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London Marathon Race Report by Ray O'Connor

Recovery after the Marathon Des Sables was great and I got straight back running just a day after returning. It was funny running without the backpack. I really felt like I was floating along and decided straight away that I should try for a good time in London just two and a half weeks later. I continued training for the week and then got a bit tired so I left it be. Someone suggested I was in a taper period as the MDS was a long training week but I wasn't so sure.

London 2009 was going to be my 9th London in a row, a nice little streak to be on. I was already looking forward to my 10th and didn't pay too much attention to planning this one. In truth my plan was to run anywhere between 3:15 and 3:50. Vague to say the least. But a plan landed on my lap after I took a shortcut to the start and found myself in the championship start ahead of pen 1. Convincing myself I looked the part, I hid in the middle and found myself just 5 yards from the line. Happy Days!

Race Pace Graph

Race Pace Graph

Took off and hit mile one in 7:10 feeling fine. The strategy was clear to keep it going as long as I could. Settling into a consistent 7:25 pace seemed very easy so I started planning my PB celebrations. Who would I text first, what quip would I write, maybe I could go on and go one better in Belfast next week, this was just great. I pondered this for quite a while and checked my pace again... at mile 5, yes the celebrations could kick off, I only had 21 to go and I was just fine.

Each mile passed and I spent the following couple of minutes working out exactly what second should be on the clock at the next mark, and every time I was spot on, 7:25's more or less right up to halfway. I was buzzing. 1:37 half split.

As far as I could make out I kept the pace going all through 15, 16, 17, and I think it was around the 18 mile mark that the clock was completely wrong. I had noticed a few early on that were either not working or hadn't been set properly but something went badly wrong with the clocks in the Isle of Dogs... I think. I carried on regardless and tried to focus on my running rather than being a mathematician. I couldn't focus on my running, I was confused and couldn't figure out where I lost 10 minutes. Felt bad. And quickly gave up the ghost when the 30K clock showed 2:40. I was expecting 3:31. I kept running but a sub 3:30 was off so it was just a jog in to a sub 4 hour marathon. I was not a happy camper. Ignoring the 20 and

21 mile clocks I reached 22 and looked up in dismay, I was well within pb pace with just 2:47 on the clock. Double Crap!

My race changed very quickly from a slow jog to running again to a slow jog and then I stopped to walk. Every muscle in my legs were screaming, I was tired, sore and sorry. I knew I was climbing over and falling off the wall and there was nothing I could do about it. I tried reasoning with myself but I didn't listen. Who'd care anyway I thought, it's only another run and a minute here or there will impress nobody. So i gave up and wandered aimlessly towards the finish, practically walking over the line in 3:32.

Race Result

Race Result

My finishing emotion was one of disgust that I didn't knuckle down and knock out those last 4 measly 9 minute miles to a pb, absolute horror that I let the wrong race clocks get to me (if they were wrong at all), but I was more mad at myself for not celebrating a really good time so soon after the desert. I wondered if I would be able to run London at all, and here I was with my 5th fastest marathon time, and disappointed! Get a grip.

The legs were very sore but I went out for my traditional post London Marathon morning jog at 9am anyway. I'll make a decision on Belfast later in the week.

56 down (I need to check with the 100 marathon club if I get 2 for the

MDS)

44 to go.

Maire Treasa Beatty

14 years 11 months ago

Congratulations Ray you did a fantastic run. Love your report. Who would you text first?????????????? ME OF COURSE!!!!!!! Best of Luck in Belfast watch out the little one running in the Athenry colours flying past you will be Valerie See you soon take it easy for a day or two.