Miles's marathon.
My run started
slower than planned … the organisers goal to get everyone across the
blue start fast filled the streets, and by the end of 2 miles, I was a
minute below even pace for my 3:15 goal.
Luckily I was able to make up most of this in the downhill mile 3,
keeping relaxed and the heart rate under control. By the awesome
crowds at Cutty Sark I was feeling great, and had settled into
7:10 to 7:20 pace. A couple of Runners World forumites came and said
hello which was fun (I had my forum name on my gel bag), and one used
me as a pacer for several miles before accelerating … I met him again
at mile 25 !
The noise from the supporters was deafening, and settling into a
rhythm amongst all the excitement took concentration. Although I was
only going 10 secs a mile faster than Rome 5 weeks previously, it felt
much harder work.
At mile 10, doubts set in as I was only 45 sec inside even
pace, and associations from London 2004 where I started too fast and
struggled after mile 16 flooded the mind.
I gave myself a good talking to, imagining my Rome training partner (Conor)
on my shoulder, the calmness we felt cruising along the Tiber, and the
euphoria of entering Plaza de Popolo at mile19. This worked, and by
half way in 1:36:13 my confidence had returned and I started to
steadily overtake people, maintaining an even pace until mile 20
when I dropped back to even split speed, focusing on not losing the
slim 2 minute "buffer".
Whenever doubts and that "sinking hollow feeling" returned, I centred
myself back into relaxed Rome mood amid the hubbub, and took one mile
at a time. In mile 23, I sped up back to 7:18 pace, and then
came payback and near calamity - cramps in the calf !! Luckily I was
able to slow jog it out (just where Sarah chose to watch !), and by
focusing on running style was able to establish a sensible 7:50 pace
to get me along the Embankment and the never-ending Birdcage Walk
without further trouble.
I was ecstatic to finish in 3:13:39 …
3:50 faster than Rome, and 1:49 inside my 2 year old PB. A real "in
the head" run !!
I have learnt a number of things this
year:
…. doing a PB attempt 5 weeks after a marathon will hurt
…. even
pacing works …… positive thinking really helps
…. quality mileage not
total mileage is what matters
…. long runs at the lookout build more
strength than Windsor Park and help avoid injury (hilly, uneven
terrain)
…. and finally
…. listen to Wendy as she explained all this a long ago !!
Happy running folks, awesome times by
everyone this year.
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