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Rotterdam Marathon
Sunday 13th April 2008
Karin
Rotterdam Marathon was meant to be my marathon….
My training had gone really well, I had more and longer long runs than before, I felt stronger than ever and I had PB’s in 10K and ˝ marathon to prove it.
Sunday morning arrived; I had tapered, rested and eaten all the right stuff… now I just had to get out there and do it. 3.20 was the target.
At the starting line the sun was shining, a light breeze and 10 degrees. Perfect.
But, I was suddenly getting a little beyond nervous, felt something wasn’t quite right, but I put it all down to nerves.
10K into the run, I was thinking it was a little tough, wasn’t really enjoying the run, just counting down… At 25k that feeling was intensified, but now the Dutch runners, tall and loud, was taking up my space, some spectators were smoking, which got badly on my nerves. I couldn’t enjoy!
At 30k (still on target – time wise) I met my family, which gave a little boost. At 34k I had to pull to the side for a wee, but ended up having diarrhoea… The humiliation was beyond imagination. All the surrounding spectators were trying to cheer me on, but I then started to have cramps and I got cold. Medical support turned up.
I did reach the finish area…. – in an ambulance!
Now I consider Trieste Marathon (4th May), not to be “my marathon”, but one that I can finish. To repair my badly hurt pride.
I think this is a serious lesson for me, it shows that no matter how well one has trained and prepared…. Anything can happen on the day!
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