London Marathon 2018

The hottest London Marathon on record!

Typical! Like many I was left feeling frustrated and wondering what might have been after this years London Marathon.

As hot days go London was a scorcher. I’m all for a bit of sunshine, in fact I’m a big fan but having nervously checked the weather every day (ok every hour) leading into race day the worst fears were confirmed and London was as hot as predicted with highs of 24.1 not taking into account the heat from the road and other runners.

Going into the race I felt like I was in great shape. I’d trained harder and more than before, without feeling like I’d over cooked it, which often is the case. After a small wobble three weeks out I was feeling much better and rested, ready to run as hard as I could.

Given the heat I warmed up for just 10-mins and went through some light drills and dynamic stretching. This was more to get the body moving rather than warmed up as such. I covered myself in water and went through the plan again in my head; get to 10k at 5:00 minute mile pace, then half way and then see what happened in the second half. I’d trained to run 4:55-5:00 minute pace so I felt running with the 2:11:00 group was being slightly cautious, with ambitions of picking the second half up and running 2:10:xx.

For those who have ran London before you’ll know the first 5k is slightly down hill. We passed 3-miles in 15:00 bang on and safely took on board my first drink. I had planned to take 5 swigs of electrolyte every 5km, with gels at 10k, 20k and 30k. Given the heat I even drank between stations and maybe took on a little more than 5 swigs at each 5km.

Between 5k and 10k we were moving into a breeze so I tried to tuck in behind the pacemaker and urged the rest of the group to share some of the work. We slowed at this point but in my head I already knew that a fast time wasn’t possible today no matter how positive I tried to remain so I was quite content to slow down and run with the group. Even at this stage I was hot! Each mile I’d soak myself in water, drink a bit and try and cool off but it just wasn’t working. By the time we got to the next mile my vest was already dry!

Passing half way in 66:30ish over a minute slower than planned we continued to battle on before the group broke up and we were then left running solo. I tried to get fluids down me and focus on trying to pick the pace up. I thought a PB could still be on the cards but deep down I knew that it was going to be tough. Around the 20-mile mark I started to get a stitch, probably from all the fluid I’d been taking on! I ran through it until around 22-miles when it was so bad I almost slowed to a walk. I guess this is what they call hitting the wall! The only positive was it happened a bit later than 12-months earlier. Back then I was naïve and hardly took any fluid on at all, I’d also had a shorter build up following a late decision to race but this time I was prepared and arguably in the best shape of my life and yet here I was struggling along Embankment again. Running really is a cruel sport!! The stitch passed and I could run freer again but despite my best efforts I couldn’t pick the pace up and struggled home to a 2:17:55 clocking, deflated and frustrated. The final few miles were a blur to be honest but I do remember desperately trying to get to the finish line.

I finished as second Brit, some way behind the leaders. Mo Farah ran a British record to finish in third overall but even the great one struggled in the final few km despite spending a winter in Ethiopia. I managed to get away to Spain during my build up but no matter how well you prepare I do think some people just find it harder running in the heat.

It was a double whammy for me as the eight athletes who I coach who also raced faced the same conditions along with Simon English who ran a brutal Boston Marathon on Monday (and performed amazingly!!). The hard thing about the marathon is you can’t just pick up and race again the following week like you can on the track and you have to respect the recovery window.

After the race I made the decision to take a full week off. I normally run 20-mins or so every other day but this year I feel mentally exhausted and ready for a break. I’m almost ashamed to admit I don’t actually feel like running again yet but know this is only temporary and I’ll be back ready and hungry for more.

I’d love to race an autumn marathon and had designs on running New York next November. However given London didn’t go to plan I’m tempted to go for another fast one… New York would obviously be brilliant but I’m also conscious of running as fast as I can while I’m still in my ‘prime marathon years’.

For those of you wondering, I turned down European selection for the forthcoming European Championships for a number of reasons. I’m sure some people will think I’m mad turning down a GB vest but my main goal which I remain fully focused on is representing GB at an Olympic Games.

The window is very short, it would literally mean two weeks easy then straight back into another marathon block, although guaranteed to be flat and fast temperatures in Berlin in August could be similar to London again. Thirdly I’ve not had a track season for a while now, with my injury problems and running Berlin last year. I’d like to work on my speed short term, which I think will improve my performance in the marathon longer term. It’s also nice to have a change of stimulus and some new goals to keep me hungry. I’d love to medal again at the British 5000m Champs in June having won three bronze medals previously. Also at this stage in my career I admittedly have to think about earning some money. I’m getting married next year and hope to purchase our own house soon. So this factor certainly comes into planning, which I’m not ashamed to admit. Following the Commonwealth Games fiasco I want to run for me, I want to be in control and I want to travel the world and race in cool cities and places, not saying for one minute Berlin is not, but the marathon in New York is something I’ve always fancied. I also like the look of Chicago or even maybe an early trip to Japan! The possibilities at that time of the year are endless and that’s not even including the Amsterdam’s, Frankfurt’s and Valencia’s of this world! All very exciting!

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