Marathon Mayhem and Personal Victory

So finally the time had come. The weather was every bit worse than the forecast. Or so it seemed to me and probably the best part of the 1500 or so fellow competitors. The wind was funnelling straight down the Pass of Llanberis, carrying a sharp steady rain, from Pen Y Pass, four miles up the valley. Gusts were strong enough to knock runners sideways and large people were useful to hide behind! The gradient isn't really that steep but steady, though today it was tough and I was conscious of starting comfortably. I was a little disappointed that it took 39 minutes to reach the top of the climb.
Minutes before the start at Nant Peris, with the climb up to Pen Y Pass in the background

A change of direction and now downhill. I found it difficult to find a good rhythm and I was worried about my left knee. I was cold and soaked to the skin. We were now running on roads still open to traffic which made for an unwelcome distraction and I was trying hard to relax. After only 7 miles my left knee pain began! At least I now had something to focus on...
Moments after finishing the 2008 Snowdonia Marathon....and taking tightly fitting cap off!

Beddgelert is at 12 miles and had good cheering crowds outside warm cosy pubs...and the start of a steady climb up towards Rhyd Ddu, where a year ago I'd stood watching this very race. My knee was not getting any worse and I'd kept myself well hydrated and fuelled. People infront of me now seemed to be slowing. At 13 miles I glanced at the time 1:56. I realised that my dream of finishing in under four hours was probably out of reach...if only the weather was kinder! Somehow or other I was now starting to eat up runners and my confidence started to rise. Somewhere at about 17 miles my race number which had been flapping annoyingly on it's two remaining safety pins, finally ripped free in a very strong gust. In a field near Betws Garmon there is a sheep now sporting number 754.
Timer and T-shirt!!

At 21 miles is the so called Welsh Wall...the climb up from the village of Waunfawr to the exposed tops leading over and down to the finish at Llanberis. Had I gone too fast in the last few miles? Something inside me said under four hours...But I was now confronted with everyone infront of me walking!! Surely this was wrong. I was not sure what to do as this was the only part of the course I knew nothing about...apart from its notoriety. So I kept up a steady slow jog. I was hurting yes..but no worse than in my training on the Orme. Then I saw the way down to the finish...steep. Great, I had the legs and the head for this. This is my kind of ground. This part of the course is on rough track, muddy and rocky. I descended like a madman...the gale force wind now pushing from behind, the rain couldn't keep up!! Fantastic...a glance at the time and I knew I was in! I sprinted over the line with the broadest smile that hid the tears as every possible emotion burst out at once. For a moment I was totally overwhelmed...this was a mammoth achievement. I finished 347th out of 1500 in 3 hours and 56 minutes...with legs to spare!!

Countdown to the crunch..

This will be my last update on my on going training, simply because the race is this Saturday at 1030!
Following my last update my mood was upbeat and confident, despite hurting myself on my 21 miler. However only a couple of days later I aggravated an old back injury, which was uncomfortable enough to almost stop me running for two weeks. With some careful stretches and lots of hot baths..and cold beer, I nursed my self fit enough to get on my feet again.

Evenings are dark and leaves are falling..my two month old shoes smell like a cat's peed in them...and have they lost their spring?

So last week I decided to get one last long run on the Orme under my belt to hopefully boost my confidence back up. I wanted to make sure I still could make some sort of distance, but was very aware that any injury now could impact the big day itself. I completed three circuits, sixteen miles. I ran defensively...what almost felt slowly, but trying to remain as relaxed as I could. I only dropped a minute each time round but felt so much happier in myself. I also managed to stave off the stiffness I'm prone to, in my neck and shoulders by periodicly letting my arms flop by my side as I ran. There is always a down side though. At thirteen miles my left knee began to complain....not good news. At the end I was okay and my knee was fine later, but I know it would have got progressively worse.

I've done my shopping and will use all this lot to some extent on the day...not forgetting plasters, of course..

My race number is 754. Jos has promised to drive me there on Saturday morning and help pick up what's left of me at the end. I'm looking ahead at the weather forecast and hoping for a nice day. Though it looks like it's going to be windy...just hope it's not raining too! This is after all reputadly the toughest marathon on the calendar...I'm starting to understand why! I know I've got the stamina and strength to finish...I don't know if my knee will hold up, I'm hoping for the best!