Marathon De Paris - 30e Edition

[Sweder]

When I eventually got on the Eurostar to come home I jotted down some thoughts on marathon running. They're not pearls of wisdom and they're certainly not original thoughts, more echoes of what others have written here or told me that have been reaffirmed through experience. They’re for me to look back on as I prepare for my next race, but they might offer an insight for anyone taking on the challenge for the first time.

1. If this is to be your first marathon TIME IS IRRELEVANT.
To finish is everything; your time is something to look back on, not look forward to. They give medals to everyone who finishes; the first and the last, so finish.

2. Respect. Respect the distance, the amount of training you will need to fully prepare your body and (just as important) your mind. Statistically a majority of people who start a marathon finish it. There are many who don’t, many more who finish injured or in pain.

3. Know your limits; listen to your body. Let others set off at break-neck speed if that’s their thing. The marathon is a race never won in the early stages, but it is often lost there.

4. Treat the start as you would a long training run – think of conserving energy for later.

5. Know your enemy: the weather, the conditions, how you feel within yourself on the day. Any one of these, if not prepared for or ignored, can and will cause trouble.

6. Even in the last couple of miles don’t relax your mental focus. There can be a terrific urge to stop – its almost overwhelming – just as you approach the best part of the run. Try to hold something back so you can enjoy the run-in.

7. A marathon is a race of two halves:
The first twenty miles, and the last six.

This last one provided a strong mental image for me during the run.
In Paris Rog reminded me of the adage as the 6 mile marker approached.
‘Hey, a marathon’s run in two halves, right? 20 miles and 6 miles.’
‘Yeah . . . ‘
‘Well, we’re almost half way. Just the half with the 20 in to go . . . ‘

8. Be very careful who you run with