My First Marathon…wow 7 months of work, three 20 mile runs, over 1000 miles and it all comes down to one day.  We arrived on site 2 hours early, to get the lay of the land and find the starting line before the crowd showed up, normally this pays off….but today it cost me big time.  While trying to find British pounds for the parking meter, I got a ticket.  60 pounds…120 dollars!  Things have to get better…. 

   Shakespeare is a small town marathon with about 3000 runners held in the birth place of William Shakespeare a town called Stratford-upon-Advon.  This being my first marathon I had read and talked a lot about proper planning and avoiding “The Wall.”  My plan, go out slow and run hard beginning at 20 miles. 

   The first five miles were pretty much as expected, fairly flat and easy running.  My only concern was my pace, just could not figure out how to run slower…every time I looked at my GPS I was ahead of schedule.  Another issue worrying me was my leg turn over and foot strike was off….every time my feet hit the road it sounded like Donald Duck flapping around some pool.  Flap, flap , flap…I hate this sound.  When I’m in a running groove my foot strike is effortless and quiet.  The first 5 miles…I was a big wet duck, the only thing missing was the life ring around my waist! 

Mile1 09:13

Mile 2 9:28

Mile 3 9:39

Mile 4 9:30

Mile 5 9:47 

Mile 6 9:35:   I settled into a good pace when I passed two horses standing in a local farmer’s field.  Now I’m not a horse person and if you’ve read my other reports (bury 20) you know my luck with horse is …well…“limited.”  But this time with a fence separating us, my fear of dying was put on hold and I was able to enjoy just how beautiful these horses were.  Although all was good I had this feeling they were plotting evil.  I noticed these horsing were talking….no kidding in horse talk I heard the one horse tell the other “lets see how he likes this” these two critters took off running, passing me as I ran down the road…they made this look so effortlessly.  Animals made to run…and run free, if it wasn’t for the fact they were mocking me….this would have been beautiful. 

Mile 7 9:41:  We hit our first hill…..I was told this course was flat…oh my GOD!  This climb lasted from 7 to 7.28 miles and I took it in stride.  Another little climb at 7.8 to 8.  Again my legs had no issues with this, but knew I would see it again on the flip side of this two lap course; what would happen then?

Mile 8 9:49: Our third hill and a good climb at that, although I was feeling good, I knew inside this would be one big challenge when we hit it again at 18+ miles.  It was also at about this point that we began to run on the “off road” portion of the route.  From 8 to 12 miles we were making our way down this "green belt" portion of the course and all though it was nice to get off the roads this long straight trail sure made for one of the more boring parts of the run.  Crowds were near nill and it was at this point that I noticed the 18 and 19 mile signs for the second lap…tough to see when your working on mile 9. 

Mile 9 9:33

Mile 10 9:40

Mile 11 9:42

Mile 12 9:49 

Mile 13 9:22/2:04:53  Half way point and all is good, but the real race begins at 20.  It did bother me that a lot of runners were passing me…but knew that if I kept to my plan, I would see these guys again.  Stay the course…I wondered how JD had done during his first marathon.  Funny how RW Formites become good running pals….rock on! 

Mile 14 9:33

Mile 15 9:43

Mile 16 9:31

Mile 17 9:38

Mile 18 9:49

Mile 19 10:02 

Mile 20 9:49:  A 20 mile run followed by a 6 mile race, and oh that wall.  These were the thoughts going through my mind.  I’ve got to say hitting the 20 mile mark I did feel strong, my breathing was good, leg turn over was good and I began to pass runners who were walking.  Walking at 20 miles…how could you be walking?  I was really thankful I had had three 20 mile runs under my belt prior to this event.  I began to feel strong…as others were dropping off.  Then I had a draw of bad luck…I had two hitch hikers jump on board and go for the ride….two rocks got into my left shoe.  This was not fun…but if I stopped I would have never got started again.  Push on.......rocks in shoe and all….. 

Mile 21 9:31 

Mile 22 9:45: The rocks in my shoe were really becoming a problem,  I was compensating to keep my feet from pressing the rocks into the heel of my foot with every step and this caused extra problems.  I knew this was going to be bad news….my left arch was really beginning to hurt.  Luckily at some point the hitch hikers worked their way to the front of my shoe…and out of contact with my foot…disaster diverted. 

Mile 23 9:55 

Mile 24 9:45:  If I did hit a wall…it would have been at mile 24 when I was tired, sore and just ready to have this little race be over.  I was never temped to walk, but I was sure ready to see the finish line.  Still running on that long trail section I was also tired of running in a straight line, all alone, and without the crowds.  It was here, I really felt envious of the big runs (London, Boston etc) but with 2.2 miles to go…knew I could keep going. 

Mile 25 9:52:   25 miles….1.2 to go I can make it…  Time to turn it up, and go!  Just the idea that in less then 10 minutes this party would be over gave me that extra bounce in my step.  But this was one of the hardest portions of the race mentally.  On one of the finishing sections runners would double back on the route as they approached the finish.  The long run to this turn around point was hard to handle…you knew you were close to the end but had yet to make the turn for home.  With every runner that pasted me in the opposite direction I just wanted to press on faster and closer to the end.  Running on a narrow foot path, catching up with and passing runners on the verge of walking, made for a unique obstacle course near the end of 26.2 miles, but I was so happy I could run. 

Mile 26 9:27:  The last 400 yards were run along the river and the crowds picked up…this was so much help. With every clap from the crowds I felt stronger, pushing me closer to the finish.  One last right hand turn and 200 yards to the tape, I could see the end…my goal in site…1000’s of mile of prep all for this last 200 yard stretch.  26 miles of pain, heat, horses, and rocks all would end in 200 yards. 

Mile 26.2  2:39/4:13:59  I’m Done!  At the end of this long road, I had reached all four of my goals. #1 I finished, #2 A sub 4:30, #3 A sub 4:15, and I did not get hurt.  It was so nice to be done and hear my wife call me “Her Marathon Man.”