My Rocky Road to Four World Records

After finishing my first marathon in Rotorua in 1981 (3:38), I realized this was possibly my favorite distance to race – 107 marathons later, I knew my passion was definitely racing 42.195k, the marathon!

I turned 40 in 1990 and always eyed the world master’s records for different distances. The W40-50 category was ridiculously out of reach, especially for the marathon e.g. Priscilla Welsh (42) winning the New York City marathon in 2:26.51.

I surmised the only plan to achieve world master’s records was to get older, “hang in there”. and not slowing too much.

This plan worked well in my 50's – various records over the 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 distances, but the marathon was always out of reach and yet that was the one I wanted most!

Finally, when I reached 59 last year, I searched for the official W60-64 records - a very difficult and confusing task – and discovered, due to the certification of the courses, there were official and unofficial records for the marathons.

For example, Barbara Miller (USA) had run 3:14, I had just run Rotorua in 3:07, so all looked promising just three months off my 60th birthday!

This is when plans fell apart.

Firstly, my diligent and very supportive running mate Des Young, found an elusive website showing five women had run under 3:14, the unofficial fastest being Claudine Marchadier (France) in 2007, running 3:02.50 on a course that appeared to be certified.

These records were confusing and the final result was, best run under 3:02.50, a time I hadn’t achieved since 2006.

Secondly, shortly after running on my birthday in August 2009 (birthday pressy) I became unwell and was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism or more specific, graves disease. This is a thyroid malfunction problem which basically stuffs your running! Medication, a good optimistic specialist and a supportive coach, Matt Dravitzki, got me on the road to recovery.

The thought of track season approaching and my promise to Mike Piper to run the 100th Invercargill marathon in November, found me going from a humbling level of fitness to a running schedule, very quickly.

Wisely, I switched to the half marathon and just missed out on the world record of 1:26.20 running 1:27. I was happy I was running again!

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December found me recovering from this event and training for an attempt at the 10,000m track race in Tauranga in January – 39:21 was the record. Another failed attempt, clocking 39:47. All good training I thought and I was learning to race again.

Finally on February 21, 2010 I succeeded in breaking the 5000m record running 18:51.13 (19:14 was the record). A week later I achieved the 10,000m record in 39:04 (39:21 was the record). I attempted, but failed the 3,000m record, twice, then ran out of track season. Maybe one for 2011.

Planning the road races of the half marathon and marathon distances was more difficult as it was necessary for the courses to be WMA (World Masters Athletics) Certified. That excluded my favorite Rotorua marathon in May so this was relegated to a long training run (not recommended by my coach Matt).

I planned for the Christchurch half marathon in June and for the marathon on the Gold Coast (Queensland, Australia) in July. The marathon training now stepped up a notch:

• Makara runs got darker and I swear, longer!
• ice baths got colder, especially in the pouring rain
• three minute reps felt like four minute reps
• tempo runs never appeared fast enough.

My dedicated group of running friends, who trained enthusiastically throughout the summer with me on Kilbirnie Park, now thinned out as their racing goals were different. They refused to do speed work on a sloshy, dark park, and some even got pregnant to avoid it!

My now frequent double workouts of running/swimming back-to-back often found me in the aquatic center somewhat blue-lipped. The only relief from this uncomfortable training was my sessions on the stationary bike that was in the comfort of my lounge!

I imagine coaching me got tricky for Matt, training for a marathon (Rotorua) then a half marathon (Christchurch) then an attempt at a marathon record (Gold Coast), all within two months.

Rotorua marathon went well and I felt strong as I finished in 3:24 and Betty Harp (3:29). We rewarded our bodies with a large ice bath in the motels towel bin (kiwi ingenuity!).

Finally, after good hard training, five weeks later I was on the starting line at a rather wet Christchurch half marathon.

Thanks to all my amazing Scottish Harriers friends, Gabby O’Rourke and Vicki Humphries, (who both have a direct line to our creator) my family and Matt , I crossed the finished line in 1:24.56, well inside the record of 1:26.21 seconds.

Three down, one to go – the most difficult one, the marathon!

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Time was running out, so I did what desperate runners do, I stuck to my schedule. The niggle was now a definite pain so I immediately stopped running for six days and went into damage control.

My new found friendship with the gym kicked in, as I duplicated my running schedule on the cross training machine. No easing into this, of course, so soon a niggle in my knee stopped me.

Aqua jogging at 6am by myself in Kilbirnie pool on a Sunday morning made me appreciate my chosen sport of running. Pool work always needed a warm up on a stationary bike. The calf was improving! I was now back to jogging but with two weeks to go it was time to taper.

It was a lovely morning with a slight breeze when I stood nervously on the start line of the marathon in South Port, Gold Coast. Rob de Castella was shouting motivating phrases on the loud speaker. He was terrific, everything he was saying was exactly right.

Matt had texted me the night before. His style of quiet motivation stuck in my mind so vividly throughout the night. “All the best, your time has come.” He was right, at my age you might only have one shot at this marathon record.

The gun went off and my plan to run with the under 3-hour group, led by Steve Moneghetti, was abandoned when at 5k we were on a 2.55 km pace. Pity, now it was harder by myself but risking that fast pace at the start meant I could pay later. I decided to sit well off the pack at a 2.58 -2.59 km pace.

New socks were causing a burning sensation in my feet (tuff). I found the pace quite hard the whole way but encouraging when I went through half-way in 1:28.48 - my usual mental melt down between 21-28k was real. By 30-35k I was still on 2.59 pace but the head wind was a bit demanding (excuse!).

Prayers were answered when at 37k just when you have to dig deep a young woman (40ish) passed me with the Nike logo “JUST DO IT” on her shorts. I repeated this to myself as we worked together and pulled each other along.

Feeling as though we were sprinting, the finish line finally was in sight 3:01.30 yeah! Eighty seconds to spare!

YES, it was all worth it!

Now when can I try for that sub 3 hours again!!!!

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