This was not my first choice for a PB nor to attempt for Boston qualification. But it was the only one available after Rotterdam. So i trained for it.
Getting there… Dusseldorf (Weeze) airport panic!!!
The Tallinna Marathon race begun even before we arrived. Part of the race weekend preparation was to sleep well, arrive early in Tallinn, and rest before the Sunday race. We were flying early morning Saturday from Dusseldorf … airport, which is ~ 1.45 hours from Netherlands. So we decided to stay a night near Dusseldorf airport (more quality sleep). On the same evening it was Holland vs Germany football match at Hamburg, and Gertjan sacrificed the viewing on field, instead watch from the hotel room given the drive distance is ~4.30 hours from Hamburg to Dusseldorf.
But @ 430am at the parking lot, we were reminded to c
The preparation…
The preparation involved an average 90km weekly run mileages for a good 3 months. I was most disciplined. Gertjan laid out the “never look back” long runs that was adventurously different from our usual long runs. I even started making Dutch sentences during these long runs “ik vind harlopen leuk” “rennen geniet” i.e. “i enjoy/ love running”… in the spirit of positive thinking.
First long run was 35km running through Veluwe via Rozendaal (an absolute beauty with heathers turning purple in early autumn) and the second long run was 30km on the fringes of the Veluwe starting from Apeldoorn Sports Park towards Ermelo with our final destination, the Uddelaar brewery – owned and run by the former Dutch Olympian field hockey player Jacques Brinkman.
Training mileages ramped up from May onwards averaging ~ 85 – 90km per week. This changed from ~55km per week when training for Rotterdam. So, yeah, i guess its just good old plain hard work that gets you there. Nothing scientific.
I enjoy the run journey as much as i enjoy the progression and experience of each race.
And this time, it is a BIG one. I finally qualified for Boston Marathon in 3.36.07 hours! The world’s oldest marathon since 1897.
I get goosebumps each time i relish the moment of crossing the finish line at Tallinna Marathon. The generous organisation captured finisher video for each runner. A nice touch. Click link below.
Race day…
For a good 25km i was able to keep a 5min pace. The 3.30 hours pacers were at sight most of this time pulling me like a magnet. I was relax and stayed focus on the end game. I knew i had to pull it through to km 30 with a pace of 5 min if i want to increase the chance of acceptance into Boston. I allow myself to think of the pain “process the feelings” after km 30, and which is when the pace started dropping. I pulled myself together and said “…another 10km and it is everything that i have worked for these 2 years… yes i can and i must…”
An improved speed in the last 5 km was purely mental. The body adapts to the mind. It’s almost spooky thinking about it now. :P. I could push if i put my mind to it, but it requires a lot of positive energy and thoughts, and the source of strength is from the running journey.
The route…
This was not 100% road race. There is a good 1.5 to 2km stretch of gravel surfaces. Speed is affected just very slightly but glad that i have the 4 min gap to allow for surprises such as this one. Discovered Kalamanja and Tallinn Zoo along the way. A great distraction.
http://www.jooks.ee/en/tallinn-marathon/42195-km for more information of places along the run route.
Through the hour glass…
I was told i never really pushed my limit (max out), i don’t run out of breath when i race, i look fresh at the finish line… I know i have this conscious “fear buffer” which i need to eliminate if i want to progress further. This “fear buffer” are negative thoughts of “what if i get a heart attack… what if i cramp… what if…”
I recall reading The Rise of Superman (Steven Kotler) and how extreme athletes achieve ultimate performance by applying the FLOW concept. It takes time but not impossible.
Fun Facts:
The first Boston Marathon only measures a 24.5mi in 1897. Only in 1908 that the distance changed to 26.2mi.
meysrunningjourney.com 