Experian "Robin Hood" Nottingham Marathon, Sunday 11th September – Mike Cooper
As my first year as a W.R.C. member was drawing to a close, I decided to think of a test of my fitness after all those painful Tuesday sessions and the long runs, not to mention 25 races.
In fact my first year has flown by with lots of fun and new runs around Wilmslow I didn’t know existed.
I digress, having chatted with many of you the word "marathon" kept coming up. So I decided a fitting test would be to complete my first, all be it with some fear and trepidation.
I had recently increased my mileage on the hills with some big Sunday runs (no doubt you’ve read Rob’s story in an earlier newsletter) so I hoped to be able to last the course. However. a nagging doubt persisted that I had done little in the way of long road runs. which Andy Penny swears by. With a recent London Marathon time of 2 hours 57 minutes, who can argue?
Much needed advice came thick and fast. I must thank Steve, Andy, Mick, Ian and Nicky for their words of wisdom which centred around a marathon being a 20-mile warm-up and a 6-mile race, drink early on in the race and just hang in there.
Suddenly all the planning was over and the big race was here. It was a great sight to see 12,000 runners all together, although upon arriving we were greeted by 120 Portaloos, emphasising the scale of the operation.
The race unfolded around the City of Nottingham, round the Cathedral and through the Park. The first half was quite hilly and really well supported with a great carnival spirit and lots of drinks stations.
I was feeling good and taking drinks on board from the fifth mile, keeping a sprightly 6.45 m/m (maybe this was a bad omen for things to come) . My time for the first half was 1:28 and although I felt good, was worried that this PB time and the hills could have taken a lot out of my legs.
As the first half of the race was being concluded my apprehensions were alerted by a sign "Marathon Runners Bear Right, Half Marathon Runners Keep Left 300 Yards".
Over the Old Trent Bridge a few die- hard runners kept a strong pace and by mile 15 the razzmatazz had evaporated. The crowds had disappeared and all that was left was a long thin line of purposeful runners – all with the expression of pain over what the forthcoming miles would bring.
From the relatively flat roads of miles 12 -17 we were directed onto a gravel path with big potholes and cars passing. Round a hall and up to the Lake section where the path was split into two. So we first ran left, watching the expressions of the faster runner’s faces, at the end we turned back and were confronted with other runners coming down the earlier stretch.
This was my nemesis. The wind was blowing a gale and I felt like I was just not moving. My energy just evaporated. Just before the 21-mile mark I had a bout of muscle spasm and cramp and found out first hand what you were all talking about.
Fortunately the fantastic spirit amongst the fellow runners pervaded and a couple of runners stopped to massage my leg as I was in quite a bit of pain. I cannot think of any other race where this spirit of mutual endeavour exists and I was very grateful for their help.
After 5 minutes or so as I gingerly started to hobble and then lurch into a drunken shuffle, I noticed a rather fresh looking runner pass in a new Wilmslow vest, Trevor Morris mumbled something about beating 3:15 then off he went.
From the Lake we moved to a grass track following a nice stretch of the river Trent and eventually passed the Football Ground.
Those were the really tough miles. And a fight erupted between my head and screaming body which demanded to stop with every stride. My head replied "Even if I stop I’ve still got to get back! And each step brings me closer to the finish". Any thoughts of time went out the window. I just wanted to get the race over.
Somewhere on the 25th mile the crowds reappeared with enthusiastic support and I was so relieved to be on the finishing straight. Yes!! Just managed to finish.
An unexpected bonus was the time of 3 hours 17 minutes which I suppose could have been a lot worse. But then again with out the cramp and the muscle spasm it could have been better.
I think that sums up a marathon. An event which requires lots of planning, hard training and on the day a bit of good luck. With such obstacles to overcome I can fully understand the euphoria that engulfs finishers of a marathon.
1st Pumlani Bangani 2:23:31
118 Trevor Morris 3:12:25
154 Mike Cooper 3:17:25
1204 finishers
I look forward to my second year at the club with new challenges to meet. Thanks to Tony and everyone for their help and support.
Mike Cooper