12th
May, 2013: -I broke my Stanchart record of 2011 (1:47 in 21kms) a little bit
early in the year 2012. I have been looking forward to the day when I actually
do a repeat of my 2012 record (1:36:25) or better. My morning preparation was in sync with my
psyche. Stepped out and was disturbed to see a cloudless sky. I have a
consistent habit of not carrying water despite having the best water bottle.
With my iPod on and masking tape in place, set up my Garmin and I am off. Pray
that the sun just delays and comes out after 2 hours or thereabout…if it comes
early well, I will have to contend with it.
I
had taken a break since Wednesday just to give my legs a rest. The previous
day, my weight was at 74kgs on a hospital scale at Karen Hospital. It seems I
overindulged with my diet during the break but I won’t let the weight issue get
into my head, not this time.
Start
off late, 10 minutes late than my planned time and even my first kilometer is a
rush – 4’46”. Don’t give my body time to warm up. Pull off some very good
timing in the 4th km which makes me slow down a bit because I was
going overboard, maybe not. Pass City Stadium in 31’52”mins – 7kms, something
that had been looking forward to. A morale booster is heaven sent.
Muthurwa
as always full of zombified walkers but sail through without a hitch…have the
best time ever on this stretch. Cut down my total time on upper hills 2 kms
from 5’24” to 5’20” – progress! However
small is a good sign. It is better to grow slowly than standing still. Pull a first
time shocker on me – 1:00:19 in 13kilometers, Upper Hill not withstanding!
 |
| Always! |
The
Mbagathi road descent is a welcome relief which allows me to gather speed and
get some air. To T-mall by 1:08:53 (15kms) and start a quick analysis of my
vitals and the days to come on whether I should take on Mombasa road or stick
to Industrial Area. Before making that decision I realize I am sweating again –
the sun is already out and blazing! This is bad, very bad because I am already
thirsty.
Decide
to taper on and save myself for my 50kms weekly target. With that in mind
decide to run for 2 hours and go hard. Industrial Area dust roads are muddy
because of the previous night’s rains. Now that I’ve taken a hard road, let’s
dance! Recall Jack’s Thursday run of 1:36 in 21kms and decide to go for
it. I am amazed when I actually do
better than my Stan chart Marathon personal best all I needed was a distraction.
My Garmin time stands at 1:36:14 in 21 kms!
Now
that is over with, I thought of going below my previous record of 25kms in
2hrs. Push with all my might, the sun getting hotter – too bad I had really
banked on the cold weather and I was sweating profusely and really dried out in
the throat. Hit 23kms in 1:45:38 and realize however bad I must ensure I
maintain my speed to below 5 mins in the next three kilometers.
I
maintain my tempo despite the smoke and muddy foot paths manage to pull a cool
1:59:51 in 26 kms! - Power of the mind over matter. Have new records on this
race – My fastest 10kms at 45:00:00, fastest 5kms at 22’12”, fastest 21kms at
1:35:43 and of course hit the 400kms mark i.e. 426kms in 21runs with a pace of
4’55” (average run of 20.2kms). The statistics are as follows with an average
pace of 4’36” - 12.99kms/hr :-
| Kilometer | Time | Avg Pace |
| 1 | 4:46 | 4'46"/km |
| 2 | 9:32 | 4'46"/km |
| 3 | 14:00 | 4'28"/km |
| 4 | 18:22 | 4'22"/km |
| 5 | 22:49 | 4'27"/km |
| 6 | 27:19:00 | 4'30"/km |
| 7 | 31:52:00 | 4'33"/km |
| 8 | 36:22:00 | 4'30"/km |
| 9 | 41:03:00 | 4'41"/km |
| 10 | 45:39:00 | 4'36"/km |
| 11 | 50:59:00 | 5'20"/km |
| 12 | 55:51:00 | 4'52"/km |
| 13 | 1:00:19 | 4'28"/km |
| Fastest | 1:04:28 | 4'09"/km |
| 15 | 1:08:53 | 4'25"/km |
| 16 | 1:13:28 | 4'35"/km |
| 17 | 1:18:03 | 4'35"/km |
| 18 | 1:22:40 | 4'37"/km |
| 19 | 1:27:10 | 4'30"/km |
| 20 | 1:31:42 | 4'32"/km |
| 21 | 1:36:14 | 4'32"/km |
| 22 | 1:40:51 | 4'37"/km |
| 23 | 1:45:38 | 4'47"/km |
| 24 | 1:50:23 | 4'45"/km |
| 25 | 1:55:13 | 4'50"/km |
| 26 | 1:59:51 | 4'38"/km |
I
will attempt an average speed of 13kms/hr in my next long run and see how it
goes.
