38th Trinidad Alfonso EDP Valencia Marathon

I am late to the start. I look around frantically whilst trying to pin my number on. I don’t know what to do with the warm up jacket I’m wearing and I still have to put on my race shoes. I put everything in my bag and decide to just throw it to the side, carelessly. I start running up a street I believe takes me to the right start. I can’t believe I’m running to the start. I told myself just over a year ago I would never have to go through that again, but here I am, stressed, and worried about screwing this up before it even starts.

I hear the gun in the distance. There are a few runners around me also struggling to get to the start. The only difference is that they don’t look like they care too much. They are happy to just take part but I have been preparing this for months! I finally join the group of runners crossing the start line. I must be about 5 minutes late. As I panic about my chances I start weaving in and out slow runners. I am already noticing my heart rate very high, not from the actual running but from the stress of messing up my chances so early on.

I can hear the announcer as I cross the start line and his voice starts fading whilst a familiar song plays loudly on the PA system. The song gets louder and louder until it’s all I can hear. I open my eyes and realise the alarm on my phone, set as a Bob Marley song, has been going off for a couple of minutes.

I am NOT late to the start. It’s Sunday 2nd of December and it’s 6.02 AM. Today I run the Valencia marathon.

Rory and I got to Valencia Thursday night. A surprisingly smooth flight got us to Valencia not too late. We were staying in a flat about a kilometre from the start. Clean, spacious and close to the start. Perfect! We had decided a long time ago a flat would offer us the space and overall set up we needed better than a hotel room.

It was a bit late for the supermarket when we finally got to the flat so we decided to eat out. We immediately found a lovely simple Italian restaurant where we had some obligatory pasta and some salad. Very cheap but extremely tasty. Back at the flat we decided to unwind from the flight by watching “Spirit of the marathon”. I had brought with me quite a selection of motivational films about running and other sports, not with the intention to watch them all but more thinking we might fancy a last minute mood lift.

We ended up going to bed fairly late to discover that the mattresses were not of the finest quality. Also, Rory discovered how thin walls can be in flats in Spain and that there is always a barking dog and a crying baby within hearing distance. So needless to say it was not a great night sleep.

Friday morning we went to the marathon expo located in the same area of the race start. About a 10 minute walk from the flat. Bright sky and sunny. About 14 degrees and a bit of a breeze but overall pretty good racing conditions. The expo was a little disappointing for my liking. Not enough presence from the organisers, only exhibitors.

We wanted to have a chat with some of the pacers to understand their preferred race strategy but ended up giving up and having a lovely carb breakfast out in a terrace right next to the finish line. For our troubles we got to see some of the elite guys strolling around the finish line absorbing some of the comforting warmth from the sun. Some obligatory pictures and back to the flat after a quick stop in the local supermarket to stock up for the next few days.

The rest of Friday and Saturday were pretty uneventful. Cooking, eating and resting. A short little walk on Saturday morning to the local shopping centre. The highlight was being able to have lunch out in the balcony enjoying some very well received sunny weather.

Saturday night we had a last minute review of the course and the race strategy. For the first time in the entire weekend I found myself getting a little excited. My race strategy was quite simple. Set off at 3’39”/km (5:52/mile), cross the half way point between 01:17:00 and 01:17:30 and then run the second half by feel.

I knew the chosen pace was a tad conservative but given the limited mileage I had to settle with the last few weeks before taper I felt it was the right pace to give myself a chance in the second half of the race. It really doesn’t matter how many time we complete the full marathon distance we still have to be a tad cautious in the early miles to squeeze the most out of our chances in those final miles.

6.02 AM

I notice the alarm going off and it takes me no time to get out of bed. I am looking forward to running but there is no over excitement. It’s been a long time coming and it’s finally here. If anything I am relieved I have made it to race day in one piece. Now I just need to go through my routine.

We have some breakfast. That’s the first thing we do. I want to have enough time to digest. The race starts at 08:30 and we can walk/jog to the start so there is no need to rush. Perfect!

I put the TV on but there is no coverage of the race just yet. I prepare some coffee and start thinking about and visualising the right emotions and feelings to expect throughout the race. I think about cruising the first 25km. I want to feel intact at that point. Mentally and physically fresh.

I turn the TV off and put some music on. I am keen to get in the groove. Confident but relaxed.

After breakfast I have a quick shower and start getting ready for the battle ahead. I’ve decided to wear calf guards, arm sleeves and running sun glasses. I feel ready. I feel light and convinced of my chances.

Deep inside I know my aim is to run well. To manage and conquer the distance. I’ve run too many marathons to know that the final time is the result of the process and not the driver. And the process is to manage effort levels and race smart. I have hopes that, in doing the right things, I will end up very satisfied with whatever time I happen to achieve.

07.55 AM

We’ve decided not to drop a bag off since we’re so close to the start. I have, however, put on an old t-shirt to keep me warm until the start. We leave the flat and there is already some natural light. It’s not pitch black. The temperature is not too low. Probably around 10 degrees. I certainly don’t feel like I need the extra layer even to do the warm up.

We get to a long road just before the bridge where the start is located and decide to start warming up. We jog up and down that road for a few minutes. This helps in warming up, of course, but more importantly we calm some nerves and start getting familiar with the body again after a few days of not running. I’ve got very good feelings about my physical situation. I think that if I end up not getting a time I’m happy with is not because of my current fitness potential. I still think I should be somewhere between low 2.33 and 2.36.

We run over the bridge and avoid the masses of last minute runners and spectators gathering on the side of the road. We get to the start line and spot a few familiar faces, even one of Miguel Indurain, who will be riding the bike alongside the lead female.

We cross the start line from the wrong end and find ourselves in the elite pen. We don’t get any questions or even anyone looking at us as if we don’t belong there. We step out of the pen and decide to go separate ways. There is about 15 minutes to go.

08.15 AM

I am in my starting pen. It’s a familiar feeling. It could be any marathon I have done over the last few years. The temperature has clearly gone up a few degrees so I take my t-shirt off and throw it to the side. I look up and there’s only blue sky. I overhear runners around me talking about pace, strategy, the course and the countless excuses runners give each other to justify a potential bad performance or to hide our real chances. It’s all too familiar.

The Garmin is ready. I’ve got 4 gels on me, two tucked in my shorts and another two in my left arm sleeve. I have trained race pace with gels tucked in my shorts before and I have raced several times with gels in the arm sleeve. It saves me from carrying a small belt and having to navigate a zip at speed.

08.30 AM

START to 5KM

The music stops and the gun goes off. It takes me about 5 or 6 seconds to cross the start line. No panic. It’s a very familiar feeling. Runners around me sprinting to get better racing line. I relax and don’t even look at my Garmin until I have some more room in front and the street widens up a bit.

After about 800 meters the Garmin tells me I’m doing 3’39”/km so I try to find a small group of people going at similar pace to join. It takes about a couple of km for those groups to start forming and in fact there is one right in front of me. About 15 meters ahead.

I don’t want to sprint up to catch them so I decide to slowly make my way to them. I feel a bit of wind and start thinking it would be nice to already be with the group just to protect myself so early in the race from any unwanted fighting against the wind.

We turn right towards the port and it suddenly feels very open. Km 3 and I’m still playing catch up. I don’t panic but still refuse to shift gears. The pace has more or less stabilised at 3’39”/km according to my Garmin. I know that’s not the exact pace as the GPS is not entirely reliable. I have decided to manually hit the lap button at every 5 km and in fact we get to km 5 in 18:24. Before the race the idea was to hit those 5km splits in about 18:15 but I know the marathon is too long and complex to start worrying about pace so early on.

Km 5 in 18:24 (18:24)

5KM-10KM

The key is to remain calm and just cruise for as long as possible. I finally catch the mini group in front of me at around km 7 and start running on this guy’s shoulder. We’re all pretty protected and by the looks of it everyone’s just trying to take their mind off the race. Just let the miles go by. I am focusing on the shoes of the runner in front of me to a point where I even feel like I’m drifting off. I’ve kind of lost track of where we are. Quick check of the Garmin and pace has relaxed a bit.

I look up and see the group is stringing out a tad. I lengthen my stride slightly for a few meters and position myself closer to the back of the group.

Km 10 in 18:22 (36:45)

10KM-15KM

We reach km 11 and I take my first gel of the race. The plan is to take them at km 11, km 22 and km 33. And one to spare just in case. I am not one for lots of gels as naturally I feel I tend to do ok from an energy perspective.

After 12km I go through my traditional inner check. I normally do this at every marathon and the point is to think that the race starts there and it’s only a 30km race. Some small tricks to make the mental aspect a little easier.

I feel OK. The pace is clearly not that blistering as it keeps drifting in an out of 3’39”/km. I make a point to try to stay under 3’39”/km without having to make costly adjustments.

This part of the race is a little boring and the support from the crowds thins out a bit as we move more towards the edge of the city. I feel we’re slowing down a bit. I decide to stay with what’s left of the group. Maybe about 10 runners scattered around 20 meters. I have a French guy right next to me and his pace is pretty steady so without the need to talk to each other we start taking turns to lead our little group. When I look back I notice about 5 runners following us.

Km 15 in 18:28 (55:13)

15KM-20KM

At km 17 after about 3km of boring long avenues (good!) I hear my name being shouted. I look up and see an old friend from my childhood. He’s there with his partner and child and are locals to the area. I give him the thumbs up and I feel a small energy boost. We’re approaching half way and I don’t want to drop pace. I am still feeling good but I am aware that the overall pace is a tad slower than ideal. It doesn’t really bother me since that’s not the goal. Pushing now would be extremely unwise.

Given the boost from seeing a friendly face and the fact that the roads are long and wide we actually find that the pace increases slightly without noticing a shift in effort levels. Good news.

Km 20 in 18:19 (01:13:32)

20KM-25KM

Just before half way I notice the gel I have tucked in my shorts is a bit loose so I start trying to secure it a bit more but before I can do anything about it I drop it down my shorts very clumsily. The runner next to me feels he has to confirm it’s gone, almost mockingly. Thanks mate! Huge help.

I cross half way in 01:17:38 and start doing some quick calculations. A tad slow. I know I have a bit of room for manoeuvre. I am keeping some in reserve so I don’t have any overwhelming negative thoughts. Quite the opposite, I feel in control, managing effort levels and navigating the course well. I have studied the course and there is a small incline from around km 32 all the way to about km 36 and then a pretty quick final 6–7 km to the finish.

The name of the game is to remain calm and extend those positive feelings of being in control for as long as possible. No major efforts just yet. We’re not cruising either. The legs are starting to notice the distance covered.

Between km 22 and 25 we go through the start area and near the flat again so it all looks very familiar. There is an increase of support from the crowds as the number of spectators has increased considerably. From the noise levels one would think we’re in the final miles but we’re just about over half way.

Km 25 in 18:27 (01:32:00)

25KM-30KM

I have delayed my second gel. I have already lost one so as soon as I have my second gel I am left with only one left. I decide to pick up an extra one from the volunteers offering them at what I made to be around km 26. They are not my usual gels but I still want to make sure I am left with an emergency gel just in case. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

We get to km 28 and we enter the old town. Still quite a way out but as soon as we cross that 28km mark for some reason my energy levels improve massively and I naturally pick up the pace. I turn to my left and I see a female runner struggling a bit so I give her some words of encouragement. “it’s a training run now”, “2x4 mile at race pace and we’re home”.

That thought has genuinely given me a massive boost and I end up completing that 5km split as my quickest yet.

Km 30 in 18:14 (01:50:13)

30KM-35KM

That boost takes me to km 31 but then I start noticing the course getting trickier and a lot harder. I have not changed intensity but the legs are tired and muscularly I have started to struggle. Km 32 is slow but again a familiar face with a microphone at that kilometre point. The chap is on the road side shouting words of encouragement and is a known figure in Spanish running as some type of “influencer”. I really welcome the support and start preparing myself for the hardest part of the race.

The body is fatiguing rapidly and we enter the hardest part of the course. I know I am bound to drop some time up to km 37 before the “downhill” starts. I also know I have a good friend of mine from Barcelona who moved to Valencia about 6 months ago supporting me at km 37 so I make it my mission just to survive to that point.

And survive I had to. Km 32, 33 and 34 are a bit of a struggle. The course has a bit of an incline and it leaves town on a long loop. Really tricky bit. I notice the pace taking a hit. The Garmin is showing 3’41”-3’42” for that split so far. I am mentally having to dig very deep and at km 34 I decide to take my final gel. All I have now is the emergency one. But butterfingers that I am I accidentally drop that one too as I try to place it in my arm sleeve. That’s it then, no gels left.

I am determined not to lose too much time in that 5 km split so at kilometre 35 I decide to push on. I am not going to be beaten.

Km 35 in 18:21 (02:08:35)

35KM-40KM

As soon as I see my mate I get a massive confidence boost. I feel re-energised and manage to pick it up again, even if for a brief moment. I am just about maintaining pace but the legs are almost dead. I can feel my Achilles pulling but I can sense the end is within reach. I’m at km 38 and I’m still going at pace. Surely that means I will make it in one piece. It’s just about how much pain am I willing to tolerate.

No training run prepares you for that. I feel I have a chance to finish strong but I am really struggling to shift my body forwards. With every stride the pain increases. I want to quit. I am very tired and I feel I am finally running on empty. I start having thoughts about the possibility of collapsing at km 40 and not even finishing so my main mental focus is all placed on just keeping the body moving. I’m too far out from the finish still to use up all my reserves. I just want it to be over. It’s not a pretty picture.

Km 40 in 18:25 (02:26:59)

40KM-FINISH

I finally get to the final 2,195 meters. We’re now on the final stretch home. The noise is pretty loud. I am happy for the support. I can hear my name being shouted several times and I grit my teeth. I will make it! I will push on!

Never in the history of running 2 kilometres have felt like such a long distance. I now understand how some runners can collapse or start walking with only a few meters left. I am done. There is nothing left. I check my Garmin and the pace for that final split is showing as the quickest of the race. I finally give everything I have left.

Final km and we enter the final part of the course with cobblestones. Who thought that was a good idea!? 800 meters left, 700 meters… 400 meters. Last lap!!!! I sprint for my life (3:19/km — 5:20/mile) and enter the finish straight. I look around and there’s only a couple of runners ahead of me. I don’t have anyone behind holding my sprint.

With about 60 meters left I can make out the time. I see I have a chance at going sub 2.35 but I need to maintain the sprint to the finish. 51, 52, 53, 54… With time to spare!!! Of course I started about 5 seconds after the elite so in the end my chip time was actually 02:34:52

I have finished! I have difficulty to walk but manage to keep it together. I am very happy. It has felt extremely tough but I have managed to complete the race well and I have finished strong. All I could ask for.

Km 40 to finish in 07:54 (02:34:52)

Post-race thoughts:

• Well done to all finishers. I said it when I was disappointed with my performance last year and I say it now when I’m satisfied with it. Running and finishing a marathon is very tough. I don’t care what your level is. All finishers are heroes. It’s an insane distance.
• I am over the moon about how I managed the distance. Again, in my book, the time is not as important as managing the distance. And I feel I did that. First half in 01:17:38 and second half in 01:17:14 (24 seconds negative split). It also reaffirms my faith if negative splits but I won’t go into that today.
• Valencia is a good course. Good weather and ideal racing conditions. A tad windy in some parts and perhaps 3–5 degrees too hot but that would really be nit-picking. It’s definitely a flat course with huge PB potential.
• I was not in shape for anything quicker on the day (maybe 20 seconds ish). The impact of a less than ideal final 5 weeks of training diminished my chances to be quicker on the day. I still feel there is a 2.32 to come (or quicker), but that’s not important right now.
• I had almost forgotten (and a good thing too) how brutal the final 5 miles can be. This is why I don’t do this too often. I’m not sure I can ask my body and my mind to endure that level of pain and suffering on a regular basis.
• I feel a weight has been lifted. And again, not so much about times but about inner conviction the job has been done well. That the way I go about preparing the distance is still valid and that the process I follow is to be trusted. Not achieving a desired time is not a failure, it’s just a delay as long as the process and the work are there.

Running is a way of living but it’s not the only way. And there is absolutely no reason why two different worlds can’t coexist and support each other in their very distinct ways.

Thanks all for reading and for the support!