The last part of 2017 has been a fun one with four races all
of which I have enjoyed.
Berlin Marathon –
23rd September 2017
So after all the training I was ready for my second marathon
of the year and hopefully a sub three hour performance.
I got to the expo to pick up my number. I noticed signs pointing to desks for those people that had booked to simply have a poncho at the end and not be able to use the bag drop facilities. Who would do that I thought? I picked up my number where they also informed me that "Mr Long, you booked the poncho option." Of course I did! I was due to give my best Ugly Betty impression at the end of the race then. It actually turned out to be a good option and I have kept said poncho to have at the start of subsequent cold races.
But let’s cut to the chase about reaching my three hour goal. I didn’t get the time I had wanted.
The race went pretty much according to plan and at half way I
was on for the sub three hour result.
10k left to go and the humidity and rain
had started to take its toll a little and I was feeling a little tired.
However; a wave from a client of mine perked me up. 5km left to go and my legs were starting to feel super
heavy. I was slowing down my pace a lot. By 2km left to go I don’t know what
happened; the wheels just came off. It was so hard to keep moving I just couldn’t
push the pace anymore. My watch showed I had slowed to a 9m mile pace which I hadn’t
expected at all. As I got within view of the Brandenburg Gate I saw Steven
which was a welcome relief but I knew I must have looked bad as he had a
slightly worried look on his face and shouted keep going.
I did; and crossed the line.
3h 13m 8s. This placed me 3,094 out of around 40,000 I believe
and I was 686th for my age group.
So it wasn’t the sub three I had hoped for but a result I am
happy with. The race was good apart from the last 2km and it puts me within reaching
distance of doing all six major marathons. I now have three under my belt.
It Is unrealistic to run marathons and not expect some to be
more difficult than others and for those that questioned whether I was gutted
with the result, the answer is no actually. Not many can say they have run a marathon in 3h
13m. Just because I was 13 minutes off my goal doesn’t mean I cannot be pleased
with the result. Ultimately I love running and having done that in Berlin made me happy.
So Berlin, I loved the race and one day will be back.
Liverpool Mersey
Tunnel 10km – 1st October 2017
I loved this race. As a child I used to come back to the UK
with my Mum, Dad and sister to visit all our extended family in Liverpool. One
of the best days used to be when all of us (including all my cousins, aunts,
uncles and grandparents) would go to Chester Zoo. We would all drive there and
for some unknown reason all us kids found it incredibly exciting to drive under
the river Mersey through the Mersey Tunnel. Amazing the things that excite you when
you’re a child.
Seeing the Mersey Tunnel 10km I grabbed the opportunity to partake in a run featuring a healthy dollop of nostalgia.
I heard the race was a tough one as the gradient coming out
of the tunnel was high and went on for some time.
One of my cousins signed up with me and we were good to go.
We set off and straight away were in the tunnel. It was fun and I thought about
the good times back in the 80s when we were driving through it. The climb out
of the tunnel was indeed a bit of a bastard, I am not going to lie. Even when
you saw the light at the end of the tunnel it took quite a while to arrive and
even once you were out it was still a bit of a climb until it levelled out.
Reaching the flat I was pretty tired but the view back across the Mersey to
Liverpool was great. It also used to be another of our family rituals to take the
ferry across the Mersey and walk to New Brighton so I again was reliving my
youth and thinking about those lovely times.
After a few kilometres I recovered and was very much
enjoying the run along the waterfront. We soon arrived at New Brighton and the
run was done.
So one week post Berlin marathon I managed to finish in 39m
31s placing me 16th. A result I was very happy with. I looked both
sweaty and wet having poured lots of water on myself post tunnel.
My cousin smashed his PB which was great and had also used a
lot of water. We met at the finish line and he said in his very strong Liverpudlian
accent:
“I look like I have swum the Mersey let alone run under it.”
I did actually LOL.
Love him.
Rock n Roll Lisbon half marathon – 15th October
2017
Another week, another race.
Back in the summer of 2016 I went to a training camp in
Kenya. It was amazing and I met some fantastic people. Whilst we were there the
Euro football championships were on. We were all from different parts of the
world and had discussed meeting up to run together in the future. I suggested
we run a race in the country that was victorious of the football. They all
agreed.
A few weeks later we learned that Portugal would be our
destination. Thanks Ronaldo.
Only two of the group could make the race so we would be a
trio running the Rock n Roll half in Lisbon.
Love Rock n Roll races and this one was no different (once I
finished!)
The race started half way across an impressive bridge that
spans the water by the city. It was a fantastic starting point but being 10:30am
it was already quite unexpectedly warm. After 5km I was pretty sweaty but still enjoying the
run along the waterfront. By 10k I was wondering why the water stops weren’t
closer together as 5km between them was too much. By 15km I was so desperate
for water I was drinking a bottle and pouring one over my head at every water stop. 2km later I was
in need of more water but I knew it was 3km to the next water station.
The city is stunning and I enjoyed the views but the 1 mile
long hill that we were required to ascend just 2km before the end somewhat
altered my mood. On the way up I hated Portugal, I hated running. I hated Rock
n Roll and I intended to tell all of this to my VP at work who hails from
Porto. I was moody (on the inside).
How quick we forget pain though eh? As soon as I crossed the
finish line and they gave me a calippo all was forgiven!
I finished in 1h 28m 29s placing me 222nd which I was
pleased with. Add in the 33 degrees centigrade temperature and I think we can
agree it was a pretty solid effort.
It was fun to run with Dino and Jayne again and I hope we
meet up again soon. In fact I know we will as we are all doing the Manchester
marathon in April 2018!
Lisbon, you’re a real beauty.
The Reggae Half
Marathon – Jamaica (2nd December 2017)
As part of my attempt to run in many Caribbean countries the
next on the list was Jamaica. It is easy to break this trip down:
-
Jamaica is stunning and a real treat to spend a
week on
-
Our all inclusive hotel meant that staying off
the booze ahead of the race was not possible
-
I love rum
-
Especially coconut rum
-
Jumping off the cliffs at Rick’s bar was superb
despite giving me a bruised bum
-
It was super hot (but Lisbon had got me ready
for running in the heat)
-
I was just aiming to enjoy the race
-
The atmosphere at the start was great despite
the 5:15am start time
-
The course was flat
-
The supporters were noisy (in a good way)
-
The boom boxes on the cars lining the way reminded
me of the Notting Hill Carnival
-
Bob Marley was played a lot (not just at the
race)
-
The water stops were appreciated at every mile
-
The water came in bags like it did in Havana. I
was now well practiced at using them
-
When the 10km runners split off from us I was
not envious at all, I was loving the race
-
The last 1 mile I ran with a guy from Sweden
-
I only knew he was from Sweden as his top said
so
-
We didn’t speak but just kept each other on pace
-
I planned to speak at the end only to find he
carried on for the full marathon
-
Oh well, well done Per (I know your name from
stalking you on the results page!)
-
I crossed the line in 6th place overall
and 3rd in my age category of 35-39 year olds
-
My time was 1h 27m 48s
-
I got a fresh coconut and can of Red Stripe for
finishing (as well as a medal)
-
I got in the sea to cool off and to change my shorts
-
Essentially I was skinny dipping for a few
seconds
-
I loved this race and this country
-
Please make sure you do it one day
-
Jamaica, please have me back one day to race
again too!
