After a steady week of training, we drove up to Manchester on Saturday morning, in readiness for Sunday's race.
We made a brief stop at the Race Village, prior to going to the hotel, just as a familiarisation for the following morning, as I hate surprises.
Nothing much to write home about, really. Nothing of an Expo type set up to be seen.
On to the hotel for check in. I had booked the Innside by Melia, near Manchester Central Station. Not really a 'choice', as there was very little left when I made the booking, but what a star choice it turned out to be.
A very clean, modern styled hotel, Firstly, we were upgraded to a better room. Then informed that as it was marathon day, the Sunday breakfast would be served an hour earlier, to allow the athletes staying to get breakfast in time for the race. Then, the receptionist told us not to worry about the 12 noon check out time, either, as they understood that I'd appreciate a shower after the race... They really couldn't have been anymore helpful.
Shortly after check in, we were outside again, and heading across to the very convenient Pizza Express for an early dinner.
Whilst eating the heavens opened, and it bucketed down with rain. That proved a blessing in disguise, as it drew a big line through a planned walk around the city centre, and we retired to the room to chill out, lay out my kit and mull over the plan for tomorrow.
Having seen the Race Village, we decided not to use the car parking spot I'd pre booked. Sharon and I also decided to meet up after the race, outside the entrance to the Massage tent, then grab my kit from the Bag Drop, before heading back to the hotel.
Waking the next morning, I was immediately struck by the bright Sunlight, piercing through a gap in the curtain, the weather was bang on the money. As forecasted, bright Sunshine.
There's nothing like Sunshine, for getting your race head on.
Downstairs, we enjoyed an excellent spread of breakfast choices. I found it difficult to limit myself to what I though best, as there was just so much about!
Scrambled Egg, a couple of rashers of bacon, 4 rounds of toasted wholewheat with jam, and some fruit with a little bircher Muesli, washed down with fresh coffee.
Back upstairs (9th floor - What a view) to get dressed and head off to the start.
A 25 minute walk down to the Village, on a bright yet chilly morning. Road blocks being organised, crowds starting gather at the Cricket ground, the atmosphere was building.
First impression... Not a lot of toilet facilities, for the thousands of runners and spectators massing in the area!
We made our way to the start, just a 5 minute walk away.
A wee warm up run, down to the first turn and back and I began sussing where to take up my position. Stood in close proximity to the 3:00 pacer, I felt this would be a less cluttered start.
This is were it (race plan) started to unravel... As I waited for the gun, I bumped into a few of the Wymondham AC runners, and then thought that as I was starting in the 3:00:00 area, I'd see how long I could hold the pace!...
Before I knew it, the gun was sounded and we were off.
A very cautious first few kilometres passed, watching the heels in front of me, dreading the thought of tripping and going down, with a mass of runners behind!...
The first water station was bedlam. But, the crowd was starting to thin out.
At around 8k, I was beginning to the think that maybe I'd gone off a bit too quick! A hurried recalculation and I eased off the gas and settled in to the race.
HOT!... I was getting hot. At the next station, there was a mix of water bottles and SiS gels.
I decided to keep hold of the water bottle, instead of lobbing it away, just in case (of what, I don't know!).
About 12k in, and my left hip Flexor started to tighten up. I've had a few issues with it on the bike, but never running, so this was a bit of a surprise. No options here, I continued running, whilst I monitored the Flexor... After about 4 k, it eased off and I remember breathing a sigh of relief.
As the halfway marker appeared my right Hip Flexor started playing up! WTF! Oh well, Lets see how it develops...
I eased up on my pace a little more, as the right Flexor was getting tighter by the stride.
The crowds were fantastic. As the runners thinned out, there was more space around, and I was able to take in the crowd scenes, high 5's with the youngsters, and brief verbal exchanges with supporters as they read my name, then called out encouragement.
The mile markers weren't set out correctly, which sometimes led to a long wait for my next 'milestone', and a little confusion when I saw consecutive signs reading the same number!...
From 18 miles on things just started feeling tougher. I started passing walkers, now, which kind of helped, as I knew that there were others feeling worse than me.
But, I can't stop now... It's not in any of my plans, and today is not the day to change that.
Now, as I see number 22 (mile) I know I have licked. The crowds are worth their weight in Gold here, trying all sorts to lift the spirits of the passing runners.
The soles of my feet are aching! As my pace has slowed, so has my cadence, resulting in my foot/ ground contact becoming much harder and I can really feel it. I could also feel the cramps starting to nip at my Quads and hamstrings...
Water stations now seem to be getting more often and I could sense I was getting closer.
I looked at my Garmin and I saw 40k. i felt my spirit lift and suddenly felt my pace begin to flow again. I was now cruising home, rapidly closing in on the finish.
Marshall's and crowds were calling out to let me know that the finish line lay just after the approaching right turn.
The turn made, my watch said 500m to go... And I went! God knows where the energy came from, but I was off, breezing passed fellow runners, but still no finish line gantry in sight... Where the f*ck was it?...
Still passing runners, but this was painful now. And then I saw it, there it was the 'FINISH'.
Almost 500m later than planned, but it was done.
Filtering right from the finish chute, revealed a chaotic area, were they gave out medals, goody bags, drinks, gels, everything... Runners trying to find family, family trying to spot their loved ones, it was bedlam in the village.
I made my way to the bag drop zone, to collect my stuff. The queue was twice the length of the car park, already! As I stood in the queue, I was quickly aware that, although it was Sunny, the wind was getting up and it was quite chilly. I put my new T shirt on, to try to keep warm. In my now cabbages head, I couldn't be sure of the arrangements made with Sharon... Was I meeting her here (Bag Drop), or Massage Tent?... Now stuck in a quandary, do I stay in the queue, or go looking in the masses for her... I decided to stay. About 90 minutes later, I got to the bag drop, but they couldn't find my bag.
I couldn't be sure it was there, either, as I'd left it with Sharon to deposit.
I headed to the Massage tent area, searching for Sharon.
I had no phone to call her with, and was about to give up and head off to the hotel...
Suddenly, she burst out of the crowd... Happy days.
Race raced, partner found, back off to the hotel.
Quite a few bad things have been said about the race organisation, mainly the car park delays and chaos at the Bag Drop. But, at the end of the day, they can be improved, or negotiated around, by the individual runners, but, they can't detract from a fantastic race and course.
Moral of Sunday's run... Always RESPECT the marathon distance.
Thank you, Sharon... You're a star x
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