5th October 2014
3:52:47
SUB 4
SMASHED IT
Tbh I'd had some rough training runs with the FURMAN plan: mentally- far too many walking breaks during long runs- finding the summer tough, and physically- suffered a viral sinus infection and missed weeks 6 to 4, the peak stuff, so the longest solid long runs I'd had in the final15weeks were 13-15 miles. (Though I had repeatedly sneaked time off my Half PB over this period and also done 'time on feet at Giants Head and Salisbury)
Anyhoo. To cut a long story short I'd tamed down my target to just 'Sub 4'. Having missed the long runs in training I wasn't sure what would happen once I hit 18+..
I set out cautiously behind the two 4hour pacers. It was fun in the group and I enjoyed the chats with some of the other (female) runners who had broken the ice. But the crowding was getting to me and I kept getting elbowed in the face. I felt fresh at 15 and wanted some space to run in. There was a hill I bounded up and found myself in front of the group and momentarily told myself off for rushing away and was about to drop back into the group, but I found some gumption and decided to stay ahead.
I was still being cautious through to 20 miles but had allowed my legs to push on just a little bit. I'd been switching between fore/midfoot running (good posture but calves still get tired) and my old heel strike, which was giving different muscles a break.
10k to go I was still breathing easy, fuelling had gone well and there were more frequent hills. (I like hills) Other runners were starting to flag now so I was playing the mentally boosting game of reeling them in. At mile 24, the biggest hill, two friends were there taking photos of their club mates. I threw my arms in the airs announcing "I LOVE HILLS" which didn't go down so well with the other runners. Oops.
The final stretch was on footpath in the town so a bit narrow and twisty but I was hitting and average 4'44"/km for the final 2.2- doing my usual and starting my sprint finish at 600m and regretting it at 400m but pushed on along the grass racecourse to "and we have Natalie Atkinson. She's flying. I can't believe how strong she's finishing" over the tannoy. BOOM.
3:52:47
SUB 4
SMASHED IT
Tbh I'd had some rough training runs with the FURMAN plan: mentally- far too many walking breaks during long runs- finding the summer tough, and physically- suffered a viral sinus infection and missed weeks 6 to 4, the peak stuff, so the longest solid long runs I'd had in the final15weeks were 13-15 miles. (Though I had repeatedly sneaked time off my Half PB over this period and also done 'time on feet at Giants Head and Salisbury)
Anyhoo. To cut a long story short I'd tamed down my target to just 'Sub 4'. Having missed the long runs in training I wasn't sure what would happen once I hit 18+..
 |
| The start |
I was still being cautious through to 20 miles but had allowed my legs to push on just a little bit. I'd been switching between fore/midfoot running (good posture but calves still get tired) and my old heel strike, which was giving different muscles a break.
 |
| Photo used by the Chester Marathon website to advertise next years race. |
Sandy Lane "The Hill"
The final stretch was on footpath in the town so a bit narrow and twisty but I was hitting and average 4'44"/km for the final 2.2- doing my usual and starting my sprint finish at 600m and regretting it at 400m but pushed on along the grass racecourse to "and we have Natalie Atkinson. She's flying. I can't believe how strong she's finishing" over the tannoy. BOOM.
Sprinting for the finish
Bling shot, post jockey's showers
