The Bournemouth Marathon - My second one in 7 months

On Sunday 6th October 2019, I ran my second marathon of the year by running the Bournemouth Marathon.

I chose this location as my Auntie Helen lives in nearby Poole and she suggested the idea after seeing people run it the previous year.

So the day after completing My First Marathon, despite feeling a little broken, I signed up for Bournemouth!

Training

Overall I felt the training went well. I trained smarter this time. There were times I felt I had enough in the tank to push harder but I held back to avoid injury and to save some steam for more taxing runs.

I worked harder to include longer runs. If I couldn't run one over the weekend due to social commitments, I would do it on the Monday instead.

There was a short period when I lost my motivation to run. I just completely lost interest. The thought of getting changed into my running gear, then having to stretch and run around the park, just wasn't for me. This all changed when I started to read the book by David Goggins called Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds.

This guy smashed obstacles to become one of the fittest men on the planet. He pushed through the pain, overcame weight issues and depression, he even overcame a heart condition. I rediscovered my motivation and slowly started to get back into the running again. Whenever the training became tough or I didn't fancy it,  I would think back to David Goggins and wondered what he would do.
The Answer: he wouldn't quit and pushed an extra 10%.

Race Strategy

My target was to complete the marathon in less than 4 hours. Using the Strava Running Pace Calculator, I had to run an average 9:05 minutes per mile. I was running this comfortably during training so I was mildly confident I could maintain this, as long as my limbs wouldn't fail me as they did during the second half of the Brighton Marathon.

Fuel Strategy

I had a fuel strategy this time. I read a lot about how best to prevent cramping and hitting the famous wall. A couple of the articles I read:

• What is 'hitting the wall' during a marathon and how can you avoid it?
• 7 Ways To Avoid Hitting The Marathon Wall

In short, it's important to maintain the carb levels and keep hydrated. Carb loading the days building up to the race and having a truck load oats for breakfast is one thing but you also need consume during the run.

I stocked up Science in Sport (SIS) Energy gels and Hydration tablets. I've been using these products since I started running last year and I really feel the benefits. I certainly notice the difference when I don't take them and my running stats reflect this. Side note: Hydration tablets are also great for hangovers!

I used to buy these individually from running and health food shops but found they are cheaper to buy in from Amazon:

• SIS Go Plus Caffeine Energy Gel 60ml - Cola (Pack of 5)
• SIS Go Isotonic Energy Gel, 60 ml - Orange, (Pack of 6)
• SIS Go Hydro Hydration Tablets - Caffeine Cola
• SIS Science in Sport Go Hydro Hydration Tablets - Berry, Tube of 20

Race Day Strategy:

Before the race

• SIS Hydration Cola Caffeine tablet into a pint of water
• SIS Go Plus Cola Caffeine Energy Gel 15 mins before the start of the race

During the race

• Another SIS Go Plus Cola Caffeine Energy Gel after the first 45 mins
• Then SIS Go Isotonic Energy Gel every 45mins to an hour.

I carried with me a SIS Hydration tablet to drop into the water provided by the course, which I planned to take during the second half of the marathon.

I also had a runners backpack to hold my bladder....my water bladder. "Uncle" Tim looked a bit concerned when he saw this on the kitchen worktop...it did look like a urinary catheter.

I looked liked a budget Ghostbuster but I found this backpack very useful. I didn't want to rely on the water the course provided. I wanted to drink when I was ready rather than wait for the next Water Station.

Did my Fuel Strategy work? Well I didn't cramp up and never hit the wall. You could argue that I was better prepared after running a marathon before and staying close to my training plan but I would follow this strategy again...why chance it otherwise?

If you are going to try this strategy for yourself. Always read the guidelines of the products and experiment with small doses during training.

Miles 1 - 8 (Avg. Pace 9:02 min/mile)

The start was pretty quiet compared to other events I've ran. There weren't many people cheering us on at the start. I guess it was too far away from the main centre.

I ran the first 8 miles pretty steadily. There were times when I was getting a bit carried and was running faster than intended but then I purposely slowed myself down and stuck with my plan.

The latter part of this section I had actually walked with my aunt Helen and Tim just over a year before. At this point I hadn't even run a marathon or even knew Bournemouth had one. Yet here I was over a quarter way through my second marathon in 7 months.

Miles 9 - 16 (Avg. Pace 9:03 min/mile)

These miles were pretty straightforward. It was quite nice running along the sea front. We also ran over the two piers - Boscombe and Bournemouth. I thought back to walking on these with my grandparents when we came here for our summer holidays.

Mile 17. Finishing line?! (Avg. Pace 9:02 min/mile)

This is probably the cruelest mile on the Bournemouth Marathon route. You run under the finishing line - there it was above me...Bournemouth Marathon Finish. There were still another 9.2 miles to go!

Mile 18 (Avg. Pace 9:05 min/mile)

This was the first challenging climb on the route. There was a hill in Boscombe but this one was longer and steeper.

Going up the West Cliff, was like running up treacle at this stage. I was going through the motions but moving very slowly. 

I eventually made it to the top and I've never been so happy to see a flat road. 

Miles 19 - 22 (Avg. Pace 9:13 min/mile)

Nothing of note here. I was running in the opposite direction of the finish line. 

My pace had dropped but I didn't care anymore. I just wanted to finish without burning out before the end. 

At this stage I was munching Jelly Babies. They tasted so good and refreshing!

The struggle was real and I lost a few toes but would do it again!

Mile 23 (Avg. Pace 9:14 min/mile)

At last, my cheerleading squad of My Dad, Helen and Tim. It was great to see them after such a long time.

Apparently I looked fresh as I was waving and smiling. I didn't feel it.

The legs were tiring but I was still running despite what this picture looks like.

Miles 24 to 26 (Avg. Pace 9:23 min/mile)

Back running along the beach and finally towards the finishing line at Bournemouth Pier. 

I could see the pier in the distance but it looked so far away. My legs were feeling heavy but I kept going.

Focused on the finish

Finishing straight (Avg. Pace 9:23 min/mile)

The biggest cheers of the whole route. This gave me a huge boost, I felt like an Olympia and I pushed for that extra 10% that David Goggins had spoke of.

I crossed the finishing line for the second and final time. 

My official time is 4:08:25 but I stopped for a pit stop so the actual running time is 4:06:52 according to Garmin. 10 minutes quicker than Brighton.

Official Time

Stats from my Garmin Forerunner 35 Watch

I collected my medal and goodie bag before having to go down the steps (So cruel after 26.2 miles) to Bournemouth Parks Lower Gardens.

My Dad and me.

Here I met with my cheerleading squad (Dad, Helen and Tim). We headed up that treacle hill I spoke of from Mile 18, where we went to a pub called The Hop Inn. After being on the wagon for 3 weeks in preparation for the marathon that first pint tasted goooooood!

My Dad and Auntie Helen at The Hop Inn

My Dad and I went on to another pub called The Grasshopper in Poole , whilst Helen and Tim went to check on lunch back at their place.

Keeping hydrated in The Grasshopper

Still smiling!

After sinking a couple of pints, we went back to the apartment where we had an amazing slow cooked lamb roast as prepared by the master chef Tim. Washed down nicely with a glass of wine or three!

It was a great end to an amazing day, which I owe a big thanks to Auntie Helen and Tim for looking after me that weekend and being such great hosts. Also thanks to my Dad for being the ever present cheerleader and ensuring that I kept hydrated with beer!

Next Steps

Sadly, I didn't get into the London Marathon for 2020, it's a kind of lottery so it was always going to be tough. However, I have entered the Edinburgh Marathon for Sunday 24th May 2020. I've already booked the flights. Its a Bank Holiday weekend so should be a good one. I've started my training for it and I will work harder to get my finishing time under 4 hours.

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