Longford marathon

Listed by plodding hippo
Entrants (2) Club PB SB Pred Time WAVA
BS St. Peter's 2:59:18 3:30:44 3:30:44 57.75
plodding hippo Longford marathon August 2006 Preceded by a lot of walking with heavy bags in Dublin 2 days before----------------------------- This was one of those marathons I was doing courtesy of not working-I KNEW I would be free over the Bank Holiday, and decided to make a little jaunt of it with hubby. We arrived in Longford, a charming town which was much bigger than I expected, on Saturday afternoon.There was a nice low key registration, where we received numbers, and a rather nice goody bag containing mints, Gatorade, chocolate, a razor and a comprehensive marathon programme together with a nice cotton t shirt..They even provided safety pins!!!!!!! After a nice meal, a couple of pints and a good sleep, marathon day dawned-sunny with a light breeze.The only problem with breakfast in our hotel was that the tea was served in tiny cups, not pots-so I probably wasn’t as well hydrated as I would have liked.I picked up Shdes form her hotel, and we sauntered 100 yards down the street to the start. I didn’t know many people doing this, but I recognised a couple of 100 marathon club vests.They don’t know me--------yet. The start line was on the main street through Longford, which I think is a main route through Ireland, so the marshals did have to hold up a few cars so we could get started!After a few words of encoragemant form the rca director, we were off to the strains of “Chariots of Fire”. The first mile took us in a loop around the main street, so we could get some more cheers of encouragement before setting out on the marathon course proper.Then we headed out on to the main road, with the half marathoners.I was running with Shades for the first few miles.Although we didn’t have many supporters standing by the side of the road, the numerous cows mooed loudly at us, and we got several beeps form the motorists heqading off to some football match or other!Running along the main road in Ireland is not as bad as it sounds.There is a huge turning lane for tractors and so on, which is perfect for running!!!!!.Mile 3 brought a water and squash station, most welcome.We were sub 11 min miling, whicch really was a bit too fast for me, but I decided to try to hang on until 10 miles.We did overtake quite a few people, most of whom were doing the half. Soon we were approaching 7 miles, and the half marathoners turned aound to go back, reducing the field.Ahead of me, I could see a lady in white shorts run-walking.This reminded me that I was feeling my fuel shift badly.Id done 7 miles in 75 minutes, and at a little over the seven decided to walk.I say decided.I didn’t have a choice.Shades sailed off into the distance, and I was overtaken by a Eurasioan lady in black running very slowly, but she was running. Whie shorts and I did battle for a little while longer-my running was a bit quicker than hers, and we played the overtaking game for a little while before I hit a real bad patch just before 10 mile,.and needed to get away from people.Yep-the trotts------------ There wasn’t much cover, but im getting good at doing this very quickly.Imagine my horror, on reappearing from a very small grassy bank-when I encountered another (male) runner.I thought I was last!.He muttered some encouraging words and jogged on into the distance.I walked for a bit to put some distance between us.In retrospect-I think it was one of the race committee!!!!!!!! Despite walking-I had got to 10 miles in 1 hour 52 I wasn’t feeling too well though And now I couldn’t see anyone in front of, nor behind me.Situation normal then, just carry on. I ran when I could run, and walked at other times, making sure the walk was brisk.I knew I was entering my bad patch, no point in worrying about anything until I hopefully hit my second wind at 17/18 miles.I made half marathon point in 2.32, so unless something went badly wrong, I should do a sub 6.i was felling pretty rough, and my stomach kept cramping.So far the legs seemed ok. 15 miles in 2 hours 54, which would have had me on for a sub 5.30, but by now the pace had dropped to 14 min miling, and I was feeling lightheaded.I was on a little farm road now, going past large bungalows set in huge plots.There were plenty of impromptu water stations presumably put up by the locals, who were very nice and encouraging when I happened to spot one.Hi 5 was advertised at quite a few of these, but it had run out by the time I got there.I persisted with the odd glucose tablet, and hoped for the best. Another wonderful thing was that it was impossible to get lost-always a worry for me as a back marker.Not only was the route obvious(even to a tired runner), but there were huge signs on the trees, AND giant white arrows on the road at any potential sites of confusion.This really took the pressure off. And then, I started to see people in the distance-heck-was I catching someore up??????? First I overtook a chap walking-not sure if he was one of the wlkers who had started 2 hours earlier, but he didn’t look too happy.Then I could see the Eurasioan lady ahead.I was feeling quite pleased at this point , and still vaguely hoped for sub 5.30.but id reckioned without my guts.Another uncomfortable stop meant I could no longer see the lady in front of me, and what was worse was that I felt no better after the stop.Running seemed to cause cramps.All I could do was carry on.I was still on for sub 6-and that was the cut off.Mile 20 was reached in 4 hours and 6 minutes.So-I had 114 minutes to crack sub 6(possible now with walking only), and 84 miutes for a sub 5.30—wasn’t happening.I set my cap at sub 5.45 Suddenly, I was out of the farm track, and into Newtown Forbes.There was a table in the middle of the high street with loads of cups of Hi 5 on it.Bliss!!!!!!!!!!It really helped-well, for about 200 yards-but every little helps!By now, my thighs started complaining.Youd think after ultras, they would behave on marathons.To add insult to injury, as we headed back out on to the main road, I was overtaken by another runner.Never mind-this is your race, and you just keep going.only one mile had been a 15 minute mile(included a stop), the rest was less, and I thought I could achieve 5.45. I could see the Eurasian lady ahead of me in the last couple of miles.It was large downhill stretch, and I seemed to be able to run.I couldn’t believe it, but at mile 25 I caught and overtook her.My last mile was a 12.5 minute mile-and that includes a good minute standing at a pedestrian crossing!!!!!!I almost thought Id make sub 5.40, but this wasn’t to be. Running along Longford High street, a marshal signalled to me.I was to cross the road, dodge the trafffic, and go into the finish funnel.I was nearly mown down by 2 cars turning left-and this is the only aspect of the race organisation I would criticise. I arrived just in time to see the presentations, receive my lovely medal and be given a can of Red Bull.There was even a spare chair to sit on. There was a meal for runners which I didn’t go to, but I did go to the disco later than evening This is a fantastically friendly and well organised race I would heartily recommend it (oh yes, my finish time by garmin was 5.41 .33) 100 Marathon Club 4:16:46 5:09:22 5:41:33 40.43

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