Manchester Marathon Week 16 - The finale

Week 16 arrived and I felt good.

Before most events I’ve a niggle or something to doubt, but my body felt ready. My tummy was a little delicate on Saturday but I didn’t have any real concerns. The 16 weeks whizzed by and I reminded myself it had actually been 2 years of waiting.

2 years where I trained and, sadly, said Goodbye to the Copenhagen Marathon scheduled for April 2020, then the Richmond Marathon in May 2021. I don’t think I ever stopped running after my last marathon in Chester, October 2019. All for this day.

After a pizza fueled Saturday night I sat reading some inspiring quotes, watched motivational You Tube videos and wrote down what I wanted from the day.

Marathon morning arrived. I felt calm, excited, scared, nervous and a little bewildered. I kept muttering “It is happening”.

Just before I left my hotel I had a wee dance around to shake off some nervous energy.

At the Athletes village there was a quiet, nervous energy swirling. Everyone remembering their pre race routines – energy gels, loo stops for the 100th time, stretching and sips of water. Then it was time to head to the start line. The Take That song ‘Never Forget’ was blaring. We all stood waiting, it was quite a long wait.

I spoke with a lady standing next to me. While looking for the 3hr 30min pacer we caught eyes. She was injured and had zero expectations from the race. She usually aims for a 3hr 30 min finish but today she would be happy to finish in whatever time she could. I felt a chill as we spoke.

We take for granted our fitness and the fact we have a choice to run, and to run for a time. She said she felt out of sorts – a little lost. I nodded. In my Manchester Marathon week one blog post I wrote how running a marathon is a privilege. To run for a time even more so, as there will be a day when I might be like that lady.

But for now – I run to test myself physically and mentally.

So let’s jump to the finish.

I finished my 4th marathon - whoop whoop - the atmosphere was electric.

The route took you through the city to adoring cheers, back towards Old Trafford then out towards the towns and villages south of Manchester where they cheer like they have known you all your life. Then you head back to the home straight where the crowds were packed shouting and cheering like it was a world cup final. It was epic, even mesmerizing at times.

I started with the 3hr 30 min pacer and the crowds of runners also attempting this goal. All I had to do was sit on a 5 min pace. And I did. For the majority of the route I ran under this pace. At the 16 km mark I had my first loo stop. I was in and out but fell back from the pace group. I still felt good and kept my pace. A wee bit of me preferred being away from the pack.

In the second half of the course the hills came. More than I expected and one in particular was brutal, but I ran them and stayed on pace. It all felt good. Whenever I felt my pace drop a little, I would remind myself I had trained for this and surge a little.

With 5km to go I felt it. That feeling in your tummy we all dread. When you need the loo ASAP. Like no "Oh I can hold this in". It was coming. I had maybe 5 seconds.

As I looked at the road ahead, there were no portoloos, only a sea of over lively Manchester supporters. God bless the crowd.

I knew I had two choices.

1. Have an accident.....and run with the accident knowing the over lively supporters would look on thinking "Has that girl had an accident". Can you imagine!

OR

2. Dash into a playing field, where some young kids were playing cricket, and squat behind a tiny bush that on reflection was not a bush. Then carry on. A little lighter. Yes. I now have playing field squat trauma!!

At that point I knew my big goal was gone.

The last 5 km were insane.

I knew I was going to finish and I knew I had a new PB.

With 2km to go I realised my watch, which I use to track my distance and pace, was way out. People kept shouting “only 3km to go” but in my head I told myself I had 2km left. Then from nowhere I saw the finish. The finish line straight felt long but noisey. I zoned out and kept chanting in my head “keep running”. You could hear the cheers and screams – people shouting your name. I smiled the whole straight and whispered "you did it" as i crossed the finish line and pressed pause on my watch.

Marathons are epic and very humbling. At Manchester the crowd made the 10th October 2021 a day to remember.

I ran my 4th marathon in 3hr 37min. A 3 minute PB!

Marathons teach you so much. My biggest lesson: it isn't about the runners. Even though us runners think it is. It's about the hundreds of thousands of people who stand at the side of the road for a very long time and they become your cheerleader squad. And inspire you. How?
 
➡️Look you in the eye and shout "looking strong Jacquelyn", meanwhile you are thinking "I'm hanging on for dear life"

➡️The wee people who hold homemade cardboard posters displaying "tap for energy" like in super Mario Bros. Their tiny arms must get sore.

➡️The people who set up discos outside their homes. With trays of all sorts. At one point I thought I was at a village fete.

➡️The choirs of people singing for hours, belting out the tunes. Even a choir of tiny people. Maybe 5 years old. Aww man. I waved in their faces and they all pretty much ignored me as they were concentrating on the song words.

Yes marathons test you, the runner, physically and mentally. Yes we run to cross the finish line. Yes we love a shiney medal. Yes we adore a personal best.

But without the crowds, what is a marathon. Just a bunch of adults running 1km or 1 mile until we hit a milestone then press stop on our watches.

With the crowds a marathon is an epic adventure, with a carnival atmosphere, that if you are really present you can only but smile.

When I told my coach my time he asked if I was happy? That killer question.

Only I know what I experienced at Manchester. If you remove the time lost to the various loo stops and the fact I ran 900m extra over the course (this always puzzles me) I pretty much ran the pace required to hit my big goal. Each km I would hear the beep of my watch and smile. I felt in control.

There is nothing I would do differently and know I gave it my all. On the day things happen outwith your control. You roll with it and keep your head in it. As I squatted in that playing field I muttered to myself “this isn’t how Manchester ends”. We control the ending if we have the courage to get back up and keep moving forward.

I now have evidence I can hold my big goal pace over 42km even with a whole host of hills flung in.

This gives me the buzz to know there will be a 5th marathon and the big goal remains in sight – 3hr 30 mins – we go again. The marathon journey doesn’t stop at Manchester, that is one stop on the road to many more.  

Why stop what brings you joy, just because there is a bit if a struggle. The struggle is part of the experience.

I warned myself that I was to stay in the moment, the present km I was running.  Why?

To feel alive and have fun! I certainly had fun.

Manchester delivered the most epic carnival and I felt lucky to be part of that. Now to start to research for my 5th marathon, but first I am excited to rest for a bit.

“Like the marathon, life can sometimes be difficult, challenging and present obstacles, however if you believe in your dreams and never ever give up, things will turn out for the best.”

— Meb Keflezighi