London Marathon 22/04/07Sally's report
I entered London having spent 3 months there last summer, enjoying lunchtime runs along the Embankment enduring the blistering heat. Little did I realise that conditions would be very similar in April for the Marathon. I was fortunate enough to get in through 'Good for Age' and get automatic entry, also fortunate to be starting with the celebs. The only one I saw was Floella Benjamin which took me back to my early years of watching Play School!
I started off with a fairly ambitious pace band of 3:20 and stuck to 7:30 miles for the first 15. I saw a guy from HBT fairly early on as he cruised past. I shouted out 'HBT!' ...nice to support the locals I think. I started to get tired just before half way, but the thrill of running over Tower Bridge and then to see the elite women running towards me on the opposite side of the road temporarily took away some of the pain. The last 10 miles were terrible as the heat really got to me. I'm not sure whether it was because I set off too quickly or whether it would have happened anyway. My second half was 10 mins slower than the first. Still, I finished in 3:24:15 which is a PB by 2mins 30ish, so I am happy. 79th in age catefory and 307th female doesn't sound amazing, but I'll settle with that!
I'll have another crack at it at the Edinburgh marathon in May and we'll see about Edinburgh-North Berwick...might treat that as a 'training run'.Report Sally Scott
Janet's StoryThis was the main race I had focussed on at the beginning of the year.
I started all my long runs at the end of January and did a few cross country events etc. just to keep up my speed. I felt this was the best I had ever trained for a marathon without catching a cold or chest infection. I ate well, trained well and had high expectations of myself.
I flew down to London on the Friday with my friend Natalie. We had a good flight down, arrived at our hotel, checked in and went straight to registration and picked up our numbers. So on Saturday we just chilled out and relaxed. We had a lovely healthy lunch and the usual pasta at night. The Saturday papers and TV news went on about the weather being hot, but I thought “they're exaggerating it'll be okay.” I started at 9am, so presumed it would be cool.
I woke up at 5.30am, excited and nervous at the same time, and felt I was up for the best marathon ever. My phone never stopped all weekend from friends and family wishing me well and telling me how well I was going to do.
I had my usual cereals with chopped banana, my energy drink and a cereal bar. Natalie and myself and a couple of other friends all got in the taxi at 6.55am. I saw Alan coming out of the same hotel, also on his way to the start line. We wished each other well.
As I approached the elite tent I felt quite emotional, probably because its not every day you run a marathon with elite runners. There was not a cloud in the sky and the sun was out early. I said “what a lovely day” - everyone just looked at me as if to say “yes but not for running,” and we all laughed. The elite tent had excellent clean toilets and no need to queue either. Everyone looked serious as they were stretching and putting vaseline on. I saw Claire Gordon which was good. She got just over the 3 hr mark. (Well done Claire.)
The elite have strict rules - I was told the name on my top was a millimetre too big so I had to move my number up which I thought was a bit ridiculous. You were not allowed music which didn't bother me but other girls wanted to run with their MP3 players. And also no waving at the camera, but don't worry I made sure I would be seen near the winner on the starting line. As we stood there I was starting to feel the heat of the sun on my stomach which maybe began to concern me a bit. My mouth was dry but that's just nerves and I knew I'd be okay once I got going.
The first 5 miles were fine; I felt quite comfortable but at the same time my stomach began to feel less so, but I thought it would pass. But the more I ran the worse it got. I took water at every station and sipped it and flung the rest on my wrists and neck. I was on schedule for my target but not feeling comfortable at all. I was 1.28 at halfway and my stomach was annoying me, but I kept saying to myself you'll feel better in the second half.
At mile 15 I was going to drop out, I knew I wasn't up for it and my stomach was upset, I don't know if it was cramp or a severe stitch but it just wasn't shifting, but then I remembered, “Shit! I can't drop out; I'm running for the S.P.C.A. My customers will ask for their money back.” I just had to keep going. At mile 17 I stopped and was sick. The crowd were shouting “Come on Janet.” To be honest I wanted to say SHUT UP. I grabbed more water and carried on plodding on uncomfortably. At the 24 mile mark I stopped; again the crowd were shouting “Come on Janet.” There were no other runners around so everyone was looking and shouting at me including the guys at the water station. I lifted my hand to the crowd as if to say “hey I'm struggling here,” and as I lifted my hand not just a small amount but a large amount of sick came out. (I didn't understand it as I hadn't eaten anything different.) The whole crowd made an Ohhh! noise (obviously they could see I was hurting) and it was like the crowd went silent, a medic came over and gave me water, I walked a few steps forward and did feel better and started to run again. As I ran my first step again the crowd roared and cheered for me calling out my name. I was overwhelmed, I could feel my eyes fill up as I waved my hands to them and said thank you.
I maybe didn't feel good and didn't do the time I wanted to do but I will always remember mile 24 and how good the crowd were; it was like they knew how much I was trying. Well I never stopped to walk again after that and stepped over the finishing line in 3hrs 16mins. I was well cheesed off especially when the guy that put my medal round my neck said “You look fresh.” I don't know what went wrong on the day but it obviously wasn't meant to be.
I have never been so disappointed in myself but I will never forget my experience at mile 24, it was like the crowd knew me and knew what I was going through.
Report Janet Dunbar.
Alan's version.
Everything about my long weekend went really well, apart from the actual race. Something tells me I have written this report before!!
I thought my training has gone pretty well with the main thing being that I have been clear of Shingles for five months (sadly that is my only PB).
Friday
Gillian and I travelled down on Friday and had quite a lot planned. Once we had dropped our bags off at the Hotel we headed for the Expo and a bit of sightseeing. Gillian pointed out ‘Big Ben’ but it was just someone who looked like him!!After getting the tube and a train (all excellent services) we got to the Expo. It was pretty busy but I didn’t have to wait long for my number so we had a look round. There was plenty for sale but as Graham has told me – you can have all the gadgets and do all the training but if you’re Pish, you’re Pish. The Expo was getting really busy as we left.
We went out for a meal and then we went to see Blood Brothers (Oxford Street was busier than Whitburn during the Orange Walk!!) The show was excellent and on the way back I was ‘Down in the Tube Station at Midnight’, unfortunately for Gillian I felt a song coming on!!
Friday had been a success
Saturday
The weather was getting warmer but I’m sure it won’t be as warm on Sunday!!! We went to the West Ham V Everton match (which West Ham won), ate plenty, drank lots of water and was looking forward to the race.
Saturday had been another success!
Sunday
Sunday morning and I woke up feeling good. I’d had a good sleep and was feeling fresh. I had my breakfast watching TV and the weather man said it would be 24 degrees!! I’m sure he must have it wrong as it can’t be that hot in April!!The start area was massive and was very well organised. It made me wonder why they can’t seem to get Edinburgh right. I only manage to tell about 5000 people about the Porty Race (14 June).
I was in Pen 4 which was 3.30 – 4 hours; I looked for a Runners World Pacer but couldn’t find them. Five minutes before the start and it was jam packed. I was glad I had put on suntan lotion and my hat.
The race – It only took three minutes to get to the start after the gun and then we were off, no we were walking again. This went on for the first two and a half miles and just when I started to run I had to stop for the toilet!! I was 26.5 minutes at three miles and I thought it can’t stay like this for much longer. I wasn’t bothered about my time as I thought I would make it up later on. The crowds watching were fantastic and it seemed to be constant water stations. I took my gels at 5 and 11 miles and was feeling alright. Tower Bridge was fantastic and I loved it. Gillian said she would be standing just after the bridge and I couldn’t believe it when I saw her.
I was feeling hot but all right and didn’t look at my time until the halfway mark. I was six minutes behind target but was fine with it. I think it was not long after that when I must have got lost or been abducted as I can remember the crowds and talking to other runners but as for times, sights and mile markers, I can’t remember any of it, apart from mile 25 and then the finish – 4hrs 28, my worst time!! I certainly got my moneys worth by staying on the course for so long!!
At the meet and greet I was doing plenty of greetin. Then, the only fault I found with the whole event was the stone chips on the ground as they aren’t very comfortable for lying face down being sick on!
The London public were fantastic and I even got an ovation at one of the Tube Stations, maybe they’re not all English Tossers after all!! I am gutted with my time but it was a fantastic experience.
Sunday night and we went to one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants but Gordon wimped out after his run.
I was determined to see Number 10 (that’s Magners Bottle number 10) but I was just too tired.
Sunday had not been a success.
The other Big BenMonday
I met Janet on Monday morning and was sorry to hear she was also disappointed with her run. She was getting ready to go home but we were going to do a bit more sightseeing. We went on the open-top bus but it was too cold. I couldn’t believe the change in the weather!! We went on the London Eye and I was a bit worried as the last time I’d been on anything like it was the Big Wheel when I’d just bought Gillian a Hamster Skin coat and couldn’t get her off it!!!!
Report Alan Aitchison
Here's some (rather cautious) tips for everyone who's done a marathon recently, nicked off the Runners World site.....
To gauge the relative values of rest and running, scientists in the US recently studied a large group of marathon runners. About half of the marathon runners refrained from running for a week following a marathon, while the other group jogged lightly for 30 minutes each day.
Both sets of runners were stiff and sore during the week after the race, but the resting runners recovered much more quickly. Leg-muscle endurance returned to normal after three days for the inactive runners, but was still below par after seven days for the light joggers. Muscle strength was also considerably higher in the runners who did nothing. Bottom line? Take a one-week rest from training after your marathon. You deserve the break, and your muscles will return to normal more quickly.
During this one-week respite, you can do some light walking to burn off a few calories, keep your leg muscles loose and satisfy your desire for exercise. Start with just 10 minutes on the day after the marathon, and build up gradually towards 30 minutes by the end of the post-race week. After each walk, stretch your muscles lightly. At some point during the week, let a massage therapist mould your muscles into a relaxed shape. (Do What????)
Once your walk week is over, you're ready to get back to your favourite sport, but prudence is the word (remember that it takes four weeks for your muscles to really return to normal). During the second, third and fourth week after the marathon, run only 30-60 per cent of your usual mileage, and avoid running over 10 miles at a time. It's OK to carry out a couple of quality efforts a week, but they should be very moderate in length. Tempo runs - about three to four miles of running at a pace that is 25 seconds per mile faster than marathon speed - seem to work especially well. Above all, you probably shouldn't throw yourself into a race again until at least four weeks have passed by. If you strength-trained before the marathon, you can resume resistance work during the second week after the race, beginning with about half your normal number of sets and reps.
Heart-rate monitoring
Measuring your heart rate is another good way of gauging when you are ready to resume training. A resting heart rate of 10 beats per minute or more above your pre-race rate is a sign that your body has yet to fully recover.
