Rolando has jinxed it…

If someone had asked me to describe Malta in one word ‘chaos’ would probably be the one. Starting with day to day activities to the marathon organization. But you have to experience it at least once in your life (Leo, suddenly marathon in Nice is looking much better)… Me and Bozena were looking forward to that marathon. Malta, nice weather, sun. We couldn’t be more wrong. Wind, rain, lack of sun. But Sliema itself is great and you can just imagine how nice it can be when the weather is great. When writing these few first words (internet is BAD) can see that shy sun is showing little bit from behind the clouds. Still windy though. Anyway back to Malta marathon experience…

It has started with many emails from organizers about the event. In some of them I was getting mixed info about registration place. Not a big deal, can be confirmed. Registration at the end was in the hotel. From 6 PM. Runners queuing from 20 minutes before. When we have arrived, just before 6 PM, chaos was already in full swing. People in the hallway. One queue, which looked like at least three. Can’t move anywhere. Just three stands to serve 1,500 runners from outside of Malta (locals had to collect numbers during the week). Technical t-shirt not given (just regular one). If wanted, cost was 25€. I had to have it. ‘Where will be the bus which will pick up runners to bring them to starting line?’ – I have asked. ‘In ferry terminal, near finishing line at 6 AM tomorrow.’ Ok, should be easy to find. Next day, 5:45 AM. No buses, runners going here and back like headless chickens looking for transport. People working at the finishing line know nothing. Suddenly 5:50 AM two buses arrived. Picked up runners. Another one 5:55 AM (went in one of the earliest ones) and then I was told till couple of minutes past 6 AM there was no bus for runners and the queue was huge at this stage. Anyways, 20 minutes took the whole journey. So, just after 6 AM I was in the starting line. What starting line. There was nothing. Till, probably, 6:45 AM nobody knew where the starting line was. At this time organizers started to put banner between two posts and the chip reading mats. Right in time. Plenty of runners, little amount of portable toilets but one coffee place opened – the only place which was actually quite warm. 15 minutes before start (7:15 AM) runners were called to start. But come back still to waiting period. O the bus I saw and talked briefly to Dolores Duffy and Geraldine Cawley. In warm coffee place met Rolando Espina and Paulo Margelino. Rolando has asked me about my left knee injury from last year (and he just jinxed that knee). I have forgotten already about that unpleasant time last year but unfortunately it came back during run. Not even half way and knee was in pain again. Thanks Rolando. Leo Lundy was there as well apologizing me for saying that Nice marathon wasn’t well organized. Leo, don’t know if you have run anything in Greece? I haven’t run a marathon but have been there and chaos is in the Greek blood.

On the starting line. Met couple of lads from Poland. Most of them supporting child charity ‘Spartanie’. Saw Brian Mills, who at the moment has well over 1000 marathons under his belt. Met lads from ‘East of Antrim marathon series’ (after that saw them briefly in Dubliner pub). And… we were off. Drone with camera was filming us when we run down the hill. Mostly down for first 10km. Killer of up hill on the 16 km for next 1.5 km (lost knee there I would think). Back to creativity. From kilometer number 5 till 27 we were running in circles, eights and whatever combinations you could think off. I the area 3.5 km by 3.5 km we did more than 20 km. Very sufficient way of area usage for running. So, 20 km in the run (maybe earlier) I felt that something was not right with left knee. Started to be little bit painful on the inside. Well, that was the end of my good time. Wanted to get 3:30. That I should get without any problems. To be honest if I would run same pace as before injury I should get 3:15 – 3:20. Maybe that pace as well was the reason for my injury. On the kilometre number 26 we were joined by half-marathoners. And must tell you ‘strolling’ with bad knee, seeing others overtaking me was really devastating. I knew that there is just a couple of miles to go. Not much, but I just wanted to be able to run. I couldn’t. With every kilometre my pace was getting slower. Finishing almost with 6 minutes per kilometre. That is really slow. But I know that I should run now not fast but steady. Need to learn that again. If you’re not practicing something you will forget. Anyways, on the last couple of kilometres I was constantly checking my watch. Wanted at least to finish below 3:40. Had to push myself. That wasn’t easy but I managed. Was able to cross finish line exactly when watch was showing 3:39:00. Now need to check my chip time. Unofficial results – 3:38:59, chip time 3:38:39. That would be great back 2 back result. I’m glad that I have finished that marathon. Now back to enjoying the rainy Malta. Pictures again… and pictures from Malta Marathon website.