Marathon 9: Kielder – Second time round

The Kielder Marathon will always have a special place in my heart, as it was the first marathon I ever completed. It was the marathon where I had blisters from the beginning, was completely unprepared hill training wise, kit wise and fuel wise. It was the marathon where I hit the wall at the finish and spent my post-race glory vomiting in the toilets for 20 minutes, and then hobbling for around 2 weeks. It was also the marathon that made me adamant that one marathon was enough and that I would never do one again, and then signed up to complete 10 more marathons and a 100 mile ultra-marathon in one year.

(A brisk yet clear start)

It was important that I tackled this beast again. My first marathon was actually a rather quick marathon and my fastest one yet. But the reason why I was adamant that Kielder was in my 2012 diary was that in all the misery and focus of trying to break into the marathon world, I had failed to take in the beauty of my surroundings and really enjoy running what really is a fantastic run.

They say that running is all about mind-set, and this one certainly was. I started out in an amazing mood and finished euphoric. The instant difference to my second Kielder marathon was the weather. Beautiful clear skies and although it was a bit nippy early on, the beautiful weather definitely made peoples spirits high as we had what would be called perfect running weather conditions.

(Perfect weather conditions)

The difference with my second attempt of Kielder was that I was prepared. I had a routine and I was sticking to it. I knew exactly when I would be taking on isotonic drinks, exactly when I would be taking on electrolytes, when I would be taking in sugar and when I would be taking in protein. I knew what my average pace should be, and what started out as feeling like a relatively slow marathon, as I got to 18 miles keeping the same steady pace, over taking constantly, it was clear that I was on to a winning formula. Preparation!

(Larking aroond with Maxine)

I had a game plan, it was going exactly to plan and I finished this run, although a good 20 minutes slower than my first time, in a much better way.

Kielder second time round was never to beat my first time. Now fully into my ultra-marathon training it would have been ridiculous to push too hard and risk an injury. And at this point I had the obligatory extra running to do at the end. Yes I dumped my kit, and went and ran an extra 3 miles, with some absolutely mortified stares from my fellow runners around me; little did they know that the next morning I would up early pounding the pavements for another 10 miles! 

(Heading to the finish line)

I ended the day with some good food, good company and in good spirits. Kielder is definitely in my 2013 diary!!!