After many months of training, I completed my first marathon in 4:04:50. I so wanted 3:59:59 but to be honest it was always going to be hit and miss. I'm still incredibly chuffed though!
The night before I had the worst nights sleep. The hotel was so hot so I just tossed and turned. And then the alarm clock in the room went off at midnight, literally making me jump out of bed! I woke up at 6am and tried to eat my pasta from the night before. Not sure if that was a good idea, but the hotel didn't serve food till 7am and I thought that was too late too eat. I then drank lots of coffee and sports energy drinks. I also popped an expired Immodium tablet (you gotta be careful - don't want any nasty accidents!)
All week I had been watching the weather reports religiously. It was predicted rain and 12 degrees. At least it wasn't predicted to be sunny and 20 degrees (the worst kind of weather!) When I woke up the weather had changed and it was going to be grey, but dry. The best kind of running weather!!
I then had to head over to the start line. I stupidly thought I could catch a bus but the roads were closed so I had to walk to Preston Park which took me about 45 mins. Maybe the walk was good to warm me up but I still think it was a tad too far and I shouldn't have walked it. As I walked over the nerves started to kick in. The doubts begin to start. Can I, can't I?
Just before the start it started to rain, but quickly stopped. Phew.
Paula Radcliffe was the race starter. As we set off I high fived her! Awesome! What a great way to start. However, the very start was so bad and I actually had to stop and walk a bit as it bottle necked and people couldn't get through. The first mile took me 10 mins!
The night before I had the worst nights sleep. The hotel was so hot so I just tossed and turned. And then the alarm clock in the room went off at midnight, literally making me jump out of bed! I woke up at 6am and tried to eat my pasta from the night before. Not sure if that was a good idea, but the hotel didn't serve food till 7am and I thought that was too late too eat. I then drank lots of coffee and sports energy drinks. I also popped an expired Immodium tablet (you gotta be careful - don't want any nasty accidents!)
All week I had been watching the weather reports religiously. It was predicted rain and 12 degrees. At least it wasn't predicted to be sunny and 20 degrees (the worst kind of weather!) When I woke up the weather had changed and it was going to be grey, but dry. The best kind of running weather!!
I then had to head over to the start line. I stupidly thought I could catch a bus but the roads were closed so I had to walk to Preston Park which took me about 45 mins. Maybe the walk was good to warm me up but I still think it was a tad too far and I shouldn't have walked it. As I walked over the nerves started to kick in. The doubts begin to start. Can I, can't I?
Just before the start it started to rain, but quickly stopped. Phew.
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| Before the race |
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| Before the race 2 |
I can't remember much about the race. The first part started in built up areas. Then I think about mile 6 I could finally see the sea! What a sight and it gave me encouragement.
I ensured I took on water at every water stop bar the first. The water comes in water pouches so it was easier to hold rather than a bottle. I had never trained drinking so much water but I think it is necessary to keep taking on fluids.
Up to mile 13 I was still feeling good. I had taken my first energy gel at mile 11 and though my stomach felt a tad bad it settled fairly quickly. I was still under my target race time. I had banked minutes in the first few miles. Thank god I did as I started to slow and slow and slow.
By mile 18 I was bang on target for 4hrs but realistically I knew I would slow even further thus depleting all my banked minutes. My right glute was aching pretty badly. I took my second energy gel and luckily my body didn't react negatively (no cramps).
The crowd were amazing and the cheers were great. What a boost to hear people shouting 'Go Jennifer, you can do it'!
By mile 20 I knew it was game over and the elusive 3:something was beyond reach. I then had to recalucalte in my head a realistic time I could achieve. I never hit the wall per se but mile 20 - 23 were THE HARDEST miles of my life. The route took us around some industrial park and there were head winds and it was just bleak! I could see people stopped or walking or pulling over to stretch out different parts of their legs (injuries are a bastard!) I wanted to stop so bad. I was calculating in my head what time I would finish if I stopped and just walked really fast. I just had to keep telling myself don't stop, don't stop.
After mile 23 even though there were only 3 miles to go, I kept telling myself that I was never going to do this again. I had slowed so much and even with all the cheering I just couldn't make myself move any faster. My left ankle started to hurt, my glutes were burning, I wished I had paracetamol to numb the pain. I then looked at my watch and it was already 4 hrs but then I saw a chance of making it within 4:05. I was so close! I wanted to finish so badly so I could stop this self inflicted torture that I managed to get some energy (no idea where from) and began to pick up speed (not much but enough). Then I could see the finish line, I was ecstatic that I even managed to sprint across the line!
And then it was over. Hurrah!! Then the pain just hit me and I could hardly move my legs. Ow ow ow!!!
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| Official Stats |
