Finally first time under 4!

Sometimes we just think that today is not our day and nothing will go right. Many negative thoughts would cross the mind but that the day turns out to be the best 😊. To be honest given the build up the Hamburg Marathon I never expected that this would be my best performance so far. Trained 27% lesser this time then last attempt at Ulm (training summary below). Was not keeping well and had cough. Had just come out of ear infection. What made worse was a discussion with co passenger in train to Hamburg. She was about 60+ and could see that I had a cough (though I think I had coughed only 2-3 times during the journey). When I told her I am running Marathon tomorrow morning, she wouldn't believe it. She said once a man in 30's died running when he ran with cough. She also messaged her daughter to ask if I should run and she too said I should not run. She would repeat that health is more important and that I have 2 kids to take care of. Surely was not going to talk with Tanu or Parents about this. Was saying myself what if they also say the same thing? What about all the preparations I had done? Had to squeeze out every possible time to do training's. Waited for 7 months for this day. Was confused and no one to talk with. On one hand I knew that I am much better now and I could run. and maybe that I am just over reacting. And at same time didn't want to be foolish and take unnecessary risk. (Guess this confusion is always there when it comes to health). However, continued towards the destination despite the uncertainty if I should run or not. 

Training for Ulm Marathon, Sep 2018
Month	# of training sessions	Total distance ran (Km)
Jul '18	8	111
Aug '18	10	194
Sep '18*	8	70
Total	26	375

Training for Hamburg Marathon, Apr 2019
Month	# of training sessions	Total distance ran (Km)
Feb '19	4	67
Mar '19	5	113
Apr '19*	11	92
Total	20	272

It seems its more accurate to consider the hours of training and not distance. But can't pull out this data easily from Garmin.

*Does not include the Marathon run.

Reached hostel and checked on Google if one could run Marathon with Cough. Initial few blogs I read said one must avoid running if there was any infection below throat (like infection in lungs). Luckily, my infection was in ears and went to bed saying myself that I will run tomorrow. Couldn't sleep that night. Woke up once sweating in middle of the night. Was stressed. Went back to bed saying I am  going to be very careful tomorrow and won't run fast. Would withdraw at any sign of discomfort. 

Was a terrible weather on the race day. Cold (about 8 degrees), cloudy and drizzling. In fact it was drizzling for first 3 hours and never had sun shine during the race. Had to change the dress, wore t shirt instead of sleeveless, a cap, scarf and long compressor socks. 10000+ runners lined up at the start line. First km was in 5:42 and soon got into the rhythm. Was a perfect split timing. Was going exactly as required. HM in 1:59:16. First time I was not running with the mindset that first half have to be faster to accommodate for the difficulty after 32 kms. In the hindsight, could say all the conversation and stress forced me to not be excited and run fast in the beginning and it ultimately paid off! Reached the 32 km mark in few minutes above 3 hours. The real Marathon started now! It seems in every race there comes one moment when there is a strong desire to quit. My moment came in the form of unbearable pain on right side of my stomach. Had a strong desire that I must stop and walk for some time. But kept reinforcing positive thoughts that, I have seen this pain multiple times before and I can do it. It is temporary. Was concentrating on breathing. Took a full 2 kms for the pain to disappear. Had considerably slowed down during this time (~13 mins for 2 kms). More importantly was losing momentum. Next problem was when watch died at 37 km. Had no way to monitor speed every lap. Stop watch at 40 km showed that I had about 15 mins for last 2.2 kms (with calculation that I crossed the start point about 8:30 mins after the start of the race). All the thoughts of last Marathon at Ulm started coming up. What if I am once again wrong with my calculation and end up just few seconds above 4 hours. Can't be foolish again. Didn't take any chance and ran with all remaining energy. Ran the last 2.2 km in less than 11 mins which means my fastest lap was probably the last lap (42nd km) and ran at speed of under 5 mins per km! Got final confirmation message that I ran in 3:56:26! 2nd half was faster than first half by 2 mins and 10 seconds! Called up Tanu and she already knew before I said. She would check up in the tracker every 5 kms to see how I was doing (seen this first time. Hamburg Marathon had a split mat every 5 kms and in App one could track when I cross the mat!) 3:45:00 at 40 kms and she was hoping that I would run the last 2 km in 15 mins! And we did it! 

One thing I would say made a difference this time for me was the importance of diet. Did carbohydrate loading last 3 days before the race. Would eat some carbohydrate every 2-3 hours. Followed the same plan like last time (Each day: 3 bananas, 2 apples, 1.5 liter orange juice, 4 slices of whole corn bread, rice, 3 Roti's and potatoes). End of the day would feel like vomiting. But didn't 😊. During the race took only water for first 16 kms. Was not thirsty. But took a glass every stall. (It is important that there is enough water in the stomach to have proper digestion). Took first gel after half way mark. This time didn't gulp it all at once but took in small sips. And drank water. Kept feeding banana and gels (took 3 more gels) during the remaining race. Felt that not paying enough attention to diet and eating enough during the previous race was one of the main reason for the struggle and longer race time (especially about eating during the race and taking energy gels. This time found Vegan gels at Decathlon ). Maybe I would have done much better if I had paid the same kind of attention in previous runs. Nevertheless one new thing learnt this time and may be more to learn in next races...