After four months of specific training I felt as ready as I was ever going to be for my first marathon. Had religiously followed the experts advice and tapered my training in the weeks prior to the race. In hindsight probably rested and ate too much as had put on a few pounds by the time I got to the start line. However, I was soon to lose this extra weight over the next few hours!
Inevitably felt nervous. I had competed in the North Berwick race at the start of May but anything over 22 miles was the great unknown. The conditions added to the nerves. Being Scottish I don't expect to run in anything above 15C! After covering myself in industrial strength Factor 50 sunscreen I set of. I consciously took on water at every station and was feeling good right up until 20 miles. Then the pain started. Cramp in left leg and then pains in right knee! Also hit the dreaded "wall." The last 6 miles will go down as the most physically demanding of my short running career. Very stop/start but determined to run. Ended up more of a shuffle and fairly demoralising watching everyone else saunter past! However, the support from the crowd and running for charity helped me onwards. Special thanks to the club members who were a great support along the route. Managed to run the last mile at a decent pace and came in at 3hrs 41min. My split was 1hr 38 for first 13m and 2 hr 03 for the remainder. That sums up my race!
Very happy to have completed the race and delighted with the time. It has taken me a few days to master the art of walking again and might be a week or so before I contemplate lacing my trainers. However, Sunday has got me hooked and already planning my next marathon in October!
