Chapter 16: Spitfire Scrambled! Paris Marathon - I Have You in My Crosshairs

I awoke with a start at 6:09.

Panic set in for a fleeting moment and I sprang out of bed.

Yesterday's stiffness and the week's 30+ miles of street-pounding faded away as I lent against the wall having a quick power shower.

Race day! But NOT race day - a strange feeling but one I had to get used to, as the last thing I want to do is to blow myself up.

Keep in mind the big game that is still 3 weeks away.

I picked up my brother in-law Oli Wharmby and we drove excitedly down to Dunsfold Aerodrome, location of Top Gear's test track. It was a beautiful day, perfect weather conditions with the mercury creeping up to 17 by midday.

Ready for Action:Man

After customary coffee and ablutions, we assembled nervously at the start.

I got my mobile phone ready to track my progress (via Nike+ running) and set my playlist off, the small speakers giving me a little  musical lift through my belt... it was the only way to get a little earworm as headphones were banned on the run. Interestingly I really enjoyed this run as I soaked up more of the atmosphere as a result. Questions, questions....

"Would my knee hold up?"

"Hope Oli enjoys it?"

"20 miles is a long way!"

Countdown -  and we were off!

Oli and I in the Pen before the start

As I was with Oli in the middle of the pack, I needed to move up the field quickly to create some space. The course starts on the perimeter track around the runway so you had space but were still restricted by the width of the road. Also with my knee I daren't run on the uneven grass, after all I have seen what celebs in the reasonably priced car do...

The aerodrome section required a singing of the Top gear theme as we ran round Hammerhead and Gambon! It spiced up a flat and ever so slightly windy section.

Running The Top Gear Test Track

I quickly settled into a rhythm and was surprised at how chatty everyone was in my pack..we had a South African triathlete and ultra runner who was using this as a warm-up and another chap who had run one marathon before a year before and was now on track for a sub 3!

I watched these "elites" move and they seemed so strong and effortless compared to my lumbering style. Muscles popping their calves...

We chatted for the first 13 miles which rapidly took us out of the aerodrome and onto the country lanes.

The rest of the course was certainly undulating - which does of course mean - hilly! But nothing that took the wind out of you as you ascended.

Of course what goes up, must come down and I jarred my knee on the descent from one of these hills.

Strangely for a run that was taking place in such awesome countryside you did not see too much of it due to the canopy of trees and bushes.

There were two exceptions. The first was at around mile 6 when you saw a big hill on your right with a beautiful and grand white country house nestled in it's bosom.

The other was when you approached Dunsfold Green but shortly afterwards you descended back into the country lanes.

A 2-lap course, something I had not done since the San Sebastian marathon - plusses and minuses. Personally I quite liked it as I was no longer surprised by what it would throw at me.

It was at miles 17 when I started feeling uncomfortable - It's very useful to do long runs to test out your kit. I had taken the decision to wear underwear, compression shorts and some compression shorts on top...just to ensure there was no "movement" in the trouser area. Transpires that I had 3 layers of elastic all on the same area of my bladder. Made me feel like I had to go but did not... pain in the er... bladder!

Around 8 Miles In

I therefore spent much of the last 2 miles holding my multi-waistband away from my belly.

It was at that point (18+ miles) that the sinking feeling hit me... the start of the road to the wall.. I ignored it knowing that I was less than 14 minutes away from the end.

It worked but oh how I longed to see the tarmac of the Aerodrome.

A quick final turn and we were on the airfield - I stepped up the pace as I wanted to prove to myself that I still had fuel in the tank... It was an epic finish, knocking out a 6:42 final mile.

Oli Approaches The Finish Line

Even better: Final time was 2:24. I came in 70th out of a c800 strong field with Oli coming in a shade over 3 hours...an epic feat seeing as it was his longest ever run.

Oli and I with pint in hand

The Course Map

As a special Brucie bonus my disposable all in one suit arrived from Screwfix... I now am happy to wait in the starting pen at Paris for as long as it takes.... What a find!