Mission to Morocco - MDS 2011 by Birdypie

I'm safely on the sofa after an interesting day out in north Kent. The Coastal Marathon was my last proper long run ahead of the Atlantic Coastal challenge which is a month away. It was a beautiful morning in Margate at the race start. I'd clocked up a bit of mileage already this weekend to build up for this so was aiming to take it nice and slow and comfortable.

Keeping a reasonable pace was a bit tricky with this one as the marathon and half runners all set off together. I kept an eye on my splits over the first few miles though and despite a couple of wobbles managed to keep a reasonably steady 10.30. The first half of the course was a nice run out to Broadstairs and Ramsgate. A little undulating but its a lovely part of Kent and it was enjoyable. Obviously getting to the half point was tough - lots of runners peeling off and heading off for their sunday lunches. A smaller select group of idiots pushed on through Margate and on towards Minnis bay. The second half was very flat but unfortunately pretty boring and there was hardly anyone about. I decided that I would mentally run the london course so started thinking about where I would be at various mile points. I had a bit of a wobble around mile 17...feeling a bit tired  but mostly just struggling with the mental side. Finally though we reached the turnaround at minnis bay and I could start counting down the miles back. I was still trotting along quite well with only afew little walk breaks and finally margate came into view again. I had a bit of luck at this point to overtake some boys from Deal Tri who were walking - this was greeted with whoops from a bunch of teenager girls who cheered me saying 'look she's doing better than the men!'. Hilarious - sorry Deal Tri but my moments of glory are rare these days and I'll take them where I can!

As with all marathons the last mile was the killer-this one was up hill....along past the finish line (AGHHH!!) round and back again. A very quiet finish but an excellent goody bag. Oddly I'd spent some time thinking I really need a wrist sweatband....there was one in the goody bag!? So I feel pretty good about that. Finish time is around 4.38 but for someone with a 4.23 PB I'll take that for a training run. Will have to take it easy this week but hopefully will get a couple more long runs in before the Atlantic next month.

Other news? I've bought a bike to vary the training a bit so that'll be something new and exciting to add to the training over the next few months.

Take care all!