital.org.nz site

Half Marathon Time Goal Balloon
1 hour 30 min red
1 hour 40 min blue
1 hour 50 min yellow
2 hours green
2 hours 10 min purple