Run > Race

Loch Ness Marathon. Finished 501st out of 2748.

Nearly a week has past and I must write something down. I have experienced so many good times during our trip to Scotland.
Spending a weekend away with the lads is commonly known as good times with drunken times. We went one better and threw in a marathon! Now that's a proper lads weekend
I couldn't of planned or wished for a better journey. Spending quality time with people who I feel are more than just running friends but true friends has been a real bonding experience. There were many times throughout the three days that I would look at us and just think to myself "I couldn't think of a better way to do what we're doing".

The registration was stress free. Very relaxed atmosphere and chilled, wondering around without kids running around us or wives pulling us to the exit. The pasta meal was a positively surprising experience, we'll worth it. Again, sitting and chilling out chatting about the whole experience whilst listening to a live band.

A gentle stroll to the hotel via all the supermarkets we could find to top up on porridge, bananas, flapjacks and fluids. Before we knew it we were checked in, unpacked and chilling out for a short period before settling down for an early night. In my case, that didn't happen. It was either a case of head hitting the pillow and you're gone or wide awake clock watching with excitement. I had the latter. I think 23:45 was the last time I recall seeing. Alarm set for 6am.

The plan was to wake, prepare porridge, eat, and leisurely stroll the 1.7 mile walk to the finish park by 7:15 to catch the hour long bus trip to the start. The best bit was it all went like clockwork and stress free. On arrival we met Vanessa and her husband. We had time to exchange experiences so far, have a group photo and then we were off.

The journey took us down the Western side of the Loch and slightly back up the Eastern side to the start area. The views were stunning and a sure sense of reality hit us to how big the Loch really is. Once we'd departed the convoy of coaches transporting the 2700 entrants, we found the queue for a hot cuppa was longer than the queue for the toilets. The percentages soon swung the other way. A 20 minute gentle warm up, last minute preparations and a reminder of the planned execution and we were on the start line waiting for the off...

The target was 3hrs 15 mins. We knew we needed to hit 7 min miling and the gradual downward start would start us off well. The miles trickled by. Mile 8 and the first negative signs were mentally present. Nick commented how the miles were flashing by with ease. I wasn't feeling the same and it was becoming apparent that the recent illness was taking its toll and I was feeling tired. I knew then, this wasn't going to be easy, far from it. Half way was about 1:35 and the stamina was diminishing. The pace was starting to drop and 3:15 was not going to be possible. We re-evaluated and went for 3:30 but this too was going to be a tall order by mile 18-20. By now I was physically drained and emotionally beaten up. Many times Nick was pushing and I'd reply I have nothing. This became most apparent at the finish line when I collapsed. I literally had nothing left and it took all my effort to finish with a bit of pace and strength. After a brief period of time, the medics had picked me up and with the help of Nick I cleared the finish area and promptly fell to the ground with style to gather myself further. This probably took over 20 minutes. Once the shakes had finished and I'd managed to put some clothing on, I went for a stroll. All of which took place whilst experiencing many bouts of cramp.

4hrs 15 mins had past, by now Tim had come in and we were reunited with an emotional group hug. Swiftly followed by the urge to eat food. Our second meal ticket was put to good use with a warm and hearty dish. Exactly what our weak bodies were craving. The conversations were less exciting or enthusiastic but delight and pleasure to the end of our pain and achievement.

The nearly 2 mile walk back to the hotel was the most needed walk to stop us seizing up. We snoozed and freshened up and hit the restaurant for beer and food as an afterthought. Refuelled, we walked the 2 miles back into town to hit a suitable pub which wasn't full of aching and wincing men and women and more importantly sold a good quality whiskey! We hit the jackpot when we stumbled upon the whiskey menu. 5 doubles later we left, stumbling more so than when we entered, if at all possible. Fortunately for us, we literally fell into a taxi back to the hotel, stumbled into bed. Our day, full of shared emotions had come to an end.

The morning after and breakfast was the best breakfast had in a long time with plenty of reminiscing. We had a few hours before we needed to be at the airport (our plan all along). We decided to stretch our weary bodies and walk back into town and walk the last 1/2 mile ending and find a good coffee shop. And a large coffee we had too!

Taxi back to the airport and home bound. What a marathon, what a weekend. Despite all the temporary pain, a great great great time topped off by spending it with great people.

===
1) 1m - 6:51(6:51/m) 117cal
2) 1m - 7:10(7:10/m) 119cal
3) 1m - 7:04(7:04/m) 119cal
4) 1m - 6:58(6:58/m) 117cal
5) 1m - 7:11(7:11/m) 119cal
6) 1m - 8:02(8:02/m) 125cal
7) 1m - 7:00(7:00/m) 117cal
8) 1m - 7:44(7:44/m) 120cal
9) 1m - 6:56(6:56/m) 118cal
10) 1m - 7:39(7:39/m) 118cal
11) 1m - 7:38(7:38/m) 119cal
12) 1m - 7:47(7:47/m) 119cal
13) 1m - 8:18(8:18/m) 121cal
14) 1m - 8:50(8:50/m) 120cal
15) 1m - 8:34(8:34/m) 122cal
16) 1m - 9:10(9:10/m) 119cal
17) 1m - 8:43(8:43/m) 118cal
18) 1m - 9:41(9:41/m) 118cal
19) 1m - 11:23(11:23/m) 109cal
20) 1m - 11:52(11:52/m) 108cal
21) 1m - 9:05(9:05/m) 118cal
22) 1m - 11:06(11:06/m) 113cal
23) 1m - 9:09(9:09/m) 119cal
24) 1m - 9:44(9:44/m) 119cal
25) 1m - 9:44(9:44/m) 119cal
26) 1m - 10:34(10:34/m) 119cal
27) 0.12m - 1:12(10:18/m) 14cal

You paused your watch for 202 seconds. This time will not display in your split graph.