A really good BVH turnout, both in terms of runners and support, made this not only a great race but also a really enjoyable weekend away. After spending a few days in Paris with my wife, Sian and some running friends from Yorkshire, who were very usefully fluent in French, we had some great 4 course meals in local eateries and explored the usual tourist sites, possibly not the best way to prepare for a marathon, but it had to be done. The night before, after meeting up with James, Chi Chi and the guys for a final pasta carbohydrate loading, everyone seemed a little anxious but in good spirits for what was lying in wait.
I really wasn't sure what to expect on the day. It is only my second marathon and the only big city race I've done, over any distance. So after a surprisingly good 7 hour sleep, and a 5.45 wake to start the day with Shreddies brought over for the occasion, all seemed to be going well. Then I dropped the iPod down the hotel toilet! Not sure how, but it happened! Thankfully, it wasn't needed anyhow. We then walked over to the start on a cold chilly morning, being passed by a running train of Kenyans, to the tunes of Chariots of Fire, and it all seemed a little surreal. I then made a few running 'schoolboy errors'. Firstly I started in the wrong pen, for starters anticipating a time 15 minutes slower. I didn't think it would be a problem but it meant bobbing and weaving to catch up for the first 4 or 5 miles, and I hadn't realised how packed a running field of 35,000 people could be. Then, just 500m from the start, I had to pullover to find a nearby tree - bit embarrasing not having yet reached the bottom of the Champs-Elysees.
Anyhow, the race conditions were ideal, cloudy, dry and not too warm, and the city landmarks were great - passing the Louvre, the Bastille and various other postcard sites. The race didn't settle until about 5 miles though and then, as we entered a few miles of parkland, I learnt another couple of lessons as everyone bunched together - the French love to lead with their elbows so give them room and don't get sucked into running with the pack around the running pacers. I fell into this trap and it took a good few miles to escape. The race itself was going well, Garmin keeping everything on track, until this was made useless by going through some long dark tunnels, lost reception meant a good 1/2 mile and few minutes lost from the watch. Made it more interesting having to guess form thereafter and try to think in kilometres.
It was great to hear the BVH support at about 12 miles and see Sian at about 15, and although there seemed to be a lot of people struggling for the last few miles, the training over the past few months seemed to be paying off and I felt comfortable and kept a fairly even pace right to the finish. It probably helped that the last 4 miles or so were in a park not dissimilar to Cannon Hill, it was like being back in Brum (although the Arc de Triomphe gave it away!).
It was quite an understated finish for such a big city marathon but the atmosphere all the way round was great - lots of bands and cheering. Certainly I now appreciate the legendary atmosphere that all the guys who run the FLM rave about, and for ease of getting in, the Paris Marathon must be a serious consideration for anyone wanting to do a City Marathon without the hassle of going through the FLM ballot.
Congrats to James, Phil, Chi Chi, Kelly and Jay - everyone did excellent times and met their expectations. A thought out for my mate Justin though who was doing his first marathon. Driven onwards by the BVH posse until 20 miles at a slightly quicker than normal pace, he then lost energy, only a tonic of red wine and cider at a drinks station at 22 miles managed to guide him home in his target time! I was pleased with my performance. Aiming for 3.30, I came in a shade under at 3.28, although bizarrely even at half way I had done 13.5 miles according to the Garmin - I guess with these massive races the marathon distance is just an approximate.
Au revoir!
Mike Scotney
