One week down the proverbial road and I’ve had chance to reflect on my first marathon experience so I thought I might share these thoughts.
On the race itself
I maintain that the weather conditions were probably the major factor. The newspaper interview with the winner also mentioned the conditions as a major factor (he mentioned a planned 2:24 but actually won in just under 2:31). Probably not so much the cold but the combination of cold and wet really saps the strength – a really big lesson learned.
On the distance
I underestimated the effort definitely. Having completed numerous half-marathons I didn’t think the difference would be too huge in overall effort terms. But as the famous saying regarding children goes “two is more than double the trouble” and this is certainly the case with the marathon. Whilst I completed a number of training runs in the 2:30 range, I think next time I might go for a couple of longer run, maybe three hours or so.
On the running surface
I do most of my running off road and over hilly terrain. The marathon itself was flat and ridiculous as it might seem I missed the “relief” of occasional downhill stretches. Also running on tarmac for over three hours is probably the main reason I still have some calf stiffness after a week. I think the answer here is training specificity and next time I will probably try and include some more tarmac work.
One the pace
I figured I was easily in sub 3:30 pace, but my opening 10k and half marathon put me in the 3:15 bracket. Given that and the conditions I probably committed the classic error or going off too fast – and how did I pay for that? Caution should have been the order of the day especially given the mild infection I had in the week before.
Other factors that had an impact was the fact that I chose to use my camelbak for carrying drinks, in fact there was plenty of drinks stations and I didn’t actually take a drink from my own supply until almost 40k, other than that it was just an increasingly irritating burden.
But I have to reflect that this time last year – as a 30 a day smoker – I could barely run 2.6 miles never mind 26. I should also reflect that as recently as April I set a time for the half marathon of 1:36, hardly a lot faster than that which I achieved for the first half of the marathon.
PS I am a desperately sad bloke for stats so here are some interesting (not!) figures.
Of 1,140 male runners only 69 ran a negative split.
On average each runner ran the final 16.5km 9 minutes and 36 seconds slower than the 16.5 km before that.
I was in 232 position at 10k and 282 position by 26,5k but finished in 491st, losing over 200 places over the last 16.5k
In percentage terms I was the 1,050 th worst runner over the last 16.5k (based on slowing)
Of the 232 people who were ahead of me at 10k only 6 finished behind me.
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Comments
I assume that you've decided not to do the marathon you planned on doing? Was it next weekend?
No I haven't yet definitely binned plans for the marathon - its Frankfurt in two weeks. I still feel pretty tired and I'll see how I feel next weekend.
Watch this space
PS Well done on your 10k PB a really excellent result.
Great post - those stats are really interesting as I am planning to go for a marathon next year. You've probably posted all this somewhere else but what was the marathon and how did you get all those stats? Can I ask what your finishing time was ?
Well done anyway - your half marathon time from April is about the same as mine from earlier this year so I guess I have some work to do before I go for that marathon!
I'm really impressed by your thoughtful take on your race. Whenever it goes wrong for me I just get really annoyed and try to blank the whole experience out of my mind (race...what race ... no spent the weekend gardening!)
Yes, some of those stats are desperately sad ;-).
Others are absolutely fascinating though - in particular, the one about the number of negative splits. If they're that rare over a marathon, what about shorter distances?
I'll bet there were none at all in the 10K I ran yesterday!
Parky - I tend to do the same but I don't dwell on bad results. I think for the marathon it probably warrants preparing a bit better for next time. I did forget to add the full "what I would do next time bit". This is:
1. Start slower - aim for even pace target time and be pleased if still feeling good at halfway. The psychological damage of over 200 people passing me in the final 16k was huge.
2. Wear an HRM - I ignored advice and left mine at home, this might have stopped me over-cooking it.
3. Watch the waether conditions and dress appropriately.
Interestingly all but 12 of those running negative splits finished outside of 3:30. Perhaps were all pathalogical fast starters.
In my first marathon I slowed 3 mins during the second half, but I was quite happy with that being as close to even pacing as I could expect.
1/2m are different; get to 9/10 miles and if you can speed up you haven't got too much to lose if you subsequently run out of steam.
Also - 3 hour runs are a part of our m-training schedules. Unless you're a really fast runner of course, then 3 hours is over-distance training.
Also, how many 3 hr runs would you normally do as part of your marathon training?
Can't believe I'm already thinking about it...
Most runners say that 20 miles is halfway, if you're ill prepared - or if you've gone off too fast - then the last 10km can be torturous.
Good luck
Some really interesting stuff here, so I'll add my little bit of experience for what is worth. I've run 3 marathons now, last one 2 weeks ago, and always run negative splits...last one 1:35, 1:33. Personally I think it is about confidence...if your training has gone well, and you go in fresh, and from your training have a good idea what you can do, then trust yourself and do NOT go off too fast and get ahead of yourself...you WILL pay later, but stick to your pace, and trust yourself. If your are strong over the last 6m, then going past others is a tremendous feeling and carries you forward...the opposite is true if you have blown up and people are streaming past you. In my last marathon the last 10k was my fastest, and it can make a huge difference to your time, to keep pace or speed up...as opposed to losing perhaps 1-2 mins per mile as you struggle home can make 10-15mins difference overall.
So how do you do this...well long runs are key, you should be aiming for 5 good long runs 18-22. Plus a good medium run (10ish) mid week at a faster pace each week. Also make sure you rest well from 2 weeks before.
During the race drink and drink some more. I do carry my own bottle for 3 reasons, 1 I do it in training and it is no bother, 2, I can get a good drink whenever I want it, (I find it really hard to get much from cups other than a load up my nose!) and 3, I use an energy drink, and I think that helps...you can always add water from drink stations as well. Oh...and do eat...banana's, energy gels, whatever...as long as you do this in training and you stomach can take it...I'm lucky and I can.
So to all of you doing your first or just another one soon, good luck, it is a great effort, but the feeling at the end of achievment is worth it.