Yesterday I managed to complete my first marathon and my what an experience. Long race report ahead, apologies. Best grab a cuppa.
The race started at a new location this year, in Holyrood Park south of the city centre. But with all the diversions it took an age to get there from the north of the city. I was so preoccupied with using the toilet before it started I walked right past the celebrity Official Starter (Mary Berry no less!). All was fine for me being ready to start the race at 10am. But I didn't cross the start line until 10:16am having to take a slow walk up to the start from my holding pen which was about the 9th to move up.
The weather was just what I'd wished for, warm but not too hot with the occasional bit of sun poking through to make it enjoyable. Though later on when the sun stayed out for a bit did make it unpleasant at times, but thankfully it didn't last too long and there was a slight breeze to keep things coolish.
Eventually we got away and proceeded to traipse around the streets of Edinburgh's Old Town (passed Edinburgh University's Old College, right turn onto the Royal Mile towards Holyrood Palace, passed the Scottish Parliament building, then back through Holyrood Park for a long loop section. We then headed north through residential streets until we started going east on tarmac paths/roads through Portobello, Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Cockenzie/Port Seton, alongside Longniddry Golf Course before heading into Gosford House Estate for a long circular loop along an unwelcome gravel path. This was the return point where we then retraced our steps back to Musselburgh and the finish line.
The first half was great for me, my strategy was to use the crowded field to keep the pace relatively slow with the hope of picking things up in the second half. The first half worked a treat, with a great pace. I felt strong until the 23rd kilometre when it all started to unravel a bit. My pace dropped off massively until around the 39th km (I'll come back to that in a moment).
What I was feeling was that I had plenty of water to keep me hydrated. I even dropped an electrolyte tab into a bottle half way to keep things topped up. But I guess some more of these as opposed to just water would have been wise. I had an energy bar for fuelling with me, plus some energy gels I'd brought from home. The organisers also provided gels at 4 hydration stations I think. These were the usual overly sweet ones, and included a mix of standard and caffeine - the latter are revolting, so it was a push to swallow those down. What I really craved was something salty. How I wished I'd stuck some crisps in my pocket or if there were a few less jelly babies being offered by the public (though they were awesome) for something salty. My cap, skin and clothing was by this point covered in salt stains as I was flagging.
I'm definitely not a fan of retracing my steps on long runs. I like the novelty of the view changing and would have love to end up back in Edinburgh rather than being stuck in East Lothian. But on the return leg the crowds were absolutely amazing, really carrying me on - shouting out the runners names (shown on our numbers). While it was hurting by this stage I was not going to be defeated and trot to the finish line without a final push. From around the 39th kilometre I used every bit of energy I could muster. I wanted my son to see me having tried my hardest to do my very best even when things got tough.
As the road narrowed the noise of the crowd increased to such an extent I was overcome with emotion - the pain, excitement, determination all mixing together. I ended up bursting into tears with 500 meters to go. I then saw my family for the first time since the start which spurned me on despite the tears.
When I crossed the line in 4:25:02 I felt elated and knackered. I was 5 minutes under my predicted time (whoo hoo!!) and my quads were screeching at me to stop. But I'd done it. The hardest running challenge of my short running career (started with C25K in March 2019). Will I do another one? Right now, probably not. But ask me again once I've recovered and finally taken the medal off that I am wearing proudly around the house and maybe just maybe I'll be tempted...
Forest of Dean 5K Race Report
Burghley 7 -rather late race report!
Malaga Marathon report
half marathon training update
