So on 9 January I received an email stating “Congratulations” – no, this wasn’t the usual Viagra advert – I’d won two entries into the Paris Marathon, which was in just over 12 weeks time.
This email came hard on the heels of a last minute entry to the Edinburgh marathon following another knock back from the London ballot. My partner is usually blasé about my running adventures, so I wondered how he’d take to the idea of a trip to Paris. Being French he seemed quite keen. However, a few frantic texts to my running buddy Elaine and we were good to confirm the entries and run. Lucky we’d kept the miles up over the winter.
Last year we ran the Loch Ness Marathon, which entailed a summer of training in the lovely Pentland Hills round Edinburgh. Now, we were faced with running round a cold & wet Edinburgh to get ready. But we did it.
Paris would be my 4th marathon in three years (after starting running four years ago, aged 41, following a drunken bet with my sister). I find training a huge commitment, not just in miles but time as well. However, training went well this time, apart from a recurrence of Achilles Tendinitis, luckily I caught this early and only needed a weeks rest and the help of a good physio.
The marathon weekend arrived quicker than expected along with the usual pre-marathon nerves and panic of ‘have I done enough’?!
Friday’s expo was an eye opener. Normally I’m used to a local retailer turning up with some stock, but no, the Paris Expo was huge. Two new t-shirts purchased later – I limited myself – we made our way to the hotel with the Sacre Coeur in the background.
On the Saturday we’d entered the Paris Breakfast 5k which was great fun. A leisurely jaunt through the streets of Paris, ending with the Eiffel Tower in the background. This was a lovely way to calm the nerves before Sunday’s big event, and finished off with a coffee and pastry! Good value for money at €7 – t-shirt thrown in.
On marathon morning I turned up at the Champs Élysées and was blown away at the sheer number of runners. Paris is definitely the biggest race I’d taken part in. I missed Elaine at the start, being a speedster she was in an earlier corral. I entered my corral and quickly got chatting to a couple from Dublin, followed by more people from these isles. The mix of runners was truly international, mainly French, but a lot of UK and Irish runners and plenty from further afield.
The atmosphere at the start was electric. I was conscious not to do my usual at the start of a marathon and go out like the clappers only to crash and burn later on. My aim was to keep a steady 5:30 Kilometre mile pace and come in under 4 hours. The first few miles passed quickly with really brilliant support from the crowd, it helped that I had my name on my shirt. A few shouts of ‘Allez Roy’ helped enormously. The runners were packed tight and it was hard to settle into a decent pace. Eventually this settled down and we were off through Paris.
5k in and I was maintaining the pace I wanted. I caught up with Kirsty a London lady who I’d been chatting to at the start and we both grumbled a bit about the heat. Reaching 10k signaled the start of running through the Bois de Vicennes, which meant a slightly different road surface, a nice change for sure.
Then it was back into town. I totally missed Notre Dame – how? I don’t know because it’s huge. At the 26 & 29K markers we were running through the road tunnels. I had heard these were difficult and a bit tedious, however, I didn’t think so, and it was quite good to have a bit respite out of the sun, even though they didn’t lower the temperature.
It was just after this I trotted past the Eiffel Tower. I managed not to miss that!
Then before I knew it I’d passed the 32k mark and realised I only had another 10k to go. ‘You can handle 10k Roy,’ I thought.
The final stretch of the marathon is through the Bois de Boulonge and at this point I spotted the 4hour pace runner. Thinking to myself ‘if I can keep pace with him I’m on target’.
But then a terrible trip and clash of feet with a friendly Greek runner happened.
I managed to keep going and stay upright, but through the mayhem I lost sight of the pacer and with that my rhythm too.
The final 7-8k of a marathon is normally where I start to run out of puff and the legs and back complain viciously. This was no different, but I managed to keep going, partly to a huge handful of jelly beans.
Through my research and preparation I had read that Paris is meant to be poker flat, but I noticed some small inclines at this point, which was not helping my cause.
Then at the worst possible time, came the 41k camera op, which posted a helpful picture direct to Facebook. Just at the point when you’re wrecked and looking your worst, along comes a high definition camera, brilliant. My picture lived up to expectations.
Then it was into the final burst. I managed to find something of a sprint (well, canter) to the end. I heard Steph shout at me to go and I ran as fast as my stumpy wee Scottish legs could manage. Across the line I checked my Garmin and I’d clocked in at 3hrs 57mins 47secs! I’d also ran an extra 0.25miles – must have been all the weaving.
I also bumped into the Irish couple I’d been chatting to at the start. Both of them had managed to break the 4hour mark. A quick text to Elaine and found out that she’d come in at 3hrs 32mins, narrowly missing her aim of 3hrs 30. Congratulations all round though.
We celebrated on Sunday night with the largest steaks we could find in Paris. Boy were they worth it.
Paris wasn’t my quickest marathon – I’d managed Loch Ness in 3:54 last year – but it was my most consistent run. I’d got my pacing right and worked out my gels and fluids perfectly.
Paris, was without a doubt, the most amazing running experience I’ve had to date. Thank you to Men’s Running for giving me the opportunity to take part in such a wonderful experience.
I just need to try to bring the same techniques to Edinburgh and hopefully make it under 4 hours in my home marathon as well.
