Hi everyone! Im still in the excited, 'tell all & sundry' stage of my post marathon experience and since I recieved advice from several members of this board, re: my training for hte 2002 Helsinki City Marathon, I feel I should broadcast my result here. Hope no-one minds
17/8/2002
My debut @ the distance of 26.2 miles...
Clock Time: 3:04:16
Chip (actual) time: 3:04:00
1st half split 1:29:58
2nd half split 1:34:02
Position: 67/5945 (top 1.1%!)
Temp: 80C
Course info:
http://www.sul.fi/hcm/hcm2002Great course, if somewhat hillier than I expected, great city, friendly people. Would definitely recomend it. Its being run in September next year so that reduces the temperature problem.
Great experience despite the foul tasting local on-course energy drink, 'Dexal' (read 'urine').
I had to stop for a #2 on course near the end & my legs siezed, breaking my rythm. Also had the pain of holding my bowels together for 20km (due to the unpracticed 3pm start). With lower temperatures & a 10am start I think a sub 3 hour would have been quite attainable (the winner, from Tanzanier only di 2:19:00, so...) so do I run another marthon in 6 weeks (I.e the Abingdon) and go for it, or just wait till next year and relly try & blast my debut time, say on my automatic London/Boston entry?
p.s. yippppee!!!
Comments
I think you should probably wait until you stop grinning before deciding on your next outing!
I guess as you are feeling so good it might be worth taking advantage of your fitness over the distance to go for another in a few weeks. Given the temps in Helsinki, and those likely at Abingdon, I am sure you will crack 3 hrs. (It's a time I can't even dream about!!)
All the best,
RB
Im spending my spare time looking at ways at reducing this sort of pain though, for the next time. Y'know, weight training, more stretching, cycling, altitude tent (@£4000 cripes!).
Seriously though, I'm penciling up my winter schedule, and I think i'm gonna focus on 10km & XC for a while, whilst trying to build up the number of training sessions to 2-a-days for some days in the week. Then after having built up my shorter distance speed, I'll attack marathon training afresh...
p.s. thanks for the kind messages everyone!
Am in awe of your achievement.
Well done! Most of us could only dream of a time like that!
You git!! only joking. My debut was 3h 58m and my 2nd and 3rd got progressively worse!!! It took me another 13 marathons and 5 years of chuffin (I'm a yorkie!) hard work to get down to my PB of 3hrs and 3mins (FLM 99).
You've obviously got what it takes, work hard, enjoy your running and you never know you could get down to the magic 2hrs 45mins qualification standard for the AAA championships, you'll then get your own Elite corner of Blackheath. Probably got quilted loo roll......
Well done mate.
FLM this year was my first marathon and I didn't expect to be able to move for days afterwards but hardly suffered at all, except for going up/down stairs. I put it down to having a leg massage immediately after finishing, courtesy of the charity I ran for.
Murf
that is blindin' mate, absolutely blindin'.
Good job, see you in April.
mm