Local running events have never been more attractive. In times where one major marathon after another gets cancelled, you can still rely on events like this one: Thames Meander Marathon. City and 50,000 runner events are so pre-Coronavirus. Tucked away in SouthWest London, the start line couldn’t be more low key and relaxed. A Race HQ tent next to the Kingston upon Thames YMCA community centre was pretty sufficient as a single point for registration, bag storage, and getting quickly changed before and after the race.
Take a few steps through the community centre and you are at the start line. The area is lovely decorated with probably all flags out there and indeed it was rumored that the international profile of this humble race had suddenly risen by the cancelation of the Tokyo, Rome and Paris marathons. (Well, Paris got postponed to October, but still.) Fifteen minutes before start you are being asked to line up, the race director has a little speech and instructions. and off you go. First, a mile and a bit up the river, turning point and back to the start line, passing it and then you run on and on and on along the Thames path trail, which is almost Zen.
What wasn’t quite Zen was the turnaround point at Barn Elms Rowing Club. It was a bit, ehm, missable. Well, a marshall was there holding a pole, but it took me by surprise when the runner in front of me suddenly did the U-turn and only then I realised. I heard from other runners who were not as lucky as me and who ran on. The second non-Zen moment was when there was a marshall who indicated somehow that it is going to be wet ahead and we can avoid it doing a detour? Wet? I was on my way back; it had not been wet an hour ago when I passed this section the first time. So I ran on… I think “wet” did not quite describe it. It was wading through knee-deep water. Somehow the Thames must have risen and flooded this short section of the route. I had not the nerves to take pictures, but @cityrunningboy did and if you are on Instagram you can see it there.
It is amazing how soaking wet shoes do dry after a while. I had managed to maintain a faster pace than I thought was possible, judging by my mediocre running performance over the last six months. I don’t think there was a link, but after having waded through the water my running pace continued to drop soon after. So the last 10 km I was dragging myself along, getting slower every mile. Good thing that I remembered the sadistic last two miles when you pass the finish line and have to do again the final bit up, which you started with. It is always a psychological challenge, having to pass the finish and carrying on on tired legs. But as always with marathons, if you DO carry on (as long as you are not wandering off), you will inevitably reach the finish. This is one of my most fundamental piece of marathon wisdom and it proofed to be true again. Marathon number 64 is done in under 3:45; a much better time than I thought I can do. Yeah.
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