This year I think proper shoes, compression tights and more awareness of my body and when to back off all played a part, and as a result.. just a lot of stiffness in the muscles, and a need for a good stretch and a hot bath in Epsom salts tonight!
It was an awesome event, and it was hot this year. Apparently the hottest marathon since 1970 or something, but it felt like any other day in Australia, so the heat didn't affect me too much. I usually run my longer runs with water and gels, but don't usually take gatorade or anything with me. I made the call to drink gatorade at stops from around the 15km mark, and by the 28km mark I was cramping really badly. My stomach didn't like the salts at all. It shortened my gait while I tensed up my abdominals to deal with the cramps. I was still on track for a four hour run at the half way mark, but with the cramps by the 30 km mark I was passed by the 4:15 pace bunnies, and I couldn't keep up the 10:1 run:walk pace they were setting.. I was running more like 5:1. At the 35km mark I was passed by the 4:30 bunnies and I had hit the bottom of my tank. Missing a bunch of my long runs with work and a cough I didn't think would matter too much, but I was really struggling with my endurance by the 35km mark and around the back of Stanley Park on the beautiful stretch of seawall I wasn't even looking at the scenery, and was just focussing on finishing. I was 1:1 walking:running for the last 3-4 kms and had slowed right down, but digging for any more just wasn't happening! I ran the last 500m though.. couldn't handle a walk over the line in front of the crowd, but I had my eyes shut for most of it just focussing on making my body work and drive to the line. Finished in 4:45 - 15 minutes better than last year, and about 45 minutes from my goal. Still.. its a good effort just to finish these.. so no regrets here, I gave it everything in the tank on the day!
Thoughts from the last few hundred metres: "damn my phone has gone flat and I wont have my run recorded.. better get an extra battery pack for the long runs".. "Am I seriously going to put myself through this again?? am I crazy?" .. "how is that gorgeous girl running beside me not sweating.. is she in full make-up !?" .. "I wonder what was going through the minds of people crossing the Boston finish line a few weeks back?" .. "Open your eyes and smile more.. stop grimacing!" .. "what was I thinking about this time last year?"
So many great things happen on race day though. The supporters are just amazing. I cant describe the appreciation you feel towards thousands of people who come out just to cheer and wave signs and encourage you to do these events. the signs are so funny. and cheeky some of them.. humour takes your mind of the running for a minute and gives you a grin and boosts your spirits. I came across my wife sitting at the 20km mark with a blanket spread out and three different water-bottles sitting on the blanket and "Go Justin!" signs propped up. Damn I love that woman. I appreciate her support so much. and I would have loved to take a photo it was picture perfect.. but I wasn't quite thinking with my photographic eye at that point with the cramps happening. Apparently she had quite a few people comment on the water-bottles and wish they could make use of them! Our friend Janna came out and rode around with Jo waving signs, and my buddy Nate had come out as well and was snapping photos as I came across the finish line. Its the little things that count - thank you guys.
Got me thinking - with all these thousands of people out to cheer and support the runners on.. its so obvious why the first reaction of people in Boston was to run towards the smoke and see what they could do to help. After I crossed the line I sat down on the steps to the side of the finish line and watched people come across. Some happy, some in pain, all relieved.. and despite my lack of faith, said a little prayer for those people and families whose lives were changed by that idiocy in Boston a few weeks back.
So off to gym at lunch for a bit of a stretch, and already I am thinking about running again. Not 100% convinced a second marathon this year is a good idea.. but lets see how I pull up in the next few days and if I am enjoying the longer runs again soon. For now though, the feeling in my legs tells me I have earned a good couple of evenings on the couch with the PS3!
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