SOLWAY COAST MARATHON

Solway coast Marathon PB attempt 

This was the first edition of this race, organised by Sport in action and very local to me which is a rarity in itself, so rare it's never happened before. It was the first reason I signed up for it. I then thought I'd make it an all out PB attempt due to the fact its flat, very flat, 150ft elevation gain. 

I had been on a specific training plan for 9 weeks, I train to heart rate and I was going to run this by heart rate only, no pace watching.  In training all had gone well and my low zone 2 heart rate was producing some nice paces and I was confident of beating my time of 3:43:31. The only nagging doubt about this run was it's in July, which means hot and I dont do the heat very well. 

The plan for the run was to do up to and including mile 10 in zone 2 which for me is 136 to 151 beats per minute. Miles 10 to 20 would be in zone 3 which is 151 to 166 bpm. The last 6 miles in zone 4 and giving all I had left. During the zone 2 & 3 sections I would progress through the zone, so start in low zone 2 and by 10 miles be in high zone 2. 

That was the plan anyway. 

As anyone who does heart rate training will know though, anything can affect your HR. The weather, sleep, work etc. Some days you will go out and think your flying in such a low heart rate, other days for the same heart rate it feels like you've never ran before or your virtually walking to keep your HR low. It can be hit or miss. 

The event itself was starting at Kirkbride airfield here in Cumbria and as I said, local to us. 12 miles away actually but in the world of events that is local. The route is all around the Solway coast, an area of natural beauty no less. It is an area and route we know well. 

After the race briefing at 8:45 we walked a few 100 yards to the start line for a 9 am start. I had written on my hand the times for 10, 13, 20 & 23 miles, the times I was at those points when I last got a PB.  The weather, it was very warm. As I said, I dont do heat so though far to warm for me it could of been a lot worse, there was cloud and a breeze so I was at least thankful the sun wasn't beating down on me. 

There had been 200 people registered but only 154 were on the start line, I think. Even if all 200 were there it's a nice size field, we dont need thousands on a start line. 

The route itself is all on peaceful roads, going through a few villages but mostly hedge lined roads except for one section where you have the Solway coastline for company.  

Off we go at 9 am and straight away my heart rate shot into zone 3, high zone 3. Which immediately gives you an idea that this may not be a good HR day. These things can and do happen though and after that 1st mile it somewhat settled into zone 2. Though instead of progressing low to high over the first 10 miles it was permanently stuck in high zone 2. That's not what was meant to happen. To bring it down to low zone 2 I would be virtually walking and therefore end any PB attempt.  So I had to settle for the fact it's just staying in zone 2 with a bit of straying into zone 3. 

At mile 10 elapsed time was 1:25:28. Behind schedule by 2 minutes. 

Miles 10 to 20 were meant to be the same, progress low to high in zone 3 but this section was the same as the last, permanently in high zone 3 and lots in zone 4. 

Up to mile 13 though I was still feeling ok though at mile 13 i was still 1:30 behind and was giving it my all, I didn't think I could make the time up, it was too early to go gung ho. Just had to hang on in there and hope it all come good. Between miles 13 and 20 there was a few moments of despondency where I nearly gave up the PB attempt,  wouldn't of stopped running but could of happily backed right off. 

By mile 20 I should of been at a time of 2:48:12 or better. I was actually at 2:49:14. 1 minute and 2 seconds behind schedule but there was still hope I could make that up, though I knew it was probably unrealistic as I was giving it my best shot already. 

At mile 23 i was should of been at 3:14:19, I was actually at 3:15:01 just 42 seconds behind. 42 seconds, that's all, surely I could make that up. No, I couldn't. By now my heart rate was at its highest, I was working hard but my pace went backwards and miles 23 & 24 started with a 9, the 1st of the day. I just couldn't give any more than I was doing so. The last mile saw a bit of a resurgence but that was only because I told myself, at least attempt to finish strong and don't let anyone overtake me. 

I crossed the line in 3:45:30, I had missed my PB by 1:59. 

I was disappointed with not achieving my aim on this run but not to the point where I dwell on it and let it get to me. I know I gave it my best shot out there. The headwind and heat would not of helped but definitely can't be blamed because my heart rate was high from the start. It was just one of those days where the HR never came to the party. That's the nature of heart rate training.  

I'm still happy I am comfortably getting sub 4's now. The time spent chasing that elusive sub 4 took it's time and toll in the early years of my running and I have had far more disastrous outcomes than this one. 

Fuelling was 5 x gels and water. The gels were taken on miles 5, 10, 14, 18 and 21. Out of the 5 checkpoints two were handing out bottles water, 8 & 17 miles. I therefore carried my own bottles inbetween.  I hate carrying stuff 9n a run but needs must in the heat. I didn't start with carrying bottles, my wife who was cycling the route met me by the drink stations that were not handing out bottles. At about mile 15 I gave a near full bottle to a runner who was struggling a bit, helped him and it meant I could have 2 miles off from carrying something.  

Considering there is so much on deserted country lanes the support wasn't too bad out there. A good few people came out in the villages and all were cheering you on. As mentioned,  I also had the wife cropping up in various places taking the pictures you see here and handing me the water. Was great having here out there and in the few moments of despondency here presence was much needed. Thank you Mrs S xx. 

A word to the organisers,  sport in action. This is a local company run by husband and wife team Brian & Claire. They do lots of events around these parts including the Kirkbride HM which starts in the same place. They are also involved in the triathlon world. This was their first time at putting on a Marathon and they did a great job. It was £30 to enter which considering the price of some others isn't too bad. They produced a great medal and the drink stations were well stocked. The registration was smooth and parking etc was easy. 

All the team of volunteers out there did a superb job and always with a smile. I would definitely recommend this event.  

Results are 

3:45:30 finish time

47th out of 142 finishers.

10 out of 24 in age category 

42 out of 101 in the Male category 

That's another event done and dusted, didn't go to plan but time to move onto the next adventure.