8 replies to this topic

[Runner500]

Well it went rather well. Not so much for the time (I was hoping for 3:10) but the way it panned out. It was a cold morning and I was loving every minute of it. I was very mindful of all the scaremongering I had been exposed to by the pundits around. Anyhow, we got started slowly. I didn’t even see the pace makers as they were way ahead. My mates left me for dead and went ahead. I slowly got into my stride and avoided dodging and surging which cost me dearly in the last half Mara. I started smiling to onlookers and enjoyed the run. The first k was 5:20ish with all the mass slowly trudging together. But by the end of the first 5k, I had made up for it steadily.
 
The next 10k were bang on target. I kept on hydrating (loads of soaking than drinking), had to stop for a pee (damn it but the next time I peed during the run. (Things people do to save on minutes   ). With no assistance from my hr monitor which was giving me wild readings, I went with pace and feel. The fear of failure was lurking in my mind. So although went slightly faster to the halfway, I held back. The milestones were going past me pretty quickly.
 
After clocking 1:40 for the first half, I realized I had to/could go faster. So I went 4:25-27 and tried to get a response from my body. I was fine so I kept going. From 30k to 35/36, I kept looking for the wall   . I figured I’d missed it so I just stepped on it. I didn’t go as fast as I could but just kept accelerating. What a feeling to go past 200-300 people and not feel tired. I caught up with the 3:20 pacemakers, shadowed them a bit and then went on. The last 3-4 ks were quite fast for me. I guess I went anaerobic the last k and had to dig deep. At the finishing line I was feeling great. No exhaustion and crippling fatigue.

Splits: 1:40, 1:34.
Guess training does pay off.
Thanks for all the support I got on this forum.
Next one London.
Target 3:10.

[meinmuk]

Congratulations Runner500. It's great to have such a positive experience. I think that the way you were able to dial your goals back allowed this. I'm sure that you don't regret failing to find "the wall", and imagine that this occurred because of the sensible pacing you used and your hard training.

[adr1an]

Negative split! Well done Sound's like you trained damn hard and it paid off, have enjoyed watching the lead up. Good work!

[charlieboy]

Hi Runner500

Venice was my first marathon in 2003. I had a great experience there. Flat fast course, great atmosphere, superb scenery and of course it was Venice.

I ran 3:14 or so but did a 1:35-1:39 split dying in the arse as I ran across the bridge to Venice Island. That final 4k was the hardest thing I have ever done.

Still managed to dance with my wife that evening after dinner in St Marco's square though.

Congratulations!

[twosheds]

well done - that  a great result. A slow start is the way to go. Im sure you will be feeling much more relaxed now. You put in  alot of work and i was concerned you might go too hard and blow it- but you didnt - you kept control and  did a great debut marathon!

[Arn]

Big congrats mate!  

[Runner500]

twosheds, on 24 October 2011 - 10:08 AM, said:

well done - that  a great result. A slow start is the way to go. Im sure you will be feeling much more relaxed now. You put in  alot of work and i was concerned you might go too hard and blow it- but you didnt - you kept control and  did a great debut marathon!

Yep slow start did it. Now if I am to improve on my times, then what I need is a lot more base training. More long runs at medium to hard effort. My last long run before the marathon was 35k at 4:33. Any ideas?

Arn, on 24 October 2011 - 10:10 AM, said:

Big congrats mate!  

Cheers.

[twosheds]

Most important thing right now is full recovery from this one. It depends when you plan to do your next one. Id spend a little time getting that half time down then build up to another marathon. But your coach clearly has it well worked out for you and you have  points on the board now- so just keep being patient and keep working.

[Runner500]

charlieboy, on 24 October 2011 - 09:39 AM, said:

Hi Runner500

Venice was my first marathon in 2003. I had a great experience there. Flat fast course, great atmosphere, superb scenery and of course it was Venice.

I ran 3:14 or so but did a 1:35-1:39 split dying in the arse as I ran across the bridge to Venice Island. That final 4k was the hardest thing I have ever done.

Still managed to dance with my wife that evening after dinner in St Marco's square though.

Congratulations!

Ahhh. The bridge. Happy memories. It was such a beautiful sight and the fact that 7k from the finishing line I was feeling good made it all the better. I didn't enjoy the 14 odd bridge though. Still a unique experience.