Martin Wallace

Race day

Now I know what it feels like to be a celebrity - for one day anyway. Throughout the 4hrs I pounded the streets of Sydney in beautiful sunshine, overcast skies and rain during Sunday's marathon, I felt like a hero to those around me. Every runner did. I was cheered the entire way by spectators - young and old - volunteers, race officials and police. What an incredible feeling completing something so demanding physically and emotionally.

If running a marathon was meant to be easy, then more people would do it. But thanks to a sea of happy faces, music, never-ending cheering and excited kids waving flags and doing hi-fives with you, I felt like a champion.

Sydney you rocked, and you got me across that finish line....

Race day seemed to sneak up way too fast, but I'd done all the hard yards. And it had been a relatively injury- free journey, after I'd recovered from my May marathon and joined the program in week 7.

The result - an awesome day topped off with my second marathon medal hanging round my neck and a time of 4hrs and 1 minute. This was agonisingly close to my sub 4hr target, but meant a personal best by 22 minutes.

The last couple of days before Sunday were a blur with nerves and imaginery injuries.I  Put them to rest on Saturday afternoon with a light 20 min run along Narrabeen Lake.

At the starting line we were kept calm and had some stretching with coach Matt Fryer. Top physio David Stroud, who's kept me on the straight and narrow throughout this program, was there for last minute treatments voluntarily. Top effort getting up so early on a Sunday morning Stroudy and heading to Kirribili to give out free treatments. I wore the radioactive green compression socks to keep the troublesome left calf muscle I'd experienced in recent weeks in check.

At the start-line I was with CanTooers Jayde Moritz and Lou Ferrari, and we ran together almost to the finish.

Our first few kms were pretty fast, around 5min 20 secs each and the sun was beating down. A beautiful morning to be running across the road deck of the Harbour Bridge.

Some highlights here were running through some welcome shade in the Domain and around Mrs Maquarie's Chair before running across the temporary bridge crossing the road between Hyde Park north and south.

Round about the 20km mark, the back of my right knee started tightening up, so I took a couple of voltaren anti inflammateries and things eased off.

As we were leaving the Moore Park precinct, the race leaders came flying past us on the way back into the city. Incredible.

At the entrance to Centennial Park someone had draped a Scotland flag over the barrier and we had a mutual cheering session. The park seemed to go on forever, but once we'd passed the half-way mark it gave us a mental boost.

It had started dulling over, and as we left the park, it started chucking it down. The crowds were really great and stayed in place cheering us despite the rain.

Once we'd reached the city again, we powered down Oxford St and the cheering kids looking for hi-fives were really great. One man stood in the rain handing out a tub of jelly sweeties to tiring runners.

As we headed down the hill to Circular Quay, I was feeling very strong and could see the finish line. Cruelly we had one last long loop past Barangaroo and round Pyrmont and Ultimo before we'd see the Opera House again.

By this stage we were all aching and having to dig deep. Then they hit us with some  'secret' hills that nearly got me. Down and up and down and up some steep road flyer ramps. My right calf muscle started aching here, and when we were coming up the last ramp towards the Imax, I had to pull over and stretch it out. Here's the irony of marathons. I'd torn the left calf muscle in my other marathon, and it had been playing up in our tapering. Typically it was perfect, and it was the 'good' right calf muscle that I tore. I now knew the sub 4 hr time was no longer an option. I got running again, but was going it solo from here. i eased back and after about 1km, managed to power up again in familiar streets I'd slogged through in training.

Reaching the underside of the Harbour Bridge was an amazing feeling as I could see the Opera House and finish line across the bay. At this point CanToo founder Annie Crawford picked me up and ran me through the pain to Circular Quay. I can't thank her enough. Having some positive company really picks you up when you are hurting.

She handed me over to Matt Fryer and we ran hard around to the finish line approaches.

Hat off for the finishing photos, smiles for familiar faces in an incredibly supportive crowd, and yes, gulping back a tear before I was over the line.

One of the toughest, most rewarding experiences of my life.

Two things really stick with me now. The love from wonderful supporting crowds for CanToo, and because I was wearing a CanToo vest, I was singled out for big cheers. And even more incredible when you're feeling it tough, the number of people calling out my name and encouraging me. A fellow CanTooer had printed it in my vest in large letters as part of her fundraising efforts. I can't recommend that highly enough. It seemed as if half of Sydney knew me and were calling out my name. The support generated for you from this simple thing makes you smile and somehow manage to dig a bit deeper when you are almost spent.

Sydneysiders and their never-tiring support and goodwill were the true heroes on the day.

Many thanks to everyone who has supported me in fundraising for CanToo and given me so much encouragement along the way. You are all winners!

week 12

This is the last full week of training before the marathon, and we're well into tapering.

Wednesday's track session involved 2 x 2 kms. That worked out to 10 laps with a breather at the half-way point.

I finished both in 10mins 40 secs each without too much effort. That works out to 5mins 20 secs per km - a pleasing pace if I can manage that on race day.

Our Saturday long run was a gentle 10km session from the Opera House, round Circular Quay, past Barrangaroo and over Pyrmont Bridge before turning around.

As this was the last Saturday run before the marathon itself, every program group taking part in the running festival joined in.

CanToo founder Annie Crawford delivered an inspiring speech, reminding everyone of the important reasons we're all out there pounding the pavements.

There were some official photos on the Opera House steps before a sea of orange vests set off.

I finished in 54mins without breaking too much sweat. This worked out to 5 min 40 kms. If I can keep this up, I'll finish the marathon in my dream time of under 4hrs.

But I only had to run one quarter of what I'll face on race day. The countdown is well and truly on, and things are starting to get a little bit scary.

Week 11

With just two weeks to go until race day, we are now officially tapering. We've now got the big miles in our legs, so we're winding back the effort to make sure our bodies get a rest and we avoid injury. The experts says your fitness does not improve in the last fortnight before a marathon, so I'm happy to have a 'rest.'

Wednesday's track night involved six sets of 800 metres. I kept to a steady 4mins 40 secs for each.

Saturday's run was a 16km session from Kirribilli that took as along part of the race route.

We headed over the Harbour Bridge, along the Cahill Expressway, up Macquarrie St to Hyde Park, through the Domain and completed a loop of Mrs Maquarrie's chair before heading back through the Domain, along College St and turning at the first lights in Oxford St.

I finished in 1 hr 33 mins. Once the chilling early morning fog lifted it got hot and sunny. Maybe a taste of things to come.

With all the different Can Too program groups doing versions of the marathoners' route, there was a sea of orange vests on view throughout.

My left calf has been a bit niggly at times, but the fluro compression sox made a reappearance and kept things in order.

week 10

This training program has gone way too fast. This week we polished off our last long run before we do our pre-marathon taper (to avoid injury).

Wednesday's track night involved us running 4 x 1200 metres. I managed to keep my time for each of my 3 lap sets to 5 mins 45 secs. Worked up a good sweat without smashing it.

Saturday's long run was a tough 35km session that took us along sections of the actual marathon route.

We set off from Kirribilli, over the Harbour Bridge, round the Rocks, through Circular Quay, round Mrs Macquarrie's Chair, through the Domain, up Oxford St to Moore Park and completed a lap of Centennial Park before doing it all again in reverse. Centennial park was rammed with walkers, joggers and even Shetland Ponies being trotted out for kids rides.

A beautiful sunny day with world class views. So lucky.

A few aches and pains at the end, but thankfully no injuries.

My time of 3hrs 34 mins was 18mins faster than the same run on my last marathon program.

week 9

This week marked a return to the dreaded track night time trial. A 5km run - 12 and a half laps. Alarm bells went off on the second lap when I started to feel a stabbing pain in my left calf muscle. This is the same calf muscle I tore during my last marathon in May. I tried to mix things up taking shorter strides and pushing my weight down before my foot struck the track. This did the trick.

I managed to run through the pain and was amazed to find I'd completed a personal best with a strong 22min 51 sec finish. This was 1 min 3 secs faster than the previous best time trial finish from the 2 marathon programs I've been on.

Saturday's long run was a painful 32km run from Mona Vale surf club to Freshwater beach and back.   I wore some very 'sexy' snot-green coloured fluro compression socks to keep the sore calf muscle under control. There was no way anyone was getting lost following these bad boys! I'd a few aches and pains in the calf muscle, one knee, and my hammies along the way, but with a 28 degree sunny winter morning along stunning coastline, it doesn't get much better. With the sun streaming down as the morning grew, it was no surprise to find my shoulders and neck were sunburned at the finish line. I was happy enough with my time of 3hrs 17mins. 

Rather than having an iced bath to sort out the aching legs at home, we all dived into the ocean at Mona Vale. The breath taking freezing water gave me a reminder of the winter chill I'm more used to!

Week 8

Just 5 weeks to go now until I attempt my second ever marathon. This week was a recovery week, although after the big mileage frrom the week before, and a couple of early morning gym sessions, my tired, achey legs didn't feel much rested.

Wednesday's track night was a pyramid session.

400 metres, with 30 seconds recovery

800 metres with 45 seconds recovery

1200 metres with 60 seconds recovery

1600 metres with 90 seconds recovery.

And back down again...

So all up a fairly tough 6.5 kms on the track

Saturday's long run was a 16km recovery run.

Setting off from the outskirts of Manly, to Queenscliff, then along the shoreline to Shelley Beach, past Manly Aquarium and along the coastal track to north Balgowla and back.

A lovely mid-winter's morning with a stunning sunrise.

Our target time was 1hr 50mins, although I finished it in 1hr 32mins without pushing things.

Staying injury free now is the name of the game.

Week 7

The kilometres are really piling on, but touch wood, the body is holding up so far.

Wednesday's track session was a toughy, and the temperature plumetted as the sun went down.

Our task was to complete 2,000 metres, or 5 laps of the track, three times, getting faster with each one.

I completed mine in 9mins and 28 secs, 9 mins and 22 secs and 9 mins 18 secs.

Saturday's long run was a 30km challenge.

We ran from the outskirts of Manly to Queenscliif Beach, along the prom to Shelley Beach, up to North Head, where we performed a circuit of the Fairfax walking track, down to Manly Aquarium and along the shoreline to north Balgowla, where we turned around and had to do the whole thing in reverse.

It was heart-beaking having to run up the hill to North Head twice. As my son was playing footy, I had headed off on my own early in total darkness at 5.15am.

This gave me an unexpected bonus as I was tiring running up to North Head the second time - when I saw my mates on their way down - they were coming down the first time and had it all to do again.

As I ran past the surfers and swimmers at Shelley Beach on my way to the finish line, I heard a bike bell ringing behind me, and was promptly overtaken by a bloke riding a penny farthing. Now that's not something you see every day!   

Week 6

Our Wednesday track session was another breath freezer, with the temperature dropping through the floor once the sun had gone down.

Our task tonite was completing 1km sets on the track. This involved running at 90% on the straights, with a slower pace on the curves. A 200 metre light jog in between each set was our reward.

We completed 5 sets overall, and I was pleased to keep the faster pace consistent right the way through.

Saturday's long run was a 27km trip from Monva Vale surf club to the Abbott Road turn off, just past Dee Why Beach. With my son playing footy in the morning I headed out solo at 5.30am to get back in time.

It made for a change for me passing our faster runners on the return leg, as they'd set off a full hour after me. 

I completed the run in 3hrs, being slowed down on the return leg due to stomach cramping. My sausage sandwiches for Friday night dinner was not the best pre-run meal. Luckily I managed to get back to the surf club just in time without incident.

Despite the dodgy tum this run was 6min faster than the 27km run I completed during my marathon program earlier in the week. So the fitness must be improving, even if it didn't feel that way on Saturday morning 

Week 5

Freezing breath and chilled fingers are a regular feature of our Wednesday night track session.

This week we had a 400 metre special.

The program involved us running 5 x 400 metres, with a 45 second recovery in between. We completed three sets of this. The idea was to increase the pace on each 400 metre run out.

By my reckoning those 15 laps amounted to a 6km session.

I missed the 14km Saturday morning recovery run in the city as I was doing my fundraising sausage sizzle at Bunnings. 9hrs of cooking snags without a beer in my hand is just unAustralian! Things really went off and we got smashed for most of the day. We'd gone through our 30kilos of snags by 2pm, and had to send out for more. I reckon we sold about 400 during the day. I resisted the temptation of having one, but am told they were pretty tasty.

The day's efforts have made a big dent towards my fundraising target. Many thanks to everyone who came along to support CanToo.

On Sunday afternoon I finally got my long run in. I ran two laps of Narrabeen Lake in perfect conditions. The sun was sparkling on the water and a refreshing breeze was whipping off the lake. It was an amazing 20 degrees, and it's meant to be mid-winter!

All up I ran 17kms, in an easy 1hr 39mins. 3kms more than scheduled run, but the scenery and sunshine was worth it. 

Week 4

Another freezing outing at the Narrabeen sports academy for Wednesday's track session.

You could actually see your breath freezing and hands were numbing up in between each circuit. One of my fellow runners even had to stop every so often to wipe his steamed up glasses. Serves him right for being so fast.

Tonight's activity involved 600m, with a 45 sec recovery; 400m with a 30 sec recovery and a 200m.

We completed this pyramid five times, getting faster as we went down the pyramid, and on each set too.

Saturday's long run was a 24km session from Keirle Park Manly to Queenscliff, along the esplanade to Shelley Beach, past Manly Aquarium and all the way up to Dobroyd Point, before we turned around.

This route was notable for the large number of hills on it. Again it was pretty cold, with numbed fingers. I felt sorry for the Bold and the Beautiful swimmers heading off for their early morning dip at Manly Surf Club in 4 degree weather. Any sympathy was lost the next day when I saw media reports of the water temperature during their swim actually being 18 degrees.

I finished this one in 2hrs 15 minutes, despite chatting to my fellow Cantoo runners throughout. This was a minute faster that the 22kms I ran on my own the previous Saturday. It was also 5 minutes faster than the 24kms I ran at this stage of the marathon program I completed earlier in the year. And touch wood, no repeats of the hip flexer injury I was experiencing at this stage previously.

Pity my fundraising efforts aren't going as well! 

week 3

Wednesday night's track session was quite memorable. Someone reckons they spotted the International Space Station flying past Jupiter and Venus. I didn't see anything other than our breath freezing trackside.

For a Scotsman to find it cold, then it really must have been cold. My hands were numbing up in between each set. And we had the extra incentive of getting through the session and home in time for the State of Origin decider.

We completed 6x 800 metres, with a 400 metre recovery in between.

The idea was to progressively get faster on each set.

I started off with 3mins 49secs and followed up with 3mins 45 sec, 3mins 42secs, 3 mins 35 secs and 3 mins 34 secs, 3mins 35 secs and 3 mins 29 secs. So apart from the second last set, every one was faster than the previous set.

This was a good session, and it was a blessed relief to have no niggles.

The Saturday long run was switched to Sunday so CanToo could take part in the Dolls Point half marathon (21kms). This was too much of a disruption for the family so I decided to do a solo Saturday morning session from Mona Vale to Dee Why and back - 22 kms. This meant I was adding 2kms to the previous Saturday run. 

It started out dark and mild and finished up with lovely sunshine and a cold wind whipping off the ocean. I fininished in 2hrs 16 mins and was spurred on seeing a couple of runners from the northern beaches pod who set off an hour after me and the half marathon group. Smiles and high fives make for happy moments!

week 2

Week 2 was satisfying.

Wednesday night's track session was a return to the traditional 5km time trial. I managed to record a personal best for the 12 and-a-half laps on what was a finger numbingly cold night. I was very happy with my 23mins 54 second finish. During my previous marathon program I recorded 24mins 21 secs (twice) and 24mins 54 secs. Frustratingly I always seemed to be carrying an injury come track night, so no matter the fitness improvements I'd make during the program, I never seemed to get any faster.

The Saturday long run was a 20km run from Mona Vale to Long Reef beach and back. The hills behind the hospital are tough, but with the sunrise chasing off the chill this was a lovely run, and the longest since my marathon in May. I finished in 1hr 54mins and was delighted to have no sign of the old injuries.

week 1

This is week 1 of my training for the Sydney Blackmore's Marathon in September. It was actually week 7 of the Northern Beaches pod's training progbram. I've jumped in late after treatment and recovery from the torn calf muslce and strained ITB I picked up in the Great Ocean road ultra marathon in May.

Wednesday's track session involved 5 x 1 km distances around the track. I wanted to break myself in easily after my lay-off and kept things steady around the 5min mark. There was a 200 metre recovery walk between each round.

I got lucky with the Saturday long run, which as it happeend was a 12km recovery run. This was the longesat i've run since GOR.

We started out at Kirribilli, running over the Harbour Bridge to the Rocks, through the CBD, over Pyrmont Bridge and up to Blackwattle Bay cafe.

It started out dark and ended up with a glorious sunrise. I finished up in 1hr 23mins. Best of all there were no niggles.

What a difference it was not training in a Sydney summer. There was a cold wind, and for the first time I had to run with a long sleeved top under my CanToo singlet.   

Race Day - week 24

Finally after many months of hard slog, injuries, stretching and rolling, race day was upon us.

I travelled down to the Great Ocean Road on the Friday with some of my running buddies and we shared a house in Appollo Bay close to the finish line.

This meant we'd a relaxed, and stress-free day before the race. At night we all met up in one of our shared houses for some carb loading. Everyone brought a dish, which meant we'd mash potato, roast potatoes, chicken, pasta, lasagne and garlic bread.

This was an excellent way of us geeing each other up away from strangers. The mood was sombre though, and almost like the last supper, as everyone's inner fears were never far away.

This was made worse by us all having driven across the actual route the day before, and seeing the size of the hills we'd have to get over.

Race morning involved me scoffing a couple of bananas, and a couple of slices of toast with jam. We piled onto the organised coaches that were to take us to to the start line at Lorne at 6am.

It was pitch dark when the coach ride started, and the sun was coming up when we arrived at the start line a whole hour later. The mood on the bus was something else. Think the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan, as the landing craft are approaching the beach, and you'll get an idea of the tension!

Some mingling, light stretching and jogging later and we were lining up awaiting the starting hooter.

I ran the first 21kms with a group of three other Can Too runners I'd trained with. I backed off a bit then as my right knee was hurting due to the steep camber in the road and the fact most of the bends were on the right hand side of the road. My half marathon time was a respectable (by my standards) 2hrs 4mins.

I ran the next section solo until I caught up with another Can Too runner around 26kms. We'd just got over all the hills and were coasting downwards when all of a sudden my left calf popped at the 30km mark. At this point I thought I'd been shot in the leg by a sniper. The pain and difficulty in putting my foot down was too much, and I thought my race was coming to a premature end. 

Luckily fate was shining on me, and one of our Can Too trainers coaches was just behind me. He had me lying on my back on the road while he stretched out the leg.

THis got me back on the move again and I dug in deep. Getting to the 36km mark was a key milestone as this was the longest distance I'd gone in training before my achilles tendons had started playing up. But both of them were behaving, and every step was taking me further than I'd ever gone in my life.

I was going solo at this point and happy to be keeping things together. The downward slope became flat all the way in to Appollo Bay. I could see it in the distance, slowly getting larger.

Once I'd reached the edge of town, I came across the marathon line chalked across the road - 42 kms and 2 and-a-half to get to the finish line. This was the cruellest moment, and I could see many people walking it in from here. Time - 4hrs 23 minutes.

By now I'd had 4 normal gels, 4 caffeine gels and 8 voltaron tablets - 2 before the start, and I popped 6 on the run. Anything to get me through.

By the time I'd reached the final 1km marker there was nothing left in the tank, and my hands were full of pins and needles.

Crossing the finish line was the hugest relief, and I've never felt so mentally or physically drained. Time - 4hrs 40 minutes.

Overall it was an amazing experience. I'll never forget the long, long climbs that seemed to go on forever, like the Tour de France. The stunning coastline scenery off to our left, complete with crashing waves, and the prefect weather - light breeze at our backs and lovely autumn sunshine could not have been any better.

In a lovely touch, the Can Too runners all waited at the finish line to cheer the rest of our team home. What an emotional day. A tribute to my father who we lost to bowel cancer 13 years ago, fulfilling a lifetime dream of completing a marathon, and raising cash to support an excellent cause.

I couldn't have done this without the help, support, advice, encouragement and laughs from our sensational coach Matt Freyer. I salute you Matt. And coach Jarrad Allen, who picked me up at the 30km mark.

And a special thank you to everyone who believed in me, supported me and sponsored me over the past few months.

Who knows, I may even do it all again!