So I probably should have started a blog a long time ago but better late than never!
I completed my first ever marathon in Brighton on 10th April. I was hoping for sub-3:30 and went through the hilly first half in 1:42 - 3 mins up on target and feeling really good! I knew I was capable of running around 3:25 so I wasn't worry about being quick.
Ah but there's a problem. I forgot a marathon is a long race. The weather was almost perfect at 9am but by 10:30am the temperature was starting to creep up to 20C and there wasn't a breath of air (where was that sea breeze?!), by around mile 15 my splits started to sneak over 8min/miles but I went through 20 miles in 2:40 and knew that was bang on target! The heat was getting really tough, got up to 24C and there was no shade. Considering I was wearing gloves for most of my training runs - I definitely wasn't used to running in the heat! The pace dropped off completely for the last 6 miles and in the end I limped over the line in 3:39:02.
Well, apparently. I don't remember crossing the line. In fact I remember very little of the last mile. I do remember waking up in the first aid tent with an oxygen mask, covered in ice. I had no idea what had happened to me or whether I'd be ok; it was probably the scariest experience of my life. I knew the paramedics were worried, but a mixture of oxygen and shock meant I couldn't really try and express myself. In my head I felt completely with it and was desperately trying to make sure everyone knew I was ok. The ice had caused the arches in my feet to spasm and my feet were increadibly sore, I had no idea what had happened to them. I now know I had overheated, with my body temperature reaching 41.6C. One of the paramedics said a temperature that high would have you in ICU in a hospital..
The scary experience probably only lasted 15-20mins and they stood me up and hobbled me over to another bed, where I got some physio and a packet of crisps; and a chance to work out what had happened! Luckily I'd had my dad spectating and he managed to find me in the first aid tent; not sure how I would've coped had I been on my own.
Eventful first marathon. Would I do another? Well, at the time, no. A few days later, hmm maybe. Now? I've already started looking for marathons in autumn 2012! It certainly won't be anywhere sunny!
In reflection, considering I started running properly in January 2010 to take part in a half marathon at the end of February last year. I did that half marathon in 1:54. During my marathon training I did Silverstone Half Marathon, almost exactly a year to the day later, in 1:32:11; and broke my 10 mile PB in the process. I set a new 5K PB and I ran Finchley 20 in 2:34.
So overall, the whole journey to marathon day was great; and surely that's the point? The race didn't go to plan, but I certainly learnt a lot from it. I'll never know how I managed to make it over the line before my body gave up.
For now I'm definitely going to stick to 5Ks and 10Ks and running fast rather than far!
Added the Garmin details below.. (I didn't stop my watch as I was a bit busy being dazed and confused so it has 16 mins of nothingness at the end!)
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