Manchester Marathon, 14 Apr 2024

Well it’s been a hot minute since I’ve run a marathon, 7 years to be precise, but I was in significantly better run form this time round (due to actually enjoying running and putting some training in). Now this was a ‘B’ race for me, a stepping stone to the big one of Ironman Copenhagen in August. So although I had a goal time in mind, it wasn’t the be all and end all. It was also an opportunity to see how my nutrition plan was going to go and make sure I could get round 26.2 miles.

At the start of the year I was a little bit worried about it, not knowing if I would be able to do it/if I would be run-fit, as I was still experiencing some minor hip soreness. But a trip to the physio in early February (a long waiting list for this great physio), put me at ease, when I was told I was hyper-mobile (not just flexible!), and that I had just over-stretched my hip joint. Exercises in hand, I was told I could build up to Manchester Marathon no problem, so onwards we went.

Race day came and I was extremely grateful we had a hotel right next to the start-line. This meant when my brother and family friend went off to their start-pen an hour before I had to go, I could stay in the warmth of the room. A weirdly ‘late’ race start, my wave only beginning at 10:30 meant I was pacing around, luckily I was able to see how the T100 Singapore race was going to keep my mind off things. At 09:30-ish I headed down, hoping to go to the loo and then make my wave to the start. Queue time for the loo was relatively short (winning) and due to the later start meant that I didn’t feel like I need to go again (normally I have many a nervous wee!). I made my way to the start pens and looked to find the 04:15 pacer. I found them without a problem and hoped I would be able to stick with them.

Then it was time to go, we set off a little bit slow, just due to the sheer number of people, but quickly got back to our pace and by mile 1 we were on track. The first 10k or so flew by, running in to the city centre where the crowd support was mega, before beginning the loooonng stretch down the A56. I felt really comfortable at this stage, barely registering my podcast, and just focusing on running behind the pacer. Then came the 2nd aid station and I managed to somehow lose the pacers, I glanced back and couldn’t see them among the throng of people. Not to worry, there were some 04:15 pacers ahead from the wave before me. Not wanting to burn any matches, I very slowly made my way up to these pacers, catching them after a couple of km. I was then able to settle in to a nice rhythm with them. The long A56 stretch was made easier by people watching the other side of the course where the faster runners were heading back, keeping an eye out for my brother (unsuccessfully) distracted me for a few miles.

The half marathon point came and went and I was very comfortable, still with the pacers and we were about 1 minute ahead of schedule, but with the fun (read; rolling bridges/hills) to come. A couple of bridges from miles 13-17 I managed to stay with the group, but then just out of Altrincham there was a big one, I stuck with the group up it, but then got a massive stitch at the top. Knowing I didn’t want to stop, but feeling the stitch quite a lot I slowed down, and lost the pacers. Not to worry, my original pacers were still behind me somewhere so I would just run til they arrived. They were a few dark miles from 17-20, by myself, in my head, and the point I thought I would struggle with. Then came by my original04:15 pace group, so I stepped back in with them, but sadly after about a km, I couldn’t keep up, my legs were beginning to fatigue. Not to worry, I could do this!

I slowed down the pace a touch and carried on taking my nutrition, here I was able to continue, but at approximately mile 21, I inhaled a gel by accident and had to slow to a walk in order to take on some water and stopping coughing back-up said gel. My slowest km, but edging closer to 22 miles. This is where it became easier, the stretch for home! Looping back in to Sale and then to Chorlton, the crowd picked up some more, just what I needed and I was able to plod all the way to Trafford. Here with just 500m to go, I picked it up a little bit in order to cross the line in 04:20. Not quite the time I hoped for, but almost 2 hours faster than my 2017 marathon, so nothing to be ashamed of!

Overall I’m super chuffed with how the race went, I practiced my fuelling (gels, salts and fluid) and didn’t have any GI issues. Yes, it wasn’t quite the time I hoped for, but on an 8-week marathon block, nothing to be disheartened by. A few days rest before we get back to it for the big one!

Lottie Lindsley