Thanks mate. I think it did give me some super power to battle on till the end. And there is a funny photo of me doing a jump in it whilst running along the finishing straight. Maybe I thought I could fly at that stage 😂
Thanks Stephen. Yes that was certainly a tough one to finish but I got there in the end. A marathon I won't forget and one that taught me lots that I've been able to apply to my running since then.
Wow, looked pretty crowded, and all the different areas of Edinburgh and the sounding area....26.2 miles is a long way!! Good time for the Half marathon!! Feel for you after you get the 32K mark. We've all had the day when the body just say "nope". Wind didn't look fun for sure!! Congrats for pushing through!!
Thanks Kevin :) It actually didn't feel as crowded as it might looked have looked. Compared to some other large races I've done, the wave system worked pretty well at Edinburgh. Couldn't agree more, 26.2 is a very long way and sometimes are bodies just don't want us to do it. It was a struggle but I was happy to finish it.
That head wind was brutal! I don't know about you, but I also could have done with a couple more water stations, especially at the turn around point - so dehydrated! Well done for finishing!
Thanks Rachel and well done to you as well. I thought I was hydrated before and during the race but clearly I wasn't and that led to the cramping. I'll have to rethink my whole hydration strategy before my next marathon. Still all part of the learning experience.
Great video mate 👍🏻. I think we had a very similar race. I had high hopes of 3hrs 30 but done the first half a tad too quick then just after the turnaround going into the grounds of the stately home the wheels started to come off for me. It felt all uphill from there on and into THAT wind 😩 with longer and longer walking breaks as the legs began seizing up. I said I'd always settle for anything sub 4hrs and I finished 4:00:03. I'm proud to have finished at all but those 3 seconds on top of the 4hrs brought me to tears 😭. Maybe next time
Thanks David and well done for battling through the wind to finish it. I can imagine how those 3 seconds felt but those conditions after the turnaround would have made a big difference to everyone's races. Still not really sure what happened to my legs, never had cramping in a race before but when it started, even walking became difficult. All a learning experience for the next one.
Brilliant Chris , I love your videos because there warts and all , we’ve all been there and probably will again , that’s running and that’s why we love it 👍👍
Glad you managed to battle through to the end. I was spurred on at mile seventeen by seeing an old friend and managed to run past twenty one miles. I was getting cramp in my toes and walked and ran into the wind for the last five because I know I can’t fight strong wind. I had enough energy to finish strong in front of my family and was happy with my time. I think I lost five minutes coming back but suspect I gained a few going out. My first marathon done though and plenty to learn from it.
That's great Chris. To only lose five minutes on the way back is very good. Well done on completing your first marathon, it's a fantastic achievement. Have you signed up for the next one yet?
Here We Are Running Not signed up but considering options. Loch Ness in the autumn and or Blackpool or Meadows in Edinburgh or next year Edinburgh Marathon again. Might have tried Stirling but that isn’t being organised. Also need to look very carefully at the Dramathon next year too.
Lots of options to chose from there. Good luck which ever one you pick. I would certainly like to run Edinburgh again at some time in the future. Feels like I've got some unfinished business. But also want to try some of the other big marathons before repeating one.
Thanks Donato :) I was thinking of your Boston video when I was running into the head wind and thinking, this is pretty bad but certainly not was bad as what you had to deal with in Boston!
Congratulations! The conditions were shocking! I tried to power through - read how bad it was gonna be so did my best to make the time up before the turn. I lasted to mile 23 before my soul was destroyed but I luckily crossed paths with a stranger/passer by/jogger who offered to pace me home! What a random act of kindness!! I ended up with 2:57. But, ever single person out there on Sunday was a lion to make it over the line. Toughest conditions I've ran in! Well done again 💪🏃♂️
Wow Phill, fantastic time especially in those conditions, massive congratulations! And to have someone pace you for the last few miles must have really helped. Couldn't agree more, everyone who finished in those conditions did a fantastic job. Not a race that we'll easily forget.
Thanks Andrew. In a funny sort of way it sometimes help me to talk to the camera when things aren't going well. Although for the next marathon I'd really just like to make a video where I'm running all the way from start to finish 😃
Arrrgggggg the highs and lows of Marathon Running, you showed true character to keep going with the rain, wind and cramps I know it must have also been playing with your mind as well - one word from me mate #AWESOME
Thanks Al. I think I'd have been ok with the wind and rain but combine with the cramping it was really tough and still can't really work out why I got such bad cramps. Lots to cover on the race recap though!
It happens mate, I still can’t figure out why I had a severe stitch at 17 miles that wouldn’t go - this weekend I had total rest, just a gentle walk which felt weird after such a long training block but now feel ready for my next 21 week training block 😲 hope you can figure out the cramps mate
I'll take this week off and slowly get back into it. Looking forward to getting back to some shorter distance races and starting training for the Ragnar Relay. I already think I know what I'm going to do differently on the next marathon.
Well done Chris, like you I struggled after the turnaround I had never factored in those conditions during training. Thanks for sharing your whole marathon journey with such enthusiasm, youve certainly helped me and many others along the way. I look forward to your next running adventures 😀
Thanks Neil. In sounds like a lot of people found it tough after the turn about. When that happens it's just about battling it out to the finish, so massive well done. Strangle for me my 20 mile long run during training was at marathon pace in pretty difficult weather conditions but I still fell a part with the leg cramps during the race. Always learning though and hopefully my next race will restore some confidence.
Chris, sorry to see that it didn’t go according to plan, if it’s any consolation we have all had bad races, especially the marathon. Take the positives and experience into your next one. You have plenty of good marathons to come. Congrats on persevering and making it to the finish. I look forward to your next race series.
Thanks Nathan :) I'm glad it wasn't my first marathon, so I know what I'm capable of and will just put this one down to difficult weather conditions (which on it's own i'd have been fine with) and the leg cramps. I wish I'd know for sure what caused the cramping but I've not had it before in a race and hope I won't get it again! Will certainly take this as a learning experience and will hope to have a good race in my next one.
Well done! This was my first marathon and the headwind was a shocker! I feel your pain. Past 20 miles was a struggle into that wind. Great experience though. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you and well done for completing your first marathon. It's a great achievement. You didn't have the easiest of conditions for doing your first one. Are you planning a second?
Congratulations Chris. Maybe not the race you wanted but BIG respect for toughing it out. I did Edinburgh marathon in 2018. As a race, I’m really unsure about it. Course is very fast but I found large parts of it quite uninteresting. The point to point route also makes it a complete pain. Seem to remember having a 25min walk, just to get to the buses, which then took us back to the park & ride. These buses weren’t free, which all adds to the cost meaning it is a very expensive race to do.
Thank you :) Sounds like you probably used the event buses which I guess a lot of people do if they are unfamiliar with the area and possible alternative transport available. I had family in Edinburgh so knew to use the public buses. Still had to walk a short distance to the bus stop but cost less. I think the course is good if you like both city and scenic coast line in the same race. I've heard of some people signing up and thinking it would all be in the city of Edinburgh, which of course it's not. Personally I did enjoy the scenic parts but then being so close to the coast, the wind had a big part to play in the race. It certainly wasn't a fast course this year because of the weather.
Thank you for the honesty in this video well done for getting it done even when the second half was tough. Well done. Come back stronger. Like you said some days are just not your day. I did it in 2019 doing it again this year
My husband has been training for a few marathons over the past few years and it's been great to watch your videos. They've been really helpful and have really inspired him (and me!) We're heading to Brighton next month for the marathon, so maybe we'll see you there! Thanks again for your videos :) :)
Thanks so much, I'm glad the videos have been helpful. Shame that Brighton and the other Spring marathons have had to be postponed but understandable in the circumstances. I'll be sharing my plans in this week's vlog.
Hey Chris, I'm sorry that it didn't worked out for you :( But my deepest respect that you got it done until the finish line 👍🏻 Very well done!! You know: After a race is before the next race 💪🏃♂️ And you have a new subscriber now :) (with bad English, I'm also sorry for that ;)) Greets from Germany and see you soon, Jo
Thank you Jo. Great to have you on board from Germany (and your English is so much better than my German!) Although the Edinburgh marathon didn't work out the way I'd planned, I was really happy to finish it. I did the Brighton Marathon last year which worked out much better although I still had some ups and downs in that race as well. Next year I'm doing the Manchester marathon where I'm hoping for a less eventful race!
@@HereWeAreRunning What a warm welcome - thanks so much, Chris. I can comment in German if you want, so you can practise a little bit ;) Just kiddin' :D ... I have some videos to watch on your channel now. Maybe there's also one of the Brighton Marathon!? Too bad the Manchester Marathon is on another day as the Half + 10k because that's the weekend I'll come back to Manchester next year. Nevertheless I wish you good luck in Manchester :)
Yes you'll find a video for the Brighton Marathon on you channel as well as lots of other races, parkruns, training series and reviews. So plenty to watch and hopefully entertain :)
Awww 🤗 I nearly cried! So sorry it didn't go to plan and very well done for finishing. Sheer will and determination! I'm sure others would have called it a day! One you won't forget. I hope the next one does you proud. There still will be a next one, won't there!?!
Aww, thank you :) I'll tell you, I nearly cried when I went past that lone charity cheer squad sticking it out until the end, for the last runners to make it past them. I thought if they can do that, then I have to finish it. I don't think I would have made it without the help of the first aiders in the medical tents. They managed to get me on my feet again and moving and I even managed that sprint finish. I've already signed up for Manchester next year so will take what I've learnt from this one, into that.
@@HereWeAreRunning Hooray for the cheer squad and first aiders. I loved Manchester (it was my PB race and wonderful crowd support all the way round). I almost want to do it again, but I've said to myself that I want to do different ones each time. If I do repeat one it'll have to be my first which was Ottawa! Recover well, and I look forward to watching your race recap!
I completely agree, there are so many good marathons to do, picking a different one each time is what I'm doing as well. Although I think I may want to return to Edinburgh one day. Hopefully get the race recap out at the weekend.
I’m a new subscriber after seeing you tough that one out. Great to watch someone like the rest of us struggling ( compared to the many 3 hour marathoners I keep watching). Despite the wind it looks like a beautiful course I should consider ( I live in Australia).
Thanks Joanne for subscribing! One thing I can guarentee is that you'll never see me run a 3 hour marathon on this channel :-) But you will see the ups and downs of someone who just loves to run and make video about it. I loved the Edinburgh marathon course. That combination of running through a city and then along a scenic coastal road, I thought was really unique. Which part of Australia are you from and what races do you take part in over there? Before my running days I lived in Sydney for a couple of years and loved travelling all over Australia at any available opportunity.
Wow Chris that is some grit and determination to finish that race I really take my hat off to you, as we all know how tough it can be sometimes after all that hard work you put in to your training plan. Take it as a learning curve for your next attempt, however looking at the video Edinburgh marathon looks tough, gruelling and not much fun to be honest. Well done mate👏👏👏 time to rest and recover😴😴
Thanks Lee :) Absolutely, it's another learning experience and I'm please to have got through it to the end even when the wind and the cramps in my legs were really against me. Will learn from it, for sure. It was actually a really nice course and whilst it started a bit wet and cold we soon warmed up and the as you saw the sun came out. But even though the support was really good through the city and the first part of the coastal section, once we were out on the coast road the support was fairly patchy and then after we turned back and started the long stretch to the finish the wind made it really difficult. The first 5 miles are all downhill and after that it's reasonably flat so with better weather it certainly has the potential for a fast time. I reckon I'll revisit one year because it feels like I have some #unfinishedbusiness !
Thanks Richard :) It certainly wasn't easy but got there in the end. Really was thinking of calling it a day in the first medical tent and without the help of the first aiders I don't think I could have done it. It's certainly a race I'll never forget!
Good on you for carrying on when it's so easy to stop! I noticed you're like me when you see the finish line, no matter how much you hurt you still do a sprint finish!
Looking back it certainly would have been a lot easier to quit but I wanted that medal and finishers t-shirt! I'd been waiting so long to see the 26 mile marker that it just gave me a little bit a energy right at the end to sprint to the finish line. What followed this marathon was a month or so of no running and lots of physio to recover from the calf injuries. Hopefully next year's marathon at Manchester will be more successful.
Merci Chris ! super motivant pour s'inscrire à la session 2020 ! Je trouve déjà qu'Edimbourgh est un ville magnifique ...voilà un prétexte pour y retourner :-) See you in 27 weeks !
Je suis heureux d'entendre que vous avez apprécié regarder mon marathon d'édimbourg et cela vous a motivé à vous inscrire pour 2020! Je suis sûr que vous apprécierez vraiment l'événement. Je participe au marathon de Manchester en 2020 et je commencerai un nouveau vlog d'entraînement marathon hebdomadaire en décembre, alors restez à l'écoute pour cela.
Just wanted to say that I've been following your training journey and found this video incredibly inspiring - it didn't go to plan but you got it done and that's possibly the biggest achievement you could have! Huge congratulations and hope you can enjoy a rest now :)
Thank you so much. I love to hear when people are inspired by my videos. Whilst it didn't go at all the way I suspected it has proven one thing - you just never know what will happen it a marathon.
Saw you a few times around the route and managed to catch myself on your clips too. Great strength and determination to carry on and finish after the two first aid stops, well done to you. I forgot just how long that headwind lastested for too, definately felt like the last few miles were never ending!
Thanks Andrew, hope you had a good race. Glad you made it on the video. Those last few miles did seemed forever and even longer if you had it walk it like I did!
Mate! Well done on finishing. Sorry it did not go as planned. it happens! But I am impressed with your attitude about it all! Kudos brother! Bless you!
Thanks mate. In the end, just happy to finish because at one stage it was looking pretty unlikely. A marathon really is a different type of race and no matter how prepared you think you are, you just never really know. I will all help for the next one though.
I'm doing this next year as my first marathon, hopefully the conditions will be more favourable and I hope I can have just a part of the sheer determination you had here, you dug real deep to get this done and that's what it is about. Great run.
Thank you :) I certainly hope you don't run into the problems I had and that you get better weather conditions. It's a great course with the mix of city and scenic coastline but as you saw last year the wind made it really tough for everyone. Best of luck in your training for your first marathon! When you cross the line at the finish it'll be a fantastic thing to be able to say you are a marathoner.
Thank you. When the wether is nice, this course would be stunning. I hope to be back at Edinburgh one day to have a better experience (weather and my race).
Thank you. How did you get on? I'd imagine many runners found that wind tough and it seemed to get worse the longer you we out in it (and I was out in it a long time :)
I was hoping for around 3.45 but it turned out to be 4.03, I suspected that the wind would work itself on the way back during the last section along the coast road before the turn at Gosford, the bit through the grounds of the stately home was rather nice but at that stage of the race it was becoming hard to appreciate the view.
That was brutal mate! Such tough conditions to run in normally. Nevermind running a marathon and getting cramp for 10 miles. A HUGE CONGRATS for getting to the finish mate!
Thanks Jamie. It was really unusual for me to cramp up like that and in both legs. Never hppened before in a race. I think it was dehydration but strange because I thought I my hydration strategy was working well up to that point. The medical teams were great though. Without them I wouldn't have made it to the end.
You now have a Marathon anecdote to tell! Well done finishing, I would have said "blow this, I'm off to Costa!" The cramping is odd isn't it? Can't help you there I've been spared that. What do you have for breakfast? I try to have a nice Costa and Toast or a sticky bun an hour before run. Couple of things I have learned. Whatever the weather I always carry a packable (screw it up and shove it in pocket) jacket - in case I have to walk - for extra warmth. Not perhaps relevant for a Marathon (?) I use fizzy water as hydration on lap ultras, particularly on hot days - ordinary water, Powerade type stuff even gels - are not for me. For Marathons I find 1 or 2 'ordinary' peanut butter bar or the like does the trick! I take them just before halfway. For ultras I use proper(sic) savoury food - pizza, sandwiches whatever. I always look at course profile and potential weather. I try (often unsuccessful) to run a negative split first/second half - this is so satisfying - it makes me feel I'm in control of my run. It is great to overtake lots of folk on the second half which always happens! Sorry to go on for so long, I don't claim to be a brilliant runner, but I have run almost 90 Marathons/short(sic) ultras in the past 8 years so I have learned bots and bobs.
Yes, I have told the story quite a few times now, although it doesn't seem so painful with the distance of time. Having had time to reflect on it, I suspect my calves where not in top shape at the beginning but I hadn't realised it until the cramp started and probably my hydration strategy let me down a bit. After 6 weeks of physio, I'm now in much better shape and much better prepared to manage my calves in the future and recognise a potential injury. You certainly have a huge amount of experience with that number of marathons/ultras. I like the idea of some solid food like the peanut butter bars. Might give that a go next year.
Thanks mate. Drank loads of fluids afterwards and recovering well. In a strange way the next day, my legs didn't feel like they had run a marathon. All a learning experience for the next one.
Thanks mate, it wasn't pretty and during the first medical tent I really had doubts about whether I could continue, when even walking was difficult but somehow made it to the end.
Thanks 👍 Yeah I really liked the course and being able to run through the city to the coast and along the coast road. Of course being so close to the sea meant the weather had a part to play and it made the run back from the turn about really tough. But for me it was the cramping that put an end to my race strategy and it just became a challenge to finish.
Thanks Dan. I know, where did that come out of. In fact my family were waiting at the finish (for a long time) and said most runners found the energy for a sprint at the end.
well done mate. you had a very similar race to me. I was hoping and trained for a 4.30 finish, but illness meant I didn't eat for 2 days beforehand, tried to eat on saturday, wasn't sure if i would compete. Had the family with me so on Sunday we headed to the start. 1st 10k on target, half dropped 10mins but I had enough by then, nothing in the tank and was cramping up the same as you, going through the wood was horrible/bleak with that wind, mile 20 I had to walk / shuffle and walk again 23-24 walked it in, if I ran my legs cramped. Very happy to see the finish, came in at 5.51 gun time so a few minutes before you :) Chip time was 5.38. It's fine, life happens you get sick, at least I completed it which I wanted to do for my girls. Great seeing the same characters 'Elmo' and the 'Elephant guy'. Was a good day, seems to be getting better in my mind as time goes on, Thanks for filming, nice to see.
Thanks Christian :) Sorry to hear you had it bad as well with the cramps. You did well to start, let alone finish after being ill in the build up. I was fine going into the race but had a bit of a temperature in the second medical tent and feel like I might be coming down with something this evening, so perhaps that had something to do with it. I think when things don't go to plan (like in our races) the challenge is just to finish and we both did that, so well done!
Brutal finish man! For being such a rainy cold day, still looking like an amazing area! Come run in the south east states man, always beautiful here 🤙🏼
Yeah, I loved the course despite the weather. First time I've had cramp in a race, puked in a race, had medical attention in a race and worn a blanket for the last couple of miles of a race. Hopefully I won't be repeating any of those, any time soon!
I really enjoyed this race vlog. Thank you for sharing your experience and being so forthcoming. Suggestion: I haven't checked out all of your other videos yet, so I would have found it helpful if you had revealed your goals at the start of the video. Keep racing!
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. I'm missing making the race vlogs so have been mainly doing training vlogs, time trials, challenges and some product reviews. But hopefully it won't be too long before I can do a race again and make a video of it. Thanks for your feedback, I'll remember to do that in my next race vlog :)
Thank you Julie. You heard right :) Although I don't think the weather caused my cramping but it certainly didn't help to make it to the finish when the wind was pushing me in the opposite direction! I'm not going to forget this race in a hurry and we still have good memories of a great event.
Ah mate so gutted for you at the end there, you worked so hard for this! The footage of the course looked beautiful to be fair, do you think it was the long travel up that took it out of your legs a bit? Or was it a nice relaxed journey up there? Incredible work finishing after all of that 🙏
Thanks Andy. Yes, it was a really nice course. The journey up on Saturday was pretty bad. The trains were very overcrowded but don't think that was it. I think I've probably got a bit of a virus now and probably had it then without realising it. I had a temperature when I went into the second medical tent. This all probably resulted in my hydration strategy not working in the same way it had during training. When I was given electrolytes before I left the second medical tent, I could feel them starting to have a positive affect towards the finish. And further electrolytes after the race and my legs felt good by Monday. That's the only thing I can really put it down to at the moment. It's all part of the learning experience though and now looking forward to some shorter distance running.
Here We Are Running ah ok so possibly harbouring it then going into the race. I hope you pick up soon, it’s taken me 3 weeks to get better again since mine so hopefully you’ll bounce back much quicker 🤞
Thanks mate. Staying off the running this week but at the moment I feel like I'll be fine to run again at the weekend. Planning on my next race in a week and a half time and it will be good to do that and move on fro there.
Much of the course is out and back along the coast. So depending on how strong the breeze is and which direction it's blowing, it can and in 2019, did have an impact on the race. Back then, from memory we had at least the final 10km running into the wind, maybe more.
Good memories. My first marathon. Didn't you have any fuel with you? I had 4 gels and 4 energy bars and still hit the wall 😅 had all the oranges and jelly babies getting handed out, that powered me to the finish.
I did have fuel. I possibly wasn't hydrated enough but I think my calves are my weak point and since this race, I give them a lot more attention during recovery - stretching, rolling and massage gun. It must be working because I've been injury free since the recovery from this race.
Just back from Edinburgh 22 and for some reason it seemed to break me on second half...i weirdly found Brighton an easier course!! No PB that i was hoping for in Edinburgh
Hope you're not going to be too hard on yourself about this one as the conditions were brutal. I was standing supporting just before the 2 mile marker and the rain and the gusts of wind there were far from ideal so can only imagine what it was like along the coast. I know it doesn't attract a top class international field but when the winner comes home in over 2 hours 30 that's very reflective of the conditions.
Thanks Andrew. I promise I'll not be too hard on myself. I'm glad though that this wasn't my first marathon as I'd probably feel very disappointed if it was. But I know what I'm capable of so just have to look at this ace as the one that was all just about finishing, fighting the adverse weather and severe cramps. Next time, we go again :) Well done for supporting. The support through the city and along the coast to Musselburgh was great, especially in the rain and wind.
About 2 minutes in - the chap behind you is wearing a "Gatwick Runners" tee: I've just watched your Run Gatwick half vlog - Bet he was also in that race...! Chris you are a star finishing. You've mentioned cramps in other vids. Have you ever found a solution to the problem?
Not really had a problem with cramping since Edinburgh but I always wear compression calf sleeves now and stretch/roll after ever run and even on rest days. I've I feel a bit of soreness, then I scale things back a bit to let the calf recover. This approach seems to be working well.
It really was. And it got worse the longer I was out in it (which was a long time). Then as soon as we left the coast road, it died down completely! Oh well, you can't change the weather but hoping for better weather in our future races :)
This is awesome!!! As someone who has just travelled to Edinburough once I loved this video as it brought back so many memories!!! Thanks for sharing!!! I'm your newest sub, I'd love if you checked my channel out & we can be YT friends! I'm trying to get healthier and fitter and your support would be amazing!! Have a great day!!
That’s no blanket, that’s a cape because you’re a hero for persevering & finishing well done man.
Thanks mate. I think it did give me some super power to battle on till the end. And there is a funny photo of me doing a jump in it whilst running along the finishing straight. Maybe I thought I could fly at that stage 😂
First video I've watched from you. Congrats on finishing that must have been very tough!
Thanks Stephen. Yes that was certainly a tough one to finish but I got there in the end. A marathon I won't forget and one that taught me lots that I've been able to apply to my running since then.
Wow, looked pretty crowded, and all the different areas of Edinburgh and the sounding area....26.2 miles is a long way!! Good time for the Half marathon!! Feel for you after you get the 32K mark. We've all had the day when the body just say "nope". Wind didn't look fun for sure!! Congrats for pushing through!!
Thanks Kevin :) It actually didn't feel as crowded as it might looked have looked. Compared to some other large races I've done, the wave system worked pretty well at Edinburgh. Couldn't agree more, 26.2 is a very long way and sometimes are bodies just don't want us to do it. It was a struggle but I was happy to finish it.
That head wind was brutal! I don't know about you, but I also could have done with a couple more water stations, especially at the turn around point - so dehydrated! Well done for finishing!
Thanks Rachel and well done to you as well. I thought I was hydrated before and during the race but clearly I wasn't and that led to the cramping. I'll have to rethink my whole hydration strategy before my next marathon. Still all part of the learning experience.
Great video mate 👍🏻. I think we had a very similar race. I had high hopes of 3hrs 30 but done the first half a tad too quick then just after the turnaround going into the grounds of the stately home the wheels started to come off for me. It felt all uphill from there on and into THAT wind 😩 with longer and longer walking breaks as the legs began seizing up. I said I'd always settle for anything sub 4hrs and I finished 4:00:03. I'm proud to have finished at all but those 3 seconds on top of the 4hrs brought me to tears 😭. Maybe next time
Thanks David and well done for battling through the wind to finish it. I can imagine how those 3 seconds felt but those conditions after the turnaround would have made a big difference to everyone's races. Still not really sure what happened to my legs, never had cramping in a race before but when it started, even walking became difficult. All a learning experience for the next one.
David Thomson Unlucky mate. Sub 4 next time maybe? 🤞🏼
indeed next time David!
Well done man! I'm hoping for a sub 4hr run in a few weeks for my first EMF...watching these for some inside haha
Brilliant Chris , I love your videos because there warts and all , we’ve all been there and probably will again , that’s running and that’s why we love it 👍👍
Thanks Neil. This week's training vlog is also another "warts and all" one.
Glad you managed to battle through to the end. I was spurred on at mile seventeen by seeing an old friend and managed to run past twenty one miles. I was getting cramp in my toes and walked and ran into the wind for the last five because I know I can’t fight strong wind. I had enough energy to finish strong in front of my family and was happy with my time. I think I lost five minutes coming back but suspect I gained a few going out. My first marathon done though and plenty to learn from it.
That's great Chris. To only lose five minutes on the way back is very good. Well done on completing your first marathon, it's a fantastic achievement. Have you signed up for the next one yet?
Here We Are Running Not signed up but considering options. Loch Ness in the autumn and or Blackpool or Meadows in Edinburgh or next year Edinburgh Marathon again. Might have tried Stirling but that isn’t being organised. Also need to look very carefully at the Dramathon next year too.
Lots of options to chose from there. Good luck which ever one you pick. I would certainly like to run Edinburgh again at some time in the future. Feels like I've got some unfinished business. But also want to try some of the other big marathons before repeating one.
Well done on finishing buddy! When i see strong cold winds and rain it brings back memories of the monsoon at Boston a couple years ago
Thanks Donato :) I was thinking of your Boston video when I was running into the head wind and thinking, this is pretty bad but certainly not was bad as what you had to deal with in Boston!
@@HereWeAreRunning whatever the weather, every race is a learning experience. Hope you are feeling better now and rested.
So right and yes much better now thanks
@@HereWeAreRunning glad to hear it!
Congratulations! The conditions were shocking! I tried to power through - read how bad it was gonna be so did my best to make the time up before the turn. I lasted to mile 23 before my soul was destroyed but I luckily crossed paths with a stranger/passer by/jogger who offered to pace me home! What a random act of kindness!! I ended up with 2:57. But, ever single person out there on Sunday was a lion to make it over the line. Toughest conditions I've ran in!
Well done again 💪🏃♂️
Wow Phill, fantastic time especially in those conditions, massive congratulations! And to have someone pace you for the last few miles must have really helped. Couldn't agree more, everyone who finished in those conditions did a fantastic job. Not a race that we'll easily forget.
Showed real strength of character to keep going and remain chipper. Great effort, well done 👍🏻
Thanks Andrew. In a funny sort of way it sometimes help me to talk to the camera when things aren't going well. Although for the next marathon I'd really just like to make a video where I'm running all the way from start to finish 😃
Arrrgggggg the highs and lows of Marathon Running, you showed true character to keep going with the rain, wind and cramps I know it must have also been playing with your mind as well - one word from me mate #AWESOME
Thanks Al. I think I'd have been ok with the wind and rain but combine with the cramping it was really tough and still can't really work out why I got such bad cramps. Lots to cover on the race recap though!
It happens mate, I still can’t figure out why I had a severe stitch at 17 miles that wouldn’t go - this weekend I had total rest, just a gentle walk which felt weird after such a long training block but now feel ready for my next 21 week training block 😲 hope you can figure out the cramps mate
I'll take this week off and slowly get back into it. Looking forward to getting back to some shorter distance races and starting training for the Ragnar Relay. I already think I know what I'm going to do differently on the next marathon.
Well done Chris, like you I struggled after the turnaround I had never factored in those conditions during training. Thanks for sharing your whole marathon journey with such enthusiasm, youve certainly helped me and many others along the way. I look forward to your next running adventures 😀
Thanks Neil. In sounds like a lot of people found it tough after the turn about. When that happens it's just about battling it out to the finish, so massive well done. Strangle for me my 20 mile long run during training was at marathon pace in pretty difficult weather conditions but I still fell a part with the leg cramps during the race. Always learning though and hopefully my next race will restore some confidence.
Chris, sorry to see that it didn’t go according to plan, if it’s any consolation we have all had bad races, especially the marathon. Take the positives and experience into your next one. You have plenty of good marathons to come. Congrats on persevering and making it to the finish. I look forward to your next race series.
Thanks Nathan :) I'm glad it wasn't my first marathon, so I know what I'm capable of and will just put this one down to difficult weather conditions (which on it's own i'd have been fine with) and the leg cramps. I wish I'd know for sure what caused the cramping but I've not had it before in a race and hope I won't get it again! Will certainly take this as a learning experience and will hope to have a good race in my next one.
Well done! This was my first marathon and the headwind was a shocker! I feel your pain. Past 20 miles was a struggle into that wind. Great experience though. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you and well done for completing your first marathon. It's a great achievement. You didn't have the easiest of conditions for doing your first one. Are you planning a second?
Congratulations Chris. Maybe not the race you wanted but BIG respect for toughing it out.
I did Edinburgh marathon in 2018. As a race, I’m really unsure about it. Course is very fast but I found large parts of it quite uninteresting.
The point to point route also makes it a complete pain.
Seem to remember having a 25min walk, just to get to the buses, which then took us back to the park & ride.
These buses weren’t free, which all adds to the cost meaning it is a very expensive race to do.
Thank you :) Sounds like you probably used the event buses which I guess a lot of people do if they are unfamiliar with the area and possible alternative transport available. I had family in Edinburgh so knew to use the public buses. Still had to walk a short distance to the bus stop but cost less. I think the course is good if you like both city and scenic coast line in the same race. I've heard of some people signing up and thinking it would all be in the city of Edinburgh, which of course it's not. Personally I did enjoy the scenic parts but then being so close to the coast, the wind had a big part to play in the race. It certainly wasn't a fast course this year because of the weather.
Thank you for the honesty in this video well done for getting it done even when the second half was tough. Well done. Come back stronger. Like you said some days are just not your day. I did it in 2019 doing it again this year
Thanks Penny and best of luck at Edinburgh this year. I'll be back again one year. Still counting this marathon as unfinished business!
Congratulations, looks like great fun! Will be watching more of your videos in the future!
Thank you :)
My husband has been training for a few marathons over the past few years and it's been great to watch your videos. They've been really helpful and have really inspired him (and me!) We're heading to Brighton next month for the marathon, so maybe we'll see you there! Thanks again for your videos :) :)
Thanks so much, I'm glad the videos have been helpful. Shame that Brighton and the other Spring marathons have had to be postponed but understandable in the circumstances. I'll be sharing my plans in this week's vlog.
Hey Chris, I'm sorry that it didn't worked out for you :( But my deepest respect that you got it done until the finish line 👍🏻 Very well done!! You know: After a race is before the next race 💪🏃♂️ And you have a new subscriber now :) (with bad English, I'm also sorry for that ;)) Greets from Germany and see you soon, Jo
Thank you Jo. Great to have you on board from Germany (and your English is so much better than my German!) Although the Edinburgh marathon didn't work out the way I'd planned, I was really happy to finish it. I did the Brighton Marathon last year which worked out much better although I still had some ups and downs in that race as well. Next year I'm doing the Manchester marathon where I'm hoping for a less eventful race!
@@HereWeAreRunning What a warm welcome - thanks so much, Chris. I can comment in German if you want, so you can practise a little bit ;) Just kiddin' :D ... I have some videos to watch on your channel now. Maybe there's also one of the Brighton Marathon!? Too bad the Manchester Marathon is on another day as the Half + 10k because that's the weekend I'll come back to Manchester next year. Nevertheless I wish you good luck in Manchester :)
Yes you'll find a video for the Brighton Marathon on you channel as well as lots of other races, parkruns, training series and reviews. So plenty to watch and hopefully entertain :)
Awww 🤗 I nearly cried! So sorry it didn't go to plan and very well done for finishing. Sheer will and determination! I'm sure others would have called it a day! One you won't forget. I hope the next one does you proud. There still will be a next one, won't there!?!
Aww, thank you :) I'll tell you, I nearly cried when I went past that lone charity cheer squad sticking it out until the end, for the last runners to make it past them. I thought if they can do that, then I have to finish it. I don't think I would have made it without the help of the first aiders in the medical tents. They managed to get me on my feet again and moving and I even managed that sprint finish. I've already signed up for Manchester next year so will take what I've learnt from this one, into that.
@@HereWeAreRunning Hooray for the cheer squad and first aiders. I loved Manchester (it was my PB race and wonderful crowd support all the way round). I almost want to do it again, but I've said to myself that I want to do different ones each time. If I do repeat one it'll have to be my first which was Ottawa!
Recover well, and I look forward to watching your race recap!
I completely agree, there are so many good marathons to do, picking a different one each time is what I'm doing as well. Although I think I may want to return to Edinburgh one day. Hopefully get the race recap out at the weekend.
Yeah I was in Edinburgh few days ago. Great city... great video... keep running
Thank you and glad to hear you enjoyed your trip to Edinburgh. Did you manage to get a run done when you were there?
Here We Are Running yeah I made a beautiful run : 16 kilometers. I have to edit the video now
Great Run mate... Very Well done...
Thank you. Seems so long ago now. Can't wait until we are aloud to race again.
So much respect. So far we have only done a couple of half marathons, and my legs were cramping at that distance… so to carry on! Boom. Well done 👏
Thank you. Never nice to get cramp. I've worn calf sleeves ever since this race and they certainly seem to help.
Survivor!!! I've been following your journey - so glad to see you made it, despite the pain. Well done :D
Thanks you :) For a while I didn't think I would but glad I did manage it. The first aiders really helped.
I’m a new subscriber after seeing you tough that one out.
Great to watch someone like the rest of us struggling ( compared to the many 3 hour marathoners I keep watching).
Despite the wind it looks like a beautiful course I should consider ( I live in Australia).
Thanks Joanne for subscribing! One thing I can guarentee is that you'll never see me run a 3 hour marathon on this channel :-) But you will see the ups and downs of someone who just loves to run and make video about it. I loved the Edinburgh marathon course. That combination of running through a city and then along a scenic coastal road, I thought was really unique. Which part of Australia are you from and what races do you take part in over there? Before my running days I lived in Sydney for a couple of years and loved travelling all over Australia at any available opportunity.
Wow Chris that is some grit and determination to finish that race I really take my hat off to you, as we all know how tough it can be sometimes after all that hard work you put in to your training plan. Take it as a learning curve for your next attempt, however looking at the video Edinburgh marathon looks tough, gruelling and not much fun to be honest. Well done mate👏👏👏 time to rest and recover😴😴
Thanks Lee :) Absolutely, it's another learning experience and I'm please to have got through it to the end even when the wind and the cramps in my legs were really against me. Will learn from it, for sure. It was actually a really nice course and whilst it started a bit wet and cold we soon warmed up and the as you saw the sun came out. But even though the support was really good through the city and the first part of the coastal section, once we were out on the coast road the support was fairly patchy and then after we turned back and started the long stretch to the finish the wind made it really difficult. The first 5 miles are all downhill and after that it's reasonably flat so with better weather it certainly has the potential for a fast time. I reckon I'll revisit one year because it feels like I have some #unfinishedbusiness !
Well done. I've just subscribed mate. You showed great resilience and strength of character. Brilliant.
Thanks Richard :) It certainly wasn't easy but got there in the end. Really was thinking of calling it a day in the first medical tent and without the help of the first aiders I don't think I could have done it. It's certainly a race I'll never forget!
Good on you for carrying on when it's so easy to stop! I noticed you're like me when you see the finish line, no matter how much you hurt you still do a sprint finish!
Looking back it certainly would have been a lot easier to quit but I wanted that medal and finishers t-shirt! I'd been waiting so long to see the 26 mile marker that it just gave me a little bit a energy right at the end to sprint to the finish line. What followed this marathon was a month or so of no running and lots of physio to recover from the calf injuries. Hopefully next year's marathon at Manchester will be more successful.
Merci Chris ! super motivant pour s'inscrire à la session 2020 !
Je trouve déjà qu'Edimbourgh est un ville magnifique ...voilà un prétexte pour y retourner :-)
See you in 27 weeks !
Je suis heureux d'entendre que vous avez apprécié regarder mon marathon d'édimbourg et cela vous a motivé à vous inscrire pour 2020! Je suis sûr que vous apprécierez vraiment l'événement. Je participe au marathon de Manchester en 2020 et je commencerai un nouveau vlog d'entraînement marathon hebdomadaire en décembre, alors restez à l'écoute pour cela.
Great effort, Chris. Way to grind it out. That marathon distance is a beast! I'm looking forward to hearing your recap.
Thanks Andy :) It really was a real grind but so glad to reach the finish. Hopefully have the recap out at the weekend.
Just wanted to say that I've been following your training journey and found this video incredibly inspiring - it didn't go to plan but you got it done and that's possibly the biggest achievement you could have! Huge congratulations and hope you can enjoy a rest now :)
Thank you so much. I love to hear when people are inspired by my videos. Whilst it didn't go at all the way I suspected it has proven one thing - you just never know what will happen it a marathon.
Saw you a few times around the route and managed to catch myself on your clips too. Great strength and determination to carry on and finish after the two first aid stops, well done to you. I forgot just how long that headwind lastested for too, definately felt like the last few miles were never ending!
Thanks Andrew, hope you had a good race. Glad you made it on the video. Those last few miles did seemed forever and even longer if you had it walk it like I did!
Mate! Well done on finishing. Sorry it did not go as planned. it happens! But I am impressed with your attitude about it all! Kudos brother! Bless you!
Thanks mate. In the end, just happy to finish because at one stage it was looking pretty unlikely. A marathon really is a different type of race and no matter how prepared you think you are, you just never really know. I will all help for the next one though.
Here We Are Running I guess that’s what makes it such a challenge! Thanks for sharing mate!!!
It certainly does mate :)
I'm doing this next year as my first marathon, hopefully the conditions will be more favourable and I hope I can have just a part of the sheer determination you had here, you dug real deep to get this done and that's what it is about. Great run.
Thank you :) I certainly hope you don't run into the problems I had and that you get better weather conditions. It's a great course with the mix of city and scenic coastline but as you saw last year the wind made it really tough for everyone. Best of luck in your training for your first marathon! When you cross the line at the finish it'll be a fantastic thing to be able to say you are a marathoner.
Way to push through that weather looks like a gorgeous course though!
Thank you. When the wether is nice, this course would be stunning. I hope to be back at Edinburgh one day to have a better experience (weather and my race).
Great job mate! Tough conditions. Glad you enjoyed it even though it didn't go as plan.
Thanks mate. Yeah a real tough race for me but will learn from it.
Took part on Sunday and can appreciate how you felt about that wind, enjoyed the film, very enjoyable.
Thank you. How did you get on? I'd imagine many runners found that wind tough and it seemed to get worse the longer you we out in it (and I was out in it a long time :)
I was hoping for around 3.45 but it turned out to be 4.03, I suspected that the wind would work itself on the way back during the last section along the coast road before the turn at Gosford, the bit through the grounds of the stately home was rather nice but at that stage of the race it was becoming hard to appreciate the view.
Still a great time in those conditions, well done.
That was brutal mate! Such tough conditions to run in normally. Nevermind running a marathon and getting cramp for 10 miles. A HUGE CONGRATS for getting to the finish mate!
Thanks Jamie. It was really unusual for me to cramp up like that and in both legs. Never hppened before in a race. I think it was dehydration but strange because I thought I my hydration strategy was working well up to that point. The medical teams were great though. Without them I wouldn't have made it to the end.
You now have a Marathon anecdote to tell!
Well done finishing, I would have said "blow this, I'm off to Costa!"
The cramping is odd isn't it? Can't help you there I've been spared that. What do you have for breakfast? I try to have a nice Costa and Toast or a sticky bun an hour before run.
Couple of things I have learned.
Whatever the weather I always carry a packable (screw it up and shove it in pocket) jacket - in case I have to walk - for extra warmth.
Not perhaps relevant for a Marathon (?) I use fizzy water as hydration on lap ultras, particularly on hot days - ordinary water, Powerade type stuff even gels - are not for me. For Marathons I find 1 or 2 'ordinary' peanut butter bar or the like does the trick! I take them just before halfway.
For ultras I use proper(sic) savoury food - pizza, sandwiches whatever.
I always look at course profile and potential weather.
I try (often unsuccessful) to run a negative split first/second half - this is so satisfying - it makes me feel I'm in control of my run. It is great to overtake lots of folk on the second half which always happens!
Sorry to go on for so long, I don't claim to be a brilliant runner, but I have run almost 90 Marathons/short(sic) ultras in the past 8 years so I have learned bots and bobs.
Yes, I have told the story quite a few times now, although it doesn't seem so painful with the distance of time. Having had time to reflect on it, I suspect my calves where not in top shape at the beginning but I hadn't realised it until the cramp started and probably my hydration strategy let me down a bit. After 6 weeks of physio, I'm now in much better shape and much better prepared to manage my calves in the future and recognise a potential injury. You certainly have a huge amount of experience with that number of marathons/ultras. I like the idea of some solid food like the peanut butter bars. Might give that a go next year.
Well done for finishing mate. Looks like you had a very tough time in that second half!
Thanks mate. Yes it was a tough one for sure and not one I'll forget in a hurry. Still enjoyed it though.
I’m just glad you are ok
Thanks mate. Drank loads of fluids afterwards and recovering well. In a strange way the next day, my legs didn't feel like they had run a marathon. All a learning experience for the next one.
Hats off mate for seeing it through..that looked gruelling.
Thanks mate, it wasn't pretty and during the first medical tent I really had doubts about whether I could continue, when even walking was difficult but somehow made it to the end.
Well done on getting to the end, looks a great course one I think I’ll do in the future 🙂👍🏻🏃
Thanks 👍
Yeah I really liked the course and being able to run through the city to the coast and along the coast road. Of course being so close to the sea meant the weather had a part to play and it made the run back from the turn about really tough. But for me it was the cramping that put an end to my race strategy and it just became a challenge to finish.
Sprint finish! Hero!
Thanks Dan. I know, where did that come out of. In fact my family were waiting at the finish (for a long time) and said most runners found the energy for a sprint at the end.
well done mate. you had a very similar race to me. I was hoping and trained for a 4.30 finish, but illness meant I didn't eat for 2 days beforehand, tried to eat on saturday, wasn't sure if i would compete. Had the family with me so on Sunday we headed to the start. 1st 10k on target, half dropped 10mins but I had enough by then, nothing in the tank and was cramping up the same as you, going through the wood was horrible/bleak with that wind, mile 20 I had to walk / shuffle and walk again 23-24 walked it in, if I ran my legs cramped. Very happy to see the finish, came in at 5.51 gun time so a few minutes before you :) Chip time was 5.38. It's fine, life happens you get sick, at least I completed it which I wanted to do for my girls. Great seeing the same characters 'Elmo' and the 'Elephant guy'. Was a good day, seems to be getting better in my mind as time goes on, Thanks for filming, nice to see.
Thanks Christian :) Sorry to hear you had it bad as well with the cramps. You did well to start, let alone finish after being ill in the build up. I was fine going into the race but had a bit of a temperature in the second medical tent and feel like I might be coming down with something this evening, so perhaps that had something to do with it. I think when things don't go to plan (like in our races) the challenge is just to finish and we both did that, so well done!
Brutal finish man! For being such a rainy cold day, still looking like an amazing area! Come run in the south east states man, always beautiful here 🤙🏼
Yeah, I loved the course despite the weather. First time I've had cramp in a race, puked in a race, had medical attention in a race and worn a blanket for the last couple of miles of a race. Hopefully I won't be repeating any of those, any time soon!
I really enjoyed this race vlog. Thank you for sharing your experience and being so forthcoming. Suggestion: I haven't checked out all of your other videos yet, so I would have found it helpful if you had revealed your goals at the start of the video. Keep racing!
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. I'm missing making the race vlogs so have been mainly doing training vlogs, time trials, challenges and some product reviews. But hopefully it won't be too long before I can do a race again and make a video of it. Thanks for your feedback, I'll remember to do that in my next race vlog :)
Well done....I heard it was a tough one this year good job xx
Thank you Julie. You heard right :) Although I don't think the weather caused my cramping but it certainly didn't help to make it to the finish when the wind was pushing me in the opposite direction! I'm not going to forget this race in a hurry and we still have good memories of a great event.
Had cramps too last year for the loch ness marathon , I get what you've been through!💪
Not a nice feeling is it and really hard to keep going. I'm hoping that I won't get this problem during my next marathon.
Ah mate so gutted for you at the end there, you worked so hard for this! The footage of the course looked beautiful to be fair, do you think it was the long travel up that took it out of your legs a bit? Or was it a nice relaxed journey up there? Incredible work finishing after all of that 🙏
Thanks Andy. Yes, it was a really nice course. The journey up on Saturday was pretty bad. The trains were very overcrowded but don't think that was it. I think I've probably got a bit of a virus now and probably had it then without realising it. I had a temperature when I went into the second medical tent. This all probably resulted in my hydration strategy not working in the same way it had during training. When I was given electrolytes before I left the second medical tent, I could feel them starting to have a positive affect towards the finish. And further electrolytes after the race and my legs felt good by Monday. That's the only thing I can really put it down to at the moment. It's all part of the learning experience though and now looking forward to some shorter distance running.
Here We Are Running ah ok so possibly harbouring it then going into the race. I hope you pick up soon, it’s taken me 3 weeks to get better again since mine so hopefully you’ll bounce back much quicker 🤞
Thanks mate. Staying off the running this week but at the moment I feel like I'll be fine to run again at the weekend. Planning on my next race in a week and a half time and it will be good to do that and move on fro there.
New subs here. My time is not as fast as yours but i enjoy watching your vlogs x
Thanks for subscribing and glad to hear that you enjoy watching the videos :)
How many miles against the wind? This marathon seems to have that kind of reputation!
Much of the course is out and back along the coast. So depending on how strong the breeze is and which direction it's blowing, it can and in 2019, did have an impact on the race. Back then, from memory we had at least the final 10km running into the wind, maybe more.
I know I can't even run 1 mile so you have earned my respect
Thank you 👍
Well get to it training boy
I remember running this one wind was bad
Yeah, it caused problems for lots of runners that day.
well done !!!!!
Thank you and thanks for subscribing :)
Good memories. My first marathon. Didn't you have any fuel with you? I had 4 gels and 4 energy bars and still hit the wall 😅 had all the oranges and jelly babies getting handed out, that powered me to the finish.
I did have fuel. I possibly wasn't hydrated enough but I think my calves are my weak point and since this race, I give them a lot more attention during recovery - stretching, rolling and massage gun. It must be working because I've been injury free since the recovery from this race.
Just back from Edinburgh 22 and for some reason it seemed to break me on second half...i weirdly found Brighton an easier course!! No PB that i was hoping for in Edinburgh
It's so deceptive. It should be a really fast course but it has the ability to be really challenging.
Hope you're not going to be too hard on yourself about this one as the conditions were brutal. I was standing supporting just before the 2 mile marker and the rain and the gusts of wind there were far from ideal so can only imagine what it was like along the coast. I know it doesn't attract a top class international field but when the winner comes home in over 2 hours 30 that's very reflective of the conditions.
Thanks Andrew. I promise I'll not be too hard on myself. I'm glad though that this wasn't my first marathon as I'd probably feel very disappointed if it was. But I know what I'm capable of so just have to look at this ace as the one that was all just about finishing, fighting the adverse weather and severe cramps. Next time, we go again :) Well done for supporting. The support through the city and along the coast to Musselburgh was great, especially in the rain and wind.
Well done you did great
Thank you 👍
About 2 minutes in - the chap behind you is wearing a "Gatwick Runners" tee: I've just watched your Run Gatwick half vlog - Bet he was also in that race...!
Chris you are a star finishing.
You've mentioned cramps in other vids. Have you ever found a solution to the problem?
Not really had a problem with cramping since Edinburgh but I always wear compression calf sleeves now and stretch/roll after ever run and even on rest days. I've I feel a bit of soreness, then I scale things back a bit to let the calf recover. This approach seems to be working well.
Bloody wind was soul destroying.
It really was. And it got worse the longer I was out in it (which was a long time). Then as soon as we left the coast road, it died down completely! Oh well, you can't change the weather but hoping for better weather in our future races :)
This is awesome!!! As someone who has just travelled to Edinburough once I loved this video as it brought back so many memories!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
I'm your newest sub, I'd love if you checked my channel out & we can be YT friends! I'm trying to get healthier and fitter and your support would be amazing!! Have a great day!!
Thanks, I'll check out your channel. Good luck getting healthier and fitter, I can certainly relate to that.
Thanks so much!