I wanted to do this piece together because it was a back to back weekend marathon race; 11 & 17 October <Eindhoven & Dramathon>. Both with very different expectations and satisfaction.
ASML Eindhoven Marathon
Eindhoven was a last minute second hand bib purchased a few days prior to the race. Quite intentionally so because i want to “listen” to my body first. Eventually my body felt “ready”. I guess what it means to me was “that i will finish strong”.
With Eindhoven marathon, the journey to start line was more eventful than the actual run itself haha. Gertjan sent me off to Antwerp train station while he stayed on in Sint Niklaas to get ready for his own canicross race later in the afternoon. Antwerp station was grandiose and took a few minutes to soak in its past.
The race
The first 5 minute is always a bit of a worry. How will my left calf react? This time it went well. No need to stop and shake off the pain. I held a pace of 516 to 521 and as my body warmed up it felt more souplesse. I constantly looked out for a runner whose pace is the same as mine. Yes caught one and tailed him for a good 8km or so. He had a kiprun trail vest which was unzipped. The slight ocd in me could not get my eyes of it. Good distraction. I needed it to keep me focused running in a constant pace. I did not want to crash at km 25/28 when everything felt laborious and to drag myself over the finish line.
I started taking gels from km8 onwards and used all 5. Past 21km i saw that i was able to continue at the same pace or at times negative split but i certainly did not puncture like i normally would between km25/28. But i started feeling quite beaten at km32. I feel the lack of training in my legs. I plough through and when i realised i could hit a 3.45 i sprinted to the end.
Antwerp central station 0615 on race daymy 72nd FM in da 🎒#appreciationI was stoked with the finish time. Inching closer to testing my PB next year (3.36.02). Injury since 2023 put a dent to it. But this gives me hope.
and a week later… The Dramathon 🏴
I fell in love with the Scottish Highlands. I cannot even begin to put into words what the experience was like. The drive from Dufftown towards Ballachulish Hotel was spectacular. We drove past Caingorms National Park admiring the backdrop of its rolling hills and pine trees and we came to Loch Laggan. A moment of solitary driving was what it felt like. The mirror image of its water i bet if a mosquito took a dive i would have noticed the ripple effect too.
Truly one of my best run-cation.
We signed up in January. The registration window was only for a day before it closes. Confirmation comes a day later 😅. Gertjan is the chief planner in all these runs. I would have missed the window otherwise if one leaves me to it. He had it so well done we had a printed book made prior to the run-cation.
The race
Already a fair amount of drama before the dramathon starts. Almost missed the bus (start & finish is at different location) because our race bib was in Dufftown while bus departs from Glenfiddich distillery. I was put on video call before Gertjan is able to pick it up on my behalf. But we made it otherwise this blog would be just 3 letters, DNS 🤣. The sprint to the bus omg… #flabbergasted
Glenfarcas was where it started. From the beginning it felt labored. The first km was a climb and that did not make it easier for my heavy legs. Plan A was to try for a sub 4 hour but after the first 5km i knew Plan A is not going to happen.
I took it easier. It was a very small race only 500 of us doing the full marathon and the rest were relay and half marathoners.
smell of yeast / passing distillery
I was around runners throughout the whole race. Many would have conversations while running and once i stopped and let them past as somehow it irritates me. I could follow their conversation and this time it was “about turning 40 & botox…”😅.
I think running is my solitary moment. A moment to break away from routines, and be lost in my own thoughts.
Start of Dramathon at Glenfarcas. This was the queue for a row of portable toilets. Well im pretty sure not all made it before the start at 1000I was just staring away at her and the sound of bagpipe was hypnotic. I did not want her to stop for i know when she does the run starts! #jadedThe route brought us past golf fields. Was quite something for a trail runner who is used to all the mud. the grass was too neat i only tread along the existing marked path.we have a project of castle collection. so i took one to show it off to him. i reckon he ran so fast he has no chance of a selfie. also not in his character 🤣 #mefirst #photo-proof Ballindalloch castle.the gate opening up to the Ballindalloch castle.The River Dee was a main feature of the entire route. Twice there were suspension bridges where we crossed. It felt like crossing a trampoline only we were not bounced off. #scary @km 25. Gosh was i REALLY totally done at that distance. i took a loooooong stop and ate what i could at the post, and a girl chatted up with me and asked “hey were you here last year” “i ran with a girl who has the exact gait & stride like yours”… and i am like wow , it felt so communal because this is not her first dramathon … #loyalist. I felt bad that that was the end of the conversation, because the next half is always a bit of a struggle (and especially if i felt so labored from the beginning) and even small chat gives very little pleasure. the food stash & Dramathon’s lovely marshalls. God i took as much haribo & brownie as i could and paused here. And probably a whole cup of cola cos i was flying a little after this check point.Cardhu distillery The pleasure of a leisure run. #pausetotally random. I don’t recall where i am but i always 💜 water in whichever form. And when it comes to trail running, when i hear streaming water i know i am headed downstream, and it also means a village is nearby, and probably a food post.one figured it is a distillery when one smells a sugary aroma of (cooked) sweet porridge a day after dramathon and waking up to this view at breakfast. in our quest for castle collection hunting , and this was it. i cracked up. Castle Stalker which appeared in the movie Monty Phython & the Holy Grail (1975) nou #chopchop #rewatchthat evening in hotel … in my mind “whateva thst is fried & contains the most calorie and cheap”Finish line at Glenfiddich distillery. Clocked in 4.35 hour ? hallo Teddy💙I asked Chat what this is. It said “repurposed whisky barrel stave.” I replied “ooo special”10 mini whisky bottles for the finisher. When i first signed up i thought this was a fun race where you actually get served whisky at every post where the distillery is. haha God was i ignorant. I probably would be faster than the 4.32 hour clocked in for this run. 😝we past these abandoned looking warehouses but i liked it. anti social wefie. i will probably have to remove it after i publish this post. 🤣 lets see if he reads the blog to remind me to delete this photo🤣🤣🤣
The driving route
when the clouds break and the sun shines through i ran to the highest point of the open field to capture the Scottish highlander with Balmoral Castle in the background. the first order of play as we landed in Aberdeen was a visit to the 13th century castle (sorry ruins) of Dunottar. Perched right atop the cliff it was captivating. I imagine horses and knights and a bit of Game of Thrones. Dusk came and i wanted a piece of loch laggan for my memory. that mirror image reflection on the Loch. breathtaking. it was so still, i soaked in that one second of solitary moment for myself and the Loch. i drove after the marathon and was feeling rather stress with the narrow road and speed of oncoming cars. and i was warned of feral goats on the road. what in God’s name… and yes i saw but one, one big signage to warn for them.
