Harlow Running Club

Halstead Marathon - 9th May 2010

Race Length: Marathon

PB: 3:41.25 ( min/mile) at Flora London Marathon in April 2008

Predicted time: 3:06.39 (7.08 min/mile) - yeah right! (based on 1:28.30, Great Bentley Half, February 2010)

Target Time: 3:29.59 (8.01 min/mile)

Outcome: 3:24.44 (7:48 min/mile) - PB

Splits: 7:43 7:24 7:40 7:41 7:39 7:40 7:34 7:59 7:59 7:42 7:25 7:26 7:41 7:42 7:25 7:30 7:33 7:37 7:34 7:52 7:57 7:55 8:06 8:08 8:33 8:33 2:33

Selected Race Splits: 10K (47:21) 10m (1:17.33), Half (1:40.51) 20m (2:33.18 - PB)

Race preparation had gone very well for this. Previous marathon campaigns were injury ridden and long runs were just not fun. This time, I had done a lot of 20 milers, including the Essex 20 where after starting slow, finishing the final 5K at virtually flat out half marathon pace - I had cracked the long run. Then Friday night I had a call to say that my nan who has been in hospital for the past 5 weeks had taken a big turn for the worst, so I had to go to Bristol - I may not have been running today... Her condition had improved so I was able to return home to take part. 6 Hours in a car is not good preparation and clearly my mind was also on her health, not the race.

The course is rural, scenic but very undulating in places. The race plan was flat 8.00 min mile - but when have I ever followed a plan. The target was 3:29.59 as I have wanted this for years. I have always said, get this and I can retire from raced marathons (I really do not actually like them you know...). Anything faster would be a bonus (3:15 would be really nice!).

I set off at ~7:40/5 and it felt comfortable even up the hills leading to the mile 4 support station (club and fetchpoint). My wife, club supporters and fetchies were here handing out drinks and Jelly babies. Many thanks to then. You can hear them from a mile away and the support invaluable.

I had a slight drop in speed for miles 8 & 9, but then these are hilly. I caught DA here who was out for a training run. From the photos he certainly looked relaxed! I accelerated away and headed back to fetchpoint to complete the first long loop. Still feeling good for the small loop I headed back up to the support station for the 3rd time. I caught sight of AF and started to reel him in, probably too quickly as my speed had gone up to 7:30's. At mile 19 I caught him and started to run along side. We were now in the tough bit, not only for distance, but the undulations. Splits drop to 7:50's, but no slower than the equivalent section on the first loop, but my legs were tiring. I went though 20 miles in a PB time.

I was tiring now as the splits were now dropping to 8's for the first time. I WANTED my last gel, but I doubted I would be able to take it all as at the previous water station, I found it hard to get liquid on board. I just took a bit and hoped it would see me through. I managed to get a lead on AF by the time I reached fetchpoint again, but now it was a case of doing anything to secure the 3:25 as I was now slowing. This was not the time for heroics!

Miles 24-26 were tough. Far more undulations than I thought or wanted. The grassy hill at mile 25 I had been warmed about and it was too much, I had to take a walk break to settle myself for the final section. I think AF now had a sniff of me. At the top of the hill I got back in to stride and accelerated downhill back in to Halstead for the final run in.

I was now moving very well until I rounded the final turn for the last 50m or so. AF was on my shoulder. Now he has a big sprint finish, I would not have a hope in hell of holding him off, except my competitive spirit took over... I kicked to hold him along side me to big cheers from the crowed! I then went for that final kick  in the last 20 metres, except my right leg cramped up - shit! this was followed by a sharp intake of breath and "oohhs" from the spectators. I stopped and hoped that things would not  go as they did in London 2008. Here I spent 2 minutes on the floor 100m from the line, only being saved from BBC TV coverage ridicule by the cameras being on Gordon Ramsey. I did not have the 2 minutes for 3:24.xx to spare. With my eye on the clock, I chose to hobble/walk/crawl and hope to hell I did not cramp up fully as to do this for the last 15m would get me inside the time. This I did, 3:24.44, AF in 3:24.19. My stupidity cost me 25 seconds and beating DA's PB of 3:24.30. If only I had just accepted I was going to lose the sprint!

I am very pleased with my performance. Time for a weeks easy jogs to recover, then the speed/hill work starts for the 10K season.