I think I promised a number of you that after the marathon I'd be all over everyone, wanting to get in touch and caught up after my reclusive existance of the past months. Unfortunately whilst that was my full intent, work sort of kicked up a gear after I came back from vacation, call it good timing or bad, so apologies for this late post. In any case I am pleased to finally say that I was able to meet my personal goal of under 4hrs in Stockholm - 3:57:20, to be precise. Somehow although it wasn't at all easy (or what I expected), the finish was sweet but not as emotional as in Bonn. Here, for whatever reason, after the first 15km of annoying elbow jabbing I knew in my heart that I was going to make it. Indeed until the last 5k I ran at a very consistent pace throughout the whole race, had enough in me to high five kids along the way, and even managed to go the whole way without stopping for a bathroom break - pretty much a perfect race in my book.
Some words on the race itself. Race support was fantastic. My favorite was the pre and post race at Ostermalm IP (by the way the Nora Ephron Stieg Larsson parody in the recent New Yorker is pretty hilarious) I've never been treated so well as a runner. And, although I bitched about it pre race, I am now a convert of the 2pm start time....how civilized. The refreshment stops were very good. Too good, too many, why is there another one coming up, didn't we just leave one three paces ago. The biggest weakness of this race, already much discussed in various forums, was the narrowness at parts of the course, and matters were not helped by the embarassment of refreshment stations along the way. It felt like I was constantly dodging cups, bananas, runners before me who suddenly came to a standstill, PICKLES, and like. And, because for several years temperatures rose beyond 85 +, they had misting showers set up throughout the course - again fine if you like to be doused in cold water, but given we were enjoying a comfortable 65 - 70 degrees this year, my heart gave out every time I was steered against my will under the blast of wetness. My biggest complaint was that it took 15km before the race SORT OF thinned out. Probably this was less of a problem for faster runners, but it was pretty painful for those of us in the middle of the pack. Otherwise the route was fantastic, looping through the heart of Stockholm twice, taking you over the water again and again, with the second lap extending through the Djurgatan, the green island in the middle of the city. My biggest miscalculation was thinking this would be a flat marathon - a preconception I never bothered to correct even though they sent the height profile in the pre race materials. Given my previous marathons were Chicago and Cologne, this was definitely the hilliest so far. I'm pleased, however, that as I was finding this out DURING the race I didn't let it discourage me. In fact I discovered I sort of like running up hill....is there a Jungfrau Marathon in my future?? A girl can dream big, right??
The race was perfect in that I made my time, I actually never suffered too much pain, and yet felt like I managed to give 98% of myself - almost to the limit. What would I have done differently?? First, after crossing the finish line I wish I would have spent a bit more time looking around in the historic Olympic Stadium to take in the atmosphere of the moment, instead of allowing myself to be herded out so quickly. Also, I wish I could have had the presence of mind to comb my hair after the race and BEFORE the above picture was taken. Finally, I wish I lost that dorky sponge (I forgot my sweatband) before I crossed the finish line. And Rebecca, I now heed your advice to always keep the pits presentable - don't look too closely, please.
That's right, athletic performance is important, but you favor the good looking athlete to win the gold, admit it.
Two people deserve my biggest thanks. First Frank Schroeder, who took me in hand, measured my MHR and gave me a training plan, all on his own because I was too clueless to ask for help and who never lost faith in me (at least not that he let on). Second is Jochen, who looked after the kids during countless Saturdays when I'd be out for 3 - 4 hours of training, who never saw his wife awake after 9:30pm on weeknights, and who had to hear the alarm 3x a week at 4 f@§$king 30 in the morning (and all the knocking about afterwards). After all this the fact that I delivered my time meant for the first time in my life MY HUSBAND TREATED ME LIKE A PRINCESS. Really, this is how you win Jochen's heart. He was so nice to me the days after the marathon that I realized how lucky I am that I have someone who shares in my triumphs and who supports me all the way.
Not on everything of course. And yes the princess phase is long over.
