Sunday 23/5 - My Edinburgh Marathon story

Ok, so this story goes as follows.

Thursday 20/5, I had a rubbish day at work whereby I rushed to get my work done and left very annoyed about something...rushing to a fairly important interview then home to sleep. I began to feel pretty bad, like I was coming down with something.

Friday 21/5, I knew I was getting ill. I could feel it in my throat and my joints. I woke up early and couldn't get back to sleep, so just lay there feeling sorry for myself. Took a lemsip and felt slightly better, slept for a little while then had to go into the west end. Boy, was it a scorcher! I felt slightly better now so did a really gentle 20min cross train on the elliptical cross trainer then had a long shower and met friends for a coffee. When I got home that night I relaxed and had an early one.

Saturday 22/5, was still not feeling so hot. I went through to Edinburgh in the afternoon and did some work. Stayed at a lovely b&b called "Cloughley"...stayed in the same place last year and the woman and man are so friendly, I'd thoroughly recommend it. Derek and I walked about a bit and tried to relax after I'd worked. Got a fairly early night and a nice meal.

Sunday 23/5, marathon day! I still wasn't feeling 100%, I must say. I felt a bit achey and my throat was sore. I had porridge but felt sick after eating it. It was meant to rain but the rain was no where in sight...

As usual there was a tremendous atmosphere at the start line. Everyone of all shapes and sizes, that's what I like about Edinburgh - you feel like part of something, and everyone is on a par. They start the elite runners way in front so really nobody in the first few pens is "better" than anyone else. I like that - there's no pressure. Plus the amount of people running for charity is fantastic, I feel glad to be part of it.

Started off really quite fast for me, just as the sun came out. And it stayed out all day! Was so hot all day long; I was glad I lathered in suncream! I did the first 12 miles in about 1hr45 which I was quite chuffed about...however after that things really took a turn for the worst. My nose kept running and I really felt quite sluggish, depsite drinking lots of water and little amounts of lucozade. I eventually had to stop at about 15miles, which is REALLY early for me if I ever stop in a marathon (not that I do much anyway...I can count them on one hand!) I walked for a bit then kept running but after that I lost my mojo. My hip started hurting quite badly and I just generally felt rubbish. I did run for most of the way after that, but there were people passed out all over the place and it was really quite scary. It was so hot...there was one man lying convulsing almost which wasn't nice to watch.

At about 21miles a guy in front of me looked as though he was crying. I stopped and asked if he was ok when he told me he'd just rubbed suncream into his eyes! We chatted a little bit and walked together for a few mins (hence my time was building up). He was running for McMillan cancer after having lost his mum and wife last year to the disease. Terrible shame. He had managed to raise £2600 though which is tremendous - he deserves a medal! We chatted a bit longer and filled our head with thoughts of an ice cold Drambuie after the race was done...then I encouraged him to run with me. He did for a while, and then he stopped so I went on. A little while later I felt terrible again so stopped to walk a bit, just as I saw a young guy lying limp at the side of the road surrounded by paramedics. It terrified me so I stopped and decided not to push it. Plus my nose was streaming. A min or so later the McMillan guy ran past me and pulled me into a run again, claiming that I'd made him run last time! What a pleasant chap (: He stopped after a short while however and I kept going.

Needless to say I'm ashamed I had to stop between 24 and 25 miles again. Hence my time mounted up and up (you can see where this is going). My parents were at the finish line, however, which was great! Derek was there too, but somebody collapsed right next to him about 400m from the finish and he must've missed me when he bent down to help him. The poor guy had cramp and his leg had just seized. So close to the end as well! I finished in 4hrs 18. My worst time for a marathon but you know, I managed to raise £230 for SVR (which, to be honest, is good considering I've continuously raised over £300 for them for each marathon so far) and I felt like crap...plus the heat. That's what people keep saying anyway, that I'm a braver person etc etc. I appreciate the words but can't help feel my training went to waste in the end. I should at least have been able to run without stopping, but maybe the cold played a part. At least I hope so.

My plans now though are to rest for the next week, as my throat is still sore and I have a cough. My muscles hurt too, which may be a combo of the marathon and the cold. I will then enter a half marathon - Glasgow or Bristol. Then Loch Ness in October, which I will alter my training strategy for. I think I peaked too soon last time. I just don't know how to get a good time with minimal amount of training - I'm too busy in my daily life to run more than 3/4 days a week. If anyone has any insight, please do share!

Derek and I are going to Bridge of Orchy next Thursday, where he will cycle and I will run, so I am looking forward to that.

Here are some photos from Sunday.