Sub 3h15

I like hills too, just not great for PB's.

Blimey, you lot are impatient! I was in a foreign country with no internet access other than on my phone. It cost me £1.52 to go online for 2 minutes to post my time on Facebook!

I'll write a report at some point in time, but the short version is I was struggling with the breathing as early as 10k, working way too hard at half way, hanging in there for a tiny PB but couldn't find my drink at the 32km drinks station, had to stop to find it, legs then wouldn't cooperate and Lucozade was so warm I couldn't drink it. Then had to wait another few km before the next water station. Water was in cups so hadn't drunk more than a sip at a couple of stations in the mid-section. Desperately thirsty I had to stop at every drinks station from then on to walk and drink. I could barely see straight and mile 25 was nearly 8 minutes. It was more about getting to the finish without passing out than anything else. 3.09.36 officially, and 27th lady out of 1163. After downing three cups of water I had to lie down for a good ten minutes afterwards and wait for the world to stop spinning. I did, however, manage this on my own. First lady (2.30.xx) was carted off on a stretcher. 

Speedy - Sorry you're disappointed. Sadly, you know by now that the marathon doesn't respect the effort and sacrifices put in over the previous weeks and months, and when things aren't happening, they're just not happening. I'm sure on reflection you'll be able to draw plenty of positives from this, and use the great shape your training has undoubtedly got you into to move on, stronger and wiser.

Speedy - sorry it didn't go your way.   I'm tempted to say that's still an awesome time (and in fact I just did) but I know its not what you wanted or what you're capable of.  

Same to AR but I have to say that is a very impressive time after what you went through in the lead up to it!

Caught up with Rase Jase at the start of GER yesterday - well done again RJ.  You still up there as my number one running hero!  Sorry I missed KR but a great time from you too. 

I managed to match my pb again. 1:32 odd.  I found the course a bit too flat if I'm honest but its still a great run and will probably be back next year.

Poacher - shame you're not going to be at the TM in a couple of weeks.

Mennania - good to hear things are progressing well. Steady as she goes...
FW - yes, stay away from that nasty lurgy please.
Speedy - 3:09 is pretty amazing then after what sounds like a rough day; well done. There's much more still to come, I'm sure. Sorry it wasn't to be on Sunday.
Minni - Well done on eqaulling your PB. You said that you found the course a bit too flat? Interesting comment. Do you mean you just didn't like it or your legs aren't used it to it?!!
8 mile general aerobic for me this morning with half a dozen strides. Very enjoyable, even if it was a bit wet and windy.

KR - As Moof says, sub 85 can't be very far away for you.

I had a total nightmatre this morning. I took my running stuff to work in a big bag, intending to don it and dash off for a 7-8-miler straight out of the factory gates. Unfortunately, as I discovered when I came out of class, I'd thrown the water bottle in there, too, with the top not screwed on properly...Result? Everything totally soaked, and an evening session to have to be done tonight instead. 

Speedy - it's tough when you don't quite get what you wanted. No doubt you're reflecting now on the whys & wherefores, but it seems that even at 10K you had indicators. So, the fact you then played the hand you were dealt and still came in with 3:09 shows nowt is lacking in the mental strength area (but we know that anyway). Regroup, and then will it be VLM? 

Good outings noted by Minni & KR (btw, KR, my daughter made her debut at Braunstone parkrun on Sat)

There were a few reasons/excuses I think. I suspect I wasn't totally clear of my cold from 4 weeks ago, or maybe some other lurking minor lurgy. I fell asleep on Saturday afternoon despite having slept for ages on both Thursday and Friday nights. That's not normal. Also I'd scoped out the start line and noted that there were only 14 portaloos. For 5000 marathon runners. Bearing that in mind, plus the fact that I've needed to stop for a wee in two previous marathons, I probably didn't drink enough on Saturday or Sunday morning, then of course I didn't drink enough on the course.... Also a few weeks ago I had a very clunky run and thereafter suffered issues with my right hip, adductor, abductor and hamstring insertion, and that was giving me gip too. I was seriously limping afterwards.

I'd like to do another international marathon, or maybe a half, but not going for a time. I'd like to make more of a holiday of it and just enjoy the day out. I LOVED my post race meal in the hotel restaurant. It was a plate of Germanness: Roast pork with a big potato dumpling and local style cabbage with dark beer sauce. Bloody lovely. 

I tell you something, German runners are proper nesh. I ran in shorts and vest, which, as we've previously established, is the correct racing attire for autumn. Most of the Germans wore T-shirts, lots wore long sleeve tops and one bloke who passed me at 10k (I passed him at 25k) was wearing long tights, a long sleeve top, a gilet AND a hat. A winter hat as well, not a cap. Freak. 

Speedy - Stirling effort given the obstacles that you overcome. Its not for the fainthearted this marathon stuff.

Speedy, also tempted to say that feeling dizzy and thirsty are things you can easily fix, rather than your legs packing in which is more common and difficult to address. Well done anyway.

Poacher - crazy 3 in the morning posting time. You've either not gone to bed/ can't get to sleep/just abou to go for a Gulesque early run? I thought I was due a PB too but seem to be stuck at the same kind of plateau. I'd hoped with my improved shorter speeds that it would translate to a half time. But like Speedy, there can be off days and lurgies can sometimes linger. Might have got away with a 10k but a bit longer was too much to ask.

Got an easy week this week, then off to Holland for a week, so will see where I'm at when I get back?

Speedy, it's always easier for a bloke to find a wall etc to pee at the start without having to queue for a portaloo, so know it must be a fine balance on fluid intake prior to the start for women. I did see in Paris an ingenious idea which involved a big cardboard box with the top & bottom open. The lady in question was in the middle of the said box crocuhing between 2 cars and having a wee in her own disposable portaloo!

RJ Excessively fast as always

Minni Nice one equaling in the PB, despite not liking the course

Very pacey HMs from KR and MOOF

Speedy As others have said and you know yourself, that is the frustrating (but equally great when it all comes together) aspect of the marathon. The positives are all still there and we all learn and progress.

AR Absolutely amazing performance. Whilst I understand your frustration, when you look back to will realise how stunning what you did on Sunday actually was.

I have stated previously I quite like an occasional, short, sharp shock of a hill during a marathon, as it helps focus the mind away from the pain. When I got my mara PB, my quickest mile was mile 20, the last 600m of which were uphill.

Went to a proper sports physio yesterday, as despite not running the right calf niggle won't go away. Some minor scar tissue, which he attempted to break up/remove(?). Pain was not fun at all. Also gave me a couple of aggressive calf stretches. I was planning on running today, but will have another day off to get over the assault of yesterday. Hopefully out tomorrow niggle free.

Coming along nicely Fraser!

Just paid my VLM entry fee online. I'm liking the new champs entry system, even if it did take months to go live. No faffing with posting stuff out and worrying about it going missing!