...o.k.....it has been suggested that I should pen a few words re my first marathon of this year...2010....in my quest to run 12 in 12 months.  Not really such a bad idea as I can keep it as a record for myself when I will be too old and decrepid to walk let alone run...oh hang on...that's EXACTLY how I feel today !!

Right - Gloucester Marathon 24th January 2010.

Start time 11.00 at a southern suburb of said Gloucester - Quedgley.  Luckily I have parentals who live in nearby Cheltenham so I was fed and looked after by them...bliss.

Registration started at 9.15 so not wanting to take any chances I set off early doors and was the second, yes SECOND car there in the Quedgley Sports Centre.  No sooner had I parked up than every man and his dog arrived !!  I do like to be early tho so I can chill, sort my gear out, go to the loo 10 times and just mosey around.  I did all that and received some well wishing texts - always a bonus (thx RB et al).  Was treated to a lovely view of a mans bottom who parked opposite me and decided the car park was The Place to get into his full blown running keks.  Nice view it was too...hehe.  O.K...time to be serious.

This run had received dubious reviews on Runners World site but I chose it because it was a good old January one and my folks are local.  Also long enough after Chrimbo for bad stuff to leave my body.  The race was full about a month ago and has a relatively small field of 500 - altho looking at results, 282 finished.  It is also VERY strict on the wearing of ipods and there was a threat that anyone wearing one would be disqualified.  It is a 3 lapper and I knew the field would get stretched out so was peed off at not being able to have my vibes with me - but better not risk disqualification - how gutted would you be if THAT happened !!

I have to say there were loads more men there than us ladies - 54 women finished out of 282.  I know most races are man heavy (is that a proper term?) but this really did feel very blokey - but in a nice way.  Last year a runner died on the course - 44 he was and apparently he had an underlying heart condition.  I am telling you this as there was a gang of his fellow club members there running in his memory - about 20 strong - Royton Road Runners.  What an EXCELLENT bunch of people they were too.  I do love a real good northern accent and they had it in spades.  Everything they said was just so funny !!  Probably talking about their buddy who sadly died last year but I was rolling in the aisles laughing !!  Not quite but you get my drift.  A lovely team of people who were great fun. 

Weather was just perfect altho bloody cold prior to start.  No chip so it was a rolling start behind pace car and 11.00 we were off.  5 miles in a big figure of 8 round and about local housing estate.  No road closures and all runners were told in no uncertain terms to stay on the left.  We did.  At 5.5 miles we then headed over a canal type thing to start on the first of 3 laps each approx 6.5 miles in a big loop on a quiet B road. We were given 2 wrist bands each to wear - the idea was to take one off after first lap and so on.  Bit weird but it worked.  Also weird to run 3 laps as on first one you have run 6 miles so you go past 6 mile marker, closely followed by 11 mile marker and even more discouraging is the bloody 25 mile marker !!  GRRR.  It was 'undulating', lumpy tarmac running, quite a steep camber in some places - I think that is why I am walking funny as my left leg thinks it is longer than my right what with the camber and having to stay on the left !!  Lots of pot holes after recent weather and strangely - worms on the road !!  On second lap I noticed they were all squashed.....funny what you lookat.

The field was full of chatty, friendly people....I guess when you just go round and round like that you do tend to see the same folk and have a natter.  LOADS of people doing it as 'just' a training run for Comrades in May....proper runners in my book and respect to them all.

Regular water stations with High 5 energy drinks. Great marshalling and even though you do go into a pretty rural area, there were a few hardy groups of vocal supporters...excellent.  One woman was so shouty at me I thought I surely must know her !!  Saw her at the finish and thanked her.....maybe she was just the local odd ball....who cares...it was great.

After schlepping around and up and down the smallish hills that turned into bloody Mt Everest on 3rd lap, you do this crazy turney off thing at mile 25.  It is then a final mile along windy, empty country lane to the finish.  THAT was the hardest part of all !!  No-one there - by that time the field was well spaced out and the sodding lane went on and on and ON !!  I had been close to a sub 4 but lost it then thinking Oh Bugger - I just can't be bothered with this malarky and just dandered along until FINALLY - people in Hi Vis vests were shouting at me !!  I put my foot down, turned one last corner and there it was - the finish !!  YAAAAAAY !!  I do this thing now when I finish and just hunker down.  It helps my knees but I just have to do it....it also makes people come up and check you are o.k.....I was and am and was mighty glad to get my first Marathon of 2010 out of the way.  Phew.

One last thing - because the finish is kind of out in the sticks, they run a shuttle bus back to finish...kind of like ED.  Great banter on that bus, but boy, was it ever SMELLY !!!!!!

My time by watch 4.00.28....19th woman overall....

I thank you... xxxx  

Well done you!...The next eleven will just fly by Nu!....~

Brilliant Nu, well done! A real flavour of what it must've been like.

BTW, I reckon you nicked that bit about looking at that bloke's Aris' from my write-up for the GSR. Remember the very fit filly who who bent over to do her laces up next to my car?

Wonderful view.

Nah Leo, she nicked it from me and the bloke who just stripped at Luton, lol.

I got a mention in the write up woohoo and I wasn't even there, I love remembering to be thoughtful and I'm glad it helped  

*makes note - must put reminder in my phone for all Nu's marathons*

Congratulations on your first for the year. Great write up, I look forward to reading the next 11!!!

well done - you are so inspiring - really enjoyed reading it - you should send some in to runners world ! 

Good luck with you next 11 and look forward to reading all about them

you need to put your just giving page on the next one though ! 

well done - you are so inspiring - really enjoyed reading it - you should send some in to runners world ! 

Good luck with you next 11 and look forward to reading all about them

you need to put your just giving page on the next one though ! 

Nice one Nu Nu!

Worm squasher!!

Quote:

Worm squasher!!

 I'll have you know I avoided them !  Was even contemplating picking them up and lobbing over hedge but realised I use using my gloved fingers to wipe snots from my nose.....didn't want worm slime over them as well...hehe.

Thx for all your comments...you're madder than me !!