February has arrived

[marathondan]

My first race for over six months. Part of a short season to try and regain some running momentum before baby arrives and spare time goes out the window for a few months. The PB stands at 46:39, recorded in a flat Regent’s Park in ideal conditions, but before I became a marathon runner. Last year I hoped to break 45 minutes off the back of my marathon training, but my running dwindled to almost nothing and the opportunity didn’t arise. Now, with only around 5 miles a week averaged for 2006, and probably less for the second half of 2005, would those months of marathon training have had any long-term effect? Taking this into account, plus a good half a stone in weight and an apparently "testing" course, I hoped for around 48 minutes, but would have been content with anything under 50.

The course did indeed turn out to be testing – after the first 50 yards I don’t recall a single section that could be called level. We wound around a few hilly streets of the village of Goring, then out onto hilly bridleways between hilly fields, with a few hilly country lanes thrown in. It was quite a picturesque route – the most pleasing parts being the open countryside where the running field could be seen stretching out into the distance. That’s always a favourite moment of mine.

I didn’t feel great initially, but around 4K, in the middle of an open countryside section, it all seemed to click into place. I think it was a combination of the "first mile is always crap" rule (or 2.5 in this case) and the fact that we’d just turned away from a brisk headwind. Either way, at that point I felt like I was racing rather than struggling. As regards the "first mile is always crap", I’ve never been brave enough to warm up for more than about a quarter of a mile for a 10K – maybe it would be of benefit?

Anyway, long story short, hills hills hills. After a slowish start, I seemed to be holding a couple of minutes under 5 minute Ks, so all well and good. I couldn’t be bothered to do the detailed maths. After about 6K, I was trying to keep pace with/burn off/pass people, with varying degrees of success. The time flew by, and before I knew it we were back in Goring. Having heard cheering nearby, the heartless route planners took us past the playing field of finishers, up another bloody hill – at the top of which I was close to the vomit zone – then into the top of the playing field for a final lap. That would be the sloping playing field of course, with the penultimate quarter lap uphill and, mercifully, the home straight on the level.

I stepped on the gas into the final hill, sprinting like never before. I didn’t realise at the time, but I went into 1/1 breathing, which over 100 yards or so seems to be the way to go, and produced unexpectedly good results. The attached finish photos are somewhat frightening. I didn’t spot the finish clock (my head was down…) but I stopped my watch on 46:01. It took a minute or so to compute that this was a PB. That really was absolutely the last thing I was expecting.

So, marathon training really does cause a lasting change to the body. But how long will it last? The challenge is to get back into good habits, don’t let that fitness fade – get rid of that half stone? – and then try to shave off that final 61 seconds.

Overall, a very well-organised day – changing tents, medal, Mars bar, Gatorade, official photographer, and even a playground and some kids’ activities for the 45 minutes until Daddy/Mummy (hopefully not both) is due back, all for reportedly around 1000 runners. Plus an excellent selection of local pubs; we stopped for lunch in Pangbourne, where the re-hydration was courtesy of Messrs Greene King. I have to confess that this resulted in a nap later in the afternoon. Rock ‘n’ Roll.

PS – in the background of the official finishing photo, you can see a green-clad lady who I would guess is a super-vet, who proved to be my pacemaker for most of the race. In the red mist of the final sprint, I hadn’t realised I’d vanquished her. Take that, old lady!