Did anyone else NOT enjoy yesterday? - Spring Marathon

Dp Dp

23/04/2007 at 14:06

The heat i could deal with, but the frustration of not getting the time I wanted has left me feling very low. Instead of enjoying the atmosphere and just celebrating the event, I found myself obsesing over my time (I wanted 4hrs but took 4:40).

2 hours and still only on 12 miles I just got completely dispondent and vitually gave in.

Generally in life I'm pretty optimistic, but on this ocassion I finished feeling completely empty.

Oscar Wilde

23/04/2007 at 14:14

you did finish though, right?!

eL Bee!

23/04/2007 at 14:18

Lucky Beggar for being able to run!
Still..... got to spectate for the first time

David Marriott

23/04/2007 at 14:19

If it helps, Dp Dp, I felt pretty similar. I had high hopes of finsihing around the 4 hour mark, but that went completely out of the window fairly early on. In the end I crossed the line at 4h 50.

The feelings post race were mixed; pleased to have finished my first marathon, glad the pain had stopped, but intensely frustrated at my time. I accept the conditions were not exactly favourable, but I was still hoping for a bit more. Next year, I guess..

Michelle Singer

23/04/2007 at 14:20

I really, really HATED it!! I feared I might be the only one. I've only run in two races before and this was my first marathon. I looked forward to all the 'wonderful atmosphere' everyone talks about and the 'amazing sights' but, seriously, I was so hot and it was such hard work I couldn't enjoy any of it!! I was aiming for sub-4 and ended up walking a bit. Came in at 4:20. Still fairly pleased with the time but only because it seems people were really suffering...

Ultra Kazzaaaaah!!

23/04/2007 at 14:21

Felt very much like you Dp Dp but a night's sleep and today's sad news has rather put things back into perspective. I'm still as frustrated as all hell at myself for wussing out but such is life.

fat buddha

23/04/2007 at 14:21

Dp - if this was your 1st marathon, then I can understand the despondency as it's not unusual - I missed my 1st sub-4 by 7 mins and was gutted for weeks

but look on it as a learning experience - quite often PB's come when the person is not so focused and just goes and runs....

take on board what you have learned and come back (maybe a different marathon with less crowds) and have another crack - some people take many goes before they crack their target or resign themselves ot the fact it may never happen...

I cracked the sub-4 on my 2nd - only by 8 secs but what the hell!!

Oscar Wilde

23/04/2007 at 14:24

I agree with FB - for a 1st marathon - in that heat - you did pretty good times and I'd have been proud of them...

Dp Dp

23/04/2007 at 14:25

yes I finished, and yes i know how lucky I am - family and friends were very supportive throughout the training and over the weekend; I got in on the ballot; ran and finished in good health, etc.

Prawnie

23/04/2007 at 14:32

At least you finished and were able to take on water.

Even though us slower runners were left without water I still enjoyed the experience and must give thanks to the great supporting crowds for giving up their water/sweets etc and the St John's ambulance service for doing a great job.

In the light of what has happened today I was just glad to finish in one piece.

Bullit

23/04/2007 at 14:34

Too hot, and not enough training. Blisters by mile 6 ish.

I enjoyed the first 2-3 miles, but then I tried concentrating on the spectators and the sights, can't say I enjoyed it until the finish line.

As has been said before at least I finished and am still here to think of my revenge (give me a couple of years and I'll be back).

Shirl the Girl

23/04/2007 at 14:38

I ran 55 mins slower than "target time" and was really dissapointed. Out of a group of 20 or so most of the other runners were 45 mins to an hour later than they were hoping for - and two runners had to drop out so didn't finish.

They always say no PB's at London - and with heat, crowds (and people starting in wrong pens) think they are right.

Definately last London for me but would like to get a PB and will investigate Berlin, Dublin or Amsterdam.

Stuart Charles

23/04/2007 at 14:42

Didnt enjoy in the heat at all, was very frustrated by people walking before 3 mile who had stickers with pen 5 & 6 on when i was in pen 8.
In some ways the fact it was hot & crowded and that this meant no way was I going to get my target time - sub 4.30 - took the pressure off and I stopped and chatted with my supporters rather than running past.
I didnt enjoy all of it, hated parts of it, loved the start and savoured the finish.

next year.... maybe

Baaadger

23/04/2007 at 14:44

I did enjoy it as my first marathon experience but came in about 40 mins slower than I expected. So, I'm a bit disappointed in that respect but now, having read the other posts, I realise that London isn't the one for a fast run.... not to mention the heat. London is basically a 26 mile carnival which was great on the day as I don't think I could've made it without all that support from the crowds. To be honest, I'm really just happy to have completed the course and not made myself another St Johns statistic especially in light of the recent tragedy.

Wabo

23/04/2007 at 14:46

I did feel that way dp dp (great name!!), wanted sub 4 got 4.18 which equals my prev pb. However, I finished, I didn't do my self any bad damage, and i was 241st out of 1087 women my age group. There are always some positives but maybe we need a couple more days to get them.

Penny Lawrence

23/04/2007 at 14:53

I agree with all of the above! My first marathon, I expected to do sub 4.30 but managed 4.51 - a little diappointed but I think just to finish and still be here to tell the tale is a great achievement and we should all be proud of ourselves! I didn't really enjy any of it to be perfectly honest and have vowed never again - but the memory of the pain and heat is already fading fast!

S3oB

23/04/2007 at 14:58

From somebody who was at the sharp end (finished 147th overall) believe me yesterday was really tough. I ran a much better race than last year but the clock shows 26 secs slower. In conditions like that it's not all about time. I moved up from 257th (out of those that finished) at halfway - there were some good runners out there yesterday suffering badly. One guy I know is a 1:11-1:12 halfmarathon runner (from memory) - he split 1:15/1:30. Ok, so maybe a lot of you would dream about that time - but for him that was 20% slower on the second half. Another ex-clubmate who's run 2:42 several times didn't finish.

I suggest you look at your position this year, and compare it with where that time would have placed you last year. Hopefully that'll show you had a better run than you thought, even if the time on the watch says otherwise.

Treacle Tart

23/04/2007 at 15:17

There were bits I hated, bits I loved.
Loved the support, the cameraderie, the sights (even though I see them more or less everyday).
Hated the heat, the busyness (having to run round people constantly really takes it out of you), and also myself for wimping out and walking when I probably could have kept running.

Did about 30-40 mins slower than I'd aimed to, and really suffered with nausea and dizziness from the heat all the way round - was so worried about conking out completely I just backed off.

But hey, I finished, am in one piece, and am being treated like a celebrity at work:-)

Bambina Ferrari

23/04/2007 at 15:29

I remember thinking (several times) 'this is one of the worst days of my life' and wondered if it was just me as everyone told me it would be one of the best days of my life! Who are they trying to kid??? I found the heat unbearable and to be honest until you start to see the sights of London, you could be anywhere... by the time I felt like it was London I was struggling so much I didn't care/notice... I must admit that seeing Buckingham Palace and the last 200m was SWEET ;0) All that for an enjoyable 200m of which the last 100m I managed to find something in my legs to sprint and make it under 4:50 at 4:49:30, phew...

Bambina Ferrari

23/04/2007 at 15:32

TT: I suffered nausea and dizziness and think it was a mixture of the heat and being pre-menstrual didn't help as my body temp was already 2-3 degrees higher. I also found dodging people who were walking more work and drustrating... Had to slow down otherwise risked ending up a guest of St. John Ambulance with rectal thermometer in situ.... You should be treated like a celeb after what you achieved yesterday...long may it last!