LA ROCHELLE MARATHON – EVERY DAY IS A SCHOOL DAY
A lot of people join running clubs to improve their marathon time so a report on a marathon should in theory be of more interest to you than one on an Ultra Race.
Before I commence I wish to make a full and unreserved apology regarding my last report, which was the 50 mile Around Rotherham. Sometimes in life the Red Mist descends and in the heat of the moment I made a statement that Rotherham was better than the 7 Hills. I wish to officially retract that statement and alter it to "as good as the 7 Hills." The organiser (of the 7 Hills) Alan Lawson, Scottish Noble of Distinction has handed me a 10 year ban which I am appealing. As an act of penance I will run it either next year or the following 3 times to show my loyalty - 42 miles of heaven. The only problem with the Seven Hills is that I am enjoying it too much and it finishes. Mr Lawson may wish to read my report on Rotherham from 2005 in further mitigation. It is also a great race. I also note that Michael presently in Dunedin also mentions the 7 Hills in his report. The place of the last photo on his report reminds me of Mr Lawson. He even has a group of Dutch runners coming this year and they may do our (PRC) 4 mile race to make them feel at home. The club is called Zevenheavenloop. So if you feel a bit sick this year and you want to speak to Hughie you can try this name instead. One thing is certain I will not be on race registration and if Peter has to input their names on the computer it will be Christmas before he is finished. They even have a runner called Bert Van Prommenahibbielyke.
So to France and the task of running 42.2k which equates to a marathon in Scottish. Get your preparation correct. That is the key to a good marathon. I had not run one for 18 months and only one half marathon in the last 2 years I think. I managed 1.29 at Hawick in August and it just about killed me. It takes 13 hours to get there by train the whole way and managed to get a return for £132 going midweek. Leave Waverley at 8.06 and arrive local time at 2200hrs. But I was coming out for 3 weeks so dedicated or what? To be honest the bevy is a big attraction as is the food.
I started my marathon trg on the Monday before the race. I know it breaks all the rules but I am good at that. I was poor on the Monday but by the Thursday I ran 1hr 50mins and on the second half it was a tempo run and the last section I managed in 4.48 which was great as I could only do that section on it’s own in 4.45 on the Sunday so to only lose 3 seconds I knew my base fitness had returned after Rotherham. Friday was just 30 mins of easy running and Saturday rest day.
The Last Supper. This is where I feel some runners get it wrong. It is not the night before it is what have you eaten before the race. I just treated the whole day as a trg run starting at 0900hrs with the club on a Sunday morning. Got up at 0745hrs and made a pot of porridge. Had it with some honey and a banana. No nerves and just went out and ran with a target range of 3.05 – 3.15 as it was the first race of the new season. They have predicted times at every 5k. So 5k I was on for 3.05, 10k for 3.05, at the half marathon I was now running better with 1.31 on the clock. By 35k my target time was 3.02. It was at this point that the moment of truth comes. Can you finish at the same speed. Finished in 3.02.38 so well pleased. I have done the race 5 times now with a best of 2.58. That is my second ever best time and a bit of a shock given my lack of speed work. At 10k I had dark chocolate and every 5k thereafter it was banana then chocolate plus water/glucose. I would recommend you eat as well as drink on a marathon. The course is a flat 2 lap challenge and on the day the wind was 70kph but no long sections into the wind. The most would be about 800m at any one time so mentally the wind was not a problem. Only lost around 50 secs on second lap so well pleased. The winning time (2.10) was by a Ukraine runner who lost 36 secs on the second lap. Try and keep the second half of a marathon as strong as the first.
I was back at the mother-in-laws by 1pm for a “Fruits De Mer” and polished off almost a whole bottle of wine.
Vive Le Sept Colline, PRC, Ecosse Ya Bass
Report Graham Henry
