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Janet and Rachel each ran their first marathon at Paris. Janet finished in 4:09:47 and Rachel ran 4:28:25. Well done both.
Janet report's on her first marathon run.
On Sunday 10th April, 35,000 runners gathered at the top of the Champs
Elysees in Paris for the start of the city's 29th marathon.
The nerves I felt about the prospect of running my first marathon increased
massively as I sat on the Metro on the way to the start, surrounded by
crowds of very fast looking male runners all enjoying some pre-race
banter, and wondering to myself what was I thinking
of, entering a race where my grasp of the language
isn't too hot? ...and where are all the women?! (I
later found out only 15% of runners taking part were female)
My doubts disappeared soon after I took my place at the start. I met a
couple of other Brits (who I ended up running with until well after 30km)
and so, my marathon experience with all the excitement and camaraderie
really began.
I've been told by fellow Brits there that there is no comparison between
London and Paris in terms of organisation and so on, but negatives aside
(the lack of loos, the cobbles, the thousands of banana skins I dodged
after every 5km feeding station), this was a great
marathon experience. Great monuments and architecture,
plus a nice few kilometres through some
gorgeously tranquil parkland.
The highlight for me was around the 30km point, running in and out of a
couple of tunnels along the river Seine. Initially a bit miffed to find
myself in a dingy tunnel, for the half mile or so it lasted, I was
treated to an awesome atmosphere of chanting and
singing, with an echo so powerful it felt it was a
living being, chasing behind you and willing you to keep
running. What a great motivation!
Even though my own goal of 4 hours eluded me (this time!), and it now hurts
to sit on the loo (come to think of it, all movement hurts) I'm feeling
delighted to have finished, and relieved that the reality of my first
marathon experience was far more enjoyable than the amount of worrying
I'd invested into the build up.
Good luck to all you Harriers who are taking part in London on Sunday -
especially if like me it's your first. If I can walk by then, I'll come
and cheer you on!
Janet Lehain