www.edinburgh-marathon.com

Sunday 31st May

The Edinburgh Marathon is a race that has been held each year in Edinburgh, Scotland since 2003.  It is run over the traditional distance of 42.195 kilometers/26.219 miles. With each year, the Edinburgh Marathon is growing more popular and in 2008, there were over 11,500 runners (including team relay runners). This race is flat and ideal course for achieving a personal best time.

My Plan of Attack: I successfully ran this marathon in 2008 with an offical finishing time of 3hr 53min 49sec.  Ultimately, I would love to beat my previous time and achieve a new personal best in this race, as I know it will not be possible in the London Marathon.

The question is…will running the London Marathon 5 weeks earlier hinder all chances of achieving a better time?  Can I avoid injury in the London Marathon, recover quickly, maintain the required fitness level/training AND run a good race on the day???

My Edinburgh Marathon Experience (42.2km/26.2miles):

 

Sunday’s marathon in Edinburgh was the toughest race I have ever run to date. As temperatures soared, there are just a few words to describe my 26mile/42km experience…painful, painful and very painful. I now know what physical torture feels like. Oh but what an achievement though!!!

 

It was emotional waiting at the start line, reflecting on my journey over the past number of months which had led to this very moment. Tears were threatening! When 9.00am approached, it was just a few moments wait until I was crossing the start line to the sound of the Scottish bagpipes.

Physically, my body was prepared. I was well carb loaded and there was nothing more I could have done. Mentally, I had some doubts and found myself less prepared than London. My right knee niggled for the first couple of miles but quickly disappeared, my injuries held out for the entire race.

 

My aim was to maintain a 8:30 min/mile pace, which I successfully did for the first 18 miles. It was tough, the heat was scorching and I remember thinking from mile 12: “never again!”. For 26 miles there was no relief from the belting sun, the only shade nearby what that cast by my own shadow. With the water stations spread too far apart, it was terribly important to conserve and carry drinks.

 

At mile 18 I completely fell apart. To say the last 8 miles were a struggle would almost be an understatement. Whilst I didn’t hit the wall, I know I was on the verge and came very close. It was extremely difficult to continue and I found my pace flagging. For the first time ever, I gave in to the temptation to walk and did so briefly three times in the latter stages of the race.

 

I didn’t walk for long, possibly no more than 20/30sec before the guilt kicked in and I forced myself back to running. Walking had never felt soooo good before, such an immediate relief to the pain of running. I knew however that I was still on track to achieve a new personal best, and therefore my mantra became ‘Running is faster than walking’, ‘Running is faster than walking’. My new goal was to keep my pace under 9:00min/miles.

 

As I ran the 23rd mile, there were only a few marathon walkers going in the opposite direction. I had already been running for 3hr 30mins and these poor soles had not even reached the half-way point. I was extremely glad not to be in their position in that heat.

 

I have never felt such relief before to see mile 26 appear in the near distance. I knew the finish was close, but the course ahead still seemed to stretch for miles. Over my right shoulder I saw the Mussleburgh Racecourse and knew I was following it home into the grandstand. It gave me a well needed mental boost, as did the crowds which had gathered thick.

 

I knew I was home when I left the road and began running on the mats laid down to protect the racecourse. The mats were bouncy making it difficult to run on, my physical strength was completely drained, I kept the pace but found no extra energy to challenge those around me to a sprint finish.

 

Crossing the finish line at 3hr 47min 30sec brought tears to my eyes. I tried my uttermost to keep myself under control while receiving my medal, goody bag and returning my timing chip. However once back in the arms of my husband, the tears flowed. I didn’t cry….I solidly bawled. I can’t explain why…it was just a combination of the full emotion of the past eight months flooding in, as well as the pride I felt for the double achievement.

 

After completing the London Marathon five weeks earlier, I found myself feeling rather blue (Post Marathon Apathy Syndrome). Now after completing the Edinburgh Marathon, I am pleased to report that I am feeling rather satisfied and content. My Double Challenge for Charity has come to an end not too early and not too late.

 

There will not be any more marathons this year…however I do have my ballot in for London 2010. There are plenty of half-marathon races which will keep me busy without taking over every spare second outside of work.