Well, I survived the Kent Coastal Marathon yesterday.
The start is in Palm Bay near Margate and the course is in two half-distance loops. The first heads out along the clifftops to Ramsgate and is quite undulating, the second heads back along Margate seafront to Birchington and back, and is mostly flat but has a sting in the tail with a short sharp climb out of Margate about 2km from the finish.
It was worryingly warm at the 9.30 start and got warmer as I progressed round the first loop. But I made good progress and completed it in just over 2hrs - possibly a PB for the half distance, I think.
Luckily, there was mist and a sea breeze for the second half, so it felt a lot cooler, which was a huge relief. Still had to take on plenty of water though.
By the 25km point (the furthest I'd ever run in one go before yesterday), I was slowing down drastically but fell in with a chap and got chatting, which motivated me to push on. Eventually had to pause for a quick breather by around 30km and then had to suffer the ignominy of being passed on a short incline by a 70yo runner. But I'd got a rhythm going, albeit a slow one, and my legs felt like they were on autopilot, so I just kept plodding on.
Got a bit of cramp in my right calf at around 38km, managed to run it off, then got cramp in my left calf, followed by cramp in my left foot, which was weird - my foot was spasming and my toes kept curling up uncontrollably.
But being so close to the finish, I just tried to press on. Found myself running the last few km with a woman who was doing her 54th marathon. She told me how earlier this year she'd done 10 marathons in 10 days. In the Lake District. Crikey.
With the clock ticking ever closer to the 4.5hr mark, I dug deep to muster up something resembling a "sprint" finish and crossed the line in about 4hrs 29mins.
Slightly disappointed not to go under 4hrs but given the lack of training and inexperience at the distance, I'll take that.
Annoyingly, I've lost my ant stick so can't upload the numbers from my Garmin, but this is the route for anyone who's interested:
http://www.raceroutes.co.uk/route/1018/881/kent-coastal-marathon
It's a great course, almost entirely along the coastal paths/roads, with sea views all the way, and being an open course you get the pleasure of mixing with the seasider crowds sitting outside their beach huts on the prom - sportingly cheering and clapping all the runners, which was lovely. I've already decided I'm doing it again next year.
Legs are a bit tender today - walking down the stairs this morning was uncomfortable, though riding my bike to the station was fine! Think I'll just stay on my bike all day.
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. Done a few shorter runs since and keeping it light. After the weekend it's a few weeks off and then time to try and get some speed in my legs. Our local XC winter league races and Withins planned in for the autumn so far.
