2025 Gold Coast Marathon Recap

The following was an email to Tina (my coach), a couple of days after my Gold Coast run where I ran a 3:01.

“Hi Mama T,

I wanted to give you the lowdown of my race as a way to get it out of my system and to reflect on the morning and performance.

Pre Race:

I didn’t sleep very well - normally I would get 5-6 hours that would be crap however I barely got 2. I got out of bed at 3am to start my hyper hydration protocol that consisted of 1.2L of the glycerol/sodium/water mix. This ultimately saved me later on - more on that later. Had rice as part of my meal with no issues.

The plan was to meet some of the Team Tina guys at their hotel in Surfers at 5am so I left my apartment at 4:40am. Risky with the hyperhydration but didn’t end up needing any further toilet stops. The tram into Southport was an absolute shit show and after a lot of queuing we were up close and personal Japanese style in the tram and didn’t get to the precinct until 5:50/5:55am. Not ideal being all tensed up.

We only had time to do a bag drop and pee stop before getting into the corral by 6:05am. We didn’t warm up. There was a bit of space in between the 2:50 and 3 hr pace groups so we hovered around there where I saw Chris and Matt.

Start of Race:

After the hype up from Deeks, we were away. The start wasn’t too bad, there was weaving but it wasn’t as congested as I was expecting and we were happy with a 4:14 first km. Shaf and I then tried to settle into a pace. After a couple of kms the pace became consistent. I didn’t feel all that great but figured that I would settle eventually (I didnt). Shaf looked calm and collected and we didn’t exchange much words other than checking our paces at each km.

By 5km, I thought things would settle but I continued to feel meh, I decided to push on in the hope I could relax. I was starting to feel the humidity.

5km - 12km:

My accomodation was at the 12km mark and knew that Linda and Miata would be there hopefully. We saw Suzi McMahon and Charlotte Pickering cheer us on. I had kms that I felt good but then followed by a km where I felt a bit shit despite maintaining what I thought was the same effort.

I consumed most of my flask when I saw Linda and by then had consumed my first gel on course. I was working by then and it was at that moment where I had a lot of doubt because in all my marathons I would be cruising (as I should be so early in the race). I was sweating a bit and felt like the conditions were sucking the life out of me. Linda’s footage of me showed that even my running form was a bit off.

13km - 25km

As we head towards Broadbeach I thought I started to slow as I knew I couldn’t keep this up, but looking at my splits it wasn’t too bad. Shaf slowly pushed on - Mike Lawson catches up to me and says “how good are the conditions” which I just nodded and not say anything. I don’t think he meant any ill will. I was struggling. He saw my body language and he continued to push pass me.

As we turned and headed back. I continued to suffer. I saw Linda and Miata again at 24km and I was broken. I had heaps in my 2nd flask and just chucked it at them because I was willing to do anything to not feel shit (less weight). I was taking my gels as planned but by this point I was suffering.

At 25km I called the quits. I stepped off the course and I wanted it to end. I stopped my watch, stood by the sideline in what felt like minutes but was only around 20 seconds. I thought about you. I thought about Todd. I decided that I “shouldn’t be a pussy” and stepped back on. In that moment I figured there’s still a glimmer of hope that I wouldn’t let the 3 hour bus catch up to me.

26km - End:

I continued to hurt. I was hitting 3hour pace and made a deal with myself that I would sit at this pace until the end.

By the 30kms I was yo-yoing in efforts/paces. I was getting a bit light headed. Surprisingly I didn’t cramp. Maybe that hydration protocol helped somewhat. Lommers catches up to me and said that if I held 4:30s I’d make it. 4:30s felt hard and my legs felt like lead.

I don’t remember exactly where Raf was but he started yelling encouragement at me to keep going and it was then when I was overtaken by the 3hr bus. Getting to the finishing line seeing the guys I was so disappointed and finding out Linda and Miata was at the finish I was bawling my eyes out.

Lessons/Reflections:

2 days on, it just wasn’t my day and that’s ok. There wasn’t any moment that I enjoyed, and was just forcing myself.

For Melbourne I’ll look to stay within 2-3km of the start line so that everything is within my control (I can jog or walk to the start line if need be).

I do wonder if I had respected the humidity knowing what I know about my sweating problem, and if I went out at 4:15s whether I would have gone under 3hours. That being said, I don’t know how satisfied I would have been.

I received a lot of private messages of support and love. I’m grateful for that. When (and not if) I go well under 3 hours, it’s going to be awesome.

I had signed up for City to Surf. I’m doing a transcend leg for WARP. Maybe I let the city to surf go to focus on training for Melbourne.

Apologies for the waffle, but I just needed to get that out of my system. I feel much better now and I look forward to getting back to work when the body heals 🙂

Cheers
Simon”