Blade-running hero Liam Malone is set to become a marathon man.
The furthest Liam Malone had run before training for this weekend's Air New Zealand Hawke's Bay International Marathon was little more than the sprint distances he's famous for.
The 2016 Paralympics double gold sprint medallist, 24, who won his 200m and 400m events and took silver in the 100m at Rio de Janeiro, said the biggest distance before his current training for the 42.2km event was "a 1km rep at training - doing four of those".
"We were talking about it at work and one of the girls signed up and I - with what can only be described as an impulsive decision - said, 'I will do a half'. I then thought 'why would I only do a half?' and before I knew it I was doing the full marathon.
"I have done maybe 10 training runs in total, I probably don't appreciate the challenge I will be facing on Saturday. Compared to the training I had been doing for the track - for 400m training at a maximum you would run 1km, compared to a 42km run! They are very very different.
"Some people might think just because you are an athlete previously it will be easy to run a marathon, but they are actually vastly different challenges. In this I am really just a novice person, not an athlete taking on a challenge, with an added factor that I have two artificial legs not designed for long distance running."
"I can run a half marathon [now]. By the end of it, I'm running with a massive limp because I'm in a lot of pain. I'm like skipping basically."
Liam Malone is headed to Hawke's Bay for this weekend's marathon. Photo / Nick Reed
Malone, who retired from Paralympics in January, was motivated to make it to the finish line in May because: "I feel very gifted and privileged to have a pair of running blades that allows me to run."
"And for me, it's a test. If I can get a marathon under the belt, then I could probably get a half Ironman, and then I could probably get an Ironman. So I see it as a stepping stone to taking on … these big challenges."
While for most people they talk about the 20-mile mark in a marathon, Malone expects his biggest test will come a little earlier in the event that takes athletes from Marine Parade in Napier, to Sileni Estates Winery in Hastings for the celebration party at the finish line.
Malone doesn't flinch when referencing the fact he expects his legs to be soaked in blood inside his specially designed carbon fibre blades that have carried him to gold, but never this sort of distance.
"At the half marathon mark the questions will start arising. I know everyone says 30km is where you face challenges, but if I get to 30km I know I will be sweet. The biggest issue for me as I mentioned is not fitness but dealing with the pain – my legs are not made for long distance and my blades are the ones I used on the track, they have not been modified in any way – I will be carrying my full bodyweight through a couple of areas of skin about the size of my wrist."
Malone said he hoped to continue to inspire everyday New Zealanders and perhaps have a positive impact on those around him by taking part on Saturday.
"Being prepared to fail is really important. I am not nervous about anything other than the sheer amount of pain I will put myself through and the chance of serious damage to one of my legs.
"But people should never be afraid to take on new arenas and challenges in their lives and having a willingness to fail and that is a fun part of the process and very important. And if you do fail, just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try again. I really think it is that simple when trying new things."
Malone said he was heading to Napier without a support team or others taking on the event with him but was keen to make some new friends along the way.
"I got entered into this event as a result of my workmates, but now I am not even sure if they are going. I am going to be going solo, so anyone that is there and knows who I am and wants to say hi or run with me, I would love some company at that slow pace and have someone to chat to.
"Even if I am in a lot of pain that would be fantastic. When deep in the struggle if you have others to train with it is easier to push yourself beyond your perceived limitations."
Malone said he would allow himself a small celebration at the Sileni Estates finish line to toast the achievement of completing the distance.
"I am not a big drinker, but I definitely will be having a glass to celebrate at the end, it will be a nice red."
More than 4000 competitors are set to take part in a variety of events this Saturday, including the Kids Run, to the Cigna 10km, the New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty Half marathon and the Air New Zealand Marathon.
The event is also a fundraiser for official charity partner, the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter.
