Notes
My goal was 3:15. Being a mostly flat double loop course with only a few gradual inclines, it’s a good course to run a time if the weather is fine, and it was, 50/52 F. Except for the wind, at times was nasty.
However, I won’t complain about the wind too much because everyone running London today had to deal with 20/21 C – 68/70 F heat and in the sun, so that made it much worse. Some of the top runners from my club, all had big time sufferfest in the 2nd half in London. Being from Scotland, where it’s much cooler, there is no way to prepare for temps like that, especially in April.
My goal pace was 7:25. I went out fine. The shin pain I had yesterday wasn't a factor. I only felt it slightly for a few miles. It rained for the first 9 miles then stopped. In fact, I felt sooooo good, that I had to resist the temptation to go a bit faster, but myself in check. I was spot on pace until mile 11. That is when the course turns directly into the wind by the sea. From 11-13, I had to deal with 20mph winds. Pace went up to 7:37ish.
The bad news was at mile 12, suddenly both lower hamstrings cramped/tightened up. I was hoping I could work through it, but it just got worse. I am still into the wind at this point, (but not quite as bad as we were off the sea a bit), until mile 17. It felt like someone superglued my hamstrings with rope and was pulling on them, running 7:50 pace.
I have had hamstring issues in marathon before, but never this early. I was really shocked by this. I didn't have any problems on all my long runs. This year, (unlike last year), my legs have been fine.
At this point, turning back with a tailwind, I thought even with the hammy problems, I might be able to get back on pace. That was a fantasy. Lol. My energy levels were excellent, but I couldn’t go any faster. A couple of times I tried picking up the pace as sometimes when you are feeling bad, this can snap you out of a funk, but this just hurt even more.
By mile 19 or so, I thought was… am I going to be able to finish? (Well, I wouldn’t drop out, but I might have to resort to walking/jogging if hamstrings got worse).
They did gradually get worse, but I was focused on finishing. After not making it to the starting line the last 2 marathons I signed up for out here, (Edinburgh), I HAD to do this.
I knew the wind the last 2.2 miles to the finish, (the same miles as 11-13ish) was going to be tough. What I didn’t expect was the wind was now blasting 30-35mph! Those miles kicked my butt (9:40 pace). I have always been a strong finisher in the marathon, so this was the first time I struggled this badly. (Every marathon I have done until today, the last mile was faster than overall pace.)
My time was 3:24:05, 65th place and 1st in 60-64 age division. It was an easy win with 2nd was 20 minutes behind me.
Before the race, if someone told me I would run 9 minutes slower than my goal time, I would have felt very disappointed. But, with what I was dealing with, I am pleased to get the finish line and finally get a marathon again in my resume. 😊
Overall 65 / 560 (11.6%)
Ages 60 - 64 1st