1987 Gold Coast Marathon

Shortly after our arrival, my mate Phillip Dickinson arrives here, having been to church with his parents who are in Surfers Paradise on their annual holidays. They are from Numurkah, my original home town. We meet Phillips friends Judy, an American Rotary exchange student and Dieter, a German guy, in Australia on a working holiday. Phillip, Dieter and I will be running the Marathon in less than 12 hours time.

It's time for tea and Carbo-Loading. We check out a few Italian restaurants nearby but there are no spare tables. We settle on an Italian Pizzeria, no vacant tables again so we make our purchases and take our meal back to the Motel. My Pizza is lovely, very filling and Phillip delves into his Lasagna and Dieter thoroughly enjoys his spaghetti. Will all this carbohydrate food carry us through the 42.2 kilometres ? We hope so! The three girls are to share a room upstairs and us three guys share the downstairs one, because we are rising at 4.30am. The girls and Dieter are anxious to go to Jupiters Casino to try their luck, and they head over there. Phillip and I, being very aware of the need for a good nights sleep, go to bed at 9.15pm. If only we could have obtained such a sleep.

Dieter arrived back from the Casino at about 10.30pm. Seemingly unconcerned about our needs, the light goes on and the vanity tap exudes water like a deafening waterfall. Before this, I was almost in a deep sleep. Some time later, I was awakened by a police siren-what next was going to intervene in my attempt to have a decent nights rest. Fortunately, nothing else did and I awoke to the alarm at 4.30am. The race was to start at 7am, so it was important to eat at least two hours prior to running. However, it was so lovely in bed, none of us really wanted to get out. We joked about the race for awhile, before rising. For breakfast, I had one piece of toast only, and a cup of coffee. I felt quite full from the pizza the night before still, so no more for me to eat. We take turns showering, dress in our race gear and don track suits to keep warm. We clean up the room, pack our ports into the cars and start thinking a little about the race, for, by this time, it is 6.20am. Phillip does some meditation, Dieter has one last go on the throne and I do a few loosening up exercises. We're ready to walk the 300 yards to the start area, but Dieter is reluctant to leave the bathroom. We ask if he's alright and he confirms that he is. He alights shortly after and the six of us move off.

My preparation for the race was much different to what I imagined it would be. For instance, we joked, took photos, laughed and carried on, all the way to the assembly area. It was probably good in a way because I didn't have time to get nervous. Mind you, I also didn't have time to warm up properly, which I had planned to do. Over the loudspeaker came the words, -"ten minutes to the start." Phillip went to lodge his tracksuit in the clothing tent. Dieter and Judy were somewhere in the crowd. Then came the words "eight minutes to go-prepare to assemble behind the starting barrier." I shed my tracksuit pants and jacket, kissed Roz goodbye and moved behind the line. There are hundreds of spectators and lots of athletes, it seemed. It is cool and I've no clothing on that will keep me warm, but it won't be long before my body temperature will rise. I had planned to position myself midfield for the start however, I came across Rod Sheppard with whom I work, so I stopped to wish him well and there I stayed. Patti Cempiel, a fellow worker, Hervey Bay resident and moral supporter of the three Social Security marathoners and Joan Darlington, wished us good luck. There were almost 800 marathoners and 1600 half marathoners competing. Unfortunately, I missed out on seeing Greg and Joan Darlington prior to the start.

There was music being played but I have no idea what it was. It did not really register. The runners were moving up and down trying to keep loose and, no doubt, feeling quite nervous, as I was. One minute to go, I took some deep breaths, I hope I don't get tripped up in the mad dash at the start. Ron Grant, the magnificent round Australia runner fired the gun to commence the 42 kilometres of running-42 kilometres of fun, enjoyment, physical tiredness, mental tiredness, thirst, pain, ecstasy and something I will remember for the rest of my life. This was going to be an achievement, I was not going to fail at this.

I started the timer on my personal watch as I crossed the start line. I didn't know it then, but I later found out that they played "you're the voice" by Johnny Farnham, over the loudspeaker system as we ran off. The start was very orderly, no-one I saw, got interfered with. About 300 metres down the track, Phillip caught up with me, we shook hands, wished each other well, and he moved off. As he did, I noticed a runner dressed as a Nun just ahead of me. I yelled to Phil to watch out for her (him). I later found out that Phil actually ran with the Nun for 10 kilometres or so, before leaving him. It appears the Nun has run several Marathons throughout Australia and runs in the habit every time. I, too, passed the Nun on my last 1.5 kilometres. Rod Sheppard joins me for a few seconds, we speak briefly and he too moves off in search of more ground.

We had gone but 2 kilometres when the sun hat of a runner in front of me blew off. He turned to retrieve it, but decided it would cost him precious seconds to get it again, and so he left it where it fell. He may live to regret that decision. Phil had advised me to wear a hat during the race. He had experienced the sun in a half marathon a few weeks earlier here, and considered it essential to cover up. I wore a hat and I thank him for his advice, for it saved lots of perspiration and in my humble opinion, saved me at least five minutes in time, and possibly ten.

I was keeping to the left of the road, avoiding anyone behind wanting to pass me. We hit the 3 kilometre mark as we reached Surfers Paradise. Phil's parents and Aunt were staying at Units called "The Dunes' and were out on the balcony watching the runners as I approached. I didn't think Eric and Alice would recognise me with my beard and hat, so just before reaching them, I took off my hat and yelled out, "Hey Dicko, it's bloody old Clone." (Bloody old Clone was a saying, given to me by Phil and his brother Ray, on a holiday in Geelong, Victoria, way back in 1967.) They acknowledged my presence with a big smile on their faces.

I had thoughts that I was running too fast. I planned to run the first 21 kilometres at 4 minutes, 20 seconds per kilometre and I was doing 4.05 now. I decided to continue at this pace, it felt good and was no extra effort now. I felt a crease on the side of my right big toe. I tried to wiggle my foot about in my shoe, but nothing changed. I must have put my sock on in a hurry and didn't straighten it. This meant that the join at the end of my sock was slightly under my big toe. Such a little thing was causing me to worry what damage it was going to do to my foot. I said to myself that this would affect my performance if I didn't fortget about it. I succeeded in erasing it from my mind for most of the race. A female runner and I seemed to be following each other, she would be in front of me for several hundred metres then I would gradually get in front of her. I think her pace varied, as I was pretty certain I was maintaining a constant speed.

I took a drink at the 5 kilometre mark. I remembered to squeeze the top of the paper cup to form a spout for easy access into my mouth. I didn't want to stop to drink, so this was the way to go. My body was not thirsty (or so I thought) but it is very important to keep up the liquid intake regardless. I found this out during the last 10 kilometres of the race when my body was absolutely screaming out for water. Crowds lined the street for most of the way so far, not side by side, but at intermittent stages. I turned right and headed for Sea World and the Spit, the latter geographical point being the completion of one quarter of the journey.

It was around about Sea World when Pat Carroll raced past me as if there was no tomorrow. I recognised him from watching a tape of last years marathon. How could he possibly keep up this pace? His bounding stride looked effortless. The leaders had passed me on the return side now, two Japanese runners followed by Lawrie Adams. Two wheelchair entrants had also gone by. The Maryborough hope,Paul Ashford, was not far behind them. I yelled encouragement but he did not acknowledge. Phil was running a great race and we say hi to each other as we pass. I have now run 10.5 kilometres reached the turn around point and I take another cup of water. I haven't spotted Dieter yet and assume he is well in front of me. The girl I mentioned earlier has caught up with me and moves slightly ahead. She has a male running partner now. I have developed a slight pain in my right hip, which has troubled me twice in the last three months, but not so just recently. I hoped this didn't worsen as, at its worst, it made running almost impossible. I had to forget about this also. I passed Sea World again and soon turned left to begin the 7 kilometres back to the half way mark.

I had managed to overtake "that girl" again. However, her running partner and she ran around me once more but this time they cut in front of me very sharply, causing me to check my step. I wasn't going to stand for this so I ran around them and continued at a slightly faster speed for a hundred metres or so, hoping that would be the last I'd see of them. The next drink stop was welcome and I take the opportunity to sponge as well. The attendants at these stations really do a great job. The young girls and boys stand there, almost pleading with you to take their sponge. I remember one boy saying to his mate -" they always take yours and not mine." If I was him and I was worried about it, I would simply jump up the line a bit.

In the foreground, I can see "The Dunes" and "McDonalds" signs. It was taking ages to get to these points. When I did, the Dicko's were still on the balcony, waiving to me as I went by. Two females, their names unknown, were out on the footpath and yelled encouragement to me by name. I couldn't make out who they were and I wasn't about to stop and introduce myself to them. There are 3 kilometres to the turn around mark and I begin to feel some excitement, even though I know there will be another 21 kilometres to go once I get to that point. There are lots of people on each side of the street, some simply standing, watching, others heading into Surfers Paradise.

Roz, Anne and Judy were one such group heading for the Dickinson apartment. It was great to see them and they took some photos of me as I approached. Chris Cempiel was further down the track and he urges me on while his son, Damon, is looking around at the scenery. Chris's wife, Patti, is a few hundred metres further away. It was great to see the half way mark, I had one lap to go and the half marathoners could soon enjoy a XXXX (beer). I had done the 21 Kilometres in 1 hour 26 minutes, 30 seconds. I had planned for 1 hour 31 minutes, so I was thrilled to be feeling so good and four and a half minutes ahead of schedule. If only the next lap could be so quick.

I had not thought any more about my twisted sock, and my hip was not getting any worse. It was good to see Greg and Joan Darlington, they looked refreshed and we exchanged pleasantries briefly. Shortly after, I could feel symptoms of cramp in my right calf. This had also occurred in my longer training runs, but didn't get any worse then, and I was hoping like mad it didn't now. I passed "The Dunes" again, this time, Roz, Anne and Judy have joined the Dicko's on their balcony. I yelled out to them that I might be performing like Bold Alfie. (Bold Alfie was a race horse my brother owned. It won one race then was totally useless after that.)

I could sense myself slowly noticeably. My legs were getting heavy, my upper stomach was paining a little and my hip and calf were worrying me. There were lots passing me but I didn't seem to be doing too much of that. I thought of what time I would do now. I stopped calculating though, as I didn't want to stress my mind any more than was already being done. The next drink and sponge station was very welcome, I obliged myself of both.

Near Sea World, I spot a guy running in bare feet. I imagined the stress his ankles, knees and back must be under. He was running well though, so he must be quite used to it. The leaders had long since passed on their way home. The Japanese were still in front, but Lawrie Adams was not far behind. I couldn't wait for the last turn around point, but I hadn't reached Sea World yet. Phil went by, he looked hot, but very determined. He was concentrating fully on his final run home. This marathon had its humorous points. Opposite Sea World, near the new Mirage Motel units, I noticed a runner wandering around the rubble out front. Had he hit the wall and become completely disoriented, or was he looking for a place to relieve himself? I tended to think it was the latter, for he did have a rather anxious and urgent expression on his face. His situation made me very sympathetic to his cause. Another male had to relieve himself on the first lap after only 5 kilometres. There were a couple of other instances where males lost valuable seconds succumbing to these needs. I didn't notice any females in the same predicament.

Paul Ashford had also gone by. Tragically, I learned later that he had hit the wall, tried to walk, but couldn't go on and was assisted back to the finish area. He suffered this with about 6 kilometres to go. He was trying so hard to better 2 hours 30 minutes as this meant a free trip - air fare and accommodation, to Sydney, for the National titles. Paul is a great runner, and I hope he returns to triumph another time.

I pass a guy who has stopped-his sciatica is troubling him and he cannot run at all. He is going to pull out of the race. My problems don't exist when you compare what has happened to him. About 400 metres before the last turn, Rod Sheppard goes by. I thought Rod would have been further ahead of me. His preparation for this years race had been interrupted by his involvement in stage plays, so it could be that this was responsible for his slower time compared to last years effort of 3 hours 7 minutes. And last year was his first ever marathon.

I reached the final turn around point, 10.5 kilometres to go. I was very thirsty so I stopped to drink two cups of water. I wasn't intending to spill a drop. Allison Coleman, Maryboroughs other female Marathoner beside Joan Darlington, passed me soon after and she looked very strong. It was very hard to increase my pace and I didn't try as I felt this would have drained me physically, too quickly. Once again, Greg and Joan go by. Joan looks hot and a little distressed. I was hoping like hell that they would both make it, they had done a lot of hard work for this race. Several of those that had passed me earlier were now walking. I passed them and felt good. Not that I wished them any bad luck at all, it's just that they looked very strong earlier and I reckoned I must have paced myself pretty sensibly if I was now passing them. I longed for my stamina to hold out now. I felt no real pain, but concentrated on ensuring one foot went in front of the other.

I'm thirsty again already. The next station is a sponge only. I take it and thought about squeezing the sponge to obtain liquid but decided against that idea. There was a lady there with orange slices. I did not take any but not too far down the road wish that I had. I swore I'd accept orange slices if offered again. Some guys were running for a section then walking. It must have been very hard for them to continue in such a manner. I vowed not to stop, except to drink. There were runners heading towards Sea World still, I felt really sorry for them. I was about 4 kilometres in front of them and I felt bad enough. I turn off the Sea World road and begin the last long run home to the finish line.

My stomach hurts again now and I adjust the level of the waist band on my running shorts. I hoped this would help but it did not. My calf muscle was getting sore. How I prayed for that finish line. I was thirst as all hell and the drink station takes hours to reach, it seems. At the next stop I devour two cups of water, being very careful not to spill a drop. I also took three slices of orange and eat them as I run. They tasted sweet and absolutely beautiful. There were bits of orange on my moustache and beard and I brushed them off. Here I am, running a marathon, not feeling too terrific, and I'm worried about my appearance. Anyway it took my mind off my legs for a few seconds. There are 4 kilometres to go, I remember thinking that they are going to be very long kilometres.

"The Dunes" neared after many minutes (or so it felt). The Dicko's were there again. It must have been as much their day as the runners. I didn't feel like talking, but I managed to say to Eric to have a cold one waiting for me. He acknowledged and I might add that he kept his word when we called there to his unit later in the day. There are 3 kilometres to go and everything is a big effort now. I compare 3 kilometres here with 3 kilometres on my training runs and decide it should be over in about 15-18 minutes. I crave for another drink station but there are none now until I get to the finish. Some runners are passing me, they are giving it their all now. I too, pass several and still there are lots walking. Only 2 kilometres left and I'm feeling a little happier. What will it be like crossing the finish line?

The pain turns to satisfaction as I crawl past the 1 kilometre sign. I am so looking forward to this now. A Marshall on the last bend urges me on, "you can do it, only 800 metres to go" he yells.

Having mastered the last bend with perfect control and balance (????), I could see the crowd, the finish tower and the clock. I check my watch, I have run for 3 hours 13 minutes so far. Will I get there under 3 hours 15 minutes? I quicken my pace. There is 100 metres to go, time elapsed is 3 hours 14 minutes 30 seconds. Some of the crowd sing out to get there under 3 hours 15 minutes. I decided I must put in a final burst to achieve that and so I put everything I had left into this. I don't know if I was moving much faster but I hoped I was. I didn't have time to appreciate the crowd as I was concentrating on getting to that finish line. Ten metres from the finish line, I knew I was going to better 3 hours 15 minutes.