Wind in our backs. :)
Finished in 3 hours and two minutes - my first ever marathon ! :D
The full story:
I had some interesting lap times (11 laps total)
09:36:17 11:34:64 11:39:16 12:26:44 10:46:35 35:49.60 22:26:19 16:41:35 18:02:09 18:39:97 14:25:55
As you can see above, something happened on the 6th lap :)
Going with the leading pack of professional speed skaters could last only for so long.
mid way through 6th lap I got cramps in both calfs and right thigh simultaneously.
All of a sudden I looked like a straight stick and couldn't bend my legs any more.
I fell really bad and crushed my elbow (idiot with no pads:/ ).
A couple of Marshals helped me move to the grass where they struggled to get my legs straight, which by then have curled up.
TWO GROWN PEOPLE couldn't straighten one of my legs, that's how strong the cramps were. Big thanks guys! You are stars!
I thought that was it for me... once I stopped screaming.
I sat there, after they left, since the cramps were gone. After 20 minutes I decided to put the skates back on and take it easy towards the finish line.
But somewhere on the way I noticed that my legs aren't so bad any more and if I don't push it too hard, maybe I could make it.
Taking 2 minute breaks on the 7th, 8th and 9th lap gave time for my muscles to recover.
By the end of the 9th lap cramps sort of returned, again, but only to my thigh quad muscles -both.
I learned to live with the constant cramps.
The last lap felt like I could do the whole thing again and I probably could. I had music in my ears, water bottles in my pocket and I was dancing and singing on the last lap.
Only now I noticed that the 11th was a fantastic lap. It was an amazing recovery that showed me I can achieve anything I can, if I try long enough.
It was well worth it.
I'm considering the London to Bristol next year and of course the Goodwood again. Life's suddenly more interesting.
(less info)
