Masticate

This year’s event was a lesson in what not to do when you’re preparing to run. Firstly don’t pull a muscle in your back the day before your event. For me, that’s pretty much it.

Things were fine until about 32km. I’d stretched out the pesky muscle carefully and taken it very easy all the way around. Get to 30-35km I said to myself, easy does it, and then see what’s left in the tank.

I should have realised earlier in the day it was a bad idea to even try to compete. I couldn’t get my socks on very easily, bending down to tie my laces wasn’t simple either.

At 8km I felt something rubbing on my toe. Inspection proved it to be a poorly installed sock. Again putting on my shoe was a struggle. Oh well, ignore it and hope for the best and importantly – take it easy.

Well, at 32km I heard an encouraging voice from the sidelines:

“Tempo! Tempo!”

He’s right, I thought. Time to step it up.

500m later my back starts really hurting. I have to walk. 3km later I stop for some cool gel at a medical point but as I leave I realise I can’t walk at all. Hip is locked up. I stare at the road and the runners going by before limping back to the medics for help.

An amazing back massage later I’m back on my feet. Wrapped on a space blanket i walk gingerly the last seven kms. Seeing wife and kids before the finish I plucked up courage to sprint into the stadium.

Every marathon has its own story. This one, like the last one, was about completion rather than competition. I wonder as I nurse my sore back if I’ll make that mistake again. It’s good to know your limits.