Marathon Man
Just a brief update as today I have to finish packing and do a few bits and bobs before I drive down to my hotel tonight and fly out to Crete for two weeks tomorrow lunchtime..
Yesterday I completed the New Forest Marathon. It was without doubt the hardest thing I have ever achieved.
I had a good night's sleep on Saturday and ate a hearty breakfast on Sunday morning. I got a bit lost on the way down (I'll never use Autoroute again!) but arrived in good time. It was a warm, sunny day, and the thought occurred to me I might get a bit sunburnt.
I made my way to the start line, feeling confident. I tried to take it nice and steady, and finished the first 13 miles in just over 2 hours. I then tried to break it down into little chunks, with the aim of getting to mile 20 as painlessly as possibly because after that it's just 10k - a doddle.
Or so I thought. I got to mile 20 ok, although I did slow down quite a bit after mile 15. I think the heat was really taking it out of me. There were regular drinks and sponge stations on the way, and I know I couldn't have managed without them.
There aren't words to describe the last six miles. It was incredibly painful, excruciating in fact. My legs were already like lead, and soon my sides, my kidneys, my spine, even my chest muscles were screaming out in pain.
By mile 20 I realised I had to do the rest of the race in 1 hour 5 minutes to finish the race in my target time of 4.5 hours. It just wasn't to be, because I found myself having to walk in several places - better that than not get across the line. And by then I really didn't care about the time, all I wanted to do was cross the line.
But cross the line I did and I am very proud of myself for doing so. It was real grit your teeth stuff, pure mind over matter. I guess my time of 4 hours 44 minutes isn't that bad, at least I now have a time I can improve on. By the time I run the London marathon in April 2007 I'm sure I'll be a lot fitter and stronger.
I phoned Anthony when I got back to my car and again when I got home. He was planning to run the race with me, but recently hurt his ankle jumping out the way of a car. I just hope he has a speedy recovery, and can resume training me, and his own running, before long. Needless to say he was delighted for me and said he was very proud of me. It was just what I needed to hear at that juncture. What I achieved, he said, is just amazing. He told me to go away and enjoy my holiday, have "as much beer as I like" and think about what I've achieved. Then I can come back and start training for my next race, which will be the Swindon half marathon in October.
I'm certainly going to enjoy my holiday. I never thought I'd run a marathon and I'm taking my medal with me to remind myself what I've accomplished. And yes, I might try to impress the ladies with it..
See you all in a couple of weeks.
Copyright © Jonathan Weedon, September 2006
Yesterday I completed the New Forest Marathon. It was without doubt the hardest thing I have ever achieved.
I had a good night's sleep on Saturday and ate a hearty breakfast on Sunday morning. I got a bit lost on the way down (I'll never use Autoroute again!) but arrived in good time. It was a warm, sunny day, and the thought occurred to me I might get a bit sunburnt.
I made my way to the start line, feeling confident. I tried to take it nice and steady, and finished the first 13 miles in just over 2 hours. I then tried to break it down into little chunks, with the aim of getting to mile 20 as painlessly as possibly because after that it's just 10k - a doddle.
Or so I thought. I got to mile 20 ok, although I did slow down quite a bit after mile 15. I think the heat was really taking it out of me. There were regular drinks and sponge stations on the way, and I know I couldn't have managed without them.
There aren't words to describe the last six miles. It was incredibly painful, excruciating in fact. My legs were already like lead, and soon my sides, my kidneys, my spine, even my chest muscles were screaming out in pain.
By mile 20 I realised I had to do the rest of the race in 1 hour 5 minutes to finish the race in my target time of 4.5 hours. It just wasn't to be, because I found myself having to walk in several places - better that than not get across the line. And by then I really didn't care about the time, all I wanted to do was cross the line.
But cross the line I did and I am very proud of myself for doing so. It was real grit your teeth stuff, pure mind over matter. I guess my time of 4 hours 44 minutes isn't that bad, at least I now have a time I can improve on. By the time I run the London marathon in April 2007 I'm sure I'll be a lot fitter and stronger.
I phoned Anthony when I got back to my car and again when I got home. He was planning to run the race with me, but recently hurt his ankle jumping out the way of a car. I just hope he has a speedy recovery, and can resume training me, and his own running, before long. Needless to say he was delighted for me and said he was very proud of me. It was just what I needed to hear at that juncture. What I achieved, he said, is just amazing. He told me to go away and enjoy my holiday, have "as much beer as I like" and think about what I've achieved. Then I can come back and start training for my next race, which will be the Swindon half marathon in October.
I'm certainly going to enjoy my holiday. I never thought I'd run a marathon and I'm taking my medal with me to remind myself what I've accomplished. And yes, I might try to impress the ladies with it..
See you all in a couple of weeks.
Copyright © Jonathan Weedon, September 2006
posted by Jon | 7:53 am
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home