The house we rented was only about a mile away from the start and the other Team Achievers met there to walk up together.

During the safety briefing the announcer mentioned that because there was a big crash on the bike course and the route had to be diverted 10 minutes was being added on to the cut off time, I wasn't sure what time we finished as we chilled out on that final couple of miles once we went last the cut off time.  I was now in more of a mood about not pushing it.

Again I "Let It Go".

A marathon is hard enough without carrying around a mood.  This particular marathon was also pretty hilly.

I told Rene and Alvin about my race strategy to walk up the steep hills from the start as I hadn't put enough hilly miles in to my training.  They agreed to run at least the first half with me, both being faster runners than I am although both also nursing twinges and injuries.

It was Rene's first full marathon - he had listened to some idiot who said "it would be alright" and good training and preparation for a challenge he has later in the year.  He was happy to follow the advice of that idiot now at the start line :)

I'm the idiot if you hadn't guessed.

We set off around Tenby for the first section, if you haven't been to Tenby before it's a great little town to visit.

At about the 3 mile mark the first proper hill started, we walked up it as per my plan.  Have a look at the profile below, you will understand why I planned to walk.

It rained pretty heavily during the first half marathon which was actually quite nice as it was so hot.  

We stuck to the plan and walked the steep bits and ran the rest.  As we past the half way point the weather took a turn for the worse (for me anyway).  The clouds went away and were replaced by bright blue skies and a shiny heat ball.

The profile got a little more undulating with some sharp climbs.  For most of the walk / hill sections we still had a good march on, averaging about 15 minute miles.

This was starting to take it's toll by the 18 mile mark, coupled with the fact I rode most of the bike course with limited gears.

I still felt like I had plenty of energy but my legs felt heavy.  I had drank plenty of water and salts, eaten lots of jelly babies and a couple of gels so I knew that wasn't my problem.

Alvin then pointed out that I had only been for one pee so far.  I can barely get through a 10k run normally without at least one stop.  

I had drank about 3 litres by this point and didn't have a dehydrated headache feeling.

However, I was ridiculously hot.  I think the temperature was high 20C's.

I'm a pasty white Irish boy.  I'm not designed to be out in the sun, let alone running in it :)

At every drink station from then I soaked my hat and poorer water over myself to cool down.  It worked as I started to feel better.

I listened to my body though and slowed down.  My running buddies were feeling good but chose to stay with me for the last few miles.  It was really appreciated as the chatting kept my mind off feeling so hot.

We got back to Tenby and saw Fran with the dogs just before we turned the glory corner (the corner where you know the finish line is down hill and the crowds are watching), we ran down the finishing straight looking like it was easy and there were no issues at all for the camera's.

It was a great day and proved to me that sticking to the plan was worth it.  The guys appreciated it too as their injuries were having minimum effect on them.

We see the same all of the time with our nutrition and fitness plans.  People feel great then alter the plan, rushing off in another direction feeling they're ok.  Shortly followed by injury or a dietary bounce back.  

If you're on a plan, stick o it.  Only change on the advice of your coach.

I waited around at the end to chat with my friends and supporters.  A couple of us waited to see the presentations for the guys who had completed the Long Course Weekend and would be receiving the coveted fourth medal.

I waited to torture myself and teach myself a lesson to pay more attention to the instructions in the future.

The announcer again mentioned the crash and detour from the ride and the bonus time added to the bike cut-off.  

I was reminded again how close I was to getting that medal.

He said that he was going to read out the names of all successful competitors in reverse order.

He read out my name.  It didn't quite compute at first.  Then I realised that I must have just made it under the new cut-off time.  

I could go and collect my extra medal, I was a happy boy.

The fact that he read my name out first meant that I was last, I didn't really care I was there for the medal not for the time or to compete for a position.

I've mentioned lots of times before that I'm more of a casual Ironman.  I take part in the sport of triathlon, my friends compete.

The pictures below show why the medals were my goal.

Serious bling :)

Darren 'barracus' Checkley