16.10.22 Yorkshire Marathon 3.18.47What can I say about my first standalone marathon ? For years I'd tried getting into London, but have been rejected for 10 years now and as I'd have just done Zofingen, what better time would there be to just get one done ?
I couldn't find a reasonable hotel so ended up Glamping for the evening which was only £40, and was like sleeping in a shed, but there was a heater and I could use the camp bed.
All of my previous marathon runs had been at the end of Ironmans, with my last two being 4.03 & 4.13. Today I reckoned I could trouble 3.20 following my pace at Great North, but to do that I would need to be going some.
Park and ride was easy, and I had plenty of time to get ready and drop my bag. I lined up behind the 3.15 pacer and at 9.30 I was underway , I went off in hindsight a little too strong, but holding 7.10-7.15 seemed reasonable. I so loved the support and the course and the miles ticked by. At halfway I was ahead of the 3.15 pacer and had done 1.35 for the half, I tried then to hold on as long as possible, and then the headwind hit me from 15 ish, and for the next 5 miles or so I had slowed to 7.30-7.40 pace. At mile 22 my legs were a little fukt and my running robotic. I did hold on, losing a minute a mile, and just made it home within target - 3.18.47 in my first marathon - absolutely top day and memories that will last - you never forget your first.
25.09.22 Humber Bridge Half Marathon 1.46.07
This was my long slow run three weeks out from Yorkshire Marathon. It is an event that I've always wanted to do, having fancied doing hell on the humber in the now distant past. First things first, turn up at Hessle early and do the pre amble 8 miles into Hull & back before starting the half marathon - by lurking a few rows behind the 2hr pacer this time and not at the very back (I would have done , but knew the bridge was narrow so wanted a fair crack at being able to overtake. Legs OK all the way through , ran to how I felt, but then ramped up the last 4 miles to marathon pace effort which worked my tired legs. 21.5 miles in the bag, and a Tshirt & medal combo again - nice one !
11.09.22 Great North Run 1.40.50
This was just a week after Zofingen, and so legs not great and I mitigated this by agreeing to pace Dave to a 1.43 PB. I had been sunburned in Zof, and then foolishly managed to get sunburned here on a really hot day.
It was a straight marathon and I tried to pace it at 7.30-7.40 mile pace which would see Dave back within his target. With the pressure off, I felt really good, even with the amount of bodies on the course - the thing about Great North was that it is really congested ! With lots of zig zagging and spurts, it took it's toll and my pacee had had enough at 8 miles, meaning that I could open up just a little bit late on, which I did to finish in 1.40. A solid run, and I really enjoyed the Great North despite the numbers ! Great event, won't wait 12 years next time.
