A race of three halves

The Connemara results are up giving chip times for 13.1, 26.2 and 39.3 which makes interesting reading - well to me and a few others who like numbers. I've analysed the results on this spreadsheet to show how the race developed around me (and everyone else) and my position after 13.1, 26.2 and 39.3 miles (green columns 1, 3 & 6). It shows a reasonably consistent progression from 28th to 25th to 22nd after each successive 13.1 miles. Interestingly Thomas was the only one who passed me after 13.1 miles (and he was 2 seconds behind me at that stage). My splits for each section of the race (green column 1 & purple columns 2 & 4) were also fairly consistent in terms of ranking coming 28th, 25th & 24th fastest for each half Marathon. So despite my relatively disastrous last 13.1 miles I was 24th fastest over this leg. The 2nd last column shows the results of the marathon between 13.1 and 39.3 where again my result of 3:46:20 (compared to 3:29:42 for 0 to 26.2miles) was consistent at 19th fastest overall.

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So my fade over the last 13.1 wasn't that bad after all, I didn't lose position, in fact I passed 3 ultras over this section, with one poor guy finishing over 30 minutes after me despite having over 2 minutes margin on me at the 26.2 mile mark - he missed the 6 hour mark by 42 seconds. Just goes to show that it ain't over till it's over (then again he could have been injured and stubborn - like most ultras I imagine).

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That's not to say I was sorted over the last 13.1 miles. There were quite a few behind me that were faster over this section but fortunately (for me) they ran out of road before they could catch me.

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My legs have been quite good since Sunday with not many aches and no restrictions when walking down stairs. Nevertheless my recovery has been limited to easy sessions in the pool on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday and short outings on the bike yesterday and today. The only tel tale from Sunday is a reluctance to rise as early as I normally do as my body takes a rest.

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