Edinburgh Marathon Photos

Here are some photos from the marathon

Start

About 2 miles in.

Some where in Edinburgh.

No idea where I am in this one or the next few.

The finish!

I did run it, honestly, but if you put my start and finish pictures together you would think I was lying!

Edinburgh Marathon

Just a quick update here, full report later.

I finished it in... 4.33 (Unofficial).

My goals were:

1. Not to get injured. I don't think I did. It might be a bit early to tell as everything hurts at the mo.
2. To keep fueled and hydrated. I had a SIS or Honey Stinger gel every 30 minutes, including at the start, for 3.5 hours. (I couldn't stomach one at 4 hours, I had already taken 8 by this point. I figured that would see me through). Hydration was slightly more tricky. I took on water at every station but the water station at 18 miles had run out! Other than the psychological downer, I was fine. I had already taken on enough to see me through.
3. To get PB's at 5k, 10k, 10 miles, half and full. I got a PB at the 10k (54 minutes, PB by 10 min), PB at 10 miles (1.30, PB by 1 minute), PB at half (1.59, PB by 3-4 min) and of course the PB in the Full (this was my first Marathon!). PB in 5k whilst doing a marathon? Who was I kidding. It would have been daft even to try.

I am really, really happy with my achievements for the day. Thank you Jen for now cooking roast lamb Sunday Dinner!

Edinburgh Marathon

The Plan

Edinburgh Marathon isn't a top priority race, the Antwerp is. I'm doing the Marathon for the experience. My plans reflect this.

1. Don't get injured. What ever happens, I can not allow myself to get carried away and then get injured. I am only 8 weeks away from Antwerp!
2. Keep fueled and hydrated, see weather below.
3. Get a PB's for 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon. This should be achievable as my training runs have all been quicker than my last races at those distances. A PB for the Marathon is a given, provided I finish, because this is my first one!

The weather

Scotland in widely know for changeable weather, however, we have a high pressure slap bang on top of us that has raised the temperature by a least 5C in the last few days! The forecast is for tomorrow is to be 18C (64F), clear Sky's with a gentle SE breeze. I don't believe I have ever run in temperatures like this before.

As a result, on top of running my first marathon, I have the following challenges:

1. Don't burn to a crisp. I planning on running in t-shirt rather than a vest. The vest would be cooler but I think I burn my shoulders badly if I don't cover them up.
2. Keep hydrated. To balance drinking lots but not so much that I need the loo, liquid sloshes around in my tummy and then gives me a stitch.
3. Balance the electrolytes. I'm not ashamed to say I'm a sweaty Betty. If I don't watch my salt intake, I'm going to cramp up, loose energy and probably get very ill.

If I fail at any of the above I'm going to fail all the points on my plan. Apart from the marathon PB that is, I am definitely going to finish!

The Preparation

I have:

1. Factor 40 kids, waterproof, one application, sun cream. I also have a little sachet to carry if I think I need it at the last minute.
2. Honey Stinger 'gels' for energy.
3. SIS gels (blackcurrant flavoured snot) for electrolyte and energy.
4. I'm heading out to try and buy some Cliff Shot Blocks (hopefully)

Now all I need to do is find away to carry it all! I have my race belt that has slots for gels and I have run with gels in my shoe laces before but I also want to try to find a small 'pouch' to carry the Cliff Shot Blocks.

And...

I'm feeling pretty relaxed. I'm quite surprised by my lack of nerves. Hopefully it is just a sign that I have done the training and the preparation that I need to see me through.

I'll let you know how it goes!