My Forum

Someone has to be negative so it may as well be me

There were not enough toilets at the start - I stood in line for over 20 minutes and gave up in the end as I thought I would miss the start of the race and that came back to haunt me at the 30Km mark where I had to spend quite some time in one of the chemical toilets - I never really recovered and struggled to the finish.

I thought the course was quite dangerous - I saw 4 people crash to the ground tripped by other runners because it was just too crowded ( unless it was just everyone was running the same pace as me) - Trying to get water at the water stations was particularly dangerous because it was so congested and there were numerous bottle necks on the course even near the end. I also had two near misses with pedestrians trying to run across the road.

I think a number of factors affected my performance on the day, firstly I think I had pushed myself too hard two weeks before doing a 1:45 half marathon, secondly was the  toilet issue above, third was the lack of sleep (early flight Saturday up early Sunday).

I followed the 3:45 pacers and even though the pace was well inside what I was capable of I never felt comfortable. I started to fall a little behind at 30Km and knew I could not keep up the pace but then the emergency toilet stop kicked in - I then had to walk a number of times to reach the end - I matched my Dublin time even with the problems I had but I dropped 14 minutes in the last 12k.

Lessons to be learned - Don't race too close to the main event - Make sure you get that final toilet visit before the start- Get some sleep. This is the worst I have felt after any marathon in terms of pain and stiffness - I also looked like I had been shot by a sniper  as both nipples got destroyed with a combination of sweat, rain and rubbing of the shirt.

Back to the drawing board

Flight at 06:45 - see you all in the George Payne on Sunday - though I may be in there Saturday to see England clinch the Grand Slam with a Lucozade in my hand

Good luck everyone

I use a wrist band with a zip pocket - ideal for the emergency €20 and the metro ticket

If you get the Airport bus it has two main stops - Plaça d’Espanya and Plaça d’Catalunia - The first stop is where the Expo centre is - As soon as you get off the bus you will see the fountains and the pedestrian area to Montjuic - This is also the start and finish area. I have just cancelled my original reservation and got a new three person apartment for two nights for €140 but it is a 25 minute metro ride to the start but at least it is direct but the wife is happy because we are near the beach

Barceloneta Delight Apartments 4 Stars

I received my Bib No today by e-mail