news
London Marathon
13th April 2008
It's quite an experience jogging 26.2 miles around London amidst the colour, noise and razzmatazz of Flora London Marathon. The roadside support is quite unbelievable, with folk lining the streets and jazz bands, and generally cacophonous levels of noise, especially around Tower Bridge and for the last few miles. A fairly surreal hallucinogenic type of experience. And heading into the Isle of Dogs after 14 miles we were hit by heavy squally rain that added some drama.
After going through halfway in 1:23, I was thinking 2:50 (or sub 2:50) should be on the cards, but the body felt too sluggish for the 2nd half. Lack of training, plus onset of cramp at Mile 24 meant I could only plod slowly to the finish instead of ramping it up a bit. I was disappointed with my time and performance of 2:54:55, but pleased enough to get round since I hadn't done any training for it.
Ellie did amazingly well in her marathon debut with 3:11:32, thereby qualifying for a Championship start next time.
Posted by Chris Upson on Mon 14 Apr 2008 | 4 comments
Category news
Subscribe
Last 10 posts
Latest posts
Latest comments
- Hamilton on Goatfell Hill Race 2012
- Chris on Goatfell Hill Race 2012
- Gaynor G on Ben Lomond 2012
- GrahamB on Ben Lomond 2012
- DON on Ben Lomond 2012
- Alan Gilkison on Ben Lomond 2012
- Ciaran on Strathkinness to Blebocraigs 2012
- John Hamer on Stuc 'a Chroin 2012
- Johnston Summit Marshall on Ben Lomond 2012
- Don on Ben Lomond Junior Fun Run 2012
Categories
- 10k (2)
- archive material (4)
- beach and promenade novelty run (1)
- club races (57)
- club runs (36)
- cross country (67)
- duathlon (2)
- education (2)
- extreme (1)
- fun run (4)
- handicap races (62)
- hill race (156)
- hill walk (1)
- hill walk, trail walk, road walk (4)
- loch ossian (13)
- long distance (10)
- marathons (4)
- mountain marathons (12)
- news (514)
- non-running challenges (6)
- parkrun (23)
- race series (1)
- races (518)
- recce (1)
- relays (4)
- road race (53)
- road race (cycling) (1)
- short hill race (13)
- social (40)
- social run (14)
- summer league (19)
- time trial (9)
- track race (1)
- trail race (23)
- weekend (2)
- winter league (34)
Comments
Ellie said...
Thanks to all the advice from the more worldy-wise of the club, I managed to hold myself back in the first half just enough to manage the second half without walking. It was hard not to be swept up along by the masses, especially as I now realise that it's more comfortable to run above a 7.30 min mile pace. The first mile took 9 minutes and it had taken 2 mins to get over the line, so I slightly over-compensated by ramping up the following couple of miles before pushing myself back into a comfortable jog. After a brief emotional moment when I saw my sister and then Chris's sister at the half way point, I re-focused and concentrated on keeping a steady jog. However, the heavens opened and a nasty cold wind got up just as my energy began to fade and I entered the more empty and unscenic part of the route around the Isle of Dogs. Not much more to report for the last 8 miles, other than I just kept moving, taking on Lucozade, jelly babies and water and resisting the loud voice in my head shouting "STOP",...even managed a wee sprint at the end (well, it felt like a sprint to me), although then could not move for the next 30 minutes.All in all, a good day out and I was really pleased with my time.
Monday 14th April 2008 4.01pm
Graham K said...
Chris / Ellie,
Fantastic effort and well done to the both of you !
Ellie - sub three is the new target :-)
I really enjoyed watching the TV coverage ...beer with breakfast is good (well I know at least Manny would approve).
Cheers and see you soon ...Graham K
Tuesday 15th April 2008 9.54pm
Jason said...
Well done both of you. Chris I know you would have wanted better and of course can do, but after a difficult period with your foot feeling ill thats still a good result. Ellie on the other hand continues to go from strength to strength and it is a super time, which of course would give you a garuanteed place in New York in November?
Wednesday 16th April 2008 12.41pm
Chris said...
Thanks Graham and Jason.To teach myself a lesson for being so ridiculously slow at London, I've just entered the Real Berlin Marathon for September 2008.Any other takers?You can online enter without needing a qualifying time.Website
Wednesday 16th April 2008 2.35pm