After my first ever marathon i made 2 Facebook updates. One as a sort of race report the other as a sort of analysis. I have entered te ballot for next year in London and Berlin as I feel I need to put things right. My 2 posts seem the best way to sum up the day.
PS can I get my marathon badge please.
1.
Well what a day! Sorry I have been quiet but I have been tired and a little overwhelmed.
Since I last posted here I have done The London Marathon and I will tell you it is quite a challenge. Over 900k of training over a 6 month period in gruelling conditions, I was ready to go and raring to go. Left the hotel by boat around 7 am, 15 mins to Greenwich Dock then 2o mins to blue start area. The rain held off but the long wait meant I, and others were cold by the start. I stuck with the pacers so I did not go off too quick at a pace that training suggested I would be comfortable at. It was hard work, difficult to get into stride with so many runners and when it started to thin the other waves merged. Amazing way to see a city. Down to the Cutty Sark and we were all squeezed in quite tightly. The pacers started to slip away in the throng and I just never caught them up. Approaching 1/2 way and Tower Bridge I started to think my plan was in trouble, I was dehydrated (you would think I would have that sussed having yrained in Cyprus over the summer) my mouth a dry sticky mess, getting the first signs of cramp, which I never get and starting to think of a plan b strategy. A brief stop to catch my sister in the middle of Tower Bridge and time to go to plan b. Plan be, created during the run, was get to 25k (someone on runpod suggested) and walk 1k run 2k till the end. Seemed like a plan. Did not happen, cramp. Started the plan early and seemed OK for a couple of cycles but then that became more of a run 1 walk one proccess. I could not understand, distances done in training in gruelling heat, this dhoukd not be this hard. I kept going, came through the Blackwall underpass where my Sis and Nephew were waiting with the bottle of coke I had requested. Seems odd I know but, it refreshed me and helped with me sweet and sticky mouth. Brisk bit of walking along the embankment enjoying the crowd, winding them up(in a good way), thanking them, the marshals, the police and high fiving the kids along the way, even the parents seemed to be amused by my "national slap a child day comments". This is where the crowd really lifted me. With the exception of the lady who shouted "get effing running Jonnie it's an effing marathon for effs sake", I duly suggested she should try it! Paused briefly in Parliament Square and said hello to Mr Churchill, to more cheers, I was working these buggers now. Off down Birdcage walk at a staccato trot, enjoying the crowd and acknowledging all, quick wave to The King by way of an apology for keeping him waiting and across the finish line, hopefully posing well for the camera. Bent my head to receive my finishers medal and promptly had to grab the railing to steady myself. Bag collected and off to the Post race reception. (Really??? You want me to go up those steps????)
Overall chuffed to bits to finish, dissapointed with the time, but many lessons learned. Thank you all for your wonderful support. As some bloke once said
"Still we rise "
2. My take aways from The London Marathon.
I did not do as well as I had expected at The London Marathon, not by a long way. Don't tell me not to beat myself up please, I am chuffed to bits for finishing but I think I learned valuable lessons which may be useful for others.
I trained in the summer in Cyprus meeting every main goal in my plan so I really felt ready to take it on. I quickly learned that training in Cyprus needed careful management of hydration. I used to "pre hydrate" with high 5 the day before to the recommended dose and drink plenty the night before. This would get me up during the night for the "pensioners pee" and I would drink a further 1/2 litre and again before I left I the morning. Pretty much straight out of the door. Water stashes completed the plan and after an initial couple of runs prior where I got a dry sticky mouth I pretty much had this sorted.
Move on to London. Clearly a lot cooler. I still made sure of my pre hydration but then I dropped the ball. Left the hotel at 7.30 it was a full 3 plus hours before my race began. Nerves as you know = peeing but crucially the wait at start meant that I, along with others got cold. It is the body's defence to cold to ditch fluid and my last start line pee was a big one. Already I am probably dehydrated with fluid coming away from extremities first, legs. I did not give this a thought at the time.
I was going quite well at the start, comfortable pace etc I noticed somewhere between Cutty Sark and Tower Bridge my mouth was sticky, by the time I got to the Bridge I was clearly in trouble.
I had never has such a dry sticky mouth and it was probably too late to catch up with the hydration. I had started to get cramp too.... I never get cramp running. I took water on board but I think the damage was done, at 1 point I was concerned I was no longer sweating which could have become a medical issue. I had been blindsided by my confidence in this case and I hope this is something that will help others.
Also running with the crowd has, I think a big effect on muscle tiredness. Being used to a clear run on a flat surface during training you get in a rhythm, you get used the recycling the same stride over and over. Marathon day is different. Just about every step required some sort of adjustment mid stride as people slowed, speeded up, crossed in front of you and sometimes just stopped straight in front of you to faff with their mobiles. This really works your muscles without you realising. If you are used to roads only go and do 5k on a trail and see how your legs are the next day. I will certainly be mixing surfaces as part of preparation for another Marathon, should I choose to do one.
Posted as a few things for you all to take away and I hope it helps one or two.
Onwards and onwards.....
The 2018 Virgin London Marathon :-)
London marathon ballot success!!
London Marathon (Report, better late than never) 
My first Half Marathon training journey begins.
