Chapter 21: Loch Ness Marathon: The Return. The Monster Bites Back!

So as you do your ritual post race relaxation routine, you evaluate and criticise.

Regrettably not taking the necessary time to pat yourself on the back and say "well done"..."another one on the medal board".

Key questions going through my head:

• Did I suffer a massive blowout at 18 miles?
• Did I have a virus in the days leading up to today?
• Was I overly anxious about the run?
• Was skipping dinner last night the killer blow?
• Was it just plain and simple: Bloody tough?

Well guess what? Probably all of the above.

Saturday, 27th (trip day) started with me flying solo (literally) as Nicole was under the weather. Unsurprising as our eldest had pharyngitis earlier in the week.

Registration time: Bags under eyes = feeling off colour

I too felt pretty rotten most of Saturday. I could not even contemplate the "night-before couple of glasses of wine" routine. That is BAD!

After popping a couple of Lemsip Max's washed down with a hot toddy, I drifted off to sleep at around 10:30.

Naturally I awoke with a start: a 5am..Nevermind..I felt good and was determined to run today.

The walk to the waiting coaches and buses at 7:15. Ready for the long journey to the start line

Things got progressively better and I managed to wolf down 2 eggs, a croissant, some milk drinks - oh. And a Gaviscon just for good measure. Breakfast of champions.

After the long coach coach ride to the start, we all shuffled to the portals and commenced final preparations.

Ominous skies and the walk from the coach to the portal/start line area

The march of the pipers signalled the imminent start of the race.

The March of The Pipers: 10 Minutes to start.

I started off in the 3 hour bunch and was off like lightning. It felt good. It should have done as the first 5 miles were largely downhill. 

In my starting area: The sign behind me reads "3 Hours"

A few short inclines punctuated the long undulating sections. I did remember hugging the shoreline for longer (in 2010). It didn't appear that we spent that much time at the waters' edge.

 I was knocking out sub 7 minute miles consistently all the way up to the half marathon mark but started to feel empty and nauseous. That stopped me from taking on board any gels after about mile 10 to mile 20.

I started to feel dizzy so backed off the gas. Still with a 1:29 half, I was on fire...why slow down?

My solitary photo: Half Marathon Point

And then it came: Shortly after mile 18 the hill began, rising up in front of you like the Loch's most famous celebrity monster. I slowed, I started power walking instead.

I knew I had money in the bank but didn't appreciate that the walk/run approach was going to be order of the day for the remainder of the race.

I exchanged words of encouragement with fellow walkers/runners. We were all on the cusp of 3:15 (or under) but the hills and the relentless pace of the first half were clearly taking their toll.

I soldiered on and again slowed and started walking - but then after throwing caution to the wind at 22 miles and chugging down a full gel I was off again.

And then out of the stillness I could hear the faint noise of the PA system at the end.

Knowing that I would have to run past the finish (which is on the other side of the River Ness), cross the bridge and come back to it I conserved the tiny amount of remaining energy.

3:15 came and went. I had a mild pang of disappointment but knew, honestly in my heart of hearts, that I had left it all out there.

Properly broken I crashed to the floor after finishing and felt the tell-tale tingle of trouble.

In pain after finishing.

I shifted towards the first aid tent but fortunately did not need the assistance as I had planned well, stashing a coke in my bag..sweet sweet nectar!

3:16 achieved. 2nd best marathon time ever. Position 117 and 35th in my age group.

The profile of the course and my slow bits emphasised

So, in short I probably did feel less than 100%, and "yes' I was anxious, oh and I should have eaten dinner the night before.

I don't want to take a way the fact that this is a tough one - treat it with respect and conserve that energy.

The monster will bite back!

Chapter 20: Lingfield Dry Hill 10 Mile: Perfect Final Push Prior to Loch Ness 2014

So my conclusion to this summer has been that balancing family, a new job, multi transatlantic travel trips and hi intensity marathon training has been a stretch.

My weight has dropped as I have lived off nervous energy and adrenalin with the ebb and flow of  disrupted sleep patterns.

That said, and a few cold sores aside I have emerged relatively unscathed. What's more my fitness is at a new level.

This observation came true yesterday as I thrashed myself to come 10th in the Lingfield Dry Hill 10 miler. OK - in a field of 98 people that might not seem like much BUT - the LDH-10 is a super hilly course. Uphill for 5 miles and then a mild descent but off road, through forests, skipping over mud etc.. (OK maybe not skipping).

I pushed it so hard I thought I was going to be ill (on one of the many inclines).. I should have , in retrospect, slowed down on the hills and conserved my energy but I wanted to leave everything out there so I could look back and know what I was capable of under race conditions.

Things went from a gentle incline to a steep uphill section that seemed to go on for ages - probably just half a mile but BOY DID IT HURT. The vistas were partially obscured by mist but everything was made sunny by the awesome marshals who waved, clapped and grinned as we went past.

Oliver and I at The End of LDH10

This was my first competitive run since Paris - and it felt good! I was testing out a new strategy of running with my own water bottles and pouring water over my headscarf to keep cool and alert.. Sips of Lucozade sport and a caffeine energy gel (dextro energy liquid gel - doesn't make you hurl!!). I;m sure I looked like a  prize berk at the starting line. Was expecting someone to take the pi$$ that I was in the wrong race as the Marathon des Sables took place months ago..

Just over an hour of super hard graft is enough I assure you - can I sustain this speed for Loch Ness - well it is not as hilly with the exception of mile 18... I did it in 3:37 in 2010. How much time can I knock off?? Ambition is to get 3:07... we shall see! That would set me up nicely for Boston :)

Speaking of which Boston opened today - I should officially enter next Monday :) Let's hope they have enough Good For age entries at my time (fingers crossed!).

Lingfield - Just Check out the profile!

Things have not been completely injury free - I have experienced  the dreaded plantar fasciitis but once I start running it goes. First thing in the morning though my left foot feels like it had cramp - I guess I am getting on a bit.

I'm supposed to roll a cold ball under my foot but that would wind our dog up to such an extent that it simply is not worth it at home.

So Loch Ness is less than 3 weeks away. My mate Charlie's dad is seriously unwell so alas he cannot make it, but my wife and I will enjoy the whole experience nonetheless...maybe she will coax the monster up front the depths whilst we are there ;)

My resolution during the forthcoming taper is not to overdo it and to do cross training to supplement my runs. Perhaps I can then replace the bulk I have lost up top.

Happy running folks and catch up to give you the lowdown on Loch Ness!