GCM 18 
🏃🏻♂️ 
💨 
🇦🇺 RACE REVIEW .
_
HARD WORK PAYS OFF
💯
_
Having done the Gold Coast race before, I sort of knew what to expect of the course. The main challenge of this course was the camber and slight rolling terrain for the first 30km, followed by 2 short hills, with the remaining 10km being relatively flat and straightforward. Marathon flagged off at 0720 LT, 13-16 degree cold with a strong wind.
_
I ran my first GC in 4:49, without any training plan, just based on my fitness from other sports, mainly badminton. I managed to cut 15 minutes the following year; also coming without any preparation, just regularly participated in 10/21k race.
_
This year I ran the first 30k stretch with a Japanese runner, who I found out was holding the pace 4:19-4:30 in a rather comfortable shape. I know he’s got plenty in the tank, so I decided to just follow him. Surprisingly, he slowed down after 30km, and at this time I am running all alone until the FL. It was kinda tough, as the sun goes up, I was already feel niggling on my right thigh and left hamstring.
_
At 38km, I was no longer could keep up my pace, dropping to 5min pace per km. I was breathing a little harder and felt like crying at one time. The sun was up in full force and I was starting to really feel the heat at this stage. I decided not to look on my watch again, and just pulled my strings towards the FL. As I approached the last 500m, I pulled myself together for one last time. “Hold your breath and just sprint, like you always did in training” , I told myself. Straightly after, I felt muscles being pulled on my right thigh. I closed my eyes, bearing down the pain and suddenly I saw Malaysia flag on the left hand side of the grand stand; my friend Arul waving the flag for me!! I got boosted straight away and never looked back. I grab the flag, fly it away and run blazing past the finishing line. I saw the clock, and relatively felt relief. I’m targeting a 3:10 time but finished in 3:12. I know I could have done slightly better, but I was relatively happy as I give my all that morning. The conditions was tough, and to shave off 14 minutes from my previous pb (7 month of hard work) is something that I would take any day.
_
This review would not be complete without mentioning my race shoes! I contributed to a review of the Nike Zoom Fly, it was such a good shoe that despite weighing 80grams, i was fairly comfortable with running at marathon pace/effort in the shoe without being overly concerned about the weight; also feels great during speed workout on the track.
_
Definitely GCM19 is on my radar next year. The Gold Coast Marathon has a special place in my heart since it was also the venue of my first ever overseas marathon. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you everyone for the support throughout the week, especially my smartathleticsclub family!
💙
Till next time! Happy Running
😊 🏃🏻♂️ 💨
_
#DareToDream
⚡️ #SACProject #SmartAthleticsClub #AirAsia
🏃🏻♂️ 💨 🇦🇺 RACE REVIEW ._
HARD WORK PAYS OFF
💯 _
Having done the Gold Coast race before, I sort of knew what to expect of the course. The main challenge of this course was the camber and slight rolling terrain for the first 30km, followed by 2 short hills, with the remaining 10km being relatively flat and straightforward. Marathon flagged off at 0720 LT, 13-16 degree cold with a strong wind.
_
I ran my first GC in 4:49, without any training plan, just based on my fitness from other sports, mainly badminton. I managed to cut 15 minutes the following year; also coming without any preparation, just regularly participated in 10/21k race.
_
This year I ran the first 30k stretch with a Japanese runner, who I found out was holding the pace 4:19-4:30 in a rather comfortable shape. I know he’s got plenty in the tank, so I decided to just follow him. Surprisingly, he slowed down after 30km, and at this time I am running all alone until the FL. It was kinda tough, as the sun goes up, I was already feel niggling on my right thigh and left hamstring.
_
At 38km, I was no longer could keep up my pace, dropping to 5min pace per km. I was breathing a little harder and felt like crying at one time. The sun was up in full force and I was starting to really feel the heat at this stage. I decided not to look on my watch again, and just pulled my strings towards the FL. As I approached the last 500m, I pulled myself together for one last time. “Hold your breath and just sprint, like you always did in training” , I told myself. Straightly after, I felt muscles being pulled on my right thigh. I closed my eyes, bearing down the pain and suddenly I saw Malaysia flag on the left hand side of the grand stand; my friend Arul waving the flag for me!! I got boosted straight away and never looked back. I grab the flag, fly it away and run blazing past the finishing line. I saw the clock, and relatively felt relief. I’m targeting a 3:10 time but finished in 3:12. I know I could have done slightly better, but I was relatively happy as I give my all that morning. The conditions was tough, and to shave off 14 minutes from my previous pb (7 month of hard work) is something that I would take any day.
_
This review would not be complete without mentioning my race shoes! I contributed to a review of the Nike Zoom Fly, it was such a good shoe that despite weighing 80grams, i was fairly comfortable with running at marathon pace/effort in the shoe without being overly concerned about the weight; also feels great during speed workout on the track.
_
Definitely GCM19 is on my radar next year. The Gold Coast Marathon has a special place in my heart since it was also the venue of my first ever overseas marathon. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you everyone for the support throughout the week, especially my smartathleticsclub family!
💙Till next time! Happy Running
😊 🏃🏻♂️ 💨_
#DareToDream
⚡️ #SACProject #SmartAthleticsClub #AirAsia
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