Run > Race

Quite a good day at the office. The goal was to be 2008 me, which was 3:42. So (as Dv kindly says in the comment! ) maybe 3:30 - 3:40 type time. Under 3:42. But it could easily have been 4 plus, because I have no idea what shape I'm in. 21:30 for 5K last weekend was me running flat out. And that didn't bode well. 6:30s at best for 4 x 800m (never mind, 6 or 8 that one should be able to do for marathon training, similar). However, on plus side, I had done 1 x 20 miler (slooow) since London and there was London itself. I'm a great believer in things improving as you build on a previous marathon cycle. As long as you can stay injury free. And I am indeed injury free. Niggle in right knee but nothing serious. And I've had a cold all week. So that was fine as an excuse! Just meant I had an uber taper with zero running this week. So, up at 7.30 to leave 8. Couldn't find my Fetch shirt (think it's still in wash? Ew!) so was in plain vest. Was def going to be vest weather. Had found 4 gels and decided not to buy more. Wondered if feeling sick at London was partly too many gels. They are bogging after all! Had a slice of toast and some water. Figured I'd buy a Lucozade in tow. Set off at 8 Got from my house to St A Sq in 30 mins, nice clear run. But then drove round for 15 mins trying to find somewhere to park! Decided on Sun that Queen St was permitted. Wanted to be close to bus return. Not bothered about a mile walk to start. As it was, saw plenty of folk streaming up to start. Left wallet in car and didn't bother taking even a card (joys of being able to pay with phone!). Bag had change of socks, t-shirt etc. as well as towel and scoosh in case I actually could get a shower. So, yomped on towards started, chatted to a couple of people. Forget that many people are just doing their first marathon, so the answer "22 including ultras" to the question "have you done any marathons before" is still quite an unusual one. In Fetch we tend to think it only becomes remarkable over 100 or so! Bin bag worked well, because it was cold, with the east coast harr. Met Fos and Avril and John F, saw Peter K said he had a dodgy knee (3:02 and first MV60. Wow!) Nearly missed bag drop, 9:45, as I was still mooching about. Used Potter Row loos. I've not seen anywhere that got loos right on a big race! Realised I had my undershorts on back wards, swapped them round (you want to know this, right?!) Anyway, we're off, felt nice running through familiar uni part of town, across High Street, decent crowds, down The Mound, ooh, quick running, into Princes St gardens, nearly running into benches, nothing cordoned off or anything. Saw people annoyed with congestion, but why bother, it's mile 1. Usual people pouring through from behind. I was in Red pen (out of 8, probably 3rd pen?) but yellow and others coming from behind. I don't care, but you'll all slow down later, why speed on now?! Back up Waverley Bridge, Jeffrey Street (not much of a climb at all, felt good as it was just the start. Down the Mile to Holyrood, then annoying loop back up the Queens Drive and down, felt slowed down already here! But once we turned the cone and continued on, felt fine. Down towards coast and then a headwind as we hit the prom at Porty. Felt cold and hard going with headwind, but if we turned away from it between buildings it was actually quite hot. So overall, pretty good conditions. It is quite pretty once you get to Longniddry and out along the coast with the waves crashing in and the salt in the air and smell of the sea. I can see why some people find that part bleak, but was really my favourite, out round Gosford House, a bit of trail and gravel instead of relentless tarmac. Was tiring on way back in by 19 or 20 miles, but told myself that going slower doesn't make it any easier. Hooked up with a couple of runners, a Brighton Tri guy and an older chap, Eddie? who were going well - a bit of chat always helps me. On way out at 9 and 10 miles we cheered in the last of the half marathon runners. Helps the miles go by. And some inspiring runners. And on way back at 22 miles I saw Maz H and got a hug which was brill. Well done her for getting JogScotland Hazlehead ladies in under 6:30. Calves were hurting and hips a bit for last few miles struggled to keep the pace going but was pushing as hard as I could. Crowds were good coming back into Musselburgh, then into the park was great. Saw Phil, John F and a few others had been running well. Phil didn't quite get his sub 3. In the park after, shoes off, got bag, a lie down, legs in air! Washed head a bit and got a clean t-shirt on. Looked for massage but didn't see any. Decided to just get bus back. Paid for it with contactless on phone - well done Lothian buses. Closer than the blooming shuttle buses (20 mins walk away?!) and £1.70 instead of £5 apparently. Had great chat with Polish guy who had done 3:00:20 but wasn't down at all. Great chat. He recommends Gdansk marathon in his home town! Flat, fast, friendly, April. Maybe in 2020? Got off in St Andrew Square. Perfect, 2 min walk to get car and home in no time. Unfortunately missed MrsS(rrr) going to airport. Ships passing in the night. She's away for a week's horsey training thing.

Pretty stiff and sore and tight calves next morning, but all ok. Might try and find a massage place. G

Split Summary
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1) 1m - 8:02(8:02/m) 147/161bpm 100cal 7.46/8.66mph
2) 1m - 7:48(7:48/m) 159/174bpm 105cal 7.69/8.22mph
3) 1m - 7:58(7:58/m) 164/168bpm 111cal 7.53/8.25mph
4) 1m - 7:39(7:39/m) 161/173bpm 105cal 7.84/8.37mph
5) 1m - 7:26(7:26/m) 165/173bpm 105cal 8.07/8.41mph
6) 1m - 8:25(8:25/m) 164/170bpm 117cal 7.12/8.54mph
7) 1m - 7:45(7:45/m) 168/172bpm 111cal 7.75/7.89mph
8) 1m - 7:39(7:39/m) 167/172bpm 109cal 7.84/8.14mph
9) 1m - 7:34(7:34/m) 171/175bpm 111cal 7.93/8.29mph
10) 1m - 7:37(7:37/m) 169/174bpm 109cal 7.89/8.22mph
11) 1m - 7:46(7:46/m) 170/175bpm 112cal 7.72/7.99mph
12) 1m - 7:36(7:36/m) 178/184bpm 119cal 7.9/8.1mph
13) 1m - 7:37(7:37/m) 173/185bpm 114cal 7.88/8.2mph
14) 1m - 7:42(7:42/m) 167/184bpm 106cal 7.8/8.08mph
15) 1m - 7:45(7:45/m) 162/166bpm 97cal 7.74/7.87mph
16) 1m - 7:51(7:51/m) 166/174bpm 106cal 7.64/7.97mph
17) 1m - 7:55(7:55/m) 162/166bpm 99cal 7.59/7.76mph
18) 1m - 7:57(7:57/m) 168/173bpm 111cal 7.55/8.18mph
19) 1m - 7:55(7:55/m) 163/172bpm 99cal 7.59/7.93mph
20) 1m - 7:55(7:55/m) 159/167bpm 83cal 7.59/7.83mph
21) 1m - 7:46(7:46/m) 161/164bpm 87cal 7.73/8.14mph
22) 1m - 7:56(7:56/m) 162/165bpm 98cal 7.57/8.18mph
23) 1m - 7:54(7:54/m) 162/168bpm 97cal 7.59/7.78mph
24) 1m - 8:03(8:03/m) 165/180bpm 102cal 7.46/7.76mph
25) 1m - 8:10(8:10/m) 175/184bpm 123cal 7.34/7.51mph
26) 1m - 8:15(8:15/m) 169/182bpm 111cal 7.27/7.56mph
27) 0.41m - 3:17(8:04/m) 163/165bpm 40cal 7.44/7.47mph