A perfect balance of every ingredient, right temperature, and cooking time or in running terms, maybe the total distance of the last 5 long runs, a block of tough midweek and speed sessions. This race though, not really. It was unexpected. Training had been really patchy.
From October 2014 to May good , consistent training, good number of races and marathons,
running the day after often to toughen up legs, even a half decent
London attempt at that marathon PB before my main target Comrades ultra.
Coming back from that in June, I gave myself 2-3 weeks off, very light
exercise but mentally felt a bit worn out. July onwards to August
hayfever really affected my breathing, my speed and even sleep. Still
doing a hill and a speed session every week, managed a couple of 5ks
just over 20 minutes, and a regular weekend long run of 9-12 miles. Not
high mileage. September started to run better, but soon on antibiotics
after tonsillitis and drained energy wise again. That takes you to mid Sept, one month before the marathon.
Jump to race day, mid October, felt good, relaxed. Nice cool conditions, but planning to run this
marathon as training for another one in 4 weeks time. Plans A, B and C
time wise... Hold on for around 3:12-17 (unlikely), a middle 3:18-22 or a
3:22-25 fading second half of race if not 100% fit. That would be an
easy time for me taking it steady.
Ridiculously easy setup at
the start. There an hour plus early, choice of lockers and able to warm
up on the track for 20 minutes. Even enough time to take off an old
t-shirt that I was going to chuck and put it back in locker, so very
relaxed and stress free. 600-700 people running, narrow start but up to
pace very quickly. Plan was to see where I was at around 8-10 miles then
adjust, just run on feel. I felt great, all miles 5-10 seconds under
target, really just had to keep moving and not worry about pace. Easy
miles, a few glances at some sections knowing course was two loops of 10
miles and would be passing through again. Half way 13 miles, 2+ minutes
under 3:15 target time, still felt fine. No pain, breathing relaxed,
but expecting this not to continue.
Hold onto this pace till 16 miles, all good. 18 grind a bit, went
as far as 22 before I had to grit my teeth more, but still all miles on
target. Mile 24-26 onwards breathing hard, had to walk a few times, one
guy tapped me on shoulder to carry on and push... Legs not jammed up or
in any pain, Just needed to get heart rate down.. Effect of Caffeine gel
maybe? Beat myself up for not running.. (Quitter... Come on!) but had
to run / walk the next two miles. Felt rubbish, this must be costing me 5
minutes and sooo close.
Sign for 800m to go, then
track in sight and looked at watch, 3h13m and approaching 400m to go.
Confused - 3-5 minutes better than I expected, so sped up coming towards
the track - this was going to hurt, but give it everything might
just make it. Less than 1min 40s to do 400m.. After 26+ miles? Go
faster, and then some, keep accelerating, eyes mostly closed in pain.
Through the line and nearly collapse.,.somehow clock shows 3:14:56.
Needed 5-6 cups of orange before felt okay. Honestly stunned with that
time. How did that happen?
Okay, so training for mid September to mid October.
13 miles hill set slow
Snowdonia 4 lakes 30k hilly road race (2h27)
5 mile borders league race (32:30)
Race day
Is the marathon not the test I
thought it was? Or is my running ability the sum of a whole year's
worth of training or even longer built up endurance. Some mix of feeling
positive attitude, cool weather and other factors. Even when you crack the
marathon it still hides what the perfect recipe is.
