One of the things you find yourself doing as a marathon runner is watching the weather as the day of your big race arrives, and to be honest it wasn't looking all that good!
And as Mr Weatherman had predicted the rain, well she did come, and on Friday night it was a little wet... I had climbed into bed listening to the rain beat down on the patio roof, and then at 01h00 Dawn was up to check if the garage was floading!!! It wasn't, but then I decided to get up and check the rain gauge...
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| FULL |
Back to bed and then up a couple of hours later, and the rain had taken a break together with the wind, the marathon was on and I found myself on the start line at 05h30...
The weather gods had Wreaked enough Havoc for the weekend, we were in for a great run, so unlike most of the marathons I run I put the hammer down from the gun. I was looking for anything around 3:48/km...
As that all important first km unfolded maybe I should have reassesed my goal!!! the running wasn't easy and I wasn't smooth, but I was going for it and maybe, just maybe, the body would loosen up and I would start feeling great.
5km 18:38, we were in a little group and moving along... I was sitting at the back, but I wasn't chomping at the bit wanting to run faster...
10km 37:27 (5km split 18:48) I was starting to have doubts, so I was hatching a plan... to get me to the end in one piece.
15km 56:58 (5km split 19:31) first hill on the day was crested, and while I was now running alone I was thinking of who I would make it to half way and beyond...
21.1km 81:24 (5km split to 20km 20:07) I had been caught and had tucked in behind this guy who was looking strong. Now on the out and back section to Somerset West we were heading into a breeze, so I let him do the work.
25km 1h37:19 (5km split 20:12) I was feeling better and with my plan now changed to 4:00/km things were looking up...
30km 1h57:21 (5km split 20:01) did I say looking up, I was now looking up to the heaven's for help, 12km is still a long way out! I had moved up into 2nd 40+ guy and had about 1 min lead over the next guy...
35km 2h21:25 (5km split 22:04) we had turned off the freeway, and I was looking for the finishing line and it was still a long way off... I lost my 2nd place, but I though that if I could just keep moving I could hold onto 3rd...
Now this is where I can tell you what has been happening: about 6-7 weeks ago I picked up an abdominal muscle strain, so for the last couple of months I have had almost no core stability / strength, I have not been able to do a single sit-up, (not that I do sit-ups) but to start with my stomach felt like I had done 1000 sit-ups the day before!!!
35km to the end, I was now catching the half marathon runners, but I still felt like the km had turned into miles as they weren't coming fast enough. It was an effort to lift my legs, but I was still in the money so I had to push on... I could see the 41km board when the next marathoner past me, DAM he was also a 40+, I picked up the pace...
No the body didn't respond, and after 5 strides I was out of the race... Then to rub salt in the wounds about 40 year old past me just before the field.
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| Trying to stay ahead of a half runner! |
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| All that hurt... |
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| Today 42.2km was a long way |
I want for broke and I broke... You can't win them all!
Go big or go home, I always say.
ReplyDeleteHow's the ab strain? Have you been able to figure out what it is? Do take care of it because a strong, healthy, intact core is essential to running longevity and safety. That's my PSA for today :)
Sometimes it's just not meant to be. At least you gave it your best shot and that's all you can do.
ReplyDeleteI like going for broke. You know you can run 2,50, so try for 2,40, thats the attitude of a racer. Good job Coach. You put in on the line. you know the quot about those who fail are only the ones who dont try. Yesterday there was a unique double, Michael Wardian won the San Antonio marathon in the morning in 2,31 then ran Las Vegas the SAME day (evening) in 2,58. Coach, i think thats one to try. ne?
ReplyDeleteYou have to try everything once...
DeleteSorry about the rough race. We all have them! (I was starting to think you never had a bad race!) And most of us would love to have 2:52 be a rough day. :) Hope the ab strain heals up quickly!
ReplyDeleteCoach. Hard lines. The second half of Winelands can be killer when you are redlining and under pressure for a goal time. I also wish my rough day ended in a 2h52. Rest well. Whats next?
ReplyDeleteStill a great time, well done! You certainly went down fighting. Rest well!
ReplyDeleteIt's called getting old. That's my excuse, because I'll forever be older than you. Happy Birthday for the 4th. My watch was telling me that yesterday was November 31st, hence the early (who knows what the watch will say in two days' time!) wishes. Congrats on continuing to pressure all those you're coaching.
ReplyDeleteRoly