The originally race plan was to go off around 6'15 for the first half and the up the pace in the second half to see far bellow 2'45 I could go. Don't think this even lasted a mile on a undulating course it was apparent that some miles would be quicker and some a bit slower, so with the legs feeling ok I just went by feel. After a couple miles I was over taken but thought it was just stupid to race the next 24 miles knowing that I would only be as good as my training so had to make the most of my engine and fuel over the distance. The lead never went to more thank about a 100m I quickly reined it in going over some hills with a bit of speed. Over the half way point I had planned a up in pace running mile 14, 15 and 16 at 5.53 mins, 5.46 and 5.49 respectively. This must be where the lead came from but all I knew was I could no longer see the guy who had led the early miles. Then that point when you realize what the marathon distance is like came. From 18 miles I was hurting, slower and not quite as happy as I was earlier in the race, but this would only be temporary (about another 54mins- about the same as some of the winter efforts) so it was just a case of powering on as much as possible and hoping my lead was large enough.
After a bit of mumbling and grumbling the finish was just ahead so I dug in but in one last push and that was that 1st win and course record (apparently there was a slight change to the finish a few years ago). People were saying go for the course record at the finish as if I may miss it so did a bit of a sprint finish, well as much as I will ever sprint then heard it had stood at 2'42. Was great to see a club team mate come in, in second in 2'46 having done a 61 mile ultra the previous Saturday, which I thought was so impressive and helped us to a team prize.
At the finish I was met by family and could thank all the guys from the club who were watching. With the race being half the way to home I could then head home for a nice roast dinner and freshly baked Easter biscuits (a little late I know but had to spend Easter weekend in Bournemouth). The roast lived up to expectation, and ended up with me ending up on the floor with cramp much to the amusement of the family.
Where from here? So next big event is Challenge Weymouth half triathlon which is a middle distance triathlon, this is majorly out of my comfort zone but will a nice challenge. This is so into the unknown to me I don't know what to expect but hopefully can learn more about how my body responds to different training and to take my first steps to possibly doing a long course triathlon at some point. Will return to running for London next year and going to take some time to look for the races I really want to do,want to keep the fun which I am having at the moment but will take it a little bit more serious in future preparations no more of this 4 weeks of marathon training.
Quick congratulations to Steve and Jon for Bournemouth AC who ran for England over a 100 km on Saturday both putting in great performances. With Steve breaking the British record and running one of the fastest times in the world ever over this distance. Seeing this success within the club is just the best motivation to keep on training.
