The heat i could deal with, but the frustration of not getting the time I wanted has left me feling very low. Instead of enjoying the atmosphere and just celebrating the event, I found myself obsesing over my time (I wanted 4hrs but took 4:40).
2 hours and still only on 12 miles I just got completely dispondent and vitually gave in.
Generally in life I'm pretty optimistic, but on this ocassion I finished feeling completely empty.
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Lucky Beggar for being able to run!
Still..... got to spectate for the first time
The feelings post race were mixed; pleased to have finished my first marathon, glad the pain had stopped, but intensely frustrated at my time. I accept the conditions were not exactly favourable, but I was still hoping for a bit more. Next year, I guess..
but look on it as a learning experience - quite often PB's come when the person is not so focused and just goes and runs....
take on board what you have learned and come back (maybe a different marathon with less crowds) and have another crack - some people take many goes before they crack their target or resign themselves ot the fact it may never happen...
I cracked the sub-4 on my 2nd - only by 8 secs but what the hell!!
Even though us slower runners were left without water I still enjoyed the experience and must give thanks to the great supporting crowds for giving up their water/sweets etc and the St John's ambulance service for doing a great job.
In the light of what has happened today I was just glad to finish in one piece.
I enjoyed the first 2-3 miles, but then I tried concentrating on the spectators and the sights, can't say I enjoyed it until the finish line.
As has been said before at least I finished and am still here to think of my revenge (give me a couple of years and I'll be back).
They always say no PB's at London - and with heat, crowds (and people starting in wrong pens) think they are right.
Definately last London for me but would like to get a PB and will investigate Berlin, Dublin or Amsterdam.
In some ways the fact it was hot & crowded and that this meant no way was I going to get my target time - sub 4.30 - took the pressure off and I stopped and chatted with my supporters rather than running past.
I didnt enjoy all of it, hated parts of it, loved the start and savoured the finish.
next year.... maybe
I suggest you look at your position this year, and compare it with where that time would have placed you last year. Hopefully that'll show you had a better run than you thought, even if the time on the watch says otherwise.
Loved the support, the cameraderie, the sights (even though I see them more or less everyday).
Hated the heat, the busyness (having to run round people constantly really takes it out of you), and also myself for wimping out and walking when I probably could have kept running.
Did about 30-40 mins slower than I'd aimed to, and really suffered with nausea and dizziness from the heat all the way round - was so worried about conking out completely I just backed off.
But hey, I finished, am in one piece, and am being treated like a celebrity at work:-)
obviously my fingers are tired from yesterday ;-)
loved half of it, hated tthe other half
and yes i was disappointed with my time
BUT
Im in running for the long term, and i llok forward to my next race
you have to adapt to the conditoions on the day, and, as i always say-you can train perfectly, but the marathion is an unpredictable beastie which bites back
Seriously, yesterday was TOUGH. It was my 15th marathon and 5th FLM and the one I have enjoyed the least. I was perhaps in the best shape I have ever been for a marathon and fully expected and capable of getting a pb. That went out of the window at about 30k. I felt so ill and depleted and mentally ravaged that I wanted to cry BUT I finished. I was 16 minutes off the time I wanted, which was 3.40, but today I am happy with my sub 4. I was 2 mins slower than last year but the run was so much harder and totally unenjoyable for me. Trust me, you cannot measure the average marathon on yesterday.
S3oB is talking sense!
You did it - be proud of your medal!!!!!
But overall? My memory is that I had a fantastic day, didn't get sunburned or dehydrated, and made a conscious decision to play conservatively rather than gambling with the hand I'd been dealt on the day. And the organisation and support just can't be faulted. I still love FLM )
Ive ticked the FLM done it box
Ive found out I like the training distance and the race but no London for me again
I felt guilty for hating it as much as I did but I'm still very proud for having run it all - I only began running a bit at the end of the year and properly training in January. NOW I know that what I actually acheived was something to cherish - a 4:20 first marathon in sweltering, uncomfortable conditions.
Much of the course could indeed have been anywhere and I could have cheerfully punched many a cigarette-smoking, beer-swilling spectator (if I'd had the energy) but from Lower Thames Street to the end it was lovely and I'd happily do that bit again!
Now, I'm looking forward to re-gaining my life and the use of my legs for the next fortnight before training starts for the summer!
There are points in FLM which really made it all worth while - the start, Tower Bridge, the Embankment and the Mall. Also, the people that make the day a special one - the crowds and the organisers.
The rest was so-so, but all races I've ever done have been like that. They ain't sightseeing trips, they are races. It's during those points that I concentrate on actually getting throught the miles and onto the next milestone.
*However* - the bug is still there, I'm looking forward to the next time and I also want to do some more much smaller marathons this year to appreciate the difference.
Velociraptor: I too just wish I could have been more relaxed and enjoying it to soak up the atmosphere and appreciate the crowds but I felt so awful they just annoyed me. I appreciate all they did now but at the time they were just irritating :0(
I have actually been looking for another marathon in the autumn to do and hopefully enjoy although yesterday I was never going to do one again... I need to prove to myself I can do better and that won't be hard after yesterday, believe me...