Hi everyone! I am back (alive) from one of the worst marathons I have ever ran... The organisation and the atmosphere were fantastic, but the race was a nightmare... I think I had an actual panic attack this time around in the latest part of the race... never felt like that running! Overall, the race was probably the worst racing experience of my life in terms of time and running and one of the best in terms of people, atmosphere and organisation.
I anticipated that the course could have been demanding, but, while running it, I realised that it was much much more demanding than I anticipated. I completed the marathon, but with an awful time above 4 hours and a half. In fairness it was hell for everybody and I completed in the middle of the pack (without considering the many runners who did not complete). To give you an idea, the 25th ran it in just above 3 hours...
but let's take a step back to the race report and write down some take away for the future...
Pre-race
I went to Luxembourg the day before, taking the opportunity to catch up with my cousin rather than focusing on a marathon. He is opening a restaurant, and I even gave a help there the day of the marathon (nothing physical, just discussion on planning and budgeting). Additionally, we arrived late at the start and I could not check in the post race kit (so I have a cold now!!!)
Race (start at 7 pm - not great as my typical run happens in the morning..) :
I knew it was going to be difficult, so I accepted to start slow with my cousin (who was running the HM and aimed for a 2h). I ran an easy first 10K in 55'. I was ok, but I knew that the first 30 K were simpler (on the map at least), so I didn't force from there. We separated from the half around 15K (my cousin was already gone by then), but around 18 Km, the unexpected troubles started! There were about 3 hilly kilometres that were not evident on the map, but were very evident while running on them. It was a series of about 150-300 mt. long hills (ups and downs) with no pauses in between. Just before the first half I got my first cramp, but I managed to relax and kept going without too much pain.
I passed the half in 1h 55'. I was ok physically and with the time given the difficult course. But the story changed in a couple of Km... the road took a very steep down hill, in the dark, in a valley near a river. It was dark, cold and damp and I started feeling dizzy.. and I started to worry. I had strong cramps around 25 to 28km and I struggled going on. Around 30 Km my eyes hit a wall. it was after crossing a bridge on the river. In from of me the hill and the city on top. between us a curvy trail up hill. I started running up, but ended up in a long walk up hill with cramps. However, I managed to relax and keep going.
I wanted to run, and I tried, but I felt dizzy and tired. I was sleepy (???). This was a new feeling. I managed to run and walk to 37 Km but I was in a sort of panic attack. I kept thinking that many have collapsed in London or other marathons and that didn't help (but my brain was focussed on it). I even started thinking I over-hydrated and I stopped in a restaurant to ask for salt...
At 40 km I almost fainted. I started running from one side to the other of the road. The time was not important anymore, but, for some reason, I had to finish! Both the 4h 15 and the 4 h 30 pacers passed me in the last 2 Km. I finished walking with a 4h35. I am not happy with the time, but I did not want to drop out; I was there and wanted to bring the medal back home (that was the only thought that helped). Then I realised that many did not complete or finished after me and that with 3 hours you would got in the first 25! So, in the end, I am happy I didn't drop out.
AFTER RACE:
I was alone for about 30-45 minutes, waiting to find my cousin and others, with no change and no mobile phone in an unknown expo part of the city... another nightmare at midnight, after a marathon. I was cold, in the cold, lost ... probably the end I should have expected from this adventure...
Learning points:
FROM NOW ON, RACE DAY WILL BE MY DAY; I WILL NOT RACE IF I AM WITH SOMEBODY ELSE, I WILL JUST TRAVEL.
THE BIGGEST MISTAKE WAS PROBABLY NOT CHECKING IN THE POST RACE KIT...
TRAINING NEEDS TO HAPPEN ON SIMILAR PROFILE AND CONDITION (I TRAIN ON FLAT ROAD AT 6 AM AND RACED ON A HILLY ROAD IN THE EVENING...).
Now I am back, I am starting to walk normally again and will probably start running a bit tomorrow or on Saturday. My next real objective is a half marathon, with a precise time in mind. But I will need to start the training for it before I can say I can manage that...
happy running everybody!
Marco
Really well done for finishing it, that took a lot of strength, and I'm sure next time you'll hit your goal. The conditions can really mess things up, as I found myself during the London marathon - I couldn't even manage under five hours!! And I totally agree about travelling alone.
My 1st half marathon race
My first (solo) half marathon 😁🥳🤸🏼♀️
So, I found what has eaten my mojo... 
My first Half Marathon training journey begins.
