as promised, here I am again with another post and another Marathon. That completes number 4, only 8 to go.
This was my 2nd time running the Bonn Marathon, so I knew what to expect. The start time was quite late at 10.30, so didn't have to get up too early. I went to bed at around 10.30pm and got up at 7.15am to have some breakfast and get ready. We left the house at a few minues past 8. Weather forecast was good, so I only wore a sweatshirt over my running clothes for the early morning chill. We didn't take the car for a change, because parking is quite bad in Bonn. My mother-in-law joined us in the train at the next stop and we headed to Bonn Hbf, which took us a little over an hour.
Once there, we headed towards to starting area, where I picked up my bib and got my T-Shirt. Since the main sponsor of this event is Deutsche Post, it was bright yellow and black. Not my favourite colours exactly. I'm also not really a fan of not getting the choice if you want to purchase the T-Shirt or not. It's just a way for them to justify the entry fee. It did come in handy after my run though, so at least it had some kind of use.
We had about an hour to wait at this point, so I went to show Christine and her mum where to stand to see my frequently, which was quite close to the start. Without having to move much, they would be able to see me 6 times. Most clouds cleared at this point and it was lovely warm at about 15°C at this time, which later crawled up to about 20°C. Maybe a tick too warm, a cloudy sky would have probably been better, but I shouldn't complain, it was better than rain and it did serve me well for the parts I had to walk :) We sat around in the sun a little while longer and then it was time to say goodbye and head to my starting block.
There were about 1000 Marathon runners, but we also started with the relay runners and also the school kids, who were also running a relay. Even so, it did not exactly feel very full. Coincidentally I was located next to another Stefan, who looked to have the same starting number as me. After a moment of confusion, I saw that two numbers were actually back to front though. Still quite an odd coincidence.
I stayed near the 03:30 pacemakers, which was the pace I wanted to keep as long as possible and at least for the first half. A few more minutes and we were off. Since the field was not that big, we quickly got into a good rhythm. The 03:30 group consisted of about 25-30 runners. It was quite good being in a bigger group, because people feel more inclined to cheer on a larger group of people than individual runners. My legs felt heavy from the start and after a few KMs I knew already, that it would be impossible to maintain this pace throughout. Although I didn't really feel sore after my last Marathon, my body definitely remembered that run. I got into a decent groove though and kept up for now. At about KM 9 I first saw Christine and Flori, who hadn't expected me this early, so no photo here. The track does a loop though and goes back under the bridge, so I saw them again 1.5 KM later, waving down from the bridge. The scenery for the next few KMs was quite enjoyable along the Rhein river. At KM 14 we went away from the river and headed south for a while, this is probably the toughest and most boring part of the run, with a slight uphill slant and not much to see. Once we reached the top of the road we turned around and headed back down.
One person in our group read my T-Shirt and asked me a little about what I'm doing, which I was happy to answer. Almost at the halfway mark I started feeling quite sore, which was a definite sign that my body hadn't fully recovered yet. I started falling behind a little at this point and my hopes and dreams of coming in at around that time went to waste ;)
Off I go over the bridge again for lap two. I see my supporters again and they get a good shot of me almost alone on the track. I manage a few more KMs at a slightly slower pace, before it is time for the first walking break. My thighs and hamstrings are burning quite heavily now, so it's hard to keep running. I try to walk 300m and run 1.7 KM, which works sometimes and fails other times. At KM 29 I see Christine again and she can tell that it is getting much harder. Around the loop I go and I meet them again underneath the bridge. I can't really enjoy the nice scenery anymore, I just try not to think too much about how much still lays ahead of me.
This continues for quite a while. The southern loop is really tough, but I do manage to run a few more KMs on the downhill part. On what I intended to be my final walk, I get talking with a man who was doing his 52nd Marathon today. He said his maximum Marathons in a year was 8 and he showed quite a bit of respect. We got to the KM 40 sign and started running and managed to keep going until the end, probably pulling each other a little. Originally I had hoped to be under 4 hrs, but at this point that was not going to happen anymore, so we striked an easy trot. He runs the Monschau Marathon every year, which was also on my list, which is quite funny.
The last 800 meters or so were quite fun, although painful. Tight track and lots of people cheering, while running through the city center. I see Christine shortly before the end, waving away. We trot the last few meters, seeing no point to increase our pace to gain a few seconds and cross the finish line. I thank him for pulling me the last few kilometers. "See you in Monschau" was our goodbye. I stretch a little in the finish line before I go get my medal and leave the finish area. Considering the price, the finish area is a bit of a joke. No water, no food, you immediately go out to where people are waiting for the runners. Not that I feel a whole lot like eating, but still a little disappointing.
I find Christine and Flori quickly and we start walking towards the railway station. My legs are very sore, so we are rather slow. The train ride home was uneventful, after a shower and a little bit of sitting around, we go out for an Indian Dinner, which was just the right thing.
Summary: The first half way quite good, but I felt the Marathon 2 weeks ago on the second half. My body was feeling heavy and I was not quite as fresh as I would have liked. I am glad that this Marathon was so early, however, since I now have a good 7 weeks to recover and do some actual training for my next one in Gelsenkirchen.
See a few photos below and I will also share the link to the event photos when I get it.
Speak to you soon!
Stefan
Me in the starting area, still empty at this time.
Shortly after the start. Not that full as you can see.
Photo from on top of the bridge, running underneath it at about 10.5 KM.
Crossing the bridge for the 2nd time, just after halfway. Nice and empty!
Coming off the bridge after the loop at KM 29. Still looking fresh? Not so much.
And going underneath the bridge again at KM 30.5.
Unfortunately we forgot to take a photo after the run, I will see if I can get hold of one from the event photographers.
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