STON WALL MARATHON 2014

With our tour of Croatia well underway and my trail race a thing of the past... I was in taper mode for my next race, a marathon, and was only running easy...

Around the lakes at Plitvice...

OK this was on a walk

 

There was a lot of water there!

Along the coast of Sibenik, 

The Sun was out after the rain!

on the island of Hvar. 

Didn't head inland.

I was ready to take on the walls of Ston.

We picked up our race numbers as we drove past on our way to Dubrovnik. This was Friday and with the race on Sunday we would miss the pasta party on the Saturday night, next time...

Race day and the small field gathered on the main road. I was standing on the 2nd row with Dawn, who was running the 15km.  The guys in front were all running the 4km! 

With a clash of cymbals we were off, the kids in front all bolted like someone had let a wind-up toy loose! But like a wind-up toy their energy didn't last long as we left the Little Town of Ston heading to the sister town of Mali Ston! With the juniors now walking I moved through the small field...

I'm in the middle there next to Dawn

Out front was an Australian setting the pace then a triathlete and a tall skinny youngster whom I passed as the 1st km flew by in 3:37... That would be the fastest km of the race as things were about to change!

On entering the old town we turned straight for the wall, up the stairs and through a small 'door' and headed for the stairs that would take on onto the wall and back to Ston...

           

Dawn showing us the way later in the day as we went for a walk to look at the view!

 She didn't like the stairs, but I had no problem... I didn't hammer the stairs as 42km is a long way and I would need my legs for later! 

Ahead of me was the Triathlete (had seen his half Ironman bag at the start) and the Aussie was way out front setting the pace. There is something special about being on a wall, built over 500 years ago. I was walking hard and saving energy, that was till the top when I got back into my running... With my trail running background I danced along the narrow wall at the top weaving round the towers like a seasoned rugby player. Without missing a step I passed the Triathlete and flew down into Ston...

Came down from the right on the wall then across the pic and off the wall in the left corner...

The small town watched as we ran by... The 4km route would turn into town for the finish, while the rest of us headed out past the salt fields (no salt this year with the floads in the area!)

The Aussie was still flying, and while I wanted to chase (yes I'm mad...) I was running a marathon and he was only doing 15km... The Triathlete and tall guy soon joined me as we ticked over at 4:00/km till the small town of Broce when we left the water's edge and climbed over the peninsula. The Aussie was now heading back and soon the other 2 guys would turn leaving me on my own...

The route map did nothing to tell me just how rolling the rolling hills were!!! I was alone and eating up the km just enjoying the unspoilt nature and the Oceans views. The lady manning the water table offered me food and water, I just grabbed a bottle and headed down a rough gravel road (more 4x4 trail!). I was loving this... and as the km slipped away I wondered when they would turn us. Then there on his own was a young guy who turned me and sent me back. Looking at my watch I took a quick split to see where 2nd place was... about 5min back and not enjoying the gravel! (3rd was with him as well)

The small field was spread out and I greeted the runners as I headed back, all seemed to be enjoying the run! Now I knew why the going out was easy, it was rolling hills alright, the they were rolling down... I was now climbing again! That last hill about 1km long had 101m climb in it! I wasn't making up any time on a sub 3 marathon today... I grabbed another water bottle on the top and and headed down to Broce and the waters edge!

The road was damp in places and then while opening my water the unthinkable happened! My right leg disappeared under me and I hit the tar... HARD... I sat there thinking my race was over, my lead had counted for nothing! I climbed to my feet picking up my water and sunglasses before heading off again, Thumb, elbow, leg, back... yes there was blood mostly running from my elbow down to my Garmin! Slowly I started up and the running came back...

Dawn was at the 24km mark, she had finished the 15km and was now watch on the road as we started on the next loop...

Dawn would stay there till I got back, but I had many km to go! By 25km we were running on another gravel road through the farmlands. I kept my work up thinking about building as big a lead as a could while the running was in my favour. That said it was nice to get back on the tar after 2km. for the first time I had a little support! The organizers were out to see what was happening.

The last turn was at about 36km and again I took a split... the 37km mark was coming up when I saw the 2nd placed guy, he was look better than I felt but with almost a 2km lead I just had to keep running. 5:35 up the hill, but the speed didn't come back as I headed down! The legs were shattered and I wasn't running freely, the Town didn't want to come any closer...

It doesn't matter how many marathon you run, it always seems to be a long way...

There was Dawn waiting for me... and she still had time to pop through town and catch me finishing!

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Ladies and mens winners...

The atmosphere after the race was great, but that is a story for another blog...

This race is no Berlin, London, New York or Boston, But I will be back before I ever run one of those over-crowded fun runs!