So here comes the short summary what happened today:
Woke up at 6:00, a bit too early. Well, I went to bed early as well... I stayed in bed till 7:00. After that, an easy breakfast, got dressed and took all needed stuff. Last minute check-list: gadgets: check; clothing: check; carb-loading: check; well-hydrated... hmm, a glass of water and check. Out of the door at 8:20. The start line is quite nearby, about 2 km from where I live.
At the start area it seemed that maybe I was a little bit too well hydrated, I had to visit the toilet. But I still have plenty of time, and I reach to my start corridor about 10 minutes before the time. All good so far.
I was trying to keep my HR below 165 after the start. It was quite depressing, as the crowds were passing me. Knowing I would pass them later on gave me some relief. The KM times were in range 5:35-5:50.
The first drinking station was at 3rd km. I eat one jelly candy and took a sport drink. That's my normal ration for the whole race, just a few exceptions. On the minus side I felt that I needed to visit the toilet again soon. I decided to wait till 10km mark.
On the 4th km the 4:00 tempo master group passed me. I was hanging at the end group, with HR around 165 bpm. I was keeping up with them till second drinking station at 6th km. The urge for toilet was grown, and I made the stop. When I was finished the 4:15 group had passed by and I started to chase them. It seemed like I was able increase the pace a little without my HR growing too much. I still tried to keep it below 165...
By the 10km mark I had passed the 4:15 group, and increased the HR to 170. The pace was grown to around 5:10-5:20 min/km. 10km split time was 0:57:43. I think I had not reached to the 4:00 group yet
On the 13.5 km there is a "Ice power" station, where ice gel is sprayed onto the legs. I did not use the service this time, but was sure I'll need it on next lap.
My Polar watch was beeping most of the time telling me I'm over 170 bpm border. So I dismissed the HR alarm on km 15 and run by feeling afterwards. I think I have passed the 4:00 group somewhere, as there were relatively less runners on the course. Pace was around 4:45-5:05. HR had increased to 175, not much room for increase left.
On the 20th there was a small bridge built over the road. It was easy, on this lap. A bit later some supporter beside the track told that 3:45 group is just a little ahead. Now I had a goal! The next km-s are run at same pace and HR as before.
21.1km split time was 1:53:17
I caught the 3:45 group somewhere after 25km mark. Decided I'll stay with it for some time at least, as I felt I had pressed a little bit too much while chasing the group. And then there was the Ice Power refreshment point, meant to be used when coming back. But they were kind enough to refresh us on the other side of track as well. It was quite welcome on my tried legs.
30km split time 2:38:51
Somewhere after 33km mark some sport gel was offered. I took one. Not sure if it had much positive effect?
Next, the Ice Power refreshment point. That felt good again. Pity there were no more such points coming.
I was still with the 3:45 group. I decided I will keep with the group, no matter what.
2 km later, at 36km, the 3:45 group is lost. I'm not sure how got in front of it, but I didn't want to wait for them. The count down for last km-s was started, I felt rather tired but was still able to go strong. And the fact that I was one of the quickest on track was giving some extra energy.
2 more km-s and it felt like I can make no next step. But, funnily, I was still faster than others...
Just before the 40km mark: The wall is there. Luckily, just a city wall. But the cobblestone road inside the old town was really bad. Much worse than in first lap. I also had a chance to pass the 3:30 pace maker. He was clearly not keeping up the speed.
After that the bridge over road... It was not that high on first lap, was it?
And then the hill on final km... I barely noticed it on first lap, but this time I felt like I would die on it... But finally it was over and I was on finish. Final time: 3:42:24 I'm quite satisfied with it :)
It was really nice race. The weather was perfect. The supporters along the course were cheering, although the track sides were not crowded. And there were some entertainment points where music was playing or cheerleaders were encouraging.
So now it is over... All that is left is a new PB and tired legs - pretty cool :) And I have to decide how to proceed with the trainings. Will I do some more marathons this year? There are few candidates.. But that's for future post. And I want to look at recorded data as well, to see what were my real average speeds/HR ranges during different race segments. The numbers I gave in this post are just rough estimates, based on what I remember from race.
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