The marathon
Monday 15th October 2007Man that was tough. I wanted to finish under 3 hours and was right on pace until about 34 kilometres. I went out a little too hard at first - I did the first 10k just under 40 minutes. I went through the half-way point in 1.25.42 - a little hard but still very comfortable. My calves started to cramp up severely about 34k and I was losing the energy to keep up the pace. My desired 4.15 per kilometre pace slowed down to almost 5 for the last two kilometres. I just missed out on the goal - 3.01.46 which was good for 7th place. I was in 3rd for much of the race until getting passed at about 30k and then a couple of more times after that.
I am very sore. I’m staying at my parent’s house and the guest bedroom is in the basement. Going down the stairs is a chore. I can walk without a limp - just not very fast. I signed up for a 5k in Truro at the weekend - hopefully I can run by then.
If you asked me during the last 1ok of the race whether I would run another marathon, I would have said no. But there will be a next time - I want to break 3 hours. Someone who can run a 10k in 36.32 (me back in August) should be able to run a marathon in 2.50 to 2.55. I will do more longer runs and not get injured which limits me to four months of preparation. I will also take in more fluids during the course of the race. Finishing a 10k race used to be hard - not as hard as this mind you - but now I have no problem with them. Hopefully the marathon will go that way too.
