Was that really a reward?

Last year about same time I was enjoying my almost 9 hours run in Portumna. Finding these 20 loops really nice. Finishing that race I’m 2nd place got me free entry to this year edition. Oh, I wish I could run same this year. Unfortunately this year I wasn’t ready. Didn’t want to forfold. So, Decided to downgrade to 50 K run. Run, not race. Can’t called it race if I’m not able to get 3:30 in marathon. Isn’t that crap? But nonetheless I wanted to participate. Even if there was another marathon next day in plans. And looks like that other one was more important. I supposed to be a pacer in Wexford marathon. Just for 4:15 but those two big hills could kill anyone. But first to first part of the weekend. Cause there was quite amount of travelling involved that weekend Bozena stayed home. Besides she couldn’t get from work early on Friday. So, I was alone. This year I decided to stay closer to Portumna Forest and rented room in the village on the Main Street. Small room but that was enough for one night. Wasn’t staying there even for 12 hours. When I have arrived about 8 PM decided to go for a walk. Just to relax, then back to room to watch game before going to sleep. But that wasn’t good night sleep. There was some party that night in the village. I have been waken up couple of times. Last time just before party ended about 5 AM. So, I wasn’t rested on Saturday. 7 AM start of 50 K and 100 K. At 6 AM I was on site starting my preparations…

Usual stuff. Toilet, stretching, toilet. And relax during friendly chats. But still stressed little bit. Stressed and angry with myself. Angry cause I suppose to run 100 K and get similar result as last year or better to get another year Spartathlon ballot qualification. But not this time, not in Portumna. That one was just to run and see how it will go. 10 loops, not much stuff needed. But great opportunity to test Tailwind. Just one for starters. I think it is working. But probably about that next time. So, start. Briefing and pep talk by Sebastian. Last smiles and jokes. 7 AM signal to start. Slow and steady, slow and steady… Why the hell I’m so close to front runners? Why the hell I’m trying to catch them? I knew straight at the beginning that I will die. Sooner or late but I will. First lap and I remembered all. First easier uphill on the 0.6 up to 1 km mark. And then the that one which is a killer after while. Left curve drag up on the 2.5 km. Those 300 m would be usually just a small bump but not when you are running that same part 10 or 20 times. Damn you marina part. But wait where is that easy start and run. Why I can still see the quick runners. They should be already much further. Maybe should see them once on the here and back part. And why the hell my watch is showing pace below 5 min per km. Probably broken 😉 Unfortunately for me that wasn’t the case. I was running stupid again. Without proper stamina I was just waiting for tiredness to kicked in. Knew it will come. Was expecting that it will be about km 18. But was ok at this stage. But there was one thing which was annoying me a lot. That was very laud music before km 2 and just after 4. Of course that was just twice on the one loop but still not nice. Till about km 19 I was running before runner who had music switched on very laud. I could hear it. Was actually causing me to run different pace cause of the music rhythm. So, not cool. And I have noticed Andrzej. Funny. After that we have run together until about 30 km. Cause I was running with him I was really bad with my pace. I was going way too fast. So, knew that on some stage I will be jogging. Marathon time was 3:34 which meant that second 21.1 was much slower than first one. I was running third but knew that Ger will pass me on some stage. And I was correct. Was really tired and was really hard to drag my legs. 4:13, fourth place. Crap race but time just 2 minutes slower than year before in Donadea. Differences? In 2015 I was starting my preparation for longer runs. This year I struggling with keeping steady pace, endurance and speed.

Hope that will get better.