Hotterdam Marathon

Another long race, another heatwave, another horrible day out.

What is it with me and long races? I am in Rotterdam recovering from yesterdays run. I think I had trained well for this, determined to get some winter miles in. However the weather proved unbearable.

It was 33C at the start, so I forgot any idea of my planned 3:30. I was clicking along ok in around 8:45/mile, when at 5 miles I saw one of the 3:30 pacers (Runners web) drop out, not a good sign. Still, I had dioralite before the run and was drinking and taking gels on every 5k so plodded on feeling fine.

Got to the half marathon in 2hours, and this felt like survival! Then I crashed like never before. The cramp started in my feet, and slowly climed as I plodded on to support from fellow runners and good crowds out enjoying the warmest April day in Holland ever. My calfs and thighs followed on the road to hell, and by 18 miles my hips were twitching too, with everything below screaming. It was genuinely scary by now. I saw my family and was glad to stop!

I could have cried from pain, relief and disappointment, but was too dry for tears. As I took a drink I heard that a few minutes later the race was stopped when the temp reached 38C or 100F. Everyone who hadnt reached 20 miles in 3 hours was stopped, with those still running encouraged to end it too.

My watch showed an average of 35C and I realised today that I took an hour to plod the last 4 miles! Thats 3 hours for an 18 mile run. What a state, what a waste. Chollonga won in 2:08:@.

Anyone planning a camping break should try the Stuc weekend, as I would hope to be racing which garuantees a scorcher! See you soon sports fans.

Posted by Jason Kaushal on Mon 16 Apr 2007 | 7 comments

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