Categories: uncategorized
Date: 18 May 2004 16:37:49
i've not written for a while, mostly cos i havent had anything to write about (well not of running and stuff anyway).
last week after my triathlon success i did nothing at all!
saturday i went for an early swim just to get things moving, it was an awful heavy armed experience, kept stretching and resting but overall not an inspiring time.
and following my unpleasant experience at stratford marathon a few weeks ago i had decided to seek out another hopefully cooler one.
whilst halstead in essex isn't exactly local, the timing was right so at 6:30 on sunday morning we set off on the two and a half hour drive. unfortunately the weather was once again setting itself against me, i was hoping for some cloud cover but once again it was hot!
even before the start there was an unexpected surprise as we parked only one car away from our friends who had come up for stratford marathon! although i didn't see chris for dust in the race.
it's a relatively small event now in it's 10th year, the scenery is surprisingly good being very rural and picturesque. the marshalls and water stations were top notch as was support from the other runners. the course is 2laps of a figure 8 shape and is certainly on the hilly side of undulating.
setting off conservatively in previous marathons has always seen me suffering at the end so i had nothing to lose by trying a bit quicker this time. 8:22 for the first mile was ok but i knew the hills and the heat would be an issue.
i think i managed to keep a fairly consistent pace for the first lap, tagging onto the back of a few passing runners.
i could feel i was starting to fade at 15miles and had to take it quite easy on the hills.
the heat was oppressive and althoguh there was a period of cloud cover by midday whenever the sun was out i found it almost impossible to stay cool. walking on the climbs was a good ploy to preserve my energy but only where there was shade, if i was going to be uncomfortably hot i was determined it would be for as short a time as possible!
at 18miles my pace had plummeted to maybe 10min/mile if i could pick it up i might still make my target time but i knew this was unlikely. i considered stopping and once again questioned my sanity. i walked a little took on an energy bar and some drink; when the next marshall point came they asked if i was ok, "i've been better" i replied and carried on.
by 23miles i wished i had stopped at 18! but barely worth stopping at this stage, another marathon to notch up, some good hill training and another one to put down to experience.
just before the 24mile mark i just had to sit down in the shade for a few minutes and much appreciated the encouragement and concerns of those who trickled past, none looked in a much better state than i was.
25miles took forever to come even in determined head down mode, round the cricket pitch and onto the main road, things were looking up.
a final word of encouragement to my purple topped comrade who i'd been exchanging positions and encouragement with for the last 6miles or so! i didn't intend stopping again.
got to look strong for the finish despite the pouding pulse in the back of my head. the applause of the crowd in the final few metres was superb and despite still significantly missing my target time i was quicker than the last disaster!
not inclined to rush back to lisa & our friends i made for the nearest shady spot and sat down. pouring water over my arms and legs and enjoying the feeling, despite doing this a couple of times my cheeks were still glowing. slowly my core temperature came down, i stood up and felt nauseous (as usual) but this was fixed by a good long sit down.
a quick wash and a picnic by the cars saw me regain my appetite, and even play a little football with our friends sprog (and for once i didn't have to be deliberately slow!). drank like a camel all evening and was still thirsty monday morning!
[that weeks totals: ??km swim 0miles bike 30miles run]