On Sunday 26 May 2019 I completed the Liverpool Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. This is quite a hard race report to write because I didn’t hugely enjoy it, but I don’t want to come across bitter or as a failed slow runner who wasn’t prepared. I worked hard at my training but on the day was disappointed both by the race and by what I was able to do with my training.
*** EDIT I have received confirmation from the organisers that there was no 10 mile 13:00 per mile cut-off time that was told to me by at least two other runners. What would you have done, though? Taken them at their word.
The training
I’d had a good training campaign although it did change quite a bit. As usual, I plotted out my long runs by weekend, then added in two runs or two plus recovery to get a total of 20 per week, with the occasional tempo run or speed work in there. I also did yoga once or twice a week and unfortunately missed strength training as was under the physio for a glute issue for a chunk of the middle and trying to do my exercises for that. I had a light cold and missed my last long run so did a 20 two weeks before the marathon, meaning I’d done one 18, two 20s and a 22, all at below 6 hour marathon pace. I’d tapered carefully and had one bad run on Thursday but was happy overall.
It’s worth noting that I’m also preparing for Race to the Stones Day 2 in July, so needed this to be my B race, and not to flog myself so hard I need too long in recovery before continuing my training.
Travelling up, expo, pant purchase
We got the train up with a few other people from club then I left Matthew at the train station and walked down to the Expo. I already had my number but wanted to pick up my tshirt in case my size wasn’t left at the end of the race. I saw the Gu stand and found they had chocolate mint available but didn’t buy anything. Ran into Nick from club but was on my own going out, so neglected to have a picture in front of one of the Beatles or RnR themed backdrops. Oh well.
Collected Matthew then we walked the extra mile to our apartment – perfectly fine but quite sparse if you wanted to actually cook (we requested a can opener and a hair dryer and made do with the rest). Went to the amazingly cheap Jack’s supermarket for any supplies we hadn’t brought (I had tuna and a bag of my cereal for the morning all measured out) and having come back and unpacked realised I hadn’t brought enough (under)pants so walked to Matalan and got some chocolate milk in Iceland, too.
Matthew cooked tuna pasta and reserved some tomato sauce and mushrooms for a recovery meal. We had a reasonably early night and amazingly slept really well!
Pre race
The race started at 10 so I had my pre-measured breakfast at 7 and was quite calm and relaxed until I found the pen I’d brought wouldn’t write on the back of my number! I managed to scribble Matthew’s number and Penicillin on it and hoped if I did collapse they’d find my parkrun ICE cards on me!
I’d brought two sets of kit and worn my elderly Guide 9s in case I lost anything but went for black and shorter shorts and left the hat. Wore a pacamac down and gave it to Matthew. We walked the 2 miles to the start and found Ruth (centre) and Bernice, who were both running the half.
We got a place near the start with Bernice’s husband, son and cousin and managed to see both of them through, as well as Afshin from club, plus two Bournville runners and some other local club folk.
Then it was time to meet the other marathon runners from club (all fast boys) plus Sedate Lady Trudie and club captain Barbara, both of whose husbands were running. We missed Colin out of our group pic but managed to find him later.
Paul R was doing his 300th marathon so they gave him number 300! This was announced over the tannoy to much excitement (and I got a lot of worth out of mentioning this on the way round).
A quick wee (portaloo queues not too bad) and I went to get in my pen, way back at corrall 10. The lads were ahead of me of course. I ran into Jo Yarnall from Aldridge at this point, she knows my friend Dave (that always happens) and had spotted my running top. I’d planned to be in the front of the pen as the 6 hour cut-off started when the last person crossed the line. But when I got there, although I had number 10163 and had assumed numbers were sequential, they basically started with a 10 if you were in pen 10 (afterwards I discovered just over 3,000 people started the whole marathon). So there were about 60 people at most in my pen. I found the 5:30 pacer and told her I planned to stick with her for 6 miles to front-load myself against the sweeper vans with some 12:30 minute miles then drop back.
Off we started and here’s the course
The half marathoners had gone to the south while we went off north for 9 miles, so there was no clash. I saw blogger Renee at 2 miles, such a cheering sight, hooray! I wanted to see the lads on the out and back but they were in the park at the top as we passed it. I was running with an amazing chap called Andy from Guernsey for most of the race on and off, a real showboater and ham, which I love. I also started with a very nice lady from Wales, who I saw on and off all the way round.
Because there was no crowd to feed off. Nothing really at all. The odd person and some people near the music stages. But very very low support, which was not what I had been led to expect.
Up to 10 miles – panic and horror
Trotting along under some illuminated underpasses and round football grounds, I kept ahead of the 5:30 pacer. But then some women who had done it last year told me there was a 10-mile cut-off at 13:00 minute mile pace (bearing in mind that the advertised 6 hour cut-ff is about 13:45 minute mile pace) and that last year they’d been threatened with sweeping and had to push back. This really scared me, and I had to make the horrible decision to push the pace to avoid this, knowing full well that I could not sustain that pace comfortably and would pay for it later on. It’s one thing to make a mistake with pacing, but doing this knowing the consequences was a bit heart-breaking, but not as much as being swept.
*** Note the organisers have told me and confirmed it was not the case that there was an extra cut-off
Miles 1 to 10 were between 11:50 and 12:43 for each mile (only one under 12). I tried to keep around 12:30 to protect myself but I did know this was likely not to be sustainable. I hit 10 miles at 2:04:34 – phew. But not to help matters, the mile markers were all out by about 0.2 of a mile (under) and the 10k mat was about a mile askew – I got a split of 1:02:00 for that but my watch says 1:18:00! I’m glad I wasn’t that much too fast as that would have been a 6-minute 10k PB … At some point we went through town by the Cavern Club and it was very very unclear where we were going, and I asked a marshal to go back down the course to help direct. I also had to ask someone to move out of the way as I was trying to run the marathon!
I did have a nice time seeing Liz from Malvern, Andy and various others, with Jo appearing from time to time. And at mile 9 Trudie and Barbara had popped out of their hotel at just the right moment to cheer me on! I took a lucozade sport and put a load of it in in my softflask of raspberry tailwind to top it up I had a gel at 1:15 and then every hour.
Miles 10-13
As soon as I hit 10 I started to drop my pace, so over 12 mins per mile and some power walking up hills. There were cobbles and hard paving and I slowed to help a lady and her friend, one sobbing, one consoling and tried to help Hannah get cheered up and on. We then approached Sefton Park where Matthew was, but not where I was, so I missed him (the route was confusing here). I slowed to phone him but hit 13.1 at 2:43:?? which is faster than a few of my half-marathon races. Let’s see it all drop off …
Miles 13-22
Park park park more park, I saw Matthew twice at an obelisk and had two bites of banana at 3:15 run time. We went up and back to Penny Lane where a stereo system in a van was playing just that song over and over! I ran into Jo there and she kindly took my photo (I took one for her, too). My only photo en route as I was concentrating on pushing then hanging on. As we ran up this longish out and back I saw my friend from the photo a day group Tanya’s sister in law, Salome, we’d tried to meet in the pen then there she was and a HUG!
I saw a lot of different folk as we worked our way down to the river bank again. Jo, Andy, Hannah, some ladies from Sittingbourne and one from Ashford (go Kent), a couple of blokes, a lovely lady in a Harry Potter tshirt, and some power walkers in bras raising money for a breast cancer charity. It was grind – I was OK but tired and walk breaks got more frequent – when I did run I was a bit brisker than normal which shows up in my time being a few minutes outside Birmingham where I ran almost continuously.
Kudos to the bands, marshals and water/gel stations, all still going as we went past in dribs and drabs. It was pretty lonely when I wasn’t trying to drag myself along with others.
Miles 22-end – wheels fall OFF
Oh, my goodness. We turned onto the waterfront and the headwind was horrendous. It was buffeting us and while I could probably have run more if this was my only race and I could destroy myself but it was SO disheartening. I had running in my legs, but then it was concrete paving with cobbled inserts running across, too.
It was here I came across Graham Lewis from Liverpool originally but living in Crewe. He’d done the race five times before and confirmed this was awful. We stuck together along the last few miles, which saved me really and helped him, too. I had a hug from the bra ladies when I broke down crying and saw Jo and Andy was there, too. Love the back of the pack for this. Graham’s girlfriend who had done the mile appeared near the end and ran alongside us.
We could see the finish. And there were Bernice and family, Trudie and husband Dave who got a big PB at 3:26, and Barbara and Matthew. Yes!
See how lonely, but running strong, actually. As promised, I got our folk to shout for Graham, too, which spurred him on and we crossed the line together. Had our medals put round our necks, which was a lovely touch, and there was no goody bag but bananas, water, haribo and bars you could pick up as you wanted, which I think was better and greener than that deodorant and leaflets you usually get. Andy from Guernsey had waited to see us through and I managed to hug a chap from Run Birmingham and see some other people I’d been running with, which was lovely as anything.
Chip time 5:55:28
Overall 3047 / 3116
Age category 198 / 208
Gender 1026 / 1073
Bernice had smashed her half and finished really strong – I’m so proud of her as she’s had some tricky times recently with her running. Ruth had had to leave but had had a good race and finished a year of 17 half-marathons in aid of the Alzheimer’s Charity.
Home and food
I had the rest of my nana and a choc milk and we walked slowly home – good to have a stretch. I missed the club get together as needed to feed and rest. Two weetabix when we got in, a shower and owwwww a new rub on my right-hand lower back presumably from my shorts. Then grazed and went to bed at 8. Set an alarm and got up at 11pm to have a proper meal, as I’d finished at 4.10 and knew I’d have to eat properly. I did pasta with the left over sauce, spinach and some cheese then sat up for an hour then back to bed. Slept till 6 and then 8.30, really well again and not too sore.
Recovery day
We walked down to the docks very slowly, taking some photos as we went, including visiting 62 Falkner Street, the scene of the first A House In Time TV series by David Olusoga, which was very exciting.
Then we went to a lovely cafe to meet Renee, her husband Ron and two York runners she knew from a Facebook group, all lovely people and there was much chat about the support etc which made me feel a bit better about being disappointed.
We went and found the Beatles statue we’d run past on Sunday
and to cut a long story short, went for a Pizza Express then a look round the docks and ran into my running club friend Suki and his wife and whole family (not up for the races, just random) and Renee and Ron again and then I had a cuppa and saw some people with Remix medals we’d seen at the Beatles statue. As you do.
Summary
Organisation was good, the pens worked and there were no pinch points. It was much smaller in numbers than expected, leaving me feeling lost and exposed. The 10 mile cut-off was cruel, if it was true (I have asked the organisers to confirm: I did meet someone who’d been made to take a short cut and didn’t know how long her race was going to be). If it wasn’t true, I bust a gut for nothing. If the wind had been less terrible I’d have PB’d but it wasn’t and I didn’t. Bands, water stations and marshals stayed to the end THANK YOU and the camaraderie was amazing but I would not do it again.
AJ
May 27, 2019 @ 19:12:41
But you did it and you finished!!!! I think you deserve kudos for even getting out there:) That would be awful to run with that thought hanging over you though!
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Liz Dexter
May 27, 2019 @ 20:26:25
Thank you! If I’d known about the cut-off before I started, I wouldn’t have signed up. I just hope it was true now!
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AJ
May 27, 2019 @ 22:49:48
I hope so though I also don’t think that’s fair!
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kaggsysbookishramblings
May 27, 2019 @ 19:42:59
Well, I think you did brilliantly and well done Liz. I think the regs and the lack of clarity (and also the lack of support) must have made it very hard for you. And I bet things will go well in July! x
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Liz Dexter
May 27, 2019 @ 20:27:06
Thank you. The friendship was good and that will be the same in July, so I’m actually less worried about that now (at least!).
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BookerTalk
May 27, 2019 @ 21:27:40
Cobbles at the end is super cruel. You did so well to finish with all those difficulties in your way
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Liz Dexter
May 28, 2019 @ 05:45:52
Nasty little thick unavoidable lines of them across the paving! There were some proper ones earlier on and also quite a few kerbs!
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BookerTalk
May 28, 2019 @ 13:40:52
a recipe for twisted ankles and very sore knees
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Liz Dexter
May 28, 2019 @ 16:01:00
Fortunately ended up with neither!
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wadholloway
May 27, 2019 @ 22:15:32
Well done! Loved all the detail. Swimming is similar but much more lonely. Swimming to a set pace in the ocean is much more difficult, though with a kayaker in support and kilometers markers, not impossible. In the pool I choose a lane where I can see the clock as I turn and judge by the location of the second hand how I’m going. Ah… I remember when I could push it backwards 15 sec a lap.
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Liz Dexter
May 28, 2019 @ 05:47:31
Thank you! I try to get it all down while I remember! I was quite lonely for chunks of it which I’d expected and got in Reykjavik but I didn’t think would be an issue in a big city in a race that was claimed to have amazing support. I could not imagine judging your speed in the ocean!!
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heavenali
May 28, 2019 @ 09:17:55
My goodness I think you did amazingly, and you had some lovely people around you clearly. But so sorry you had to feel so lost and lonely out there at times. And then cobbles too! Ouch! Very well done. Fab pictures.
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Liz Dexter
May 28, 2019 @ 16:01:38
Thank you so much! My friend Trudie commented on how we’d all bonded in my pace group and were hugging at the end, it was very nice.
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kookyrunner
May 28, 2019 @ 12:11:19
Congratulations on your finish! I agree, that it a cruel cutoff if true and really does a disservice to the runners. I am surprised that you didn’t have a lot of bands out on the course? I am glad that you were able to meet up with Renee!
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Liz Dexter
May 28, 2019 @ 16:38:52
Oh, no, there were loads of bands, but they were all playing kind of guitar or rock band music I didn’t always recognise (there was one lot we passed twice to and from Penny Lane who were boys doing women singer 90s and 00s songs like Katy Perry’s Friday Night who were hilarious, and some DJs, and a jazz band or two). So there were plenty, at least every mile, I’d say, and they carried on right till the end, which we very much appreciated. It was a bit cruel with the cut-off and of course they haven’t responded to my question about it.
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Kim at Running on the Fly
May 28, 2019 @ 13:55:28
The marathon is quite a beast to slay, or at best, battle. A lot of heart & soul (not to mention blood, sweat & tears) goes into prepping for a few hours on the race course. It’s very disheartening when things just don’t go as planned. But, it still is a major finish line to conquer, no matter your finish time or frustration(s) in getting there. Congrats;-) Now on to the Ultra!
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Liz Dexter
May 28, 2019 @ 16:40:19
Thank you! I do feel it was an achievement but I was disappointed at it being really very much not as advertised and the unadvertised cut-off. Feels like I’ve had to mention bad organisation to each of my three marathons now! I am less worried about the ultra now because with the walk down from the flat and back up and wanderings to see our half runners off, I did the distance on the day and definitely in less than 12 hours!
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Cari
May 28, 2019 @ 21:00:00
Sorry the race was so frustrating, but glad you’re able to see the good. Reading your sleep times, I have a feeling I was messaging at odd hours. Hope I never woke you.
— Read your line about tuna & cereal too quickly and at first thought you ate them together. Eww
— Penicillin – LOL. We are the same person in many ways
— Tannoy — one of those words that makes me chuckle in UK running books. Like cake.
–Love the color array of shoes in your group photo
-Way to go on Ruth. She’s the one you mentioned a few months back, right with a fundraiser?
–Penny Lane!
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Liz Dexter
May 28, 2019 @ 21:12:49
Yes, I put that a bit oddly, could have done with a comma! And no, don’t worry: I was up in the night FEEDING and I think was messaging you then which kept me awake to digest, which is a good thing! I was awake early as usual and at odd times in the night. Phone is always on silent when I’m sleeping so don’t fret!
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Cari
May 28, 2019 @ 21:50:04
LOL re: awake to digest. One of my funny knee surgery moments was eating per nurse’s request except I wasn’t fully awake from anesthesia yet so I fell asleep chewing.
Same here re: silent, and often also in airplane mode given wifi weirdness in my apartment
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Liz Dexter
May 29, 2019 @ 08:00:09
Ha – I was OK eating but wanted to sleep afterwards!
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Cari
May 28, 2019 @ 21:01:49
oh and here’s Darlene’s post re: her experience with RnR in Montreal
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Cari
May 28, 2019 @ 21:02:08
https://myfirst5k.wordpress.com/2018/10/09/rock-n-roll-montreal-half-marathon-recap/
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Karen Spriggs
May 29, 2019 @ 12:40:35
Liz, I’ve really enjoyed reading your marathon report. The detail you include is spot on, honest and wholly based on a true grit experience which is really uplifting. Your mental, let alone physical, stamina is so inspiring and I hope you’re overwhelmed with pride as you deserve to be – amazing achievement 💪😊
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Liz Dexter
May 29, 2019 @ 14:02:38
Thank you so much, Karen! I am proud of myself for sticking with it and the wheels not falling off even though I gave them every opportunity to!
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Michelle @ Running with Attitude
May 29, 2019 @ 19:08:07
Ah, Liz, I’m sorry this race seemed to not live up to the advertising! But you stuck with it and crossing that marathon finish line is always a huge accomplishment! Congratulations!
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Liz Dexter
May 30, 2019 @ 04:52:45
Thank you! It was a shame, but yes, it’s another marathon completed and I am proud of that!
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WRD: Another Catch-up Week 21 + 22 |
Jun 02, 2019 @ 17:01:19
Sedate lady running 27 May – 2 June 2019 #amrunning #running | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Jun 02, 2019 @ 17:04:20
Renée
Jun 02, 2019 @ 18:04:59
Still so proud of you Liz and beyond thrilled that we got to meet up with each other properly!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 02, 2019 @ 18:05:38
Thank you, and yes, it was amazing to see you on the course and then meet you properly!
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therightfits
Jun 03, 2019 @ 01:05:58
Congratulations Liz! You did it!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 03, 2019 @ 05:40:17
Thank you, and I did, and I’m proud of myself for achieving my goals of beating the cut-off and not suffering too much in recovery so I can keep moving towards my A race!
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Marcia
Jun 03, 2019 @ 10:33:12
Congratulations Liz! I’m so sorry there were rumors about cutoffs. I well know from my experience in Tokyo how stressful cutoffs can be. They really make you mess with your pace upfront, which is never a good thing in a full marathon. I’m so glad you had so much support and were able to see many friends!
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Liz Dexter
Jun 03, 2019 @ 10:40:01
Thank you – I knew you’d understand that! It was horrible but I still managed to persist even having front-loaded that dramatically and I’m proud of that, and yes, the running community, previously known AND unknown, did me proud as ever!
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janerunswild
Jul 16, 2019 @ 12:55:16
Belated congratulations!!
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Liz Dexter
Jul 16, 2019 @ 17:35:33
Thank you!
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Race Report – Race to the Stones 2019 2nd Day 31 mile / 50 km ultramarathon | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Jul 16, 2019 @ 17:31:04