Marathon De Paris - 30e Edition

[Sweder]

Successful marathon running, despite the months of preparation, training, reading, carb-loading and mutual reassurance from fellow plodders still requires certain key components to come together on the day. Like the weather. We train in all conditions, read the forecasts, plan our strategies, calculate hydration, calorific intake . . . but if, as in 2003 and 2005 in London, the Gods decide to fool us all and deliver a blistering hot day, all that planning can be for nought. We must adapt, re-focus, adjust our strategy. And it’s how you feel on the day. A week ago I felt strong, mentally and physically ready. I had no doubts about my race plan, I’d even worked out where and when to take my gels, how I’d handle the water situation, everything. As with golf, you can wake up on the day and within an hour or so you just know it’s not going to be your day. It’s something to do with biorhythms or star alignment or bloody Gypsy Rose’s tea-leaves or who-the-hell-knows-what, but it happens and unless you’ve really got your shit together there’s not much you can do about it. Accept your fate, trust in yourself to pull through and get on with it.

I continued to dodge this avalanche of mind-junk and retreated to my room. Let’s just focus on a hearty, healthy breakfast and enjoying the day chilling out. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

Later that day, loafing on a bench in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, my less-troubled mind mulling over memories of Parisien pleasures past, a familiar voice, full of energy and bounce, rang out across the crowded piazza. It was Rog, accompanied by the girls, looking a good deal less pale than when I’'d left him outside the pub last night. He’d slept like a baby, suffered no adverse reaction to our gastronomic adventures (including the Mother of all onion soups and a couple of pints of Beamish) and felt 'like a new man'.

My face must have betrayed my emotions.
‘'What, you think I’'d bail out on you now? Not a chance! Come on, let’s go and get some grub.'’
A wave of shame washed over me, followed by a welcome sense of relief. It's game on once more for the Dynamic Duo!

Chris, Tina and Jane queued for the Tower tour. Cam joined Kader, Rog and I to search for a well positioned corner café for an hour or two of lazy grazing and shameless people-watching.
Things were definitely looking up.