Edinburgh Marathon 2013
[Sun 26th May]
Well this marathon game certainly pulls you in doesn’t it? I am far from
perfecting this dark art, but Edinburgh was my 3rd attempt to tackle the 26.2 mile
beast and the goal was simply to move my PB nearer to some form of
respectability, not easy when you haven’t ever completed a full mara training
plan, and weigh more on the scales than you should, but they are just excuses
so I pressed on.
My first marathon was here last year, and after a 5.48 heat oppressed
result, I was elated/disappointed in equal measures. Elated, I’d just finished
a marathon, quite a life achievement for anyone, but disappointed due to such a
slow time, but I must be thankful though, because of that, and a 21 minute
improvement at Rotterdam a month ago, it got me to the start line in good
spirits on this warm but not oppressive day.
I’m really not sure why they call this the ‘Edinburgh’ marathon, as most
of this course is played out away from the city, but standing at Regents Road
(the start for slow people!), you were rewarded with a great vista of Arthur’s
seat and the area adjacent to Scottish Parliament. As we waited for the 10am
start, the atmosphere was jovial, and I had already found several people fatter
than me – one proudly sporting the tag line ‘powered by Stella’ on his running
shirt, although only ‘racing’ with myself, it’s always great to find a marker
for later.
Faffing, prepping and a little stretching kept me occupied until the
start, and then ten minutes after that I crossed the line as the Purple Zone
plebs were released (me!). The Garmin was activated, we were off. At this point
in any formal run I always get a sense on euphoria for just ‘being in the
race’, and whilst this doesn’t last it’s a great ego boost as you settle in to
the task ahead.
The course at Edinburgh has more descent than ascent in the first few
miles, but then gives way to minor undulations to complete the course – a stark
difference from Rotterdam last month which although not 100% flat, had more of
a claim on this than Edinburgh boasts. This downward motion is always
preferable to me, allowing the breathing to settle and the confidence to build,
and as such is perfect way to start such a challenge.
Given the last minute entry to this event, I hadn’t really prepared
properly, this was simply tagged onto my last marathon, so I allowed myself the
flexibility of not taking a hard and fast plan into the race. Of course I
wanted to PB, who doesn’t, but this run was to principally get the feel of that
26.2 again, and to build some intelligence into my tactics. With this in mind,
I set out on my A plan, which would see me go sub 5 hours, something I’d tried
in Rotterdam but was spoiled in the second half when demons took over my head! That plan stick to 10.50 –> 11.05, relaxing
back if the pace ever pushed on.
That none-planned ‘plan’ executed well all the way through to the end of
mile 16, never really deviating much from this speed – slow and sure wins the
(personal) race. Despite the 20 min PB in my last mara outing, the wheels had
come off much earlier in Rotterdam, so this took me deep into unknown territory.
Interestingly I never really zoned out during this run, whereas last time
I purposely did. This time, I was very aware of what was happening, monitoring
my effort, and sucking up the atmosphere from the great spectators along the
course. There were a couple of areas which were supporter-light as we went
further down the road away from Edinburgh, but this didn’t bother me, I was in
control, not others, this was a new feeling compared to the ‘hang on’ tactics
I’d used previously. Last time I craved support, hoping people would shout me
on with ‘Lee’ emblazoned on my shirt, but this time (and mainly due to keeping
the heat down) I was wearing an anonymous shirt and whilst I received some
support it was never personalised and bizarrely that helped me. No idea why,
perhaps I’m just anti-social.
So back to mile 17, I was tracking well for a 4.45 finish, but either one
too many gels or just the exertion to get to this point, brought me to a halt
due to stomach pain. The heat was rising too, and I felt I needed to stop,
consume a drink fully before moving off again, this mile slowed 12m/m due to
this – it certainly recovered the feeling I had, but the pace never really
returned. miles 18-22 brought down to 12′s and low 13′s due to the
odd walk break. This part of the course is tough, most of the support have gone
home until you get back to the towns, and I really think that stop in mile 17,
as brief as it was, had broken the resolve a little. That said, within that
timeframe, when the resolve had returned and I tried to push on, the body
wasn’t a willing partner and threatened that bad stomach or another niggle once
more.
With the above ‘purple patch’ over my determination set in from mile 23
again, buoyed by the short distance to home. With the exception of mile 25
which require a lengthy water pit stop, the other miles came in higher but much
closer to that A target pace. Because of the walking, I knew I had said good
bye to sub-5, there had been a chance late on, but I would have had to pick up
the pace in the last three miles to 10 m/m, and this push was too much on the
day. So, I reverted to plan B, keep it nearer the 5 hour mark, a massive
improvement on last time, and guaranteed as long as I kept moving.
I did keep moving, and came over the line at 5.01, now whilst it didn’t
have the same psychological boost as 4.59 would have done, this was a great day
and a tremendous step in the right direction. Over 25 minutes off my time in
Rotterdam, and over 47 minutes better than my last Edinburgh (and first ever)
marathon a year ago – a bit of application, and I can see a massive slice off
this time when I attempt the distance again next year – this time I will be
lighter and more prepared…I promise.
As for Edinburgh Marathon, I think it’s a great event now, not sure I did
last year though. The crowds were great, the medal and t-shirt are good
quality, the only negative is the 30 minute hobble and big queue for the buses
to take you back to Regents Road.
A good day I think, now to tackle this dark art some more......
Lee