So here goes not sure where this post will take....
I entered my first full marathon this year, it was on this Sunday past and it went!!
Well.. it didn't go very well at all. Myself and my running partner started at our agreed pace, we kept to it pretty well for the first half always being a minute or so under, so far so good. The conditions were fairly good we were at the back so didn't have to cope with crowds and congestion, we were still on target a mile 13 which was also good.
But to be honest I never really got into the run as I normally would, I felt very warm my body never felt like it regulated - I had to pour water over myself to cool down plus my stomach was upset. At this point I will point out that I had tapered as per my plan and I had two 20 mile runs under my belt with no problems at all in fact I enjoyed them both and ran the same times with the same partner at each. But I started to feel a twinge in my calf coming up to mile 13 and them it spasmed, and again so I told my partner to go on without me.
I knew that I wasn't running again even though I had never had this experience before. I stretched and walked for a bit I had fluids with me I had taken on fluids at each of the water stations then I tried to run again. This time I ended up screaming in pain a very kind man helped me to the side put me on my back and stretched out my leg while I cried in pain it was fairly awful. I walked the next 13 miles only able to gingerly run across the finish as I was shouted on by a fellow park runner on the sidelines.
All my friends from my group have been so supportive and positive but I am bitterly disappointed and cant really figure where I went wrong nor can I really appreciate that I finished. To me I ran a half marathon and walked a half marathon the two don't marry for me personally. I am not normally this negative sorry if the post comes across that way.
One of the best bits of the day was finding out my partner crossed in the time we both wanted that made me feel better as it was what she had wanted and I was afraid I had effected her first marathon too.
I wouldn't wish this experience to happen to anyone else and please don't let it put you off your first marathon. I suppose what I am asking for is advice as I am feeling so gutted and no one I spoke to yet seems to understand they all feel I should be thrilled that I was so determined to finish. Thanks for reading.