There is almost always a ‘but’… As I liked flat route and seeing Old Trafford I disliked the wrong placing of mile markers and the organization at the finishing line. Especially time needed to pick up bag you left before the start…
But lets start with that morning flight to Manchester. Cause I was travelling alone I just wanted to keep the costs as low as possible. Cause I was on the reserve list for pacing I had one cost less to cover – marathon fee. Cheapest flights – 6 AM. Cause I didn’t want to fly, run and getting back same day I wanted to fly to Manchester on Saturday. So called hotel – 40£, but I wouldn’t call that even hostel. Location was great but basic room was smaller than box room in regular semi house. Just bed, small night stand, hanger and sink !!! Shared toilet and shower. Haven’t allowed me to leave bag before 2PM (checking time). Never mind, maybe I just got used to slightly better service. Ohhh, internet was there but in their internet café. But before I checked in, straight from airport I took tram to Trafford to register myself for marathon. On the way down to marathon village I have decided to see Theatre of Dream – home of Red Devils. Have checked their shop. Wanted to buy something but prices were really ridicules. But at least I was there, saw Old Trafford. After that off I went to cricket grounds to register. Even thou that Manchester Marathon is same size as Dublin Marathon the buzz is much smaller. I was expecting that 15000 runners marathon will have much bigger marathon village…
And there were the issues are starting. Some of the international runners never received the numbers via post and they have paid for that 8£. And on the top of that there was no registration on the day of marathon. I was lucky, I was the one to pick up the number. And after bib pick up I decided to walk to centre of Manchester. Wasn’t too close. So, quite a nice walk before run. During my walk have passed couple Manchester well known buildings, markets and for my surprise ‘Gay Village’. Was nice experience to see all of that but… besides nice food market and ‘Gay Village’ nothing stood for me. As a city not as interesting as Prague, New York or Venice. That’s for the city. Eventually when I was able to get to hotel (still can’t believe that they are calling this thing). Cause I was using credit card I was charged even more. What a joke…
Next day was run. In the morning I was standing at the tram stop with plenty other runners. All of them excited to run. From discussions you could hear that some of them were aiming for time (obvious cause Manchester is flat) or run for fun. All had their aim. Mine was to finish, if possible with out pit stops. But first with whole bunch of runners I was heading from station towards Old Trafford cricket grounds. Change, leave the bad, do your routine. Dark chocolate, 2 imodiums should allow me to stay away from toilets. Even that sun is shining is still cold. Starching and warming up not really working. At starting line I have met some of MCI running buddies: Brenda and Norman who was pacing 3:58 (sic!). Then start… and rookie kicked in. Should go slow and comfortable and went too hard even if that was comfortable then (at least for firs 15 km). I have started couple minutes behind first runners and somehow a stupid idea stuck in my mind – catch 3:30 pacer. What the feck I was thinking? Where that was comfortable. Actually it was till about 17 km. After that I just felt my guts started to acting up. Hmmm… time to find toilet and loose time. And ofcourse until that had to slow down. Ok, was saved on K 19. But energy was gone. Lost time, lost pace… and will. Ok. And that was not all. Second pit stop 30 km. Time lost again and pace went down to jogging. Crap, crap… and no isotonic drinks on the route. And that was another issue for me. Not everyone tolerate gels and there was no choice at all. Either gel or no gel. Not great choice. And guess what? I’m not tolerating gels. Cool, isn’t it? No power for the rest of the run… was struggling really for last 10 K or so. So happy to see finish line. Got my medal and was was heading to pick up my bag. Even that it was sunny and no bother when running as soon as you stopped you felt cold. And then I saw the queue. All waiting for same – their bags. Have small chats with other runners when was waiting over 1.5 hours for my bag. Checked time and it I had just 4 hours till my flight. To get my bad quicker I had to ask organizers if there is any possibility to pick up my stuff anyhow before I will miss my flight. As I found out there was plenty runners like me. Some flying out same evening but some taking train that afternoon. There was so many of us that we have formed another line. Quite a long line. Took me another 20 minutes before I was able to pick up my bag. So, with just over 3 hours before my flight I left marathon village. Transport to airport and wait for fly out…
Summary of mistakes:
– why am I making same rookie mistake,
– shouldn’t go so hard to save myself toilet visit.
Summary of marathon issues:
– bib number not posted out to international runners,
– only gels on route, no isotonic drinks,
– mileage markers all over the place (forgot to mentioned that, but between some markers there was just 0.7 of a mile and between some 1.4 of a mile),
– bag drop waiting time.
Nice route but bad organization… plus my bad health.
Pictures below:
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