Spot the Beard.
It was quite a nice day, and Portland looked set to be a good race, a fantastic location overlooking the Olympic 2012 Sailing area, and a reasonably flat stage (or so I thought). I had noticed that bearded runners often have great success, so had even grown a beard for the occasion. I was hoping for a good time here and set about doing some warm ups before the race. After a few minutes I was knackered ! I was also getting quite a bit of stick from Katherine about my pre-race preparation (or lack of it). To be fair, she was spot on, I didn't have any energy gels, sport drink, and my rest before the race was non-existant really. I ran a 10-Mile road race on the Sunday before, AND did a hard hill sprint session at the running club 2 days earlier. I was feeling fairly laid back about the whole thing and now I was getting it in the ear about my ill-preparedness.
As I set off, I soon realised I felt pretty tired in the leg area. After only a couple of miles I really didn't feel like running another full marathon. As the miles wore on, I realised that I would have to do everything just to finish this one. The Challenge of Seven Marathons in Seven Months really hit home. The cumulative fatigue and relentless demand week after week was taking it's toll on me. How stupid I was to run that race last Sunday ! My legs were complaining and I hadn't even reached 10 miles !
Then something really bad happened.
The course markers took us over 2km of Deep Shingle beach. It was horrific, every step was a real effort and it took about 15 minutes to do the section, leading up to the half way point. I managed to run it all, but then the realisation that I would have to do it all over again on the SECOND LAP filled me with dread. I battled on and shortly after was chased by a pitbull terrier which bit my ankles and tried to pull my trousers down. This was turning into a bad race ! I hung in there, keeping up the pace as best as I could, but my body was failing me. Although truthfully, I had failed my body. I had done to much in the build up and not eased off in enough time to fully recover. Had I not raced 5 days ago, I wouldn't have lost my Mojo today.
I mulled this for some time, until, inevitably, the shingle beach appeared yet again. This time it was sadistic. A painful grind where I was reduced to a jog-walk as the extra speed was negligable. The final mile and a half of footpath was a joy after that experience. I crossed the line, disappointed with myself for not being more ready. I should have done better than this. When I got home, I shaved off my beard in a huff and promised to recover properly before Stage 4 >> South Devon in just FOUR WEEKS.
I recorded 4h29, 30th / 110.
1 comment:
Hi - well done on getting around! I think my missus talked to your missus by the lighthouse. If not then I'm just some random bloke who happened across your blog. I'm not doing the 7x7, but hats off to you - I did Gower, Portland and will be doing South Devon and Exmoor. (London marathon and a 20 mile race in mid Wales is somewhere in the middle of this.)I am mulling over one of the Ultra marathons in the summer....but might be fed up of long races by then!!!
Post a Comment