Run > Race

Well that was fun! Chester marathon. My first attempt at a sub 3:15, apart from Borders marathon during WHW training, since VLM 2013. And first marathon at all for a couple years! Training had gone fine, after slipped disc back in Jan. A week lost with snotty nose in middle, but otherwise OK. No half as bench mark but 38:58 10K and some MP in long runs and plenty of miles overall. Pretty confident of sub 3:15 but the marathon is never easy, so had to make sure all things were prepared as well as possible. So, did my taper, gels bought, last massage, down in good time to Chester (MrsS(rrr) with me, which was nice). Picked up nasty snotty nose again on Friday/ Sat which was annoying but nothing to be done about it. Also pranged car bumper pulling into tiny car park at hotel. Again, no point stressing. Lovely nosh out at Carluccios with MrsS(rrr) then early to bed. Up at 6am to have my porridge, then back to sleep. Up at 8am to get dressed and out door at 8:30. Easy walk across to race course, glorious morning. Got a lovely shout from club mates Kirsty and Michelle who were down on girls' weekend and had just dropped Ross off (our sub 3 attendee at this race). Bag dropped off (very well organised and super friendly, polite and well organised kids helping - this was a theme of this event overall, very friendly, polite and helpful throughout). Met with Ross, Allan from club, saw larkim (who found me) and CumbriaAndy (our Fetch shirts very distinctive, of course!). Great chat with larkim. He was relaxed and had prepared really well. Had every confidence in him. And as we knew, he stuck perfectly to the task and got a fab sub 3:15 for his debut marathon. Into the start area, behind the 3:30ers! No probs, a marathon is never won in the first 3 miles, plenty time to let it thin out. So, doing 8:00 min mile plus off we set through the town. A couple of miles around the very interesting city walls, great support, roads all closed, some slippy bits and congested as it narrowed, but no matter, just slow down. Lots of great chat and banter. Around 2 miles had to skip on a bit to get past the 3:30 pace group, already filling up the whole road. Those lads did a great job. Then over the bridge and onto country roads. Had waved at our hotel on Bridge Street in case MrsS(rrr) had got up but she said later she didn't emerge until 10ish, so think she was still sleeping / in bed (actually studying, because she's doing horse exams, right enough). On country roads, could open up a bit, so settled into pace and looked at watch. Quite a bit behind 7:20 target, but no matter. Long way to go. Watch set up worked perfectly - overall pace at top, lap/mile pace middle, current pace at bottom. So looking to get mile pace below 7:20, to get overall pace to come down. But not wanting to see current pace lower than 7:00 otherwise it's too quick. Really only glanced at watch occasionally, because it was all going fine. Great chat to a lad Richard here - over 50, 3:25 best, but I advised we were doing 3:20 or below. He stayed with, dropped off, came back etc. Great to chat to people. Wonder woman outfit, loads of English vests, including KinkyS, great to see her (masters time trial so loads of qualifiers there, I said hi to lots and congrats on a national vest - I think it's a great achievement and many said thanks).

Felt good miles 5-10, into Wales somewhere, wonderful support in all the villages. Some bands playing covers, lots of kids high fiving and lots of cheers and clackers and cow bells. Mile 13, see the quick guys coming back on us, so know there is a loop and turn coming up. See pace steadily going down to 7:20 and below, so know it's all going in right direction. Went past 3:15 group somewhere. Looked to see if larkim was with them but didn't see. Just as well - he didn't need my inane chat! A wee steep hill after a bridge leaving Wales and back to England at 16 miles. Was fine, because the cheering crowds carried you through. A couple lovely lads, Andy and Steve from a Striders club pacing well. So I went with them and chatted a bit. Turns out Andy is over 40 and going for sub 3:15 for GFA, Steve is a youngster, first marathon going great. He and his wife lost their daughter earlier in year and he's been running in her memory. So sad. Amazing lad.

About 18 or 20 miles caught Ross, didn't expect that. Told him to come with but he wasn't having a good day. 21 or so and knew this was all going to be fine. A drizzly rain now (perfect after the early start line sunshine - not so good for supporters but for runners it was nice and cooling). A great couple of strong runners - Jill and an older chap running well. His chat - just get to 25 miles, last mile doesn't count, you can do that on fumes! Autumn leaves supporting up the hill at mile 24 - again, great support and lovely to meet her. Quite a few "Go Fetchie" shouts from crowd, so I guess a number of Fetchies were out!

Back into the town, mile 24 or so and some slippy cobbles and things but all OK. Still feeling pretty strong where it was flat. Ups and downs quite tough though. Encouraged a few of the ladies here, as they are top level at this time, certainly in masters category. Some great responses and great to help out even if only in a small way. And it gives me a boost too. On to the race course, grass to finish. Oof, that's hard, saps the energy, but no matter. Just imagine it's cross country, I think.

Probably no more than 5 folk went past me in whole race - maybe less. One Alchester runner, going strong. But not on finish, no one passes me there. In about 3:12 something, 3:11 something chip time. Happy with that. My lovely missus waiting for me just over line. Larkim comes in, fantastic, he knows he's got 3:14:3x - absolutely perfect pacing and stuck with the pace group. Great decision making. Made up for him. Didn't know how Bazo did, hoping went well. Andy from the Striders was under 3:15, pleased for him too.

Off to get bag, then back to hotel for shower. Lots of lovely congrats walking along. What a nice, friendly town. Out for big roast lunch after, and coffee and chococalte shopping for presents for friends. Drive home, see Ross and Chelle at Tebay services, home by 9pm. Great weekend. Thank you Chester! G

Split Summary
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1) 1m - 7:37(7:37/m) 119cal 7.88/8.27mph
2) 1m - 7:02(7:02/m) 120cal 8.53/9.46mph
3) 1m - 7:32(7:32/m) 123cal 7.96/8.41mph
4) 1m - 7:39(7:39/m) 123cal 7.84/8.18mph
5) 1m - 7:18(7:18/m) 121cal 8.22/8.39mph
6) 1m - 7:12(7:12/m) 121cal 8.34/8.58mph
7) 1m - 7:20(7:20/m) 122cal 8.19/8.5mph
8) 1m - 7:12(7:12/m) 120cal 8.33/8.62mph
9) 1m - 7:06(7:06/m) 120cal 8.45/8.72mph
10) 1m - 7:05(7:05/m) 121cal 8.47/8.93mph
11) 1m - 7:15(7:15/m) 119cal 8.28/8.62mph
12) 1m - 7:07(7:07/m) 120cal 8.44/8.68mph
13) 1m - 7:23(7:23/m) 122cal 8.12/8.39mph
14) 1m - 7:10(7:10/m) 120cal 8.37/8.68mph
15) 1m - 7:04(7:04/m) 120cal 8.5/8.68mph
16) 1m - 7:15(7:15/m) 122cal 8.28/8.81mph
17) 1m - 7:26(7:26/m) 122cal 8.08/8.75mph
18) 1m - 7:26(7:26/m) 122cal 8.07/8.64mph
19) 1m - 7:15(7:15/m) 121cal 8.27/8.81mph
20) 1m - 7:09(7:09/m) 120cal 8.39/8.77mph
21) 1m - 7:28(7:28/m) 122cal 8.03/9.1mph
22) 1m - 7:17(7:17/m) 122cal 8.25/8.72mph
23) 1m - 7:24(7:24/m) 122cal 8.11/8.39mph
24) 1m - 7:21(7:21/m) 122cal 8.16/8.5mph
25) 1m - 7:22(7:22/m) 120cal 8.14/8.68mph
26) 1m - 7:01(7:01/m) 120cal 8.56/9.06mph
27) 0.34m - 2:14(6:37/m) 39cal 9.07/9.31mph