European Championships Marathon

There are so many ways I could write about this race: running a marathon at 30 degrees; coping with a frustrating build-up desperate to produce a run worthy of a Great Britain a vest; running a marathon where it's a race and not a big city procession. In so many ways this race was an entirely new challenge for me and I think it all combined to so many unknowns that I just went in with the mindset of just 'well, let's see what happens!'. I was pleased that my form had picked up recently and so at least felt that I could have a decent run. Like I'd said previously, I didn't feel in the same shape as I was before London but at least was feeling good again. I also gained confidence from training in warmer climes at Font Romeu and getting some solid sessions done with Lee and Martin.

Even though it seemed weird sitting at home until Friday, with the Championships having started on Tuesday, I actually think it was no bad thing, as being around all those athletes all the time, just waiting until it was my turn, would have built the nerves considerably and I actually felt very relaxed until about Saturday evening, when I started to worry if I could achieve something I would be happy with. I had no pre-race targets in mind, neither time nor position, and just wanted to focus on running strongly and giving 100%.

The heat was bound to play a part in how the race unfolded and this was a new experience to me but the pre-race plan was simply to run comfortably and see how I feel. Nick had told me that 2.20 pace for the first half would be good enough which made me a touch nervous but I had to put faith in having a strong second half while others faded around me. I woke up at 6.15, with the loudest ever alarm clock of Andi Jones, and had my usual breakfast of bananas, toast and a bit of cereal. I also used the high sodium drink I had practised in Font Romeu, mixed with some energy drink. At about 8.30am, we got the bus to the holding area, where we sat and just waited for the start. I hate this bit - it's just dead time filled with sipping drink, going to the toilet, and looking at your watch. I tried to lighten the mood by asking Martin if he he needed a hand with his Vaseline, but that backfired when he said yes and I had to say he wasn't my type.

We were led out to the race 5 minutes beforehand, to a lot of cheers and shouts, which was nerve tingling. As it was so hot, I hadn't warmed up at all, and has just been sat in my ice jacket for half an hour, and so I jogged and did some strides for a few minutes once we gout outside. The race consisted of 2 very tight 1k loops followed by 4 x 10k laps around the city. It was flat, but the temperature was high even at 10am, and felt warm, but not unbearable.

For the first 2k I just sat near the back of the pack and got into my rhythm. I had elected to go with a cap as I hoped it might hold the water more from the sponges. I hadn't tried this before but I certainly felt that my head never felt particularly hot and think it was the right choice. There were personal drinks stations every 5k (with water bottles too), with sponge and water stations in between them so plenty of opportunities to keep cool and take on regular fluids. We started quite conservatively with most of the British guys around me. After about 4 or 5 miles, Dave and Lee edged ahead with the lead group, while myself, Martin, Dan and Andi were running a few seconds behind in a group of our own with a few others. I was glad to be out of the lead pack as the drinks stations were carnage early on, with Lee missing his drinks and so taking mine (I got some of it though!) and Dan tripping and falling as he reached for his.

The situation stayed the same up until about 10 miles when Andi started to slip back. I still felt comfortable enough, but it didn't feel as amazingly easy as London did, where I felt like I was holding back all of the time. We reached halfway in 70.07 just inside the top 40 and almost immediately the pack broke up a bit as Dan started to push on. Andi had dropped out by now and me and Martin were together. I felt a touch tired for the first time and I think Martin got 10 yards at one point. I then realised I was feeling worse in the areas without shade, because as soon as we turned the corner back into the shade, I started to feel good again. I caught Martin up and moved past him at about 16 miles but within a mile almost out of nowhere, I started to feel the need to sloe if I was to stay relaxed. I saw my mile was 5.43 at mile 17, and didn't panic, but remember thinking 'right, this is happening. Don't fight, just stay relaxed, whatever pace that is'. I was certain Martin was going to pass me again but he was having the same battles as me and so stayed a few yards behind. 

The pace hovered around 5.45-6 minute miling from mile 17 onwards. I was still passing people, which I couldn't believe and the only person to pass me was a Swedish guy who flew past me (or so it seemed!) at 32k. Also, many people were dropping out and so my position was improving despite me slowing considerably! This gave me some spirit, as I knew I just had to keep at it and get to the finish. I didn't want to give up my place easily, and I definitely was not going to drop out wearing a GB vest unless I absolutely had to. 

The last 10 miles were tough. My calfs were tight, but didn't cramp up. I felt like I was moving so slowly. The heat was uncomfortable, but at least not unbearable and the regular water stations helped keep me cool and gave me something to focus on. I knew I was hovering around the top 25 from all the British shouts I was getting so I just had to finish. I normally feel like this at 24 miles in a marathon, but today it happened at mile 17. Nevertheless, I got to the finish, in 2.27.08, and could barely move once I was over the line. My legs were well and truly spent and I just wanted to lie down, much to the concern of the medics! I was 4th Brit, so didn't score for the team, which finished 5th. 

I think all the guys did themselves justice. Lee had a fantastic run, as did Dave. Andi could do nothing about his situation, and apparently he looked a wreck when he dropped out and made Gary Lough feel ill just to look at! Martin had a very similar race to me. Dan has had a sketchy build-up but still had a very solid run.

I'm satisfied with 24th. I think my time should have been faster - I'd have been much happier with a sub 2.25 at least but with the build-up I'd had combined with the tough conditions, I feel I gave a good account of myself. I know that some of the very wise men on Eightlane think that 2.27 is crap and the Brits should have gone with the pace, but it would have been suicide. You have to do the best race you can, and we all moved through the field and did exactly that. 2.27 isn't amazing, and had my build-up been similar to London, I'm sure I would have performed better. However, I'm not a 2.10 runner and feel that I applied myself pretty well. The heat affected things massively and I actually probably finished higher up because of it as I took a more sensible approach and didn't fall apart (as much as others!). It could have gone better, but it also could have been a hell of a lot worse and even looking at the guys who finished who were behind me, many have run faster than me this season. 

Sorry, I've rambled. But it's my blog and I've just represented Great Britain at a major championships so you'll have to forgive me!

Splits: 5.30, 5.18, 5.14, 5.05, 5.12, 5.13, 5.17, 5.19, 5.30, 5.21, 5.19, 5.20, 5.21, 5.21, 5.35, 5.35, 5.16, 5.43, 5.52, 5.48, 6.05, 6.05, 5.58, 6.03, 5.59, 6.03.