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Adam Stone
Stoney's Black Dog Institute First Marathon
Story
I did it!!! 
We did it!
Thanks to all the wonderful support and donations so far.
Firstly here's some stats and answers to questions I've been getting... then followed by a summary.
What are my stats?
Distance: 42.195km (my app says 43.9km and a 6'00")
Time: 4:24:11
Pace: 6'15"
What was it like to run that far?
Given my training, the first 21km were 'easy'. The rest became increasingly gruelling and tough.
What were the tough parts?
Knowing I'd pushed too hard at the start and then dragging myself out to Pyrmont.
What were the fun/good parts?
The first 21km, the crowds, the excitment of the start, all the training and seeing the opera house after coming back from Pyrmont. I was injury free.
Were you sore?
Not sore during the race, just increasingly exhausted and drawing on every ounce of mental grit to keep on keeping on.
Now 2 days later I have a bit of a stiff left knee but otherwise I'm doing ok.
How much did we raise?
$2,463 and lots of awareness. I caught up with the Team Black Dog Australia before and after the race and they are very grateful for all your support.
p.s. Anyone is still welcome to donate if they wish. I'll leave the link up for 2 weeks. http://bsrf2014.gofundraise.
How did I celebrate?
Umm a bit of a jig at the finish line and the usual fist pumping. Then a icy swim at coogee and chicken salad roll. After a warm shower and devouring lots more food I wandered to the surf club for 1 beer which felt like a jug. It was my first in over 2 weeks. The morning after I grabbed my first coffee in 6 weeks and took some photos in the rock pool.
WRAP-UP
What was it like to run a marathon?
I met up with the Black Dog Institute folks at the marshalling area under the north side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and they gave me some high fives and last minute encouragement.
The race began at 7:20am with a light drizzle setting the scene for a relatively cool race. This was good as I had decided to wear leggings so my knees would stay warm and loose. The rain cleared after about 20 mins after we'd crossed the Harbour Bridge and started winding our way through the city towards Mrs Macquarie's Point. 
I began at 7:26am after some faffing about which lead me to run too fast while trying to catch up with the 4hr pace group. I kept telling myself to 'slow down and relax' however for the first 21km I was running an average 5'20"/km pace - this came back to bite me later in Centennial Park at around the 21km. Here that group started pulling away and I had to reassess my game plan. "I've got to finish, so I'll aim for 4.15hr group".
It was too late and so on leaving the park and heading back towards the city at 26km I was feeling the burn and my pace dropped to 6'00".
I'm so lucky to have had Emily (who'd just smashed her 1/2 marathon) and Kimbily waiting outside Centennial park where I'd pass them 4 times in those lonely km away from the crowds. That's when I ordered 2 extra Powerades for when I finish.
I also saw other friends who are experienced and first timers during the race which gave me massive boosts!
Chugging down Oxford street I gave the inflatable 30km marker a punch knowing full well "my marathon was just beginning" and soon I'd be in unchartered waters. I was well hydrated, and energy gelled up, on a cool course - but training can take you only so far as the mental game was beginning.
As I exited Hyde Park I may have gotten a tad emotional that "I'm actually running a marathon" and "there are so many people backing me". Now having 10km left, I channelled this back into my race, pulling myself together for the downhill into Circular Quay where they cruelly give us a glimpse of the finish line only to turn away and head out onto the most gruelling trek out over the Pyrmont bridge.
When I got to iMax theatre out of sheer exhaustion I had to shuffle/walk for about 500m and then steel myself into "deal with it" and set off again. This was short lived as we turned around and came back up onto the bridge when I shuffled again for about 500m. Passing the iMax theatre again I overhead someone saying to their buddy "COME ON MATE 4KM LEFT, YOU WOULDN'T GET OUT OF BED FOR 4KM". I knew they were speaking directly to me and I took off.
Now "took off" at this point of the race this simply means I dug as deep as I could and managed a 7'05" pace for the rest of the race.
Turning under the bridge and seeing the Opera House across the water is one of the most beautiful sights in my life. This was what I was training for and there she was...
Spurred on I joined pace with a lady and together we clapped the crowds to get them clapping and posed for photos (while still running) all the way to the end.
I crossed the line 4 hours, 24 minutes and 11 seconds and became a Marathon Runner. Wow that felt amazing!
Thanks so much for everyone's encouragement and guidance. For me having so many first time unknowns people's experience helped fill in the gaps and ease my nerves.
Out of all the generous donors the lucky winners of the 50cm x 100cm canvas of one of my photos is Doug & Heather Hawkins.
One final thought... During the race I saw people with 1 or no legs in wheelchairs pushing themselves and kids in wheelchairs getting pushed by others. Inspirational to see people who have asked "HOW can I achieve this?" rather than simply saying "that's too much". Pick a goal... and work towards it.
Thank you :)
******************************************
I'm taking part in my first Marathon in Sydney on 21st September 2014 and hoping to raise much needed funds and awareness for Black Dog Institute. I ran the 1/2 marathon last year for them, and so now stepping up to see what we can do with your help.
Starting at 7:20am, I’m going to be sweating it out and doing my best to complete a gruelling yet beautiful course over the Harbour Bridge, around Sydney's CBD, Centennial Park and finishing at the Opera House steps.
So far I've run 700km in training (a little over the distance from Sydney to Melbourne/Brisbane, or 75 times around Uluru) and I've got 3 days to go. A half marathon training (21km) run has been just par for the course.
So, why the Black Dog Institute? Everyone knows someone close to them who for various reasons struggle with the day-to-day.
People near and dear to me have been impacted by mental illness, mood disorders, or anxiety and so I am supporting the Black Dog Institute to fundraise and bring awareness to their work.
"The Black Dog Institute is dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by mood disorders through high quality translational research, clinical expertise and national education programs."
Your support is encouraging me to prepare, train and run better as I know you are behind my run for this great cause.
The training regime I've picked up gives me 2-3 rest days a week and have just ran a 35.5km last weekend. Now I'm tapering off to get ready for the big day.
Simple steps to get moving and exercise your mood:
- 1. Put on your shoes, step outside, and run... It's fresh and free. How far? It does not matter.
- 2. Eat, drink and rest well so your body can do its thing by building and repairing.
- 3. Set a goal to aim for. Your gradual progress provides motivation and self-encouragement.
- 4. Smile - your health and life are getting better because you are taken steps forward.
For the race day, I'm setting myself a target of FINISHING the 42km course - any time I'll be happy with. Word on the street is its a relatively flat course so it will be interesting to see how it goes.
I'm both a bit nervous and pretty excited so thanks for your support in donating and your encouragment along the way.
As a special thanks for your support, one lucky supporter (Doug and Heather Hawkins) received a 50cm x 100cm canvas
print to be drawn out of a hat on race the day once I finish. (click for larger size)
Coogee sunrise May 2014
(They are welcome to choose another photo if they wish)
Many thanks,
Adam 
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Black Dog Institute
Black Dog Institute
One in five Australians are affected by mental illness each year.
Mental illness can be overwhelming, crippling and isolating.
The Black Dog Institute is a not-for-profit organisation and world leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder and suicide.
We are the only mental health facility in Australia that combines clinical services, high quality translational research and education programs. We work to empower communities and help the stigma surrounding mental illness.
The Black Dog Institute has 4 important goals:
to diagnose mental illness accurately and early,
treat them using innovative, effective and accessible strategies,
prevent their onset by understanding why and who they affect
to reduce the overall impact of mental illness and save lives.
Black Dog Institute’s vision is for a mentally healthier world.
A world where the onset of depression and suicide can be prevented and treated. With your help we can make this vision a reality.
http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
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