LJUBLJANA (29.10.17)
Before making it over to Ljubljana for my second marathon of October I finally managed to make contact with an ME and Fibromyalgia group in Slovenia. Despite the tricky language barrier they were able to tell me a little about what it's like to live there with the illness (click here). Although I wasn't likely to get much support at the race in Ljubljana I did get some nice messages of support. I was also delighted to add more followers to the challenge and another £500 to the target which at the time of writing stands at £9.4K towards the £26.2K I'm trying to raise.
Start
The start line was a 10 min chilly walk from our hotel and I got to the 4th pen of 5 in good time. It was pretty windy and noisy down the Slovenska Cesta with a very excitable MC shouting something motivational in Slovenian as the countdown began. There was an entire basketball team in front of me doing tricks and an old guy with two crutches! The race kicked off and I ran under a rock band who were hoisted on scaffolding above the start line, original! The route headed north and after the inevitable early bunching the runners straddled six lanes of the carriageway out of the city centre. I was feeling good as I settled into my stride though more than occasionally blocked by some ambitious half marathon runners who really were in the wrong pen. The wind was at our backs as the course passed the Expo where I picked up my race number and the business district towards the stunning Alps. At this point I caught glimpse of a man being resuscitated on the left hand side of the road. I've seen runners on stretchers and the odd one faint through exhaustion but never this. It was really quite shocking and brought home how dangerous these races can be. I tried to re-focus as best I could and keep a steady rhythm as I got to the 5Km mark. The crowd suddenly split in the middle and an ambulance came wailing through the runners. Good I thought, the runner is heading for the hospital. But it darted left again, pulling over and to my horror it was meant for another runner, this time an older guy who was also receiving compressions to the chest. Not good. It was good weather for running and pretty flat, just a couple of freak incidents. I've trawled the internet and asked the organisers about the two men but haven't had any replies, hopefully they're OK. There was a brass band playing as the course turned for the first time and headed out to the suburbs around Brinje with plenty of good support. My mind was back on the race and after 7 miles I'd got through the first hour without any after-effects of the Amsterdam race from two weekends ago.
Middle
I took the right hand path to avoid the bunched up runners and with a few others we suddenly veered away from the course! I was relieved to see the two roads join again, it wasn't a shortcut at all but it still felt a bit dodgy that's for sure, luckily there was nobody about. A few miles later and I was listening to Bananarama ('Cruel Summer') and running through a Slovenian forest, all very surreal.
At around 10 miles I'd started to feel a dull pain around my right hip/pelvis and realised it hadn't quite repaired from the last run. The wind had definitely whipped up and leaves were showering the course as it followed Cesta na Brdo towards the halfway mark where I knew Cat would be waiting for me. I'd got to halfway at 1hr 55 mins which was about where I needed to be to break 4 hours. It would be a struggle but as long as I could keep it together then it could happen, I knew there would be a good amount of downhill coming up too. The crowd was still pretty good on the whole, lots of kids to high 5 and enthusiastic parents shouting 'Bravo', all good natured and much appreciated. My hamstring and calf had also started complaining at around the 15 mile mark and I'd abandoned any thoughts of time other than to make it under 4.30 without picking up any lasting injuries. A bit disappointing I thought as this was definitely a good course to run quick but in the grand scheme of things, getting round was always the main objective. The route passed through what appeared to be a hillside alpine village with a traditional band playing all kitted out in traditional dress and cool hats, I gave them a thumbs up and tucked into some chocolate at the water station. At this point there was a big downhill for what felt like 3 or 4 miles, even though I'd lost most of my running form I'd managed to keep it together stopping only to walk through refreshment areas as it was too crowded to try to run through. The houses/lodges were really similar to those I'd seen in Southern Germany before with wooden balconies and lots of slanted roofing, they were really stunning; having a good look into their living rooms as we passed by which kept my mind off the pain for a bit.
End
As the course turned back towards the city centre I'd noticed that my pace had dropped hugely, part due to sheer exhaustion but also as we were running into a pretty strong headwind. Even the Kenyan elite runners were moaning as I found out after the race, obviously disappointed that they hadn't quite managed to break the course record as they'd hoped. I was taking on plenty of water at the stations and as I got to 20 miles I still had over an hour to get the last 6.2 done to hit a sub 4hr race. It was very doable usually but I was fading pretty fast. Still I was (on the whole) enjoying the course, it's always interesting seeing how people from other cultures live and to see how involved they get in marathons. People were cheering out of bars and cafes, I was gesturing how much I wanted a beer and a guy came over with the intention of giving me a sip but I declined! I got to 23 miles and after chatting with another runner who was struggling a bit I pulled up completely and was pinned to the spot (facing the wrong way!) with cramp. I literally couldn't move and was struggling to shake it off. I stood here for several minutes contemplating how to get help or whether I should call Cat and let her know. Your brain goes a bit crazy towards the end of marathons that's for sure. After a little while I was able to walk, then jog, then run again. I passed the Expo and after what seemed like an eternity I trotted into town and over Zmajski Most (Dragon Bridge). It was fantastic running towards the castle that I'd visited the day before and we were only half a mile or so from finishing. I was soaking up the atmosphere and decided to put away my Ipod for the last racing mile of my running year. Over the iconic Triple bridge there were hundreds of people cheering as the course headed back up to Slovenska Cesta. A guy in what looked like a duck costume passed me, I wasn't going to be beaten by a duck so I got going and passed him. I knew it was going to be tight to get under 4 hrs 20 mins at this point. It wouldn't be my best or worst race, in fact it would end up being my 10th fastest of the 14 so far but given how many I'd done in the last two months I thought that wasn't too bad. I saw Cat in the crowd and she got a great pic then it turned towards the finish line. The view of the castle above it was spectacular. I literally shouted 'wow', I'd really remember this finish. I got over the line, relief more than joy, I was off the course and done for 2017. Now to celebrate and rest!
To sponsor me please visit: www.justgiving.com/mikeseumarathons
Pics
Official photos coming soon
Gallery photos here
Weather
Chilly start (8C) rising to around 13-15C and a good mix of cloud and bright sunshine, perfect running conditions. Strong headwind on the return back to the city in the last 5 miles. Even the Kenyans complained about that after the race!
Ratings
Start
The start line was a 10 min chilly walk from our hotel and I got to the 4th pen of 5 in good time. It was pretty windy and noisy down the Slovenska Cesta with a very excitable MC shouting something motivational in Slovenian as the countdown began. There was an entire basketball team in front of me doing tricks and an old guy with two crutches! The race kicked off and I ran under a rock band who were hoisted on scaffolding above the start line, original! The route headed north and after the inevitable early bunching the runners straddled six lanes of the carriageway out of the city centre. I was feeling good as I settled into my stride though more than occasionally blocked by some ambitious half marathon runners who really were in the wrong pen. The wind was at our backs as the course passed the Expo where I picked up my race number and the business district towards the stunning Alps. At this point I caught glimpse of a man being resuscitated on the left hand side of the road. I've seen runners on stretchers and the odd one faint through exhaustion but never this. It was really quite shocking and brought home how dangerous these races can be. I tried to re-focus as best I could and keep a steady rhythm as I got to the 5Km mark. The crowd suddenly split in the middle and an ambulance came wailing through the runners. Good I thought, the runner is heading for the hospital. But it darted left again, pulling over and to my horror it was meant for another runner, this time an older guy who was also receiving compressions to the chest. Not good. It was good weather for running and pretty flat, just a couple of freak incidents. I've trawled the internet and asked the organisers about the two men but haven't had any replies, hopefully they're OK. There was a brass band playing as the course turned for the first time and headed out to the suburbs around Brinje with plenty of good support. My mind was back on the race and after 7 miles I'd got through the first hour without any after-effects of the Amsterdam race from two weekends ago.
Middle
I took the right hand path to avoid the bunched up runners and with a few others we suddenly veered away from the course! I was relieved to see the two roads join again, it wasn't a shortcut at all but it still felt a bit dodgy that's for sure, luckily there was nobody about. A few miles later and I was listening to Bananarama ('Cruel Summer') and running through a Slovenian forest, all very surreal.
At around 10 miles I'd started to feel a dull pain around my right hip/pelvis and realised it hadn't quite repaired from the last run. The wind had definitely whipped up and leaves were showering the course as it followed Cesta na Brdo towards the halfway mark where I knew Cat would be waiting for me. I'd got to halfway at 1hr 55 mins which was about where I needed to be to break 4 hours. It would be a struggle but as long as I could keep it together then it could happen, I knew there would be a good amount of downhill coming up too. The crowd was still pretty good on the whole, lots of kids to high 5 and enthusiastic parents shouting 'Bravo', all good natured and much appreciated. My hamstring and calf had also started complaining at around the 15 mile mark and I'd abandoned any thoughts of time other than to make it under 4.30 without picking up any lasting injuries. A bit disappointing I thought as this was definitely a good course to run quick but in the grand scheme of things, getting round was always the main objective. The route passed through what appeared to be a hillside alpine village with a traditional band playing all kitted out in traditional dress and cool hats, I gave them a thumbs up and tucked into some chocolate at the water station. At this point there was a big downhill for what felt like 3 or 4 miles, even though I'd lost most of my running form I'd managed to keep it together stopping only to walk through refreshment areas as it was too crowded to try to run through. The houses/lodges were really similar to those I'd seen in Southern Germany before with wooden balconies and lots of slanted roofing, they were really stunning; having a good look into their living rooms as we passed by which kept my mind off the pain for a bit.
End
As the course turned back towards the city centre I'd noticed that my pace had dropped hugely, part due to sheer exhaustion but also as we were running into a pretty strong headwind. Even the Kenyan elite runners were moaning as I found out after the race, obviously disappointed that they hadn't quite managed to break the course record as they'd hoped. I was taking on plenty of water at the stations and as I got to 20 miles I still had over an hour to get the last 6.2 done to hit a sub 4hr race. It was very doable usually but I was fading pretty fast. Still I was (on the whole) enjoying the course, it's always interesting seeing how people from other cultures live and to see how involved they get in marathons. People were cheering out of bars and cafes, I was gesturing how much I wanted a beer and a guy came over with the intention of giving me a sip but I declined! I got to 23 miles and after chatting with another runner who was struggling a bit I pulled up completely and was pinned to the spot (facing the wrong way!) with cramp. I literally couldn't move and was struggling to shake it off. I stood here for several minutes contemplating how to get help or whether I should call Cat and let her know. Your brain goes a bit crazy towards the end of marathons that's for sure. After a little while I was able to walk, then jog, then run again. I passed the Expo and after what seemed like an eternity I trotted into town and over Zmajski Most (Dragon Bridge). It was fantastic running towards the castle that I'd visited the day before and we were only half a mile or so from finishing. I was soaking up the atmosphere and decided to put away my Ipod for the last racing mile of my running year. Over the iconic Triple bridge there were hundreds of people cheering as the course headed back up to Slovenska Cesta. A guy in what looked like a duck costume passed me, I wasn't going to be beaten by a duck so I got going and passed him. I knew it was going to be tight to get under 4 hrs 20 mins at this point. It wouldn't be my best or worst race, in fact it would end up being my 10th fastest of the 14 so far but given how many I'd done in the last two months I thought that wasn't too bad. I saw Cat in the crowd and she got a great pic then it turned towards the finish line. The view of the castle above it was spectacular. I literally shouted 'wow', I'd really remember this finish. I got over the line, relief more than joy, I was off the course and done for 2017. Now to celebrate and rest!
To sponsor me please visit: www.justgiving.com/mikeseumarathons
Pics
Official photos coming soon
Gallery photos here
Weather
Chilly start (8C) rising to around 13-15C and a good mix of cloud and bright sunshine, perfect running conditions. Strong headwind on the return back to the city in the last 5 miles. Even the Kenyans complained about that after the race!
Ratings
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