3rd Best Day...

My friend Ty ran her first marathon at the weekend. I followed her progress along with Jeff (our mutual friend) on twitter. She did an amazing job. It brought back so many memories of my first marathon. And even though it was over 4 years ago, I remember everything as vividly as if it was yesterday. After my burn out last year, I seriously didn't think I'd ever run another marathon. I think I was probably scared to even think about it in case I wasn't capable. 

I've also been following Jeff's blog where he details his training for this Autumn's Philly marathon. Both Jeff and Ty have inspired me to think 'hell, maybe I can do this again'

Below is my report from my first marathon - dedicated to my 2 friends who have got me out of the funk with their sheer enthusiasm and love of running....thank you both! We also share another passion - reading. But that's a whole different blog.


...of my life - bettered only by getting married and having the kids !

WOW! - what a day.

   5 hours sleep for me interrupted by 3 visits to the loo. Around 10pm last night the adrenalin started to kick in and the enormity of what I was about to do weighed heavily on my mind. OK, I realise that 1000's of people compete in, and finish marathons every weekend. To some it's no big deal, but for me this was actually one of the biggest things that I've undertaken in recent years. To commit to something and to actually see it through is an even bigger thing for me as I've got a very low boredom threshold and start off all enthusiastic about stuff, go right over the top (the disadvantage of having a compulsive and addictive personality) and then move onto another thing just as quickly - the pattern has repeated itself all my life and is something which is difficult at times to live with and to control, and doubly difficult for those around me to live with too - something I frequently feel very guilty about.

Anyway, back to the race. The journey there was spot on and no delays on the bridge this morning thank goodness - who else would be up at that time anyway in that weather apart from us daft runners??

Managed to find the car park with loads of spaces so next stop was the loo's! Just as we stepped out of the car, the heavens opened and it felt as though someone had just thrown a bucket of water all over us - we were soaked! We'd also parked at the wrong end of the road to where the start was and so were faced with a long walk down it. Half way down we located the loo's. They were crowded with typical straight laced, tight faced, not a person out of line, queues - very British! The only queue jumping was unfortunately by some foreigners but in true typical Brit style, the other cheek was turned and they got away with it. A lot of upbeat banter went on and helped pass the time - 40mins later, resembling drowned rats, the remainder of  the loo queue which didn't seem to be moving, heard the announcers voice come over the loudspeaker telling us that the countdown was 4 mins to the start.....arghhh!!!! I was still in all my gear, and still had about 400m to get to the start. I hadn't actually been to the loo yet either.

Hubby and kids gave me a good luck kiss each - cue lots of tears. It honestly felt like I was kissing them goodbye forever - I really didn't know what I was letting myself in for, or what to expect.

10 seconds countdown....3,2,1, and we were off!! More tears - god I was such an emotional wreck this morning!

 It took me about 10mins to get through the start as I was right off the back having been late from the loo's. No problem as the chip would sort out the timing so I just walked and took in the atmosphere. Managed to start jogging but spent the first 2 miles behind a man resembling a 7 foot beanpole  who was flanked by 2 horizontally challenged ladies, so there was no way I could get around them. Never mind, it probably did me a favour by slowing me down.

 I was feeling really good and the HR was really low. We went right onto the sea front and for the next 7 or 8 miles we had a really strong and cold headwind. I ended up running most of this stretch holding onto my cap as the wind threatened to nick it a few times and send it on a one-way ticket to Norway. Wouldn't have normally been a problem but the kids had written their good luck messages on it and I didn't want to lose it.

I was expecting to see the family at 7 miles and was looking forward to it but they weren't there Unknown to me they'd had trouble getting out of Edinburgh and so went straight to the agreed 15 mile point. It was a little disappointing as everyone around me seemed to know at least someone in the crowd and I just wanted to see a familiar face, or feel the warmth of a loved ones hug...a high five would've done. The general support was amazing though and despite the weather, people were out of their houses offering warm cups of tea, cakes and sweets.

  At halfway we came off the seafront onto a bit of a sheltered road....ah bliss!! Got to 13.1M in a very comfy 2:02 even with the headwind. I was beginning to think at this point that I maybe had a very outside chance of cracking 4hours which would've been beyond all expectations of myself. I did need to pick up the pace though in order to do a negative split which I thought at this point I was capable of.....

Got to 15M and saw the family...yippeee. Had to fight really hard with myself to control my emotions at seeing them. They actually stayed at that point as we went off up the road and doubled back so I saw them again at 19M too. The wind was pushing us along now and the rain had stopped - the sun even came out for a brief moment and it began to warm up.

I got cramp in my right calf just before 20M and was thinking this could be the beginning of hitting the wall but I took one last gel (I'd been taking them every 3M and couldn't face any more so took the decision to run the last 10k on water alone) and some lucozade and it went pretty quickly.

Now this is the hurtbox time.....

I've got about 4 or 5 books on marathon running and 3 of them recommend that you only need to train up to 18 miles. Apparently if you can get to 18M then you'll finish the marathon.....well, this maybe so, but they don't tell you in what state you'll finish the marathon.  I am so gad that I ignored their advice and put in a few 22 and 23 milers - if I hadn't, I would've been in BIG trouble. And if I ever do another marathon, I'll be doing a lot more longer runs, beyond 20 miles.

From 21M I was counting down the miles very slowly and my quads were screaming for me to stop. I knew if I did that I'd never get going again so pushed on and the last 4 miles really hurt in the legs dept. The fact that I have done a few longer runs, I think, prepared me for the last 3-4M. Lots of people were giving up at this point and it was a mental battle as well as physical one to actually pass them instead of taking the easy option of stopping to walk with them.

The last 2M were fantastic - the crowds were lined along the route and it just gives you a lift when all you want to do is lie down and sleep.

Saw the family again with about 200m to go with their banners and managed not to grimace too much - over the finish, arms aloft....YES - I'VE DONE IT!!!!  Actually, that's a lie - I got over the line, head down, and shouted 'thank god for that!'

If I never see another gel or Lucozade Sport for the rest of my life it will be too soon!

Ok some boring stats -

1M - 9.27
2M - 9.38 (19.06)
3M - 9.23 (28.30)
4,5,& 6M - 28.11 (56.41)
7M - 11.31 (1.08.12) - some Neds had moved the mile marker
8M - 7.13 (1.15.25) - see above!
9M - 9.18 (1.24.44)
10M - 9.21 (1.34.06)
11M - 9.35 (1.43.42)
12M - 9.25 (1.53.07)
13M - 9.31 (2.02.3
14M - 9.45 (2.12.24)
15M - 8.52 (2.21.16)
16M - 9.06 (2.30.23)
17M - 9.27 (2.39.51)
18M - 9.08 (2.48.59)
19M - 8.54 (2.57.54)
20M - 9.09 (3.07.03)
21M - 9.12 (3.16.16)
22M - 9.11 (3.25.27)
23M - 9.39 (3.35.06)
24M - 9.23 (3.44.30)
25M - 10.03 (3.54.34)
26M - 9.37 (4.04.11)
0.2 - 1.55

4.06.07 - unofficial time

Was really happy with the time for about 10mins afterwards then got really pee'd off because it was so close to the 4hour mark - I did my best though and 'to start a race and finish in a good time is OK; to start a race and finish in a below par time is still OK; the failure comes when you don't start the race at all'