26 May 2019, 42.195km Invictus Marathon 40th anniversary run Special Edition, Oosterwolde

This was the first marathon that i actually felt like i’m in control of the pace, pain management, and continue to be positive despite the (usual) pain and lethargy that comes at km 30-35. 2 weeks ago at Lauwersmeer marathon, i suffered physically and mentally at km 30, in fact post km 21, it was already a struggle to keep a certain pace i thought i was capable of coping with. Because of it, i felt burnt out, and training mileages dropped subsequently. Running should be fun, not a struggle. This “quitting conversation” usually occurs at km 30-35. So beware of the devil when confronted at this distance.

On reflection, consciously, in May, i increased run mileages averaging 91km a week. In prior months, it was 55km, 51km, 81km, 62km from Jan to April respectively. I was adjusting to the increased running mileages and did suffer a burn out syndrome last week.

The name Invictus caught my attention as i have always remembered that movie from Master and Commander, starring Russell Crowe and Invictus starring Morgan Freeman. The poem i held close to heart, and used it closely, in classes and team activities, “I am master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul”. Such powerful words to get one marching forward despite all odds.

This race was organised in conjunction with the 40-year celebration of the Invictus club coming into existence and the events featured the Solo, Duo, and Team marathon categories. You can race individually, or with a partner, or as a team of more than 2.

Everyone, has to complete the full marathon distance regardless of the race category you are in. The team will have both cyclists and runners. At the start of the race, the team categories ran towards a holding area where the bikes are stalled (100m from race start).

Given the high adrenaline at the race start, for a good 5km, I was battling for space on the fietspad (cycling lane). The experience was not a pleasant one, as i am not able to pace at a constant speed given cyclists who would hustle for space or distract my momentum when i tried to “stay on the perfect line” when approaching corners.

 

And further, the headwind, oh blimey, they were made of steel. They came out of no where, and my pace dropped 3 seconds per km. But oh well, it would be very tough to (already) quit in the first 5 km of a race right? For a good 20km (after) were either no wind (feels like) or that they were tailwind (most welcomed).

After 5km or so, the crowd were dispersed. Space was widely available, and i could get into the rhythm. There were the duo team of father and son whom i was running very closely with. As we got into the second half of the run, for a good 1.5km of trail (where cyclists aren’t allowed), i was running alongside the son who had fresh(er) legs than i do at that point, and with good stride, i caught on his rhythm, and ran with him. At this point of lethargy, a pacer is most definitely welcomed.

The last 5km was a trying one. One of the veteran runners, most likely in his 70s, were encouraging and tailed me with his bike for some distance. His team was a team of 4 cyclists and a runner. I think on average, an individual ran a segment of no more than 2km interchangeably. At that point, a distraction was good for me. With very little English and Nederlands, the only means of conversing was body language. Thumbs up and a smile, and the occassional “out of gas” (hand slicing over neck gestures).

Gertjan signed me up for this race. He had raced the Run Forest Run 43km trail the day before, and this back to back training mileages was for him to prepare for the 100km race in a month’s time. Not only did he do well coming Top 5 in the race category, he came in first overall in this race! Awesome! We both won something, “A Lil Oranje Bag” 

Source: https://poets.org/poem/invictus