Five marathons I've run in Wales this year, and it's pissed down in all of them. The forecast for this one wasn't looking good all week, and on the drive there with Les the heavens opened. We got to the race start pretty early, and just lurked about up inside for a bit waiting until it was time for the walk up to the start.
I'd planned to take it pretty easy. It was the first of four in eight days and realistically the only one where I could do anything stupid enough to jeopardise reaching number 100 the following Saturday. I started fairly near the back, and just sort of bumbled my way to the first climb. Halfway up I started passing a few people, and really had to try not to push it too hard on the descent. Fortunately I bumped into Simon and Steve J so we had a natter through the middle section, before I pushed on a wee bit. It was all pleasantly uneventful until just before the last climb when I caught up Beth. I knew at the pace I was going she should be miles ahead of me, but we had a chat and she was struggling with her knee after running the Hardmoors 60. I said I'd run to keep her company as I was in no rush, and we just plodded out the last up and down. The sun was out by that point, although I still nearly wiped out a few times on the last descent.
All in all it was a weird day. I think it's the only one of the run in for my 100 where I've just felt like I was going through the motions – although I think it was more the knowledge of having three more in the next seven days rather than the 100 specifically.
I'd planned to take it pretty easy. It was the first of four in eight days and realistically the only one where I could do anything stupid enough to jeopardise reaching number 100 the following Saturday. I started fairly near the back, and just sort of bumbled my way to the first climb. Halfway up I started passing a few people, and really had to try not to push it too hard on the descent. Fortunately I bumped into Simon and Steve J so we had a natter through the middle section, before I pushed on a wee bit. It was all pleasantly uneventful until just before the last climb when I caught up Beth. I knew at the pace I was going she should be miles ahead of me, but we had a chat and she was struggling with her knee after running the Hardmoors 60. I said I'd run to keep her company as I was in no rush, and we just plodded out the last up and down. The sun was out by that point, although I still nearly wiped out a few times on the last descent.
All in all it was a weird day. I think it's the only one of the run in for my 100 where I've just felt like I was going through the motions – although I think it was more the knowledge of having three more in the next seven days rather than the 100 specifically.
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