Sunshine Coast Marathon
Okay friends, let’s take a little time to reflect on the Sunshine Coast Marathon — my latest stop on this journey to keep improving as a runner.
A little while ago, after running the Canberra Marathon, I started my 100 Days Challenge — a commitment to gradually bring my marathon time down to under 3 hours 30 minutes. That challenge was about consistency, learning, and testing what worked for my body. The Sunshine Coast Marathon, almost 100 days later, was the next opportunity to see how far I’d come.
Preparation: Doing Things Differently
This time, I wanted to approach things a little smarter. Instead of driving like I did to Canberra, I decided to fly to the Sunshine Coast and give my body more rest before race day. Not being cramped in a car for hours made a noticeable difference.
I also focused much more on nutrition and recovery leading up to the race. I made sure not to overdo it in the days before, got plenty of sleep, and kept my “body battery” well charged. By race morning, I felt refreshed and ready to give it a proper go.
When I arrived on the Sunshine Coast, I did a bit of shopping to prepare my pre-race breakfast — something I’d been refining over my training block. I’d learned that my old low-carb routine wasn’t cutting it for endurance running. For Canberra, I hadn’t really nailed my fueling, but this time I had a plan: overnight oats with berries, banana, honey, and a few toppings. Simple, consistent, and effective.
Race Morning: Calm and Confident
Race day came early — the start time was 6:00 a.m. I was staying about 10 minutes away, so I left around 4:30 to allow time for parking, a warm-up, and bag drop (since I was flying solo this time).
The Sunshine Coast course is one big loop — flat, scenic, and lined with supportive spectators. Conditions were perfect: cool weather, light drizzle, and great energy. My goal pace was around 4:55 min/km, just under five minutes per kilometre, which would comfortably get me closer to the three hour thirty mark.
Settling In
From the start, I felt strong and smooth. I’d trained more for this race — longer long runs, better pacing, and a smarter fueling plan. I took a gel every 7–8 kilometres, and everything felt under control through the halfway mark.
Around the 22 km mark, I started to tighten up a little, so I eased back slightly to around 5:05–5:10 min/km pace. The course included a long out-and-back section between 21 km and 30 km that I’d scouted the day before — mentally tough but manageable.
By 30 km, I was still feeling good — no cramps yet (a big improvement on Canberra, where I started seizing up around 21 km). My pacing discipline was paying off.
The Final Stretch
With 10 kilometres to go, I was averaging right on 5:00 min/km. My legs were tightening, but I still had enough energy to hold steady. Then, around the 37 km mark, I felt the first hint of cramp — but this time, I didn’t have to walk. I shuffled through the last few kilometres, slowing to around 6:00 min/km but determined to keep moving forward.
I crossed the finish line in 3 hours and 42 minutes — an 18-minute personal best.
Post-Race Reflection
Post race binge
I was stoked with the result. Sure, I probably lost 5–7 minutes in the final stretch, but compared to Canberra, it was a huge step forward. My nutrition, pacing, and recovery all improved dramatically, and most importantly — I ran smart.
The Sunshine Coast Marathon itself was incredible — a beautiful, flat course, great atmosphere, and the perfect spot to finish by the beach. I’ve already decided I’ll be back next year.
This race was a reminder that progress doesn’t always come from running harder — sometimes it comes from running smarter, recovering better, and trusting the process.
Next stop? Keep chipping away at that sub-3:30 — and beyond.