My apologies, this is a long post, even by my standards.
Had the pleasure of joining my good friend Ultrabobban on his Stag Do on Saturday, which involved Borough Market for food and Cider (8% stuff and I don't even drink cider normally!!!), Epsom Derby, Brick Lane for a Curry and then things get very hazy indeed. All in all a great day/night, and Ultrabobbans friends, who I had not met before were all top blokes, which made the whole day an absolute blast.
The only problem with having such a great Saturday was I had booked myself into the inaugural Kent Roadrunner Marathon for the Monday, and I certainly didn't feel fantastic when I woke up on Sunday morning!! The Kent Roadrunner had been organised by my running friend Ian (ably assisted by his partner Sandra) at the new Cyclopark that had only opened a week or so before in Gravesend, Kent. I wanted to do this race as A) my 1st Marathon back from injury, B) it had been organised by friends and C) it was also supporting Ian's chosen charity Kent Air Ambulance.
So, having done a 50mile week the previous week which included 20miles at 8.26avg pace, I had concluded that I would get round the Marathon, but had realistic/low expectations of my finishing time as I had the Stag Do on the Saturday and only 3 x 40+ mile weeks of training behind me since getting properly back into training since my injury.
So up and out the door early yesterday, and apart from feeling a bit tired didn't feel too bad. Cyclopark was easy to find, and in to pick up my number and timing chip. Bumped into the lovely Ian and Sandra, but only spoke briefly as they were very busy, also saw a runner I know called Rik (who did something like 54 marathons last year!!!) and we quickly caught up on recent races etc before making our way to the race briefing. Ian (Race Director) kept it short and to the point, explaining it was 17laps of the cyclepark, how to keep count of how may laps you had done (easy done with 16 wrist bands) and a couple of mentions, one of which was a bloke running his 700th Marathon (OMG!!!). Also saw and said hello to Jen Salter (international level ultrarunner and really quick at most distances) and then we were over to the start, 3.2.1 GO.
I set off at a fairly comfortable pace and within about 1mile a small lead group started to pull away (including Jen), and I was in the 2nd group of runners, 1st mile was 6.48 so not mental, but based on recent amount of training about 20-30secs too fast IMHO, but I felt OK, so decided there and then that I would try and maintain as near to 7min miles as I could while I felt like that pace was manageable, whether this would be for 5miles or 15, only time would tell. Each lap is 2.493km or about 1.6miles give or take, and while there were no real hills each lap had a few short inclines and a few short sharp declines, but with the course being very open there was quite a head wind on certain sections, but the real killer, that came into play in the later laps was the last 5-600m that was all slightly uphill and included the steepest climb. Now don't get me wrong this was only a short (maybe 50metres) semi steep uphill, but by lap 12 you really, really felt it, and this is where I struggled in the latter stages, I am sure I was not the only one.
I tried to not look at the Garmin too much, just went on feel, and was pleasantly surprised to see 6miles go by in a smidge over 42mins, so about 7min miles, so just tried to stay relaxed and carry on. The next time I looked at the watch was around 13miles, this was around 1:32 dead, so about 7:05pace, blimming heck, I was going well, but was really starting to notice the little incline and uphill to the Start/Finish at the end of each lap. It also started to get a little warm, and that did not bode well considering my choice of hydration from Saturday (unless Cider is the secret elixir of the elites, I doubt it).
I did have the pleasure of Jen Salter's company for a while as she had settled into my pace and we had a bit of a chat, which was cool, and I congratulated her on the World Record on running the length of Ireland, I did even go ahead of Jen for a couple of laps, but she finished her race way stronger than me, so being ahead was short lived! It was around mile 17 that I realised that I was really thirsty (Cider from Saturday?) and with some quick mental arithmetic, as long as I kept going at a fairly good pace a PB was on the cards, which I tried not to get too excited about and just crack on. But I did need to take on at least two cups of water or water/electrolyte energy drink on this lap, and pretty much each of the next as I was obviously paying a bit of a price for my less than ideal hydration over the weekend and of course I was running a mara faster than ever before!
One thing I did laugh at, was at one stage when about 11 laps in, I did think my wrist bands were not disappearing fast enough, or I had too many left, had I inadvertently been given too many to start with? No, it was just me trying to wish away the miles/laps, which is what we all do when the miles will not come quick enough, which then makes them take even longer. Funny to reflect on after the race. The next miles 18to23 were just about not slowing down too much and maintaining the PB, but it was tough and took a lot of mental effort, but I was pleased to see on the Garmin (which by now I was looking at a LOT more than the rest of the race) was still showing 7.20 - 7.50 min miles, so no dying into 8's or 9's, which was great news.
Coming round to start the last lap, I could see the clock ticking to 3hrs1min??secs as I crossed the line (getting some great encouragement from Sandra), so 14 and a bit mins to do 1.6 or so miles for a PB, no problem. I didn't really have a huge amount left, but tried to keep my form and a 7.20mile went by, good, and now just keep going, around the final couple of bends and up that nasty little incline for the 17th time, and the last 4-500m slight uphill drag to the finish. I could see the clock and I sensed I could get to the line before the next minute clicked by, so started winding it up as much as I could and a really big effort for the last 100yds and I am finished, and the clock stops at 3hrs12m47secs new PB by 3 1/2 mins and 25th overall - WOW.
I am still, as I write this now, still unsure how I managed to run a PB or anything near it. I had just got some training behind me having been out for 6weeks from 3rd March and the ThamesPath 100miler, I had been on a Stag Do on the Saturday and drank way too much Cider (i never even drink cider), and had not had the best amount of sleep. Maybe, because I was really relaxed, no pressure to do or chase a time and just run (not looking at the Garmin, I think helped) as I ran a lot just on feel rather than on x pace is too fast/slow. Also, I usually run Mara's as training for Ultras, so always have that to consider, but maybe a good Marathon time requires marathon training, not ultra training par se. So for the moment I am going to enjoy my shiny new PB for a while, with fingers crossed that there are some good times ahead and maybe even some new PB's when you least expect them.
Happy Running.
