2025 had been a tough year with the bike accident in April, followed by the subsequent injuries and blood clots. Not only that, after getting back into reasonable running shape (up to 15km) by September, this was then followed by a reoccurence of my meniscus injury in October. I'd signed up for a half marathon in late November, and despite only getting up to 10km in my subsequent training, I slogged through that in just over 2 hours. So, by December, I was still facing the potential loss of my annual marathon streak stretching back to Tokyo in 2012. Some work to be done.

One of my favourite training runs in recent years has been a fairly easy half marathon starting with the Peak loop, Mount Kellet, Barker Road, Black's Link, Bowen & Kennedy Roads before finishing with a loop or two at Happy Valley. This was mostly downhill and very pleasant in the cool conditions. I'd always had in mind the thought of repeating that, that is, heading back up to The Peak after Happy Valley. Of course, that would also need a fair bit of fitness, which I was definitely lacking.

With December here, I decided to try the hard bit first and see how that went. Instead of starting from Happy Valley, I started the run from home, heading down Stubbs Road towards Queen's Road before the uphills started on Kennedy Road. It was a fairly slow shuffle, but I made it up and around the Peak loop in just under 2'15". A slow half marathon, but with over 400m of climbing, a fair result.

Work had been pretty busy at this time and I wasn't always getting my regular days off, but just a week later, I decided to give it the full marathon go. I prepared everything the night before, slept okay, and although I woke fairly early, I felt okay as I left the house just after 5am. I had a full camel pack with me, three gels and a granola bar. Not what I would normally carry for a marathon, but there were a few options along the way if I needed some extra help.

The run started well, and as usual, you get a feel for your body in those first few km. A few niggles from the knee and hip, but nothing I hadn't felt before, so I pushed on. The first uphill along Kennedy Road was okay, the flat Bowen was fine, and the run up to WNC Gap was tough but manageable. Entering Black's Link still in the dark, I was met by a huge boar who stood his ground but was fairly nonchalant as I shuffled past. Coombe Road was fine and as I approached Barker Road, I could see a delightful sunrise developing, which proved to be even more delightful as I was half way along the road.

I felt okay at this stage, but as I wrapped up the first half on the Peak loop, I started to feel it and had a decision to make. Do I eat up some km on Mt. Kellet, or do I head back down and soak up those extra km at the end, much closer to home. I chose the latter as I felt the downhills would give me a bit of a physical and mental boost. They helped a little, but I was definitely feeling it and still in the early 20s km-wise. I got through Barker but then decided to stay on Peak Road as it is also downhill, but a little longer than Coombe. At WC Gap, I also added in a couple of extra km by doing Mt. Cameron Road before Black's Link. After the downhill from WNC Gap, the next challenge was the flat and long Bowen which caused me to take a couple of walks.

I made it through though, then Kennedy and finally approached Happy Valley with around 36km on the watch. After the outer loop on the road allowed me to avoid the tunnels, I reached the familiar track and needed two full laps. These were definitely a challenge, but I shuffled through them and stopped the watch at 42.5km just to be safe and in a time of 4'48". Certainly not my fastest, but not my slowest and my streak remains intact.

Looking ahead, these km will be valuable additions for my (6th) HK marathon attempt in mid-January. I'm certainly not doing this the conventional way, but it's keeping me active and the streak gives me the motivation to keep going year after year.