Chasing the sub 50 10k - for what seems like forever

Morning all ,

Didn't have a chance to post before now - too busy enjoying the weekend . Fab weekend , amazing experience pity about the race !

4 27 15. Obviously not happy but the Brandenburg gate is my favourite monument in the world!
Don't know what happened . I just gave up at 18k , the little man said why don't you get on the u bahn this is pointless. So I just start walking for a bit . It was all going well up to this point . Nice slow start before settling into a 550- 555 pace . Got through half way at 206 and then started walking . Developed a seroius water addiction - I had drank the 500ml I had at this point and then drank 2 glasses of water every stop , got another 500 more from husband at 27k but still kept stopping for more . Ran out of that water at 35k and still I kept stopping - I knew I couldn't really be thirsty but I was craving the stuff !

Any I have gotten ahead of myself after I stop started etc for a while around the half way mark a fellow runner approached me and said "you and I have been stopping a lot maybe we should run together for a while . " This gesture saved me from hopping on the u Bahn. I managed to keep it together for another 3k - unfortunately my new friend couldn't keep going . I promised myself I could stop after I met the lads at 27k.

Then I started walking a lot again , it's all a bit of a blur really , don't really know why I was walking , I guess I was tired and had given up and was so thirsty .

The crowd were amazing , great distractions , belly dancers , cheer leaders, pipe bands , samba bands etc!

The course was super if a little dull .

I continued dodling until about 35k where I had a seroius word with the stupid little man . I decided I could run 7k and stop with the messing - ran about 2k and met my buddy with serious cramping and injury so just made sure she was ok before setting off again. I ran out of water and start needing more. Stopped at one last water station , took last gel and ran the last 5k. I thought I was pegging it but I was crawling . Never looked at watch from about 18k because I simply just wanted it to end .

Delighted to see gate -and managed a sprint finish ! Once finished could barely move and slowly went looking for the guys - drinking everything I could find - water, tea, beer, energy drinks.
Didn't pee for hours later! Don't know what the water issue was - bizzare.

My excuses are below:

Wasn't that interested in target it was a bit meaningless

Hadn't slept since Wednesday due to committing the cardinal sin of running a marathon . Stupidly followed advice to drink beetroot juice everyday for five days. Yes I had never even tasted the stuff before . Severe stomach cramps and heartburn after the 3rd day that kept me awake for two nights. Idiot

Had not really processed what racing a marathon meant .

Woman hormone crap.

I am not a marathon runner

Anyways flight about to take off .

Need to catch up on the half marathon race reports . Hopefully you guys had a better story to tell .

Big well done to Tailgunner. Great to meet you if very bizarre giving the chances !

Would recommend Berlin as a race - world class .

Also one last thing . Garmin said 42.75 which I was expecting but record on same garmin said marathon with the exact time ! It's killing me to know why . Googled it but can't find anything . Anyways later!

One further update - it was my "c" goal . A pb by 7 minutes

chickey2 wrote: »

Quote "I am not a marathon runner"

Yes you are! You just ran a marathon! Not to your best ability, but you did it.
Sounds like you were dehydrated. Was it just water you were drinking or did you have any sports drinks or electrolyte drinks? They're worth trying before Dublin. Flying can also dehydrate you a bit so that wouldn't help.
Take everything you've learnt and make plans for Dublin. You've put in the hard work already, you just need a bit of recovery and a sensible plan and you can take a big chunk off that time in Dublin.

Not sure about dehydration before hand - but I'm deffo dehydrated now ! Didn't drink sports drink in training so wasn't keen in introducing them . I had taken some zero before the race and the night before and had some in my pocket but didn't use. My initial thoughts were against ever running another marathon but now I'm like - it couldn't be any worse so why not !

joesoap5 wrote: »

Definitely agree with Chicken, you didn't running to the best of your ability. I thought you were on for a 4.10.
Just make sure your head is in the right place before thinking of Dublin.

I don't think you were dehydrated, just my opinion.
Signs of dehydration would be dry mouth, dizzy spells etc.
Maybe the drinking water was a distraction for your mind?

I think you have that sub 50 10k and sub 4 marathon if u get into the right frame of mind.

I do agree with you on the hydration or lack there of . I think it was my excuse for walking . I did have a dry mouth but no dizzy spells or anything . I think not really caring about 410 had a lot to do with it . But in the end I was glad I did it and didn't quit !

Kennyg71 wrote: »

sorry to hear didn't go fully to plan, but you finished and with a PB so well done. Recover well and come back stronger, friend of mine
did Berlin Marathon also, he is about 19min for 5k but took over 4.30 hrs, his training didn't go fully to Plan with life taking over, but he
said defiantly will try again, just about having a look back at training and refining or maybe just one of those days.

Thanks - think it was one of those days. I think my body is plenty fit enough it's my mental training that needs a shake up!!! Maybe in Dublin I'll be hungrier - a redemption run !

I'm definitely going to start doing park runs over the winter - need to become used the pain of racing . Becoming to precious in my old age !

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Sorry to hear it didn't go as well as hoped but PB all the same, don't be too hard on yourself!

From following your log I think you have it in you physically to run a solid marathon from beginning to end. Is it possible you ran yourself a bit too hard in training at times trying to keep up with the faster runners in your club?

The long runs may have been a bit fast at times but they never felt that hard . The last one was tiring though - tough recovery. I'm here telling myself I need to race more to get used to discomfort! Unless I train by myself I don't really have options .

Ah myles spitz get it now! Blame Two days post marathon on the beer in Berlin!

joesoap5 wrote: »

haha, no hes a user here. Look him up, he has a log.
Send him a PM, hes a good guy.

Cheers - thanks for the advice