First ‘actual’ race since Florence Marathon back in November 2019 and it was good to race again.
No mass start with runners queuing up – socially distanced of course – to be sent off at ~ 5 second intervals. So adrenalin levels were lower than with the mass start racing. Pre-pandemic there would have been ~ 700 runners but today just 200 and there was plenty of space for runners, dogs & walkers. The course had also been changed with the down/up hill section in the North West corner being cut out to be replaced by an extra (flat) loop to the west : So it was a bit easier.
Given that I had to stop running only a few weeks ago for yet another hamstring problem I was relieved to be able to get round without problem although the time of just inside 50 minutes was not what I would have considered acceptable a year or two ago but at least I was #1 in my category. Pace was even throughout too with the slowest lap being the first as it should be.
Lets see if it happens …..
So at last a Marathon but nothing like normal as is the way in these times. Next weekend …. I still have to work out when and where to inflict the pain of 26.2 miles. Somewhere flat for sure but I have been so short of training due to the ongoing hamstring problems that have beset me for most of the year.
But currently out of running action due to a recurring hamstring problem.
So the usual April Marathon season has suddenly moved to the Autumn.
First Paris postponed and as Brighton offered places to those with places in Paris, I took that up. Then yesterday both Brighton & London postponed until September & October.
Back in Feb., I booked a Good-for-Age place on Edinburgh Marathon originally due to take place in May : That too is also now postponed but with no date set.
So September/October looks now set to be Marathon time ! Meanwhile I have decided not to run the Milton Keynes 20 mile tomorrow in part due to Covid-19 but also to avoid aggravating my thigh injury which is still in recovery.
I have been suffering with some sort of a hamstring & glute injury since Christmas : Hence the limited running as would have been obvious from my Strava feed. Runs have been few and no more than 5 miles : Not what is wanted with April/May Marathons in prospect.
But today it was a relief to be able to tun a longish run out down to the canal, around Victoria Park & on to Stratford. Not pain free but also I could run, unlike the earlier part of the year.
I hope that Marathons go ahead but fear that they will be curtailed & limited to elite runners only as happened in Tokyo.
Firenze Marathon would like to communicate that due to a gas leak at km 40 along the race route of today’s marathon, in order participants’ safety, in agreement with local police and firefighters it was necessary to make a slight change to the route. Exactly 600 meters were ‘cut’ near Via Lungarno Vespucci and was blocked after the first 60 runners therefore all qualifications at the national and international level will need to be approved by the Italian Athletics Federation.
As usual good conditions for Marathon running although warmer than in previous years.
I don’t know if this time will be accepted as a marathon course time as the route was affected by a gas leak …. I think the actual distance was a little short of 26.2 miles but there’s been no official mention of this.
