Paris Marathon 🇫🇷

[dory950]

Well what a day ! My first marathon. We arrived on Saturday and went straight to the expo to collect the race numbers. Little disappointed I couldn’t get any official merchandise but the experience was good .

onto the day I felt very nervous but had my training plan. The bag drop off and organisation was great.

started off way to quick ( not on the plan) but settled in to a more steady pace after the first 10km . The aid stations were great, lots of cake banana raisins sugar and savoury snacks.

the crowd is incredible support all the way round the noise was a bit much in places but a real lift when I started to tire . My pace was fairly consistent but my worry was getting past 20 miles and hitting the wall ! I don’t think I did so must have got my fuelling right ( gels salt sticks and Kendal mint cake) I jeffed the last 5 miles or so and soaked up the atmosphere. Aim was to finish wanted to get the cut off 6 hours but managed 5.15 . I think could have gone a little quicker but enjoyed the last few miles and soaking up the experience. Wonderful medal and T shirt and surpassed all expectations on a big city marathon. 55,000 participants .

I will be back one day to do another and I can walk too ! 🇫🇷

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Wow ! Congratulations on your marathon - such an achievement and I’m sure a great event. 🇫🇷 I’m glad that you were able to enjoy the experience - bonus that you can still walk too!🤣🙂👏🏅

[dory950 Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Ha ha yes a bonus . I have just been out for a very steady jog with the dogs . Pleased I feel so good

[RunWillie Marathon]

Well done! dory950 Such an achievement ❤️

[dory950 Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Thank you so much

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Always a pleasure to award a new shiny badge! Well done on your Marathon; you managed the run,hydration and nutrition really well and got the result you deserved. Time for a period of smug reflection I think; you can think about your next challenge some other time. Just so pleased for you 👏👏👏🙂

[dory950 Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you so much. I had so much support on the run up and even calls on the course really lifted my spirits when it was getting tough

My main objective was to finish smiling and I did

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to dory950]

Finishing is a triumph; the smile is icing on the cake🙂. Just look after yourself for a few days to give your body time to recover. all of my dog walks are slow these days; Molly is almost 13. She stops and looks at us when it is time to turn around and head home; she has to have her half time biscuits before she starts the return leg!

[dory950 Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I certainly will it’s been a hard slog on the long runs so need the time to unwind

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Congratulations 👏👏👏 you must feel.amazing to have achieved that marathon

[dory950 Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you still buzzing now !

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Oh my! Fantastic 👏👏 A huge well done and congratulations to you. It sounds as if you covered everything and got it spot on on the day. And that’s a great time too!

Funnily, I read just this morning that Paris is now the world’s biggest marathon having surpassed New York City. Just think, you were part of history there 👍

[dory950 Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you so much . Yes I believe it is 55,000 participants it’s a great place to go and see so many iconic landmarks on the way .

Would certainly like to do it again

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Absolutely amazing achievement dory950 You were miles inside the cutoff time too, which must have felt fantastic. I’m especially impressed that you jogged with your dogs today. I think I’d have awarded myself at least a week off! 😅

[dory950 Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you I did say I would be taking a week off. I don’t plan to run again this week just a few steady walks

[00marks Marathon]

Congratulations. Thats brilliant. Paris is a lovely city and to finish by the Arc de Triomphe is something else.

[dory950 Marathon]

Thank you so much, it’s a great course seeing so many iconic landmarks. I would definitely do it again

It adds to the adventure going to a big city marathon

[RiceAndPeas Marathon]

Congratulations on completing your first marathon, what a great achievement! It sounds like you got your nutrition and hydration spot on. Hope you don't have too many stairs to negotiate for a few days. 👏👏👏👏

[dory950 Marathon]

thank you. Legs are back to normal already ! Did a fare bit of walking which included walking up and down a lot of steps at the metro the next day with a heavy bag 😩😂

[Tessie66 Metric Marathon]

Congratulations 🎊 👏 must be a great feeling doing your first marathon. How many gels did you use and at what times/miles

[dory950 Marathon]

thank you! I used high 5 non caffeine ones. I used 8 in total .first one at 6k and then every 5k (3 miles ) after that. I used salt sticks every 10km . I also had 2 ritz biscuits and some Kendal mint cake at around 30km and 40km

I had x3 250ml electrolytes drinks . I took 2 with me and took one of the tablets in a bag and filled it up at the water station. I just take sips every couple of kms

[Tessie66 Metric Marathon in reply to dory950]

Sounds like a plan I'll be copying I use Hi 5 gels and on the Manchester marathon they are using Hi 5. Thank you any tips you can give me for my first marathon?

[dory950 Marathon in reply to Tessie66]

Firstly don’t go off to quick ! It’s so tempting. You have done the hard work with all the long training runs. Stick to your plan .take walking breaks if you need to . Enjoy the atmosphere and all the encouragement, run with a smile on your face . I number my gels with which KM to take it so I didn’t forget. In my jacket I had 1 drink and 4 gels each side that way I knew where I was at the half way stage

Have a great time and very best of luck

[Tessie66 Metric Marathon in reply to dory950]

Thank you so much I will mark those gels a great idea 💡

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

That's brilliant well done! Sounds like you got it spot on! 3 from our Club went including a mother and daughter who ran together. They all really enjoyed it too! 😊x

[dory950 Marathon]

that’s great it was such a well organised event. I ran with my daughter at Royal parks HM it’s a nice thing to do running with your kids

[Cmoi Marathon]

Félicitations dory950 !

[dory950 Marathon]

Merci !