Marathon T
So, what happened next to team MoFo? Did they run one race and disappear off the face of the earth? Are they, even now, in a secret training camp preparing their bid for glory at London 2012?
Well, actually it is a very successful group story….
We are all still running, with varying levels of success day-to-day. We have completed marathons and half marathons, have run dressed as Santa Claus and one of us has even gone over to the dark side by racing in a triathlon! And possibly most foolish of all I am currently training for the London to Brighton run (56 miles non-stop) in a few weeks!
The most significant race Marathon B and I ran this year was the Paris Marathon in April. Since you ask – this is how the Marathon weekend unfolded….
We began on Friday 3rdApril with a leisurely midday flight out to Paris (direct – which is something of a novelty from Jersey), and after dumping bags at our hotel in Trocadero we jumped straight in a cab for the expo. After negotiating the registration process (involving several checks of doctor’s certificates) we were finally confirmed as entrants in the 37,000 strong field. We had a good look around the expo, and stocked up with a few choice items of gear, Marathon B felt the need to get some new running shades, true to form he went for the very best ones available, purely on the basis that they were the exact same pair that Paula Radcliffe wears (the male version he assumed). Marathon B then spotted an animated graphic showing the race route – so we stood transfixed by the huge screen as a red line snaked its way along a map of Paris for what seemed an eternity, sufficed to say when it finished we knew the task in hand – it didn’t encourage us. We retired to the hotel early – as we had to be up for the breakfast run the next morning.
Very early the next morning we made our way down from the hotel, walked under the Eiffel Tower and to the start of the Breakfast Run. It was a relaxed atmosphere as we spent a few minutes milling around amongst the other runners, finally lining up behind the flag bearers representing all of the nations competing. We enjoyed the 5km run – although probably ran it a bit quick – finishing along the last bit of the Marathon course up the Avenue Foch towards the Arc de Triomphe.
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Marathon B on the breakfast run.
We spent the rest of the day mooching around Paris (back to many old haunts), when we should really have been off our feet and relaxing! Drank a load of coffee and water (we were frankly a bit lost without our usual recourse to boat loads of alcohol) and carb loaded at the Hard Rock Café (The pig sandwich – great value with about 2,000 calories in every one!). We finished the evening with a gentle stroll back to the hotel (basically because we couldn’t find a cab) for a nervous night before the big day.
The day of the Marathon started with a lot of pushing and shoving (imagine 30,000 runners trying to crush through a fence opening about the size of a double door!) to get the bags dropped off. After successfully negotiating that task we donned our disposable bin liners and squeezed into the rear pen ready for the off. The curse of the nervous bladder hit us both as we waited and as a consequence we started the race right at the back with the costumed stragglers and broom wagon! Running down the Champs-Elysees was a fantastic experience though, with the entire field stretched out in front of us and the Palais de Louvre in the distance. The first few miles were covered very conservatively; we were amazed how many people were walking within the first few minutes.
By the halfway point (2hrs 30ish) there had been no dramas, we’d been disappointed that all of the sponge stations had run out, and been soaked by some mint tea (my own fault), but we were clipping along quite nicely. After a quick phone call to Guru T (my long suffering Father) for a pep talk and some advice, we continued on our way happily.
As we hit the banks of the Seine the temperature really started to soar – running in and out of the stifling tunnels took its toll and by mile 19 we were struggling. As we approached a feeding station I almost went over on the slick cobbles (deadly combination of discarded water and orange peel), so we decided to walk for a bit through the treacherous conditions. We then had further disappointment as it turned out that the only point on the course where isotonic drinks were available had run out (the Powerade marketing dept obviously don’t target the runners at the back of the field!)…
The next seven miles we ran were very hot and interspersed with some walking breaks, but we eventually tagged onto the back of the 5hr 30mins pacing group and they dragged us at a decent pace to the finish. We dropped them with about 2km to go and finished in 5hr 28mins (unofficial Garmin time). At the end we felt beaten up but proud of the effort and run.
Marathon B – beaten up but happy
We celebrated that night in the traditional way – a beer within 30 mins of finishing (it’s important to rehydrate!) then toured a few champagne bars – and treated ourselves to a couple of the largest Cohiba cigars we could find (smoking them on the enclosed terrace of the restaurant we were in – it was France after all)…
Cigars and Champers – the only way to celebrate
Nursing mild hangovers we travelled back on the TGV, and considering the exertions of the previous day both of us felt fine, no problems with the legs at all. We celebrated as soon as we boarded the train with several wheat beers and finished the trip with a great lunch in the square in St Malo (with much wine).
TGV – First Class in every way
St Malo – Back in time for Cidre and medals
The Paris Marathon was a fantastic experience, a great weekend all round. The only slight downside was the general organisation of the event.
After Paris we went back to a regular training regime and started to prepare for the Jersey Half-Marathon 2009 – the anniversary race for the MoFo’s – and reason we all started running in Jan 2008….I had a decent run finishing in 1hr 35mins, which was a 4 minute improvement on last year (and a new PB – in my second ever half-marathon!)….
So, now I am full steam ahead for the London-to-Brighton run at the end of September. I have found it difficult piling on the miles during holiday season, but am persevering. One of the most difficult elements of the challenge is training to run at a much reduced pace. I can happily trot out a 7:30/mile pace for an hour or so during training, but for this run I have had to discipline myself to run 10min+ per mile during my long runs in order to nurse myself through the miles. The other interesting challenge training for long distances is the switch from one weekly long run to two or more. This weekend, for example, I managed to run 19 miles on Saturday followed by 24 miles on Sunday, running on tired legs seems to be the key to success on any run greater than 8 hours….But then what do I know? This will be the furthest distance (by far) I have ever attempted to run, I’ve got no idea what mile 40+ is going to feel like. Thankfully there is a generous 13 hour cut off time for the run – I hope to squeak in just under that time.
So, that’s the update for now – we are going to try to breathe life back into the blog – if for no other reason than to chart our progress over the winter and get each other motivated for a possible spring marathon (event tbc)…
That’s all for now.
Marathon T
p.s. The most important statistic of the Paris Marathon was, on final countback, that I thrashed Marathon B on the “encouragement from the crowd” stakes, an embarrassing 12 shouts of my name to 9 of his. To be honest the support was a bit lacklustre!
