Martin Wallace

Race Day

We can be heroes just for one day goes the world's greatest rock anthem.

Running the Canberra Marathon early on Sunday morning was my turn to be a hero- just for the day.

My mission aas to run 42kms for those who can't, and for the families and friends caring for loved ones who's lives have been wrecked by cancer.

With the generosity of my supporters, we raised $2,547 for crucial research to cure all cancers. And with the encouragement of so many people I was able to run my fastest yet.

I want to say another huge thank you to everyone who has donated to my fundraising target, given me encouragement, or even just taken an interest in what I've been doing. It really means so much!

I started this 20 week training program as a tribute to my late father who we lost to cancer 14 years ago. A few weeks into the program came the sad news that this deadly disease had also now taken my all time hero David Bowie.

The fact this disease can kill anyone, regardless of who they are, means its never been more important for us to do everything we can to fight back.

This was my 3rd marathon and each one I've done under the expert training provided by Can Too. This time I finally smashed my dream 4hr target with a personal best of 3hrs 53mins.

I'm over the moon at this time on what was a fabulous day.

Dawn was starting to break through the darkness when the starter's gun went off at 6.25am alongside Old Parliament House.

A giant wave of nervous runners completed a circuit of Parliament House before heading out to Manuka, and then setting off on a very long circuit of Lake Burley Griffin.

After running about 500kms during our training program, these last 42kms were the toughest and yet the most fun at the same time.

The enthusiastic crowds lining the streets really kept up my spirits when the going got tough.

Little kids lined up for high fives, the clapping, bellringing and marraca waving was continuous, and the flags and amusing cardboard message signs kept a smile on my face.

Thanks to my bright orange Can Too vest, I was getting cheered on throughout. And having written my name on the front of my vest, this meant some of the encouragement was personalised. You just can't imagine how much this lifts you when you are hurting- until you experience it for youself.

Seeing and hearing family and friends, and the family and friends of my training pod partners, kept my spirit soaring throughout the course. Especially when the going got tough.

They kept popping up all over the place having gotten on bikes to different vantage points using Canberra's bike tracks. More than once I heard myself ask to borrow one for a few kms.

The weather was perfect, with a low of 8 degrees that rose through the morning into the early 20s. By the 30km mark, the sun was intense. And I was so glad I'd slapped on the sun screen earlier.

The views across the lake were spectaular. So was the bush I'd no idea was so close to the haart of Canberra.

But I felt things getting tougher around the 28km mark as in the rising heat, I'd finished all the hydrolight I was carrying in my drink bottles.

At this point, I was caught by a group from Can Too's eastern beaches training pod, and they were happy to let me gatecrash their party.

After about 4kms, we hit a drink station, and I quickly knocked back two cups of hydro.

This kicked in immediately and when I got my second wind, I stretched out ahead of the others.

With so many loops on this course, it was a real boost to see, and share some banter, with my Northern Beaches training pod buddies as we passed each other.

But going out on my own at this point was the best thing I could have done. It meant I had to focus on how my body was reacting - listening to my breathing, keeping my strides short, and making sure my feet were not pointing outwards going up the few hills there were.

At this point on my last two marathons, I've started daydreaming and gone on to tear a muscle. Lesson learned the hard way.

When I topped the last hill of the course at 38kms, I met our super coach Matt Freyer. I'll never forget the beaming smile on his face. him We both knew that barring a last minute hitch, I was well within touching distance of smashing that 4hr marathon.

The last 4kms were a blur, as I was focussing inwards now to avoid a careless injury.

The crowds were getting deeper, with little hands outstretched for high fives. About 1km from the end, to my horror, I suddenly felt a jabbing sensation at the top of my left calf muscle.

I felt a second jab, and tried to stretch my leg as I eased back on the pace.

There was a third jab, but I knew the finish line was around the corner.

A group of Can Too supporters thrust a Can Too flag into my hand. The pain vanished as I waved the flag like a mad thing as I sped to the finish line. Crossing with a big grin on my face and no injury.

A wonderful day that made all the training, hard work and fundraising worthwhile. And added to my own running feat was the satisfaction of doing something for those in need.

My average speed was 5 mins 30 sec per km and I was the 454th runner back. My new Garmin watch had been perfect company, beeping after every km and displaying the time I'd just completed each km. This allowed me to track when I needed to slow down or speed up.

Those km times were: 5min 43 sec; 5.22; 5:03; 4:50; 5:06;5:21; 5:18; 5:26; 5:16; 5:27; 5:12; 5:24; 5:16; 5:13; 5:21; 5:04; 5:36; 5:24; 5:38; 5:33; 5:33; 5:23; 5:50; 5:21; 5:42; 5:23; 5:37; 5:25; 5:53; 5:21; 6:00; 5:48; 5:54; 5:38; 5:42; 5:44; 5:53; 5:25; 5:35; 5:41; 5:37; 5:33; 3:26

Week 19

Commencing countdown, engines on....

After five months of solid training, I'm just a few days away from running the Canberra marathon to raise funding and awareness for Cancer Research.

With the government doing so little to support crucial research to end all cancers, it's more improtant than ever that people who are able to, support those who are in need.

I've run over 500kms in my training during this program and the generosity and encouragement from my fundraising supporters means so much.

This will keep me going as I slog my way round the 42km course looping around Lake Burley Griffin on Sunday morning.

My final full week of training involved kilometre work on the track.

We were running 5 laps, or 2kms.

The first km was supposed to be at our marathon pace, and the second a bit faster, training us on how to build to the finish.

We completed two sets of this workout.

I kept my first km to around 5min 40secs and my second km each time was easily faster.

My last Saturday long run was a 10km run around Narrabeen Lake. A lake circuit, with a bit extra added on. I started out at 6.30am in almost total darkness. It was a stunning start to the morning when the sun quickly rose, with no other soul around.

I felt an ache in one hamstring, and a bit of pain in the opposite knee. I pulled back and eased into a more relaxing pace, finishing in 1hr 4mins.

Not much of a time, but avoiding injury now is the name of the game, especially as I'm not going to get any fitter this close to race day.

In the afternoon I had a physio session to give those niggles a work-over.

A couple of gym sessions are on the cards, now and a light track session on Monday.

The countdown is now happening, with inspiration from my training partner Paul Green, who on Sunday finished the Paris marathon in 4hrs 20mins. He's got another two marathons to run over the next fortnight.

I've only got one to do, and that'll be a big enough challenge for me as its my third marathon in 12 months

Week 18

Who said training for a marathon was a pain in the ass? Well after 18 weeks of solid training, I've got piles, conjunctivitis, a sinus infection I can't shift, an aching calf muscle and both achilles tendons are starting to play up.

After running more than 400 kms on the roads, countless laps of the running track and three knackering gym sessions a week, its probably no wonder my body is beginning to ache, and I'm certainly not getting enough sleep with the 4.30am starts to recover.

But on the bright side, I'm fitter and healthier, and have hopefully reduced my own chances of getting cancer. More importantly, I'm supporting crucial research to find cures for all cancers.

This week I attended Cure Cancer's recognition evening, where grants for young researchers were handed out.

The evening gave me an insight into where all the money Cantooers raise goes - $16 million and counting! With the Government not doing enough to back research to end cancer, its more important than ever that we all do our bit to support those who are bravely battling cancer every day, their families, friends and work colleagues.

Hearing first hand the achievements of CanToo, Cure Cancer and the researches they fund was all the more important for me as the evening was 22 March - the anniversary of my own father's passing from bowel cancer.

Even 14 years on, its still a sad time for my family. But being in the company of so many people who's lives are affected by this heartless disease reaffirmed the importance of my small efforts pounding the pavements to support research to hopefully ensure in future no-one dies from cancer.

This week's track session was named Yasso 800s. Don't ask me where the name comes from. It basically involved us running 800 metres six times over.

The idea was to run at the time you aim to run the marathon.

For me, I want to cross the finish line in under 4hrs - for the first time. So this meant I had to complete my 800 metre sessions in under 4mins. I averaged around 3mins 40, so was well within range.

On Saturday morning there's a 20km run involving all the Cantoo pods from Kirribilli.

On the advice of my coach, I'm instead getting some physio done and then putting my feet up this weekend to allowing the body a bit of welcome rest.

I'm fit enough, and now got enough kms in the legs, so recovery will be more important now with the big day less than three weeks away.

Week 17

While most folk can't be bothered driving 35kms on the weekend, our Saturday morning began with a 35km run before 9am.

Absolutely mental, and it was pitch dark when we set of from Church Point at 5.30am.

I was one of two runners who set off early with our training buddie Katie who will be overseas when the rest of us run the Canberra Marathon.

Today Katie ran the Mona Vale marathon, and because this meant she was running 7kms more than the rest of us, we staggered the group so there was always someone running with her to the finish line.

The temperature was much cooler than the humidity we've had in recent weeks, and this was a real blessing.

Once we got down to Mona Vale surf club, we picked up the rest of the pack and headed down the coast to the far side of Dee Why Beach.

We turned here and headed back up to Mona Vale surf club and then headed out to Church Point again.

It had only been a few hours that I'd left here earlier, but it felt like weeks ago. Funny how your mind works with you in this way to get you through the aches and pains.

Now that I've started taking 2 salt tablets every hour to reduce cramping, I took six on this run, and they worked well.

Without killing myself, or risking injury, I finished up in 3hrs 29mins.

This monster run was the longest and last biggie in our program. Now that we're officially tapering, I'm hoping to heal up the niggles in the calf muscles and the few twinges that have appeared in the past fortnight in my achilles.

And Katie set us a fantastic example by successfully crossing the finishing tape we'd set up. She fully deserved the medal coach Matt Freyer placed over her head for a brave and inspiring marathon run.

Our Wednesday night track session this week involved us running 1,200 metres (3 laps), with the first at marathon pace and the second and third getting progressively faster.

We completed four sets of these, which was heavy going given the high humidity. With perspiration dripping off our faces it was a race against the hewavy black storm clouds trhat came rolling in before it bucketed down.

Overall I was on par with my sets consistent, completed in 5 mins 5 secs, 5 mins 11 secs, 5 mins 4 secs and 5 mins 5 secs.

Week 16

Our Saturday long run was like an Instagram lover's wet dream.

With very high humidity as we rounded North Head, only the tops of Centrepoint tower and the tallest office blocks could be seen poking out of the heavy sea mist. A kind of post apocalyptic vision.

Sadly for Instagram lovers, I couldn't be bothered stopping to snap the traditional seen early morning Sydney skyline-in-the mist photo. You'll just have to make do with last week's Sydney skyline-in-the mist photo.

Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself...

This week we had our final track time trial of the program.

This is our 5km, or 12 and-a-half laps challenge.

It's always painful and a struggle not to throw up your lunch as you cross the finish line.

I had the distraction of my right shoe lace coming undone on the sixth lap and flapping around for the rest of the session.

My caring track buddies told me repeatedly it was out, but probably I did the wrong thing and ignored it and them as I was trying to keep up with my pace man Paul Green. I knew if I stopped to tie my lace, he'd get away from me, and my time would drop as my head went down.

So I ignored all the well meaning safety advice. If I was able to chop 10 seconds off every time someone told me my lace was out, I'd have finished the challenge before it started. Think I must have watched too much Dr Who as a kid to come up with that one!

Anyway, it was hard going, but I managed to sit in behind Paul and completed the challenge in 22mins and 10 seconds. This was 40 seconds faster than my previous personal best. It was also more than 2 mins faster than my first ever track time trial two marathon programs ago.

A very satisfying time on my third and final time trial of this program, that I hope leaves me in good shape to attempt to crack a sub 4hr marathon time in a month's time.

Our Saturday long run was a 'modest' 20 km run from Manly, as a recovery from last weekend's 32km session.

As the sun was rising, we headed along the beautiful shoreline from Queenscliff to Manly and on to Shelley Beach. With heavy mist rolling over the breakers as the sun was rising, the only thing missing was a Scooby Doo-style haunted pirate ship.

With the high humidity, the sweat was lashing off me, after about 100 yards and I felt it heavy going.

From here we looped along to Manly Waterworks before we slogged our way up to North Head, where we completed a lap of the loop walk at the top. Turning around and doing it all in reverse, we ran past a whole album of Instagram snaps.

At this point, roughly on the hour mark, I took the first ever salt tablets I've ever had on a run.

I'd been advised by staff at the store where I get my running gear and gels, to start taking 2 salt tablets every hour.

I found the difference remarkable. The crampy calves and hammys eased off and I really found my groove for the first time on this run.

I finished my run in 1 hr 59 mins, 11 mins within our target time.

Looking at my splits, I was averaging 6mins every km before taking the salt tablets. Soon afterwards, I was averaging on, or just above, 5min each km.

It'll be interesting to see how 2 salt tablets every hour works out on next week's 35 km Saturday (very) long run

week 15

Just cranked out 50 very sweaty push-ups as a sponsorship forfeit. Many thanks to Stephen Gallacher for the very generous donation, that's given the guns a workout. Not seen you since high school, so really impressed that you're supporting this great cause.

This Saturday's run was our second last long run of the program. With the mercury still through the roof, we headed off at 5.30am.

This run was a mind boggling 32kms from Mona Vale surf club to Freshwater and back.

And there's some pretty big hills thrown in.

We set off in pitch darkness, and with the ocean on our left as we headed south, we were lucky to see the sun slowly rise over the water. A beautiful experience and a real priviledge to have this to hand on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

It was a race against time getting to the turn and then making our way back northwards before the sun was fully up.

I'd got past Dee Why before it was full on sun in-your-face. Just as well I'd slapped on sunscreen by my car headlights earlier in the morning.

I was well pleased with my 3hrs 10 mins finish time, with no niggles. There was none of the agonising cramps I'd experienced on the last few long runs. I've gone back to using Zero tablets in my water bottles, providing electrolytes and salts during the longer runs, and I'm sure this helped.

My time was 7 mins quicker than my finish for in this same run during my last marathon training program. And it was way within our target time of 3hrs 45mins.

Being at Mona Vale we were able to finish up with an ocean swim. The water was chillier than it's been for a while, but it soothed out the aching muscles.

It's satisfying to have completed an epic run before 9am, while normal people are still in bed nursing a hangover.

I'd missed Wednesday's track session due to a late work meeting, and with a sinus infection and head cold to battle, I let my body have a rest rather than make it up the next night or go to the gym.

I finished off the weekend with a 5km run along beautiful Narrabeen Lake on Sunday evening.

Week 14

Recovery week - but no rest for the wicked. And I struggled on this week's long run.

After the monster of a 30km run last Saturday - 3 and-a-half times round Narrabeen Lake - this was an opportunity to give our aching bodies a rest. But there's no room for a long lie in or a leisurely pub lunch on this marathon program

I had my usual three early morning gym sessions during the week, and our Wednesday evening track session.

On a very hot and humid evening we had to complete 2km laps of the track, three times over.

The first km of each set was at our marathon pace, with the second a bit faster.

The idea was to get faster on each set. I started out at 10mins 33sec and made my way down to 9mins 23 secs on the last set.

Our Saturday long run was almost half the distance we'd slogged through the week before. But it felt much worse.

We headed off from Mona Vale surf club, past the Flying Fox Cafe and headed up Pittwater Road past Church Point and onto McCarrs Creek Reserve.

Some beautiful scenery on this run, and a welcome change of scenery too. The last time I completed this run was two marathon programs ago.

I'd forgotten how steep some of the hills behind Church Point were as we slogged along in very high humidity. The sweat was lashing off us, and my hamstrings were tight and achey.

I didn't find this run enjoyable in the least, and I put the discomfort down to a reaction to last Saturday's 30kms. I was suffering a bit too from a sinus infection I've been unable to shift.

I wrapped up this session in 1hr 34 min. My 5min 54sec per km pace was also slower than my previous run - even though that was double the distance. on Sunday I was feeling better and instead of doing 5kms along Narrabeen Lake, I ended up doing a full 8.5km lap in the early evening with the sun dropping and a lovely breeze whipping off the water.

Hopefully I'm in better shape next Saturday, when we've got 32km to look forward to!

Week 13

Thirteen is said to be unlucky for some, and it was certainly unlucky for CanToo's Australian Running Festival marathon squad - a monster of a 30km run in high humidity. Our biggest, most gruelling week yet, with three and-a-half laps of Narrabeen Lake to contend with in sweltering conditions.

But first we had to get through our Wednesday evening track session....

This had us running 1km, going hard on the straights, and easing back on the curves for two and-a-half laps. Our break was a gentle jog for 200 metres before we went through it all again.

On a hot, humid evening, we completed six sets, gradually getting faster on each one.

An injury at the top of my right calf muscle, that I've had since running my last marathon in September last year, mercifully behaved throughout the session, which was unusual for my track speed work. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is now starting to ease off.

Now for Saturday's epic, with a 5.45am start in pitch darkness.

While 'normal' people were still in bed or nursing a hangover, we headed out from the Narrabeen Tramsheds car park down to Jamieson Park, where we did a loop of the car park before heading back to the start.

Then we turned around and ran 3 laps of the lake. At 8.5kms each, what is usually a restful and scenic walk for most people, was a real trial of mind over matter for us.

It may sound a bit perverse, but I was moaning about the distinct lack of hills. The constant flat meant the same muscles were doing all the work, the whole time, without a break. Thank goodness for caffeine infused gels.

The session was set up as a mock race day event and we'd 3 stations set up around the circuit with water, gels, energy drinks and jelly snakes on hand to give us an electrolyte and sugar hit.

The volunteers manning these stations are simply awesome. The fuel and morale boost they provided really kept me going.

I was at my happiest when I was approaching the end of my second lap- knowing I'd be crossing off the landmarks I'd be passing shortly for the last time.

Luckily the sun stayed behind the clouds throughout. But we'd started in 24 degree heat and it'd only got hotter and more humid as the morning wore on.

i was pleased to cross the finish line with 2hrs 54mins on the clock, with an average of 5 mins 48 sec kms. Somehow, despite the weariness, my fastest km times were on the final lap.

Then the aches and pains set in, followed by the traditional ice bath. Ouch!

Week 12

The fight to knock-out cancer continues as my marathon training runs get longer, and longer.

We've now crossed off week 12 of our 20 week training schedule, and thankfully, this was a recovery week. Not exactly lounging around being fed grapes, but a bit less time on tired old legs.

Our Wednesday night track session was a sweaty affair due to the severe humidity.

Each set in the program involved us running 400 metres, five times. There was a 45 second rest in between each lap. Our aim was to start at our 5km pace and get faster on each one. I started at 1min 40secs and worked my way down to 1min 30 secs.

All up, we ran each set of five laps three times.

With the heat and humidity, the final lap of each set became a real struggle, but I managed to keep to the program.

Our early morning Saturday long run was a 16km trot from Kirribilli. It was stinking hot. When we set off at 6am, the mercury had already passed 24 degrees. Stunning views as we headed across the Harbour Bridge, and no better way to spend my birthday morning

We headed along the Cahill Expressway and up Macquarrie Street to Hyde Park, before turning left into the Domain and round the Opera House. We headed up Macquarrie Street again until we hit 8kms.

After reaching the half way point we turned around and did it all in reverse. With such high humidity, sweat was running off us in rivers.

As it was a recovery run, i eased off and chatted as we went. I finished up in 1hr 36 mins.

Anyone out for an early morning walk would have thought there was an orange invasion taking place. There was a sea of bright Cantoo running vests streaming along the road as we'd teamed up with our usual North pod friends as well as the East Sydney pod.

And then the 70 strong half marathon program showed up. Amazing effort everyone!

Week 11

We're now well into the second half of our marathon training and bad cramp pains in both calf muscles have been a feature of my Saturday morning runs now that they're getting longer and longer.

Wednesday night's track session involved us running 600 metres (with a 45 sec rest) 400 metres with a (30 sec rest) and a 200 metre sprint.

The idea was to try and get faster on each one.

I kept a steady 2mins 30 secs on the 600 metres, 1 min 30 secs for the 400 metres and 40 seconds on the 200 metres.

After each se,t we had a 400 metre cool down before doing it all again. We completed five sets.

Our Saturday long run, was just that - long. And it was really two runs rolled into one with a trail run slotted into the middle of our road run.

We set off from, Mona Vale Surf Club, heading up the hills behind the hospital. Once we got to Narrabeen, we turned right and started around the lake circuit rather than taking our usual straight ahead road to Dee Why.

The Lake run was beautiful, but in the end, it was almost like doing two circuits. Once we'd gotten most of the way round, we had to turn around and do it all in reverse, before taking the road back to Mona Vale. We had a couple of short downpours while we ran around the lake, but strangely it was dry back at Mona Vale, just a few kms up the road. That's some very localised weather for you.

I finished my 28kms in 2hrs 44 minutes.

The luckily the sun stayed behind the clouds for most of the run making conditions a bit easier. For the second Saturday running, I finished with bad cramp in both calf muscles.

With the beach closed due to dangerous surf, it made for interesting conditions in the ocean pool, with huge waves coming over the top.

I rounded things off with an ice bath at home, and on Sunday completed a gentle 5km trot along the lakeside.

Week 10

Our Wednesday night track session involved us running 5 sets of 800 metres with the aim of getting faster on each one.

I started out at 3mins 40 seconds and worked my way down to 3 mins 10 seconds on the last one. The final set was a killer as I struggled to breathe and nearly brought up my lunch at the finish line.

Our Saturday long run was a 24km pain inducing run from Manly.

The scenery was stunning, and gave me top distractions over my left shoulder as I slogged up some big hills.

We headed to Queenscliff and along the shorefront to Shelley Beach, up towards north head, and then veering down to Little Manly Cove and past the waterworks.

We'd a long slog through Fairlight and all the way up to Dobroyd Head, where we completed a lap of Tania Park before doing it all in reverse.

Everyone struggled with aches and pains on this tough, tough run that saw us rack up 421 metres in elevation.

I was pleased with my finish in 2hrs 22 secs, which saw me complete an average pace of 5 min 57 secs per km.

By the finish, both calf muscles were cramping and both legs aching all over.

I had the pelasure of my first ice bath after this one and slept with my skins on, which made life bearable on Sunday morning.

On Sunday, I ronuded off the weekend with a 5km run round Narrabeen lakeside in 33mins. This was a genetle recovery run to increase the kms and relieve the aching legs.

Week 9

Our Wednesday track session involved the second of our dreaded 5km time trials. That's 12 and-a-half laps. And it was an absolute stinker. After a roasting hot day in the high 30s, we took to the track in very high humidity, and with the mercury still over 30C.

I tried to go all out for a personal best, but after six laps, I could hardly breathe and had to take my foot off the gas. I finished up in a disappointing 22mins and 57 secs.

This didn't do justice to all the great track work I'd done in recent weeks and some pretty good long road runs.

But given the horrendous conditions and the fact it was only 11 seconds slower than my fastest ever effort, I had to count my blessings.

Saturday was a 14km recovery run. As I was away on a family trip, I missed out on the official run.

But I ran two laps of Narrabeen Lake on my return on Sunday morning.

This amounted to 17 kms, and I finished up in 1hr 43 mins. This worked out to an average of 6min kms. I was joined by some CanToo buddies on the first lap. Some were doing a 5km recovery run and others 14kms.

With stunning views and several brekkie partners at the end, it was a fine morning's work

Week 8

This week's program was all the more poignant for me following the passing of my all- time hero David Bowie. The loss of the world's biggest rock star to liver cancer really brings home that this life wrecker can destroy anyone. It could be you or someone you love next. So let's end the misery caused by this disease by ensuring cures are found asap.

Wednesday's track session involved 1,000 metre sets, or two and a half laps. I completed 5 sets, with the first 4 around 4 mins 40 secs. I pushed the last set and wrapped this up in 4mins 5 secs.

I missed the official Saturday long run as I was running a Cantoo BBQ at Bunnings Narrabeen to help get me closer to my fundraising target. It was a tiring 8hr shift, but filled with banter and many laughs.

It was a weary 6am start for me on Sunday when I headed out on my 22km run solo.

The route from Mona Vale surf club to Dee Why and back involves a few hills, and without the support of our amazing energy champs, I drew on two energy gels and powdered gatorade made up in my water bottles.

In fine conditions, I finished in 2hrs 19 mins - well within the 2hrs 45mins target.

Week 7

A week of two halves for our training - with weather going from one extreme to the other.

The torrential rain hammering Sydney put a question mark over our Wednesday track session.

But when the Wakehurst Parkway re-opened to traffic, we were able to make it through to the sports academy for a very soggy session.

Wading through puddles, and with rain pouring down, we completed three lots of 1600 metres, with a 400 metres recovery jog in-between.

Our challenge was to maintain our time throughout. But my sets got quicker, with me squleching through 5mins 35 secs, 5 mins 25 secs and 5 mins 17 secs.

And then back home to stuff my saturated trainers with rolled up newspapers.

I missed the official 20km long run from Manly as I was running a fundraising Cantoo BBQ at Narabeen Bunnings along with my northern beaches pod buddy John Bussey.

A marathon session for us from 7.30am through to 3.30pm, with us shifting 40 kilos of snags. I'm glad I wasn't having to run that lot off. Being on your feet all day cooking and serving up snags without a beer in your hand, is pretty tiring and probably un-Australian.

On Sunday morning, myself and John headed out early to get our 20km run in. I used a route from a previous program so we could go local from Mona Vale.

Even setting off at 6.30am, it was scorching, at 27 degrees and no cloud cover.

Without energy champs out on the route, it was a real slog.

This was the first time I've used my energy belt in this program, and I only just got through this one thanks to a gel and the water bottles

We finished the run in a none-too-fast 2hrs 11 mins - better than the 2hrs 30min target - before heading off for a well deserved brekky.

Week 6

With the official program on hold due to the festive season, I kept up my own training to burn off the calorie mountain.

Instead of the usual Wednesday track session, I completed the 8.5km circuit of Narrabeen Lake.

On a lovely sunny late afternoon, I finished the session in 49mins, at an average pace of 5mins 50 secs per km.

A number of pod members met up at the usual early time on Saturday morning for a 16km run from Mona Vale.

We started in cloudy conditions, almost making up back before the sun burst through.

Without killing myself, my finish time was 1hr 32 mins, at an average pace of 5 mins 46 secs per km.

The after run brekky was a top reward.

On Sunday, I kept things ticking over with a 5km gentle jog around part of the lake with my son Ewan keeping me company.

Things are tracking well on the fitness and injury front. I'll have to do the next two long runs on my own as I've got two fundraising all-day Saturday BBQs lined up to hopefully get me to my fundraising target.

Week 5

't Was the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse – just the sound of pounding feet as CanToo runners slogged their way around a hot running track.

All right I used a bit of journalistic licence here – it was the night before the night before Christmas. But you’ll forgive me as its Christmas and you’ll get the point…while most people were enjoying after-works drinks the Northern Beaches pod were training hard at the Sydney Sports Academy track on a warm evening at Narrabeen.

Our challenge was 4 sets of 3 laps of the track. The first kilometre – two and-a-half laps – was at our marathon pace, and the last 200 metres was a sprint. This is all about teaching us how to maintain our race day pace, with something left in the tank for a playing for the cameras sprint to the finish line. I completed each set under 4mins 50 secs.

With a holiday break now upon us, there’s no official long run until 9 January. But a few of us arranged a Boxing Day morning run of 10km in a circuit taking in Narrabeen Lake to burn off all the Christmas pud, turkey, trimmings, booze and countless other naughty, but nice, treats we’ll have polished off. 10km was the recommeded distance in our training scheduler, but we did 11.2kms in 1hr 9 mins. And I followed it up with a 5km run next morning.

To everyone who has read my training blog I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas.

And so, as Tiny Tim said God bless Us, Every One!

Week 4

Painful chafing under the armpits, both nipples and the bum crack - all the glamour of summer marathon training.

As we were on a happy family outing, camping for the weekend, I missed the official 14km Saturday run from Kirribilli.

Instead, I got up early on Sunday morning for a 14km run from south Umina, past Ettalong to Booker Bay and back. Getting up early wasn't really a problem as I'd spend pretty much a sleepness night sweating under the canvas. I woke up not long after 5am with a sore leg and back, and the discovery the kids had rolled me off the pillow and blow up mattress during the night.

Even though I set off around 6am, the temperature was already nudging 30C. Unfortunately I was dehydrated before setting off and did without my usual pre-run porridge and banana.

The sweat was lashing off me the whole time, and the chafing under my armpits, nipples and bum crack was pretty painful. I'd also cut my foot in two places the day before stepping on oyster shells while fishing at Patonga lagoon, so all up it was a pretty unpleasant experience.

I kept myself going sourcing any water bubbler I could find on the route. But it was a hard slog. My finish time was an uremarkable 1hr 34mins, well down on the 1hr 7mins I managed for 12kms the previous week. It was a scorcher and I was just glad to get it over with.

Our track session earlier in the week involved 5x 800metres. I was happy I managed to keep each run within my target time of 3mins 45secs.

Week 3

Summer training Sydney style is very hot and very sweaty.

Our Wednesday night track session was a stinker with the humidy going off the scale. Everyone struggled in a sweat-lashed, sticky evening.

Our challenge was to complete two sets of 5x400 metres using the pace from our previous week's 5km time trial as a guide. I managed to keep my laps to my target of under 1min 50secs throughout.

Saturday's long run was a 12km route from Mona Vale surf club and heading out towards Dee Why. I was reintroduced to the 'charming' hills round the back of the hospital. The sun was splitting the skies throughout making for a bit of a slog on the return leg. I finished in 1 hr 7 mins, well inside the 90 target, but the baking heat made it anything but pleasant.

I finished up the weekend with a light 4 km jog round Narrabeen Lake on Sunday afternoon to loosen things off.

Week 2

We started our second week of the marathon training program with the news that the dreaded 5km track time trial was upon us so early. This works out to 12 and-a-half laps, and is all about assessing your base level of fitness and teaching you about pacing.

I've not been doing much running in previous weeks as my right leg has been sore. According to the physio, its the Popliteus that's been giving me grief. This is a muscle that runs along the top of the calf muscle, and locks in to support the knee when going up and downhill. I've been feeling this going up hills or walking down stairs, and its an over-use injury. Apart from rest, I've been working on strengthening related muscles and improving flexibility.

Despite this, I managed to complete the time trial in a decent 22mins and 46 seconds, without knocking the stuffing out of myself.

This was 5 seconds faster than the track time I managed towards the end of the Sydney marathon program in May - and a new personal best. Very happy with this.

Our Saturday long run was a 10 mile run from Hinckler Park, Manly, to half-way up the hill towards North Head. This involved stunning views along Queenscliff and Manly beaches as the sun came up. A beautiful sunny day, and amazing to be taking in these great views.

I had watch problems on this outing, so sadly I've no idea what the time was.

Week 1

The build up for the Australian Running Festival Canberra Marathon in April has begun.

This is my third marathon program with CanToo. I'm pumped and looking for a PB

In September I missed out on my sub 4hr target by 93 seconds. I wanna smash it this time (if I can avoid any race day or training injuries).

Our first Wednesday track session at the Narabeen Sports Centre was mainly a registration and meet and greet with the new crew. Great to see about 9 familiar faces along with coach Matt Freyer again. It's going to be an awesome journey with these guys.

With the mercury in the 30s we completed 3 x1km sessions (two and-a-half laps), with a 200 metre recovery in-between. A nice and gentle start, but very sweaty. This is going to be a taste of things to come with our training happening right through the summer.

Our Saturday long run was an 8km run from Kirribilli over the Harbour Bridge, up Macquarrie St and down into the Domain before doing it all in reverse.

A nice easy pace meant we finished our first Saturday run in 48mins before brekky.