Chester Marathon – 02/10/2022

The never meant to be Marathon ! My whole year was based on doing Newport Marathon on the 23rd of this month and when 3 weeks of my 16 week training plan had gone I got the sad news that Newport was cancelled due to Obstructive issues!, but rescheduled for next April. So my head said”well that’s that” until Rod planted a seed to look at Chester, it was 3 weeks earlier meaning 13 weeks but after couple of days thinking entered this Race still intending to try for GFA qualification for London (sub 3-20) 

Warming up for the start I felt great and strong for this, it Started from the Racecourse and took in two steady hill climbs within the first mile, I set off steady and loved the support as we all ran through Historic Chester City Centre on way out, to head south going through some fantastic countryside. I duly ran from the start seeing the two runners carrying the 3-15 board as was right behind these for between 1-4 miles when my legs said let’s just drift past. At 9 miles there is a dead turn where you come back on yourself and see the runners behind, at this point I gauged I was a minute or so ahead of 3-15 and running really well still, unbeknown what was to happen!  At 11 miles it was like my legs hit a Stop button and for next mile my head said this is just a blip as we all feel running longer distances, by the time I was at 12 miles and see the board my head said “oh I’ve gone past 8 miles? I now know it was from this point my mindset was going but carried onto almost 14 miles where as if fated! A Marshall bib and chair were right in front of me! I made a beeline for the chair where I almost went over the side of trying to sit down. At this point for approx 20 mins I sat slumped forwards head in hands not wanting to know or listen to anything being said. The first aiders turned up, and pursued to look after another guy who had pulled a hamstring🤔. Eventually by the time they tended to me I was up and more coherent. Instantly on the Monday morning I booked myself in for a blood test and health check as have never experienced this in 11 miles of running. 

All of this said I feel fine again now but took a few days possibly till fri/sat, then had a great Club run with Neil at Cafe run. I would highly recommend this Marathon to you all for future, as after running London twice the pressure is less intense you are on closed roads, out in countryside very much like a Sunday morning traing run. I will return if not next year in the future to complete this course and enjoy Chester more the City is fantastic even for a break. 

Mel Porter