Yes but there's a decade in between (and a baby - now nearly 5!) In first marathon I ran with a wee hand held water bottle with lucozade sport in it and had not a single thing else. I tried the stuff they supplied and it was ice cold and my stomach did not like it as it was used to warmed up stuff!
Don't think gels either existed or at least they weren't widely used.
I learned not to go to the bog with 20 mins to go as by the time you get back your pen will have moved forward and you'll be stuck with the fancy dress rhinos (oh yes).
I didn't have a garmin unsurprisingly and all my runs were measured by taking the car out or with string and a street map!
I did have utter belief that I would go sub 4 though as I followed the schedule to the letter and it did what it said on the tin.
Stuff it, the first mile will be enforced slowness and then I think I will go with 8.15 and review at 6 miles, 10 miles, 15 and 20. It's only 2 ten milers and a wee 10K after all
Might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb and I'd regret thinking I should have tried to go faster. I've never run a negative split in my life so it's unlikely to happen here. I'll get to 20 miles and then try to hang on in there. I did the aviemore half in 2006 on the back of no specific training and was aiming for 8.30 min miles and did all of them at 8.20 or quicker and came in at 1.45.
I look forward to confirming my 5.5hour finishing time next Monday!
