anglesy marathon

Sat September 24 2005
Listed by plodding hippo
Entrants (1) Club PB SB Pred Time WAVA
plodding hippo Race Report-Anglesey marathon Pre race prep the usual manic week at work-I even started to FEEL tired by the end of the week. Was driven to Anglesey on Saturday-and arrived at the very pleasant Bull hotel.Within the hour I was tucking in to roast pheasant!.After a couple of pints in the bar chatting to the locals it was early to bed at 10.30-and I actually slept!(but what is it about bonging clocks whenever I stay away for a race!) Breakfast wasnt till 8 am so I forced down half of a bagel id brought and was dropped off at the showground by 8.30 Registration was in a huge shed-presumably for cattle shows! Collected my number and chip and sat down to compose myself. About 9am the tannoy announced that we could all collect a cup of tea-how civilised. Sipped on Redbull instead Met the tiny band of forumites doing this race-Tail Chafer, Owen Rogers and HTA. Feeling very nervous now-a small field and most gunning for 4 hour times or faster. Out we all went to set our garmins---------- We were herded into the pen 15 minutes before the off.Didn’t manage to get my usual position RIGHT at the back-oh dear. Weather bright and sunny-and already a bit warm for me WE’RE OFF! Legs feel loose and relaxed.My only real goal is to run 10 miles without walking-I haven’t since Reading Half in March.So try to take it steady--------right so that’s why the first 2 miles were 10 minute ones! Ok don’t panic-it takes a while to get the pace Tuck in behind a bloke i a blue t shirt running in a very relaxed fashion-----but he’s doing 10 minute miles or faster!!!!! Pass the first people walking-and feel a bit better The first drinks station is at 3 miles-and there is ample Hi 5-YUM! Im still sub 11 minute miling and I cant stop myself Blue t shirt is way ahead now but I’m catching up white t shirt.Tuck in behind him as he seems to be doing 11.30 min miles-and it feels all wrong Overtake him-well he will catch me up later of that I am QUITE sure. The wind starts to pick up and Im feeling distinctly uncomfortable Now running all alone There is beautiful countryside all aroud-but I cant appreciate it And suddenly at 7.73 miles-im bloody WALKING Bit annoyed I always do this-always have So I run walk-and am a bit surprised to do the next 4 miles in 45 minutes.The Garmin occasionally says I’m running sub 10 min miles in the running bits.What’s going on? If I keep this up I’m on for a pb-but hey-its only 11 miles and I’m due another bad patch. Right on cue-a BLOODY great hill-and a prolonged walk----and a 14 minute mile. I then overtake a 100 marathon club member-and we echange a few words.he will be overtaking me later-I am sure. We are going through lots of little villages and the locals are out in force to cheer us on.Get heckled by a little lad-and I challenge him to join me.he is going to race me to the bridge but cant go that far HA! (ran up that little hill, I did) Still regular drinks stations and Hi 5 Amazing Run walk continues and some prolonged downhills mean that im alternating 14 min miles with 11 minute ones Weird-never had a race like this before. And overtake another 2 people-er hang on I’m run walking-but I suppose I’m still runing a bit Never mind-onwards Hit half marathon point(marked on the route!) at 2.26.19—at last!(last 2 halves have been disasters at 2.40 and 3 hours-in fact-this half is faster than during my pb marathon) Start calculating what will happen if I now walk at 4mph.That’s because there are huge hills and my knee has started hurting.And Im hyperventilating and starting to feel a bit sick. Amazingly-I get to 15 miles in 2.52-im still on Cardiff pb time-but I do not feel well. Out with the glucose tablets and just keep going Overtake a lad who has totally cramped up just before 18 miles And no-one has overtaken me yet-odd 18.5-feel sick and lightheaded.I’m too hot.Its just another bad patch-come on.Can I do 20 miles in 4 hours-------------- Not quite but 4.01 will do. If I can walk at 15 min mile pace now I’ll do sub 5.30. Except for that bloody point 2-and the fact of the hills and fatigue mean I’m doing 16 mi mile walking pace.So I will have to run bits COME ON Entertain the thought that sub 5.45 would still be a good time.Its only 4 weeks since my ultra and 3 weeks since my last marathon— Push that though out of my head and just keep struggling on Did I mention the drinks stations? Every mile at the moment-I’m on water now as my stomach has totally seized up I don’t even want the water-I’ve even had a pitstop-unusually for me-but I dont want to seem churlish at the water stations. The last 4 miles is along main road-and frightening.But there are still marshalls at the double roundabout-though they think I am last.Enormous hill at mile 23-24 leads to my slowest mile—15.28 I can hear the tannoy of the showground in the distance-and then I’m there.Dodging the cars who are leaving-such is a backpackers lot. Mile 26-----I hate the point 2 No way am I doing sub 5.30-but its ok Keep stumbling then brisk walking I even walk in the finishing straight-so I can run across the line at the end 5.29.14 And hubby misses me finishing! THUD This is a superb race Thankyou to everyone! 100 Marathon Club 4:16:46 5:22:56 5:29:14 41.68

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