Dumfries Marathon

Entrants (8) Club PB SB Pred Time WAVA
ChrisU Had hoped to get under 3 hours. But my game plan was over by 16 miles. I struggled a fair bit in the 2nd half. Cambuslang Harriers, Westerlands Cross Country Club, Scottish Veteran Harriers Club 2:53:19 3:09:52 3:09:52 67.07
Grey Badger First Marathon ever so don't know what to expect. Hopefully get under my predicted time. Got in well under my predicted time. Struggled over the last 5 miles a bit but well pleased with my first attempt. Perfect running conditions overcast with hardly any wind. Northumberland Fell Runners 2:55:28 3:10:53 3:45:00 3:10:53 68.96
Nessie Fabulous race - friendliest marshalls ever, and the weather perfectly showed off the beatiful countryside the route ran through. A huge PB just made the day perfect (other than the slight detour at the end.....) Unaffiliated 5:17:00 5:17:00 5:17:00 42.85
pilchards Unaffiliated 3:24:00 3:24:00 3:24:00 65.67
plodding hippo Dumfries marathon 2006-03-22 This should have been a pb--------------- But the continuing squeeze at work, a missed nights sleep 5 days before sorting out my appraisal folder, coupled with the emotional fallout from patients and some management at my leaving work, meant I spent the whole week exhausted and stressed And now I will admit work might affect performance The hard half marathon (second fastest) a week before didn’t help the legs----- Oh yes-I’m getting the excuses in------ Journey started at 7.30 am to Brum airport. Was shocked to arrive in Glasgow-for some reason Id been all psyched up for Edinburgh-and the city didn’t look right! But Speedy G and I managed to eventually find each other in the “parallel universe”, and it was off to Dumfries on the train. Having only been psychologically and physically able to cope with 2 miles that week, I was desperate to eke out another 2 so at least by the end of the week id have 30 Yes, it’s sad, and yes, I DID plod 2 miles Nice social with the Macs, Nessie, Shades, Jane M in our little pub attached to the hotel the night before Dozed fitfully in front of the TV trying to watch the marathons Stomach cramps and toilet visits (sorry) at 1 am, 3 am and 5 am On a cold and bright morning-we headed up to the start---------- On arrival, in a car park, there was an air of confusion. Race director hadn’t arrived yet-he was milking the cows! Eventually the baggage vehicle arrived, the Big Box for energy drinks at mile 12 arrived, and Jane got her replacement number The bagpipes played, and suddenly it was time to start My plan was to run the first 2 miles however, then stick rigidly to walking up to 11.5 min miles to try and maintain endurance The first 2 miles covered several roundabouts I was glad I hadn’t planned any walking, as a whole main dual carriageway of traffic was held up for me, and others-superb marshalling So-the first 2 miles in 20.5 minute-oops Thereafter the plan was to run to each mile-and walk until I got to 11.5 mins for each mile This did involve 3 minute walk breaks, but I was determined At 4 miles-I had to have a wee pitstop-MOST unusual. Clearly I was NOT dehydrated Shades passed me soon after this I do find it reassuring to see her bum pass me-familiar territory-and I saw it for 4 more miles on my programme Soon I was totally alone-no-one in front, and no-one behind I’m used to this It was perfect running weather-cold and crisp, with some sunshine Visibility was excellent, and one of the marshals pointed out the Lake District (I just wish I could appreciate the scenery more-it was perfect-but running is still so painful for me) Mile 8 was tough-always is-but I got through it this time(grateful for the walk at the top of the incline), and prepared for the tough 12-16 hiatus Still sticking to the walk run programme, I got to 10 miles in 1.5-un1-so far, so good Expected sludgehorribleshitlow at 12-but persist through Overtake my one and only person in the whole race Its like treacle now, and its getting warm-the sun is out Wait for 16 miles-second wind will come Al I know is the half marathon was eked out in 2.27.57, and 15 miles arrived by 2 .52 And now was supposed to be my second wind Physically, I felt better, but my brain would not play More walking than running Pb dreams out the window-I even contemplated pulling out It didn’t help that my life saving glucose tablets weren’t to hand-I had forgotten them I walk ran as much as I could-walking more than running I took on whatever was available at the stations I was too numb and tired even for tears. Defeated and humiliated-perfect running conditions, and a potential pb course-the undulations would normally be a help-but just seemed insurmountable obstacles on this day Let no-one underestimate the effect of psychological exhaustion, as I did. I had no mental strength left to fight with, and this is what makes me complete marathons. Don’t ask how I got to 20 miles-but I did-about 3.52 Ten it was a rest of will I could see someone trying to catch me up-and so my running bits got longer Then DISASTER A crossroads-and no marshal Luckily-a local pointed me in the right direction, but by now I was well and truly upset The finish wasn’t signposted, and I spent the last mile walking angrily-convinced I was going the wrong way .Crossed the road a few times Time was 5.15, and I was angry. Where was the finish? Was I even on the right road? Eventually, managed to attract the attention of a disinterested looking person who pointed at a finish banner (I might add-this was in contrast to the helpfulness of other marshals on the course-but I suppose she wanted to go home, and she wasn’t identified as a marshal by a bib) A sorry end to what would have otherwise been a perfectly organised race A HEARTFELT PLEA TO ORGANISERS At the end of a marathon , we are hurting and incapable of rational thought Big arrows and signs would help-dont make us guess where the finish might be Not very happy with my mental performance here-but looking back on the hell of the last few weeks-it had to catch up with me at some point .Still pissed off though Wasted potential this race, just like the shitty job I am leaving And yep-my second fastest marathon time 5.20.08-but it should have been better 100 Marathon Club 4:16:46 5:09:22 5:20:08 42.87
sloth Unaffiliated 3:44:53 3:44:53 3:50:00 3:44:53 54.77
SueW PB!! So chuffed to get under 4 hours. Thta's 25 minutes off my previous best in Amsterdam. Lovely course and lovely marshalls and officials. Still lots of snow around after the previous wek's blizzards but a lovley day to run. Carnegie Harriers 3:56:27 3:57:25 3:57:25 59.01
Ultracat Metro Aberdeen 4:18:27 4:33:45 4:51:00 51.89

Photos

No photos added yet
  • Add Photo







Back To Top
X

Free training & racing tools for runners, cyclists, swimmers & walkers.

Fetcheveryone lets you analyse your training, find races, plot routes, chat in our forum, get advice, play games - and more! Nothing is behind a paywall, and it'll stay that way thanks to our awesome community!
Get Started
Click here to join 112,238 Fetchies!
Already a Fetchie? Sign in here