OK, we lulled you in safety. It wasn’t our last post, and it’s not even Monday! But we thought that this one was important and special.
Now that the dust has settled and the temperatures (temporarily) dropped, we’ve asked our club place runners, Kevin Oakes and Nathan Smith, to reflect on their race and what they’ve learned about the marathon and about themselves. Here’s what they’ve had to say.
Kevin Oakes
1. In 3 words, describe your marathon experience.
Challenging, exciting & encouraging
2. What was the most positive thing about your marathon experience?
The training up to the marathon has taught me not to be afraid to run distance and to be more flexible and less regimented with training. Also the sense of achievement, even though I did not achieve the time I aimed for, but I know it’s not impossible to achieve that time.
3. What went wrong and why?
On the day I had issues with my diabetes due to my sugars crashing down which left me over consuming glucose which reacted with my stomach. This was very painful and caused me to seek medical attention straight after the finish.
4. What is the one thing the marathon taught you about yourself?
The marathon taught me not to under estimate myself and that my body can achieve a lot as long as I put in the effort and time. Also to listen to my own advice and not over train I found by listening to my own body and advise my performance and endurance increased dramatically.
5. What one piece of advice would you give a novice marathon runner, now that you’ve done it?
I would advise others to be flexible with their training and if possible train with others as going it alone can be very difficult. I must say the long runs with Nathan helped me a lot to the point when I took part in Gloucester 20 it was a breeze of a race.
Nathan Smith
1. In 3 words, describe your marathon experience.
Exciting, satisfying, rewarding
2. What was the most positive thing about your marathon experience?
I felt my pacing during the marathon was really well executed, It was largely due to the long runs. I genuinely felt fulfilled after completing a long run and will continue to do them at least once a month.
3. What went wrong and why?
I injured myself during a track session on Thursday 15th March. I didn’t run on the road again until Saturday 14th April. I missed the most crucial month on my training plan because I didn’t give my body enough time recover following a 20 mile run.
4. What is the one thing the marathon taught you about yourself?
How to execute a plan even when things don’t go to plan. One of my running friends told me to get the word “defer”out my head and remain positive. I needed that kick up the backside and I thank Karl Welborn for that!
5. What one piece of advice would you give a novice marathon runner, now that you’ve done it?
Embrace the journey and you will love it! ?
It’s interesting to listen to people’s reflections and even more interesting what people learn about themselves in a marathon. It is a great experience and self-reflection exercise. Remember, if you would like to be considered for a club place for the London Marathon 2019, you need to enter the ballot and be unsuccessful. Club places are not guaranteed, but if we are allocated them, keep your eyes peeled after all the rejection letters have gone out to make your case why YOU should be allocated one.