Sydney Marathon

Well following the last two weeks of being struck down with headaches and having flu like symptoms it was always going to be a massive call to simply turn up on the start line for the 2009 Sydney Marathon.

The Sydney Marathon in 2008 had been one of the toughest and hottest runs ever. Following discussions with Wayne Larden, the Race Director on the Tuesday prior to the Marathon it was commented that it would be mad for me to take on the run having spent close to two weeks in bed.

I was to then discover that after seeing a number of doctors that the actual cause of the headaches may have been due to the recent change in prescription in my new glasses. Making the immediate move back to contact lenses proved to be a real help and the chances of taking up my starting position was now within reach.

The remainder of the week was very low key as I adjusted to life without headaches. It was such a relief to ditch the new glasses and start feeling back in the game. The days ahead provided me with the confidence that I could make the start line. The question was would I make the distance ...

The race day provided perfect weather and with the street closures I was fortunate to be able to take some back streets to park then catch a taxi and train to take me to the start line. Although a little short on time I managed to drop my belongings and make the official start line - something that looked like a long shot only a matter of hours earlier.

Now the race itself was very tough ... The start was magic as is often the case with the morning run over the Sydney Harbour Bridge a highlight! The course then progressed down through the Botanic Gardens up Oxford Street and through Centennial Park. Although a little tight after little preparation leading into the race it was around the 15km stage that the pain really started to kick in. I was still feeling fine at the half way mark and knew that the toughest stage was in front of me.

The second stage of the Sydney Marathon is not my favourite with the journey across the Glebe Island Bridge and out to the inner west of Sydney not very pretty. It was even tougher seeing fellow runners passing out and dropping with exhaustion. This triggered me to pace it out and take it a little easier than normal to make sure that I would complete the distance.

Let's just say that the final 15km were up there with some of the more challenging stages for the Marathon Man and it was a great achievement to simply make it across the finish line to complete my second Sydney Marathon. The challenge remains to complete a Sydney Marathon with the best prepartion and achieve the results that I know are possible.

While the preparation is all important for the marathon it is also nice to know that with the right mental approach and belief in yourself that anything is possible. Today was all about setting a goal to complete the distance! Mission accomplished ...