1st marathon completed

After nerve wracking last couple of days today I have finally faced my fear… first marathon.

I woke up today quite early to be sure that I eat my breakfast two hours before the run and avoid unnecessary surprises. That sounds like I was quite reasonable but still couldn’t find a place for myself in the morning. 7 times checking if everything is ready, checking my hamstring and planned to leave the hotel at 7:30 (marathon was starting at 9 and to get there we needed only 15 minutes)… So nerves…

Standing on the empty starting line made me smile for a split second but then runners started to arrive and I questioned if I belong here (the usual). Tried not to think too much, moved onto stretching and preparation (important decisions – sun glasses or a cap)… OK, can we just start the run, end my misery… Wanted to finish the marathon in 3:45 but eventually have decided to run next to 3:30 pace maker (I can always slow down). As I anticipated, all nerves disappeared right after the start. I was running finally, I was happy and strangely had a good feeling about this race. First 5 miles I was running next to pace makers but later decided to pick up pace little bit.  I managed to keep the pace at about 7:48-7:49 minutes per mile for whole distance. That’s all about pace, now what everybody is waiting for – ‘the WALL’. I had two small crisis situations. First about 17 mile mark where route started to go up and down. Difference in altitude wasn’t big (probably wouldn’t even notice when walking) but when you have already clocked couple of miles any uphill is much, much lager than you think. Especially since the first half was very flat and to be honest I was running that part without any problems and haven’t felt any tiredness. Second part was a little bit struggle. Ups and downs shouldn’t be a surprise, after all Cork is a hilly city. So, that was first crisis (hills have accompanied me for next 5 miles). Another one had come at about 20 miles mark. Knee started to ache, could feel that legs are heavy and there is no fuel in leg muscle (maybe that was actually ‘my wall’) but mentally I could still run. For that last six miles I was running with my will power rather than  muscle power but that was enough for today. About 1 mile before finish line I used my first energy gel – 2nd Surge. I don’ think that it has worked… But it wasn’t so bad if I could actually speed up on the last 200 meters and overtook a couple of runners. Could just see time over the finishing line and wanted to get below 3:25 on the gross time. Have achieved that… And at the finishing line waited my Wife – nice.

Must admit that marathon is run mostly in your head. You are struggling with fear, weaknesses and if there is someone on the route who cheering for you it is really helping. Today that was my Wife but as well Caroline (she was the one who ‘forced’ me into this marathon by asking if I can run for her son’s school). My Sister called me couple of times to make sure that she won’t miss my run (she wanted to know straight away how it went). I knew that there are many people who are wishing me good luck with my run (plenty of support via website and Facebook). But what is lifting your spirit during actual run is all these people who are standing on the side of the route and cheering for runners. Offering jelly, oranges, bananas, water and shouting your name when you are passing. And that is one thing which every marathon should have… your name on the number bib…

Official gross time 3:24:44.
Update – net time 3:24:22, place – 141.
Update – place – 138.

Attaching some pictures from the run below.