Newport Marathon Race Report

[SkiMonday]

I had absolutely no idea how I was going to get on in this race. I'd booked the Yorkshire Marathon back in January then, in August someone in the running club said they had a spare place on this so it started me thinking. In the end, I decided to go ahead based on my ability to run an easy 5k the day after the GMU. With more experience, I now think that was a poor indicator. I suppose I'd also factored in the thee HMs that I ran back in June but they were all below my current marathon pace so probably didn't really tell me much. I suppose I'd have been really disappointed if my time had been over five hours and I was really hoping for something under 4h 30m. My plan was simply to try and start off at an easy pace then work up to something that I thought I could maintain for the rest of the race.

As previously, the pace shown on my watch was all over the place so I went by feel instead. I was surprised that within the first few miles I'd caught up with the 4:15 pacer. I decided to settle in behind him and try to hold the pace. This went OK up to HM distance but my pace then started to drop. With ten miles to go, I was struggling and just hung on to whatever pace I could manage.

With about 4k to go, the route turned off the main road. Not sure why, but I thought it was going to be a detour of a few meters. Turned out to be more like 1k out and 1k back. Not sure why I find these loopbacks disheartening (after all, I knew what the remaining distance was) but they do have that effect on me. Shortly after I started down it, I saw the 4:15 pacer going the other way along with some of the people I'd been running with earlier on (there were also some further back and some behind me). As I was nearing the end of the return section, I saw the 4:30 pacer starting out on the loopback. Shortly after that, a couple from my running club who were behind the pacer shouted my name out giving me a welcome boost.

On the final section, the 4:30 pacer passed me which I found disheartening. I considered a sprint finish but this time my body gave this a resounding “NO" so I listened and just maintained pace. My chip time was just under 4h 30m which I reckon is a good result in the circumstances.

Would I consider doing a double again? Well, maybe, but I'd want to be better prepared, maybe after I've gained some more experience; that last ten miles was hard going.

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

There's always something I forget to put in:

Decided to try the free sports massage. Think that my legs are now in much better condition than they would have been without this.

Also, I usually sleep badly after a really long run, it seems to have helped with that too.

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Wow! You are a machine SkiMonday . Well done on your back to back Marathon weekends 🙌🙌🙌

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks Sask. Think I need some recovery time now.

[Katnap Marathon]

💪 it is difficult to say no to events now they are back on. Fantastic mental (and physical) character to battle on. Well done SM!

👻🐱 Spooky Katnap 🐱👻

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon in reply to Katnap]

👻 Wooooh!

Thanks Katnap.

[RunWillie Marathon]

Awesome! SkiMonday 👍🏻

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

You deserve an extra big medal just for running two marathons a week apart! Your time was brilliant given you were likely running on tired legs. I think it’s an amazing achievement SM 💪

Well done to you and many congratulations 🥳🏅👏

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP. I reckon that, with some focused training, I can improve on that time but not for a while.

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Brilliant effort once again Ski! You are a running beast!

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker, it's definitely changed my perception of the marathon but I think it's time for some recovery now.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Awesome work!!!! xxx

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

👏👏👏Brilliant stuff - really well done!🙂