Marathon Distance Number 41 - Central Coast Meander

Marathon Distance Number 41

23 December 2019 Central Coast Road Meander 45 km

I have some friends I mainly keep in contact with on LinkedIn. This one is for you Gonzo, in England, and others who might be interested.

All year I have been trying to get out for another of my runs around Sydney. The next leg is meant to be Penno to Cronulla but I cannot get my head in the space to do such a suburban run.

Given I started the Poor Mans Comrades at Gosford Station to run to Sydney, recently I thought I could tack on a marathon plus distance run on the central coast as long as I went past Gosford Station.

About 4 times this year I have packed for a run to Cronulla but did not go. Last night I packed for a run I mapped out

The course was from Avoca to Gosford via Green Point then up to Lisarow where I turn right to Holgate, Matcham Valley, Wamberal, Terrigal and Avoca.

I really don’t like the morning but have to get up if I am going to be out there for 7 hours. After a slow start eating brekky, I headed out at 8:20am.

The course involving running the footpath and tight road running against the traffic. Due to the road narrowness in sections I did not listen to any podcasts or music as I wanted to have my wits about me.

Straight away I slipped into the mode of walking hills and even gentle gradients and running the downhill and flats. At 6km in I stopped in Dunlop Hill to treat a hotspot on my heel - good decision.

It was 15 km to East Gosford where I went to a supermarket for a drink and banana and an oats bar.

Eventually I just surrendered to the run. Not worrying about time or if I walked or ran. I did not enjoy the section to Gosford.

Even though I ran most of the section into Lisarow into the traffic it was better because it was new terrain for me.

I was planning a feed at McDonalds and fortunately remembered there was one at Wyoming and Lisarow. I got a bit confused and had to check the map on my phone to make sure I went to the second one.

At Maccas (24km) I had a cheeseburger, small chips and coke and small long black. Time 24 minutes.

I was sort of looking forward to the final section because of the rural roads and the climbs. I was looking forward to the hills as I was enjoying walking the climbs. The climb out of Lisarow was about 5 km.

I did a lot of Ironman training in this area and spent a lot of time wondering who lived in the lovely homes.

When I reached to top of the hill at the Entrance Road intersection I felt like I was about to be sick. I was at 35 km and sat on the side of the road for 5 minutes trying to hold it together.

I had recently taken a salt tablet and two Panadols and I think it was reacting - after drinking some more water I came good.

I rolled down the hill, past the golf course climbed into and out of Terrigal. At the Skillion I just had to climb it clicking over 41 km at the top.

Following this I climbed out of Terrigal, dropped into North Avoca and timed a 45 km run at the pine trees at Avoca.

Promptly fell asleep on the beach and then went to watch the family play tennis.

Statistics

Distance: 45 km

Total time: 6:59:35 hours

Moving Time: 6:19 hours

Heart Rate: 134 bpm

Elevation Gain: 682m

Drink Food: I carried two bottles of water and filled one twice and purchased a Gatorade. I wrapped three bunches of sultanas, wrapped one vegemite sandwich in four quarters and a banana wrapped cut into four.

Clothes: spray jacket and long sleeve light top in backpack