Abingdon
11:12am, 23rd Oct 2017 | Abingdon Marathon | 47 Comments
Blog by Windsor Wool
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Of course there wasn’t even going to be an Abingdon for me after the forecast, Brian was going to ruin it all. The head was gone, a hotel in Valencia was booked and thoughts turned to a revised training plan to use the next 4 weeks to prepare. Finally of course there was an Abingdon, after several strong talking tos from Mrs W and a particularly poignant poke from Jock the head was back in the game and somehow I started to focus and actually start to relish the challenge of running in the wind. It’d be different. It was, more to come.
One of my colleagues, her husband D was to run the race too, his 1st marathon. I hadn’t met him before but I did somestrava stalking and he’d done some good miles but always faded badly at the end of his long runs. Starting out at 6:xx, finishing at 8:xx. What a way to train! I’m sat in the changing rooms getting ready and D sits down next to me, I only know it’s him as he puts his envelope down next to me with his name on. What a coincidence. I’m a bit surprised when he says that he’s going through halfway in 88/89 and seeing how it goes from there. That’s my halfway target too. We are bonded.
So, it’s on with the supershoes, the calf guards, a t-shirt, gloves, a buff as it’s freezing in the wind and as always a sweatband on my wrist (the opposite wrist to where the target splits are sharpied on my arm, I’ve learned from previous mistakes on that one). 6 gels stuffed in the top of my compression shorts – a short jog on the track confirms to my relief that they are not going to fall out, phew. There’s no toilet queuing for me as as ever I’m using the bottle down the shorts approach and peeing merrily wherever and whenever I like :-). A quick chat with CW and Fergus and it’s time for one more pee.
In fact, while I am peeing for the last time the race countdown begins. It’s a 9am start but at 8:58 we’re off. I have to join from the side a bit and I have some passing doubt that I have passed over the timing mat (I had, of course). We’re off round the track the wrong way on the top straight it’s blowing a hoolie. Chill out Paul, chill. We move out of the stadium, out on to the open road and we’re downwind for the 1st few miles so I’m just trying to reign it in, there’s no banking time, is there? The target is 6:45s. 6:48s are fine too. Just no 6:3xs now, be a good boy.
1) 1m - 6:45(6:45/m) 95cal 8.9/9.37mph
2) 1m - 6:42(6:42/m) 97cal 8.95/9.33mph
3) 1m - 6:44(6:44/m) 97cal 8.91/9.56mph
4) 1m - 6:44(6:44/m) 96cal 8.92/9.27mph
5) 1m - 6:43(6:43/m) 97cal 8.93/9.27mph
I’m chatting away merrily to all and sundry, this is fantastic. I talk to a guy who ran 3:00:29 at Manchester this year so he’s not impressed with my 3:00:39 VLM banter! There are 2 quite big, athletic Team Bath guys striding it out too. One is obviously pacing the other to 3 hours as confirmed by some more banter. So, with D there too and a Saint Edmund Pacer who says he has no clue what he is doing (!), a group is already starting to form.
Miles 4 & 5 wind through the streets of the town of Abingdon. Pretty enough but like lots of old market towns in the South pretty soulless. I actually lived in Abingdon for a while and I’m amused to run past the flat I stayed in for a few months back in 1997. A lot has changed since then.
I take my 1st gel at 4 miles. That’s earlier than I would normally but I was quite persuaded by the discussion between G and Larkim that it’s better to get it in early so I do. No probs, even without a drink. The advantage of wearing gloves is that the stickiness isn’t a yucky problem. Drink stops come and go – there are bottles at 5 miles and I gulp a full one down. At others I get as much on board as I can from the plastic cups.
Miles 6 -8 and we’re out on the loop that we’ll have to do twice. This is the 1st time that the wind is noticeable. It’s also along a busy road and you can see it climbing up ahead a little. I’m just off the back of a group that’s formed led by Team Bath. I chat to D, telling him that we have to get on the back of the group. I’ve never done it before, put in a conscious effort to bridge a gap like that, defo not in a marathon anyway. It’s really exhilarating, like proper racing but I have to convince myself that it’s the right thing to do, to burn energy like that. Once on the back of the group I realise that I don’t just need to be in the group, I need to be in the inside to get shielded from the mix of head and cross-winds. I get the position I want as an orange vest of Brackley decides the pace is too slow for him and he heads out and off up the road. I wonder at the time whether I might see him again later. I talk to the rest of the group trying to marshal them a little – I tell them the loop is 9 miles long and we should stick together until next time round. It’s going to be that important I think. There’s a now a guy in the group who’s looking for a sub 2:56. He nods, he knows what he is up to but I’m suspicious of him. He’s making us go too fast I think. The splits do slow but it’s OK, we’re on track. Next gel goes in around 8 miles after a suck on a sponge at 7.
6) 1m - 6:47(6:47/m) 97cal 8.84/9.6mph
7) 1m - 6:51(6:51/m) 96cal 8.77/9.25mph
8) 1m - 6:48(6:48/m) 97cal 8.82/9.1mph
At Mile 9 we turn downwind, gently downhill. I’m halfway in to my mile split and I see 6:34 on the watch. Whoops. I back off, step out on to the road and jog for a few seconds letting the group sweep past me. I feel totally fresh, just jogging along. My feet don’t hurt, I’m not using the 2-2 breathing yet. It’s a total coast. Round the corner though it’s back in to the wind and with a drinks station (cups) there’s a natural slowdown and the mile split comes out spot on again.
9) 1m - 6:43(6:43/m) 96cal 8.93/9.16mph
10) 1m - 6:46(6:46/m) 98cal 8.86/9.98mph
11) 1m - 6:48(6:48/m) 97cal 8.83/9.12mph
We pass my colleague and D’s wife at 10 miles. She’s amazed to see us together but it turns out that D is a very, very strong runner and making it look very easy. We chat after we’ve seen her and head in to the industrial estate loop that everyone moans about. I say if we don’t slow down then we’re going through in 87:30. D says it’s OK, time in the bank. My old head thinks ‘look son, there’s no time in the bank in this game!’. The roads in the industrial estate are wider and we’re generally with the wind now. Nice. I back off completely at one point as I know we’re going too fast. I slow to what feels like a complete stop, D wonders what’s up with me, and the mile split comes out at 6:42. Too fast!
12) 1m - 6:45(6:45/m) 96cal 8.9/9.16mph
13) 1m - 6:42(6:42/m) 97cal 8.96/9.12mph
And halfway is on us and the slowdown by the wise old head means that we haven’t made the mistake of going through in 87:30, it’s a far more sensible 87:34. Oh so wise I am. Oh! I do remember to take the 3rd gel though. No probs.
There are now a couple of (almost) single file traily bits that are completely shielded from the wind but come out slower and there’s no over-taking. That said, there’s nobody struggling yet and the splits stay OK but the group has splintered. At 15 miles the lap starts again with the bit that goes up slightly and where the wind is the worst. I’m a bit isolated, D is a few paces behind but thankfully the big boys of Team Bath are just ahead. I stick a bit of effort in again and get in behind then and try to get the group going again. The problem is is that the Team Bath pacee is struggling a bit and I’m forced to go past. Now I’m being used as the windbreak by a couple of guys, including D. I pull up to a Gade Valley Harrier (GVH), a young guy looking very strong. 1st marathon he tells me. Well young man, there is another group up ahead and I tell him that it’s now or never – we have 3 miles straight in to the hoolie, just the 2 of us or on the back of that big fat group up there. We make the effort, we’re on the back of the group within ¼ mile or so. 2:55 man in is in there and says hi again with a nod. The splits are the slowest so far but the relief to be back in the group is massive and after 30s or so the breathing is back to ‘norm’ and it’s all under control again.
14) 1m - 6:46(6:46/m) 96cal 8.86/9.25mph
15) 1m - 6:51(6:51/m) 98cal 8.75/9.5mph
16) 1m - 6:50(6:50/m) 96cal 8.78/9.1mph
Turn the corner and it’s downhill / wind again. And I’m going too fast again. I’m chatting to 2:55 man though and we decide that we’ve done the worst of the wind so now it’s time just to get back on it. We do. 4th gel is in around 17. I feel good, very good but there’s a nagging in the left calf now. I know what’s coming but I’m still cruising and just get on with it.
17) 1m - 6:40(6:40/m) 97cal 9.01/9.14mph
18) 1m - 6:45(6:45/m) 97cal 8.89/9.2mph
18 is a turning point. It’s the 1st time I start to believe it’s really on, the 1st time I start to visualise the finish, the social media stuff I am going to post. Put it away you idiot! I do but now I’m able to focus on the fact 8*7 min/miles is going to get me in comfortably. I start to dread what might go wrong, start to see some negative outcomes. Wrong, so I let myself glide and actually put a couple of faster splits in 19 – 22. Another gel goes in somewhere here. As much to drink as often as possible too. There’s something to learn – have a plan and stick to it with gels, I’m off my normal plan but think it’s OK, 3 in the 1st half, 3 in the later half. Last 2 caffeinated.
How are the legs. Hmm, defo signs of damage coming on. The left calf is starting to cramp very slightly and the right hammie is tightening. I’m OK though, I’ve run in a much worse state before and it’s all about keeping a 7 off the card as long as possible. We’re in to the industrial estate again and it’s really just me and Mr 2:55 now. He’s using ME as a bloody pacer (& windbreak when required). I find it hard to believe but man it’s going well. GVH guy is there too. He asks what we’re targeting, I say it’s irrelevant now, just keep the flow, keep the rhythm and the time will take care of itself. Mr 2:55 gives a very knowing nod.
19) 1m - 6:43(6:43/m) 97cal 8.92/9.06mph
20) 1m - 6:42(6:42/m) 97cal 8.96/9.14mph
21) 1m - 6:40(6:40/m) 97cal 9/10.79mph
22) 1m - 6:42(6:42/m) 97cal 8.95/9.31mph
We’re about to go on to the traily bit again when I approach what I think must be the 1st lady. I’ve been catching her for a while having just gone past what I thought was 2nd lady. Just as I get to her she stops on the side of the road and does a Paula. Something I said? Do I smell that bad?!
After that excitement it’s back on to the traily bit again. I’d remembered that the 23 mile marker was along there, just a parkrun to go. Or 6 laps of my stupid lapped course I use for my sessions. Only 6 bloody laps I think. I am going to do this. I really, really am. I realise 8s will get me in from here. It’s about staying upright. The gloves and the buff come off. I fold them up nicely and stick them in the top of my shorts. What, at 23 miles I’m folding up my buff, putting it in my shorts AND running sub 3 pace?! I MIGHT actually do this.
23) 1m - 6:53(6:53/m) 97cal 8.72/9.06mph
24) 1m - 6:51(6:51/m) 96cal 8.76/9.12mph
We come off the trail and now I’m cramping properly. Shit. Stay upright, one foot in front of the other. 15 mins to go I think. Only 15 bloody minutes. Anyone can do this. This is what the supershoes were purchased for, keeping me going when I’m down to a jog. Mr 2:55 goes past, a few others do too including GVH. I catch a few who look like they’ve been shot and a couple of super fit looking guys who are literally chatting, walking down the middle of the road. Someone shouts at them to get out of the bloody way. I catch and pass Mr Brackley in orange, I did see him again. It’s horribly twisty, up and down kerbs. The underpass, through the town and back to the car park at ~25 miles. I’ve just waddled a 7:17 and I really AM going to do this. Stay upright, one foot in front of the other. Breathing is now deep 2:2, I’m not knackered it’s about pain management. Both legs almost straight like they have metal struts holding them rigid. Keep waddling. Turn the corner, downwind the last ½ mile to the track, it’s a bit of an incline but I’m at 7:30 pace. Keep an 8 off the card I think. A marshal gives me massive encouragement – I AM going to do this I tell her, you ARE she tells me back. I really AM. Oh my god, I always fail somehow. But I am going to do it. I really AM.
25) 1m - 7:17(7:17/m) 98cal 8.23/9.16mph
Turn the corner in to the stadium and up a rise on to the track. Both ladies I passed now come past me; Paula says to me that we should finish this together. In fact she takes 20+s out of me in the last 300m. The relief, the elation, the pain. In to the finishing straight. I’m crying, I’m screaming, the crowd are giving it all back to me. I run with my head in my hands, with my arms in the air. I must have looked like a complete prick but the emotion is overwhelming. Me, the constant failure, the guy who’s training is a bit different, who folks don’t seem to listen to. I HAVE done it. My watch says 2:57:01. I DID it!
26) 1m - 7:18(7:18/m) 98cal 8.23/9.31mph
27) 0.06m - 16(6:15/m) 3cal 9.61/8.43mph
The moment I stop I collapse as cramp strikes me in both legs. I manage to roll off the track and on to the fake grass on the middle. GVH comes over to me and pushes my toes to relieve the pain. He has run 2:56 in his 1st marathon. He tells me that the talking to I gave him at 16 miles made the difference; that makes me beef a little bit. As I sit up a little I see Fergus coming round with about 200m to go the clock is on 2:58 and he’s going to do it easily. He looks so composed and strong as he comes down the final straight and with the faintest of fist-pumps he bags his 1st sub 3 having fought some of his own demons along the way. We watch a guy cross the line at 3:00:04 and wonder for him (sub3 chip). Finally, I have to take up Fergus’ offer and he picks me up (literally) and it’s off to the kit tent. Not directly for me as I have to find somewhere to have a complete beefing breakdown. A kind lady offers me a hug and a banana (!), I just take the hug. I DID it!
I talk to my wife and son on the phone, break down again. Take a shower with Fergus (!), share a cuppa and we hobble off our respective ways vowing to see one another at VLM having done no training, targeting sub 3:45. Fine by me.
I can’t find D but he came home in 3:03 which is an amazing debut. Mr 2:55 does 2:56 very low and is happy, tells me what a good job I did keeping him going in the tough miles. Mr 3:00:29 goes sub 3 too. As does the St Edmunds Pacer who ‘didn’t know what he was doing’. Having done all the hard work in that 1st lap, refusing to let anyone else take the pace, Team Bath come in at 3:04.
What’s next? I’d better cancel that hotel in Valencia! I don’t have a single race in the calendar. I really have no idea what’s next. Usually I think about trying to run a sub 18 5k but I did that earlier in the year. What about another sub 38 10k? No, did that in Sep too! What a year of progress. More miles. More miles run faster. Hardly any speedwork just what feels like a mountain of marathon pace running. Loop after loop at 6:45. And guess what, it finally became MP on the day. Funny that…..
87:34 to halfway
89:26 coming home
1:52 +ve split and a 1st sub 3 at 44. Smile.
One of my colleagues, her husband D was to run the race too, his 1st marathon. I hadn’t met him before but I did some
So, it’s on with the supershoes, the calf guards, a t-shirt, gloves, a buff as it’s freezing in the wind and as always a sweatband on my wrist (the opposite wrist to where the target splits are sharpied on my arm, I’ve learned from previous mistakes on that one). 6 gels stuffed in the top of my compression shorts – a short jog on the track confirms to my relief that they are not going to fall out, phew. There’s no toilet queuing for me as as ever I’m using the bottle down the shorts approach and peeing merrily wherever and whenever I like :-). A quick chat with CW and Fergus and it’s time for one more pee.
In fact, while I am peeing for the last time the race countdown begins. It’s a 9am start but at 8:58 we’re off. I have to join from the side a bit and I have some passing doubt that I have passed over the timing mat (I had, of course). We’re off round the track the wrong way on the top straight it’s blowing a hoolie. Chill out Paul, chill. We move out of the stadium, out on to the open road and we’re downwind for the 1st few miles so I’m just trying to reign it in, there’s no banking time, is there? The target is 6:45s. 6:48s are fine too. Just no 6:3xs now, be a good boy.
1) 1m - 6:45(6:45/m) 95cal 8.9/9.37mph
2) 1m - 6:42(6:42/m) 97cal 8.95/9.33mph
3) 1m - 6:44(6:44/m) 97cal 8.91/9.56mph
4) 1m - 6:44(6:44/m) 96cal 8.92/9.27mph
5) 1m - 6:43(6:43/m) 97cal 8.93/9.27mph
I’m chatting away merrily to all and sundry, this is fantastic. I talk to a guy who ran 3:00:29 at Manchester this year so he’s not impressed with my 3:00:39 VLM banter! There are 2 quite big, athletic Team Bath guys striding it out too. One is obviously pacing the other to 3 hours as confirmed by some more banter. So, with D there too and a Saint Edmund Pacer who says he has no clue what he is doing (!), a group is already starting to form.
Miles 4 & 5 wind through the streets of the town of Abingdon. Pretty enough but like lots of old market towns in the South pretty soulless. I actually lived in Abingdon for a while and I’m amused to run past the flat I stayed in for a few months back in 1997. A lot has changed since then.
I take my 1st gel at 4 miles. That’s earlier than I would normally but I was quite persuaded by the discussion between G and Larkim that it’s better to get it in early so I do. No probs, even without a drink. The advantage of wearing gloves is that the stickiness isn’t a yucky problem. Drink stops come and go – there are bottles at 5 miles and I gulp a full one down. At others I get as much on board as I can from the plastic cups.
Miles 6 -8 and we’re out on the loop that we’ll have to do twice. This is the 1st time that the wind is noticeable. It’s also along a busy road and you can see it climbing up ahead a little. I’m just off the back of a group that’s formed led by Team Bath. I chat to D, telling him that we have to get on the back of the group. I’ve never done it before, put in a conscious effort to bridge a gap like that, defo not in a marathon anyway. It’s really exhilarating, like proper racing but I have to convince myself that it’s the right thing to do, to burn energy like that. Once on the back of the group I realise that I don’t just need to be in the group, I need to be in the inside to get shielded from the mix of head and cross-winds. I get the position I want as an orange vest of Brackley decides the pace is too slow for him and he heads out and off up the road. I wonder at the time whether I might see him again later. I talk to the rest of the group trying to marshal them a little – I tell them the loop is 9 miles long and we should stick together until next time round. It’s going to be that important I think. There’s a now a guy in the group who’s looking for a sub 2:56. He nods, he knows what he is up to but I’m suspicious of him. He’s making us go too fast I think. The splits do slow but it’s OK, we’re on track. Next gel goes in around 8 miles after a suck on a sponge at 7.
6) 1m - 6:47(6:47/m) 97cal 8.84/9.6mph
7) 1m - 6:51(6:51/m) 96cal 8.77/9.25mph
8) 1m - 6:48(6:48/m) 97cal 8.82/9.1mph
At Mile 9 we turn downwind, gently downhill. I’m halfway in to my mile split and I see 6:34 on the watch. Whoops. I back off, step out on to the road and jog for a few seconds letting the group sweep past me. I feel totally fresh, just jogging along. My feet don’t hurt, I’m not using the 2-2 breathing yet. It’s a total coast. Round the corner though it’s back in to the wind and with a drinks station (cups) there’s a natural slowdown and the mile split comes out spot on again.
9) 1m - 6:43(6:43/m) 96cal 8.93/9.16mph
10) 1m - 6:46(6:46/m) 98cal 8.86/9.98mph
11) 1m - 6:48(6:48/m) 97cal 8.83/9.12mph
We pass my colleague and D’s wife at 10 miles. She’s amazed to see us together but it turns out that D is a very, very strong runner and making it look very easy. We chat after we’ve seen her and head in to the industrial estate loop that everyone moans about. I say if we don’t slow down then we’re going through in 87:30. D says it’s OK, time in the bank. My old head thinks ‘look son, there’s no time in the bank in this game!’. The roads in the industrial estate are wider and we’re generally with the wind now. Nice. I back off completely at one point as I know we’re going too fast. I slow to what feels like a complete stop, D wonders what’s up with me, and the mile split comes out at 6:42. Too fast!
12) 1m - 6:45(6:45/m) 96cal 8.9/9.16mph
13) 1m - 6:42(6:42/m) 97cal 8.96/9.12mph
And halfway is on us and the slowdown by the wise old head means that we haven’t made the mistake of going through in 87:30, it’s a far more sensible 87:34. Oh so wise I am. Oh! I do remember to take the 3rd gel though. No probs.
There are now a couple of (almost) single file traily bits that are completely shielded from the wind but come out slower and there’s no over-taking. That said, there’s nobody struggling yet and the splits stay OK but the group has splintered. At 15 miles the lap starts again with the bit that goes up slightly and where the wind is the worst. I’m a bit isolated, D is a few paces behind but thankfully the big boys of Team Bath are just ahead. I stick a bit of effort in again and get in behind then and try to get the group going again. The problem is is that the Team Bath pacee is struggling a bit and I’m forced to go past. Now I’m being used as the windbreak by a couple of guys, including D. I pull up to a Gade Valley Harrier (GVH), a young guy looking very strong. 1st marathon he tells me. Well young man, there is another group up ahead and I tell him that it’s now or never – we have 3 miles straight in to the hoolie, just the 2 of us or on the back of that big fat group up there. We make the effort, we’re on the back of the group within ¼ mile or so. 2:55 man in is in there and says hi again with a nod. The splits are the slowest so far but the relief to be back in the group is massive and after 30s or so the breathing is back to ‘norm’ and it’s all under control again.
14) 1m - 6:46(6:46/m) 96cal 8.86/9.25mph
15) 1m - 6:51(6:51/m) 98cal 8.75/9.5mph
16) 1m - 6:50(6:50/m) 96cal 8.78/9.1mph
Turn the corner and it’s downhill / wind again. And I’m going too fast again. I’m chatting to 2:55 man though and we decide that we’ve done the worst of the wind so now it’s time just to get back on it. We do. 4th gel is in around 17. I feel good, very good but there’s a nagging in the left calf now. I know what’s coming but I’m still cruising and just get on with it.
17) 1m - 6:40(6:40/m) 97cal 9.01/9.14mph
18) 1m - 6:45(6:45/m) 97cal 8.89/9.2mph
18 is a turning point. It’s the 1st time I start to believe it’s really on, the 1st time I start to visualise the finish, the social media stuff I am going to post. Put it away you idiot! I do but now I’m able to focus on the fact 8*7 min/miles is going to get me in comfortably. I start to dread what might go wrong, start to see some negative outcomes. Wrong, so I let myself glide and actually put a couple of faster splits in 19 – 22. Another gel goes in somewhere here. As much to drink as often as possible too. There’s something to learn – have a plan and stick to it with gels, I’m off my normal plan but think it’s OK, 3 in the 1st half, 3 in the later half. Last 2 caffeinated.
How are the legs. Hmm, defo signs of damage coming on. The left calf is starting to cramp very slightly and the right hammie is tightening. I’m OK though, I’ve run in a much worse state before and it’s all about keeping a 7 off the card as long as possible. We’re in to the industrial estate again and it’s really just me and Mr 2:55 now. He’s using ME as a bloody pacer (& windbreak when required). I find it hard to believe but man it’s going well. GVH guy is there too. He asks what we’re targeting, I say it’s irrelevant now, just keep the flow, keep the rhythm and the time will take care of itself. Mr 2:55 gives a very knowing nod.
19) 1m - 6:43(6:43/m) 97cal 8.92/9.06mph
20) 1m - 6:42(6:42/m) 97cal 8.96/9.14mph
21) 1m - 6:40(6:40/m) 97cal 9/10.79mph
22) 1m - 6:42(6:42/m) 97cal 8.95/9.31mph
We’re about to go on to the traily bit again when I approach what I think must be the 1st lady. I’ve been catching her for a while having just gone past what I thought was 2nd lady. Just as I get to her she stops on the side of the road and does a Paula. Something I said? Do I smell that bad?!
After that excitement it’s back on to the traily bit again. I’d remembered that the 23 mile marker was along there, just a parkrun to go. Or 6 laps of my stupid lapped course I use for my sessions. Only 6 bloody laps I think. I am going to do this. I really, really am. I realise 8s will get me in from here. It’s about staying upright. The gloves and the buff come off. I fold them up nicely and stick them in the top of my shorts. What, at 23 miles I’m folding up my buff, putting it in my shorts AND running sub 3 pace?! I MIGHT actually do this.
23) 1m - 6:53(6:53/m) 97cal 8.72/9.06mph
24) 1m - 6:51(6:51/m) 96cal 8.76/9.12mph
We come off the trail and now I’m cramping properly. Shit. Stay upright, one foot in front of the other. 15 mins to go I think. Only 15 bloody minutes. Anyone can do this. This is what the supershoes were purchased for, keeping me going when I’m down to a jog. Mr 2:55 goes past, a few others do too including GVH. I catch a few who look like they’ve been shot and a couple of super fit looking guys who are literally chatting, walking down the middle of the road. Someone shouts at them to get out of the bloody way. I catch and pass Mr Brackley in orange, I did see him again. It’s horribly twisty, up and down kerbs. The underpass, through the town and back to the car park at ~25 miles. I’ve just waddled a 7:17 and I really AM going to do this. Stay upright, one foot in front of the other. Breathing is now deep 2:2, I’m not knackered it’s about pain management. Both legs almost straight like they have metal struts holding them rigid. Keep waddling. Turn the corner, downwind the last ½ mile to the track, it’s a bit of an incline but I’m at 7:30 pace. Keep an 8 off the card I think. A marshal gives me massive encouragement – I AM going to do this I tell her, you ARE she tells me back. I really AM. Oh my god, I always fail somehow. But I am going to do it. I really AM.
25) 1m - 7:17(7:17/m) 98cal 8.23/9.16mph
Turn the corner in to the stadium and up a rise on to the track. Both ladies I passed now come past me; Paula says to me that we should finish this together. In fact she takes 20+s out of me in the last 300m. The relief, the elation, the pain. In to the finishing straight. I’m crying, I’m screaming, the crowd are giving it all back to me. I run with my head in my hands, with my arms in the air. I must have looked like a complete prick but the emotion is overwhelming. Me, the constant failure, the guy who’s training is a bit different, who folks don’t seem to listen to. I HAVE done it. My watch says 2:57:01. I DID it!
26) 1m - 7:18(7:18/m) 98cal 8.23/9.31mph
27) 0.06m - 16(6:15/m) 3cal 9.61/8.43mph
The moment I stop I collapse as cramp strikes me in both legs. I manage to roll off the track and on to the fake grass on the middle. GVH comes over to me and pushes my toes to relieve the pain. He has run 2:56 in his 1st marathon. He tells me that the talking to I gave him at 16 miles made the difference; that makes me beef a little bit. As I sit up a little I see Fergus coming round with about 200m to go the clock is on 2:58 and he’s going to do it easily. He looks so composed and strong as he comes down the final straight and with the faintest of fist-pumps he bags his 1st sub 3 having fought some of his own demons along the way. We watch a guy cross the line at 3:00:04 and wonder for him (sub3 chip). Finally, I have to take up Fergus’ offer and he picks me up (literally) and it’s off to the kit tent. Not directly for me as I have to find somewhere to have a complete beefing breakdown. A kind lady offers me a hug and a banana (!), I just take the hug. I DID it!
I talk to my wife and son on the phone, break down again. Take a shower with Fergus (!), share a cuppa and we hobble off our respective ways vowing to see one another at VLM having done no training, targeting sub 3:45. Fine by me.
I can’t find D but he came home in 3:03 which is an amazing debut. Mr 2:55 does 2:56 very low and is happy, tells me what a good job I did keeping him going in the tough miles. Mr 3:00:29 goes sub 3 too. As does the St Edmunds Pacer who ‘didn’t know what he was doing’. Having done all the hard work in that 1st lap, refusing to let anyone else take the pace, Team Bath come in at 3:04.
What’s next? I’d better cancel that hotel in Valencia! I don’t have a single race in the calendar. I really have no idea what’s next. Usually I think about trying to run a sub 18 5k but I did that earlier in the year. What about another sub 38 10k? No, did that in Sep too! What a year of progress. More miles. More miles run faster. Hardly any speedwork just what feels like a mountain of marathon pace running. Loop after loop at 6:45. And guess what, it finally became MP on the day. Funny that…..
87:34 to halfway
89:26 coming home
1:52 +ve split and a 1st sub 3 at 44. Smile.
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Windsor Wool
1st ever post on the 3:15 thread was in August 2009fetcheveryone.com/forum__3267__957__the_sub_315_marathon_thread
you need to get to page 1108 before I get more regular though
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