The athletics/running thread

[Bruce Rioja]

This is, without a doubt, the wettest drought on record

[Verbal]

4:04

My number was 5514 if you want to check splits. Crashed at 20miles.

Drought my fecking arse.

[Gooner Girl]

4:04

My number was 5514 if you want to check splits. Crashed at 20miles.

Drought my fecking arse.

Well done Verbal, good time! you must be pleased. Especially under these rubbish conditions! Did you get very wet?!

[Harry Genshaw]

Great effort Verbal - well done

If you're going to crash 20/21 miles tends to be where it happens. Was it well organised? Doing it again next year ?

[Gary the Enfield]

Well done Verbal, you must be chuffed to bits given the conditions. Now go and get p*ssed!

[Verbal]

Thanks, chaps. Back in the smoke now. Was on dying phone earlier.

The conditions made the milling around at the park at the start quite uncomfortable, and it was delayed a bit with all the celebrity guff which was annoying. Still, when it got going it was a delight, everyone was really energetic and the crowds were good, and fair play to them to be honest considering how awful the weather was.

Personally I was feeling really good for the first half...think my split for 13.1 was 1:52 or something in that region, and I felt really good about getting under four hours...

and then the course took a turn down country f*cking lanes and through mud paths, which as well as making everyone even more wet and caked in mud, slowing the down, was so dangerous in this weather. I know one lad busted two ribs in the process. You were talking puddles that were shin-high, ffs.

So anyway, got through that, into Partington and still feeling ok...and then it was like someone pulled the plug out. I just had no energy left. It was horrible. My body felt ok but I was really struggling to keep moving forward. I told my friend Michael who i was running with to push on as there was no way i could maintain the pace.

That was about roughly the 19/20 mile mark. I honestly wouldn't wish how I felt in the next five miles on my worst enemy. Soaked to the bone and caked in mud, barely able propel myself, and for some reason unable to speak coherently. I was quite literally a whimpering wreck by 22 miles as all I seemed capable of in terms of communication was let out crying noises like a scolded terrier.

Thankfully after that we hit Flixton and unlike the very lonely and unforgiving country lanes we got to were the crowds were gathering for the finish. I had to stop a few times due to cramping but I was starting to feel a bit happier thanks to some glucose gel and water and stuff. Still hell, though.

Wept quite a bit at the finish, body didn't know what to do with itself. I tried to say congrats to the bloke next to me but my mouth wouldn't form words so instead I let out some barking noise :/

In sum, HG: It seemed a bit chaotic at the start to be honest and I think they could've routed the course better (and more safely). Honestly, running through Dunham Massey was so dangerous it seemed in that weather. Still, it was a brilliant day and my mum and dad spectating said they loved it despite the weather.

Would I do it next year? Talk to me again in two months.

[William the White]

Thanks, chaps. Back in the smoke now. Was on dying phone earlier.

The conditions made the milling around at the park at the start quite uncomfortable, and it was delayed a bit with all the celebrity guff which was annoying. Still, when it got going it was a delight, everyone was really energetic and the crowds were good, and fair play to them to be honest considering how awful the weather was.

Personally I was feeling really good for the first half...think my split for 13.1 was 1:52 or something in that region, and I felt really good about getting under four hours...

and then the course took a turn down country f*cking lanes and through mud paths, which as well as making everyone even more wet and caked in mud, slowing the down, was so dangerous in this weather. I know one lad busted two ribs in the process. You were talking puddles that were shin-high, ffs.

So anyway, got through that, into Partington and still feeling ok...and then it was like someone pulled the plug out. I just had no energy left. It was horrible. My body felt ok but I was really struggling to keep moving forward. I told my friend Michael who i was running with to push on as there was no way i could maintain the pace.

That was about roughly the 19/20 mile mark. I honestly wouldn't wish how I felt in the next five miles on my worst enemy. Soaked to the bone and caked in mud, barely able propel myself, and for some reason unable to speak coherently. I was quite literally a whimpering wreck by 22 miles as all I seemed capable of in terms of communication was let out crying noises like a scolded terrier.

Thankfully after that we hit Flixton and unlike the very lonely and unforgiving country lanes we got to were the crowds were gathering for the finish. I had to stop a few times due to cramping but I was starting to feel a bit happier thanks to some glucose gel and water and stuff. Still hell, though.

Wept quite a bit at the finish, body didn't know what to do with itself. I tried to say congrats to the bloke next to me but my mouth wouldn't form words so instead I let out some barking noise :/

In sum, HG: It seemed a bit chaotic at the start to be honest and I think they could've routed the course better (and more safely). Honestly, running through Dunham Massey was so dangerous it seemed in that weather. Still, it was a brilliant day and my mum and dad spectating said they loved it despite the weather.

Would I do it next year? Talk to me again in two months.

Feckin amazing - am totally lost in admiration - never ever in my whole life could I have done a a marathon without a good night's rest and breakfast between the two, obviously necessary, stages...

Well done, Verbal... fantastic...

[Verbal]

cheers william. rest assured I'll be catching up on sleep tonight.

And thanks to Gary, though I tried a pint of lager at about half five and it almost put me to sleep. Tomorrow, however...

[Gary the Enfield]

cheers william. rest assured I'll be catching up on sleep tonight.

And thanks to Gary, though I tried a pint of lager at about half five and it almost put me to sleep. Tomorrow, however...

An amazing achievement. When I got over the line my first thought was to speak to my wife and so as I collected my bag I grabbed my mobile and called her. As soon as she answered I burst into tears and just uttered inconsolable sobbing noises for the first few seconds. It's a deeply emotional thing.

That country section sounds hellish. Surely there's 26.2 miles of tarmac around Manchester. They could run to Bolton and back couldn't they?

[Verbal]

how many is that for you now, G?

Yeah it was. Spent enough energy through the race trying to keep warm, whoever thought that was a good idea (factoring in potential rain) was a bit silly.

Turns out quite a few people weren't happy with the organisation either. To be fair the end was a bit of a warzone and baggage collection was hellish for some people. Maybe I was a bit too naive and shattered

https://www.facebook.com/GreaterManchesterMarathon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Verbal]

Photos of misery

http://www.marathon-photos.com/scripts/ ... match=5514" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Gooner Girl]

Photos of misery

http://www.marathon-photos.com/scripts/ ... match=5514" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You look totally drenched! It must have bucketed it down! Think you should buy a photo as a momento though!

[Bruce Rioja]

Going to give it another go tonight. Might only get 3K out again, but will see how I get on. Am sure I've put a stone back on (well, I haven't but it feels like I have )

[Bruce Rioja]

Well, am chuffed to have got a full 5K out, but oh dear, 33mins 17 seconds ops

[Wandering Willy]

Keep it up Bruce. You'll soon be back in the groove.

[Bruce Rioja]

Cheers Willy. Had absolutely no strength left in my legs on the final 1K. Where did that go?

[thebish]

I have been referred to St George's hospital orthopaedic hip and knee clinic.... I'm guessing that I may have the company of pensioners in the waiting room!!

actually - the GP's first question was: "do you have any private insurance for the Pemberley clinic?"

when I said no, he said - "ah well - I'll try and find you an appointment on the NHS."

I thought - excuse me!!

shape of things to come??

[Gary the Enfield]

I have been referred to St George's hospital orthopaedic hip and knee clinic.... I'm guessing that I may have the company of pensioners in the waiting room!!

actually - the GP's first question was: "do you have any private insurance for the Pemberley clinic?"

when I said no, he said - "ah well - I'll try and find you an appointment on the NHS."

I thought - excuse me!!

shape of things to come??

lay it on thick about how it's affecting your quality of life. Minimise the running bit. GPs don't seem to respond to that too well.

[thebish]

I have been referred to St George's hospital orthopaedic hip and knee clinic.... I'm guessing that I may have the company of pensioners in the waiting room!!

actually - the GP's first question was: "do you have any private insurance for the Pemberley clinic?"

when I said no, he said - "ah well - I'll try and find you an appointment on the NHS."

I thought - excuse me!!

shape of things to come??

lay it on thick about how it's affecting your quality of life. Minimise the running bit. GPs don't seem to respond to that too well.

clearly stopping me praying...

[Hoboh]

I did a mile in 8 mins on sunday is that good?

Forgot to add me poor legs feel like I've been kicked to hell by bruce lee