After last weeks slog in the South Downs I was feeling pretty good about the prospects for this week on an undulating and hilly course rather than a mountainous one, so much so that I set my new watch up to try and pace me for a 3:25 PB. After a couple of miles it was pretty obvious that I would struggle to keep up the pace needed but through 15 miles I was feeling pretty strong, so much so that when I saw Euan (who had kindly come along to support for the day) at 14 miles there was enough energy for the obligatory (extremely) poor Borat impression and a quick "high five".
Yakshemash!
Thankfully (for you) I can't find the picture of me in my mankini. I'll be sure to look it out for next weeks blog, it's pretty "Lineham" (Essex for cool, apparently?!?!?!?).
Anyway, back to the race. At around the 15 mile mark I really started to feel the pace. I don't know if it was the heat (a balmy 15C, don't laugh...I don't deal well with the sun!), last weeks exertions, a combination of the previous three weeks marathons in the legs or my complete inability to drink from a cup while running and therefore stay hydrated. Most larger marathons have bottles on offer at each water stop. Unfortunately the smaller ones try to keep costs down and so usually prefer to hand out drinks in plastic cups. Most (normal) people seem to be able to drink from a cup while running without too many issues but it seems I was at the back of the queue when the big man was handing out this particular skill! With water it isn't too bad but you learn pretty quickly not to take the orange juice on offer as it just results in a skicky face! It got to the point where I was trying to grab three or four cups of water at each station in the hope of getting one cups worth of water into my mouth.
Missed again! I have a drinking problem!
So, after 15 miles of orange juice and water throwing I hit the wall! My average pace dropped from 8 min/mile, to 9, 10, 11 and then 12 minute miles! I don't think I have ever run a 12 minute mile in my life! Feeling that drained and realizing that there were another 10+ miles to go was mentally pretty tough and the goal quickly changed from a sub 3:30 marathon to just getting round in under the magic four hours. I don't think a single person passed me in the first 15 miles and I know for sure I didn't pass anyone in the last 11 miles! You know you're in trouble when everyone that passes you shouts encouragement at you! You also know you're in trouble when you see some of the more unusual runners and unorthodox running styles starting to pass you! You see...
Old men...
Old women...
People who wouldn't look out of place in the Ministry of Funny Runs. I kid you not, there was a man who ran like this who came steaming past me around 18 miles!
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Fat runners...
...and small runners. OK, the team of midget runners weren't there...but the rest is (pretty much) true!
At around 24 miles I was really starting to worry that I was going to miss the four hour mark but with the end in sight I was able to dig deep and find a couple of sub-10 minutes miles to come in at 3:57:41. Not exactly the time I had been hoping for but considering the 11 miles of agony, I'll take it! Both Euan and Aisha were there at the finish to help with the recovery which involved everything from feeding and dressing me to trying to get me off the ground once my shoulder decided to cramp (lesson learnt, no Friday shoulder sessions in the gym before a marathon!).
Ouch!!!
Did I mention...Ouch!!!
Thankfully nothing that a Mr Whippy and a few pints can't fix! A massive thanks to Euan and Aisha for coming along to support and looking after me, it really does make such a massive difference! Also a massive thank you to everyone for their continuing "messarginis" (messages) of support!
Finally, a massive thanks to Lotte from Link who managed to get Eddie Izzard to send me a personal good luck message! Eddie has just announced that he will be running 27 marathons in 27 days in South Africa! Big show off!
"Good luck to Frazer Campbell in running his 10 marathons in 10 weeks. I hope he has enjoyed his first 3 marathons and hope the other 7 go well. From my experience I'm not sure if the word enjoy is the right one, but maybe 'endured' could be substituted. Anyway it is an adventure and it is healthy and it raises money for a good cause - and that is what is important." Eddie
Four down and six to go! Next week, a weekend at home to look forward to, capped off by one of the hardest marathons in Europe, around Lake Windermere in the Lake District. "Reem" (I am reliably informed that means cool in Essex speak !?!?!?!?!). Ohshatuuuup!!!!!!
The grand total continues to creep up, now standing at an amazing £4,528.75! Thank you again to everyone who has been able to support Link in their fantastic work!
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