After a 40 day marathon drought, two came in a row. Only the fourth time I have done back to back marathons in the same weekend. It is hard to find ones that fit together and have logistics that work. I love it when I can do this, it gives me a great buzz on the second day when I’m on the start line knowing I’ve had done one the day before. I love it when people try to race me and their shock when they find out I’m on my second in 24 hours and they are running at the same pace as me.
This weekend was the same double as I did last year Anglesey Coastal on Saturday followed by Gloucester on the Sunday.
Anglesey Coastal Marathon, 4 hours 43 minutes 38 mins
This might seem a fairly slow time for me and compared with a road marathon you are right. This marathon was no normal event, very hilly with over 2200ft of climb, sections of the course resembled fell running and other parts like a cross country. The course was long for a marathon, coming in at 27 miles. Don’t get me wrong I really enjoyed it, a great challenging event with breath taking scenery along the cliff edges. To make matters worse the weather was awful, not too cold but very strong winds which I think we could describe as gales! Several showers which some of the time felt like hale as it was hurled side ways at us by the wind. So when I finished and found out I was in 18th place you start to realize just how difficult the race was.
I must thank Michaela for her company during the second half of the race, she kept smiling, a great attitude and a very gutsy performance.
Gloucester Marathon, 3hours 48 minutes 32 mins
After a night of sorting out one lot of muddy, wet clothes and packing fresh dry ones it was bed time for an early drive down to Gloucester. A very different event, a straight forward 3 lap road marathon, undulating course but not too demanding.
The legs loosened over the first few miles then I got into my usual swing. Felt tired third quarter but got a second wind towards the end.
Probably the nicest part of the day was meeting so many marathon running friends and making some new ones.
I was pleased with better times for both days on last year.
Gloucester start with 2012 TiT’s Rob, Matt, Diane, Jeff, Jim & Davy
