Snowdon Marathon

What a day (and far too long ago now)! Emma and I drove up to Llanberris on Friday afternoon. A long slow drive, not helped by getting caught up in the World Rally Championship GB Rally. We met up with Jane and Mike and Mike and Terri for a meal in Llanberris. The meal was lightened by our host, who can best be likened to Lurch from the Adams family. He meant well, but didn't really have a clue! I enjoyed a good sleep on Friday night, which was just aas well given the trials of a hilly 26 mile marathon on Saturday morning, my first marathon for 30 years. The last one was the Exeter University rag marathon in 1980. I was fit then and had the energy of youth! The morning dawned bright, sunny and windless...in my dreams! When I woke, it was to a strong wind howling through the trees and a good North Wales downpour that lasted most of the day. We enjoyed a hearty breakfast of porridge, toast, egg and fruit. We then set off for the start by waiting in the long wet bus queue, since the start is a couple of miles up from the town. That allowed us to arrive at the start in plenty of time to wait in the rain to get properly cold, only to be told the start would be delayed a further 20 minutes because the bus queue was too long to get everyone to the start on time. Not the best way to warm up for a marathon. The crowd set off at about 11.00 and ran up the very wet road to Pen-y-Pas. A good 4 mile uphill slog. A welcome drink station at brow allowed a short break before the downhill run all the way to Bedgellert at 12 miles. This was noteable for two things. Firstly a sharp turn at the bottom of the steep descent into a fierce gale, which literally stopped you in your tracks. Secondly the very surreal sight of two 'men' dressed in full smurf outfits, one red and one blue. It was one of those moments when you really think you were hallucinating, or had just dreamed it. A very bizarre sight. After the tough 2 mile climb out of Bedgellert (where I accepted a very kind offer of Jelly Babies form an elderly couple), ones mind turns to the thought of 'the hill' at 21 miles. This appears just when one is hitting the proverbial wall. A steep two mile climb off road into the wind. Fortunately it had stopped raining by now. It was a sort of walk and jog type hill, with the walking taking preference after the first 100 metres. At the top, the drink stations wer trying to control their plastic cups from the clutches of the howling wind. The wind won, and it was a bit frustrating to have the cups fly past you. There was no way of keeping up with them. The worst stretch was then upon us. The steep downhill, first off road and then on tarmac, down to Llanberris. This at 24 miles is a calf killer. I don't know how many people I saw crumpled by the wayside with agony drawn all over their faces as they clutched their cramping calves. I was delighetd not to join the suffering. I am not certain what I put that down to: training, adequate hydration, or taking in salts through elctrolytes both before and during the race, but probably all three. the lasst half mile in Llanberis is pretty sole destroying as you get so close to the finish before you are taken on a short town detour, together with another short climb, before coming back to a great cheering welcome from the local Welsh crowd. A fantastic event and a great run, even though Snowdon never showed her face through the low cloud.