Given the injury interrupted preparation [ R) Achilles and R) adductor] and the slow recovery from the last marathon in July I was unable to do any long runs in the lead up. 21km was the longest I was able to do and that was only once in the training cycle. Not the ideal lead up for a marathon.

Given this lack of distance work and also the Achilles injury meaning no chance of doing any hill work or pace work it was inevitable that while I would complete the distance, I would be lacking any ability to hold a fast pace over the whole way. So the strategy was that if it was going to be ugly at the end in any event, I may as well try and see if I could post a reasonable first half and then see where the cards lay over the last half.

Last year this race was my first completed marathon in 4 years due to either non starts or non finishes due to injury. Having sorted out the main problem last August I was able to get enough training in to run a conservative Auckland Marathon and finally get one under the belt again. And so over the next 12 months I completed 3 more marathons (incl. this one) and 3 half marathons. A very good (record in fact) year in all respects even though this marathon was the toughest ever.

During the first half I averaged 4:39 per km which is very respectable given how hilly it is a but the second half was a big struggle with L) hamstring cramp from 28km. Again the left leg rears it's ugly head in long races!

I had to stop 9 times(!) in the last half to fend off cramp and this pushed my average pace out to 5:15 per km. Very disappointing but I got the the end despite a monumental mental and physical struggle to get there!

Despite all the issues, I ran 5 minutes quicker than last year :)

Apart from doing more long runs ( i.e. be uninjured enough to be able to do them), the main issue going forward will be to sort out the ongoing saga of weakness (?) in the L) leg - specifically the hamstrings but the whole kinetic chain needs review.

Traditional beer at the end (!) plus a 10 min. recovery massage on both legs - calves and hamstrings only.

15 min. walk back to apartment.


As said above I need to find a cure for this L) hamstring cramp which is becoming a (sad) feature of long races.


Very scenic course. Well organised.