Marathon of Marathons 2010 - PEI Media

Notes from the Road
In the footsteps of Pheidippides | Athens, 31 October 2010 24
Saturday morning: visit to the Acropolis deepens the sense of
anticipation and thirst for knowledge on the history of the Marathon.
Saturday afternoon: a most interesting and informative lunch. We
hear more about all the charities.
Speech from David Bellingham on the history of the Battle of
Marathon - absolutely spell-binding. Then Will Cockerell, author of The
World’s Top 50 Marathons, tells us: ‘You will realise you are at best half
way having completed 30km. Let’s face it: some 30 percent of you will
get injured and about 20 percent of you will not finish… This is one of
the world’s toughest courses.’ With this reality dawns and you can sense
the mood in the room changing: this is going to be tough. Luckily Bruce
Tulloh, the official MoM coach, recovers it with tales of Vaseline. Maybe
we will get through this after all…
Then it’s Sunday, the big day has arrived:
• Alarm call at 05.00
• Light breakfast at 06.00 followed by preparation, namely loads of
Vaseline and a litre of isotonic drink
• 06.30 buses depart from Athens to Marathon. Through the coach
windows we survey the route in all its gory glory
• Our bus breaks down 4 kilometres from Marathon - is this an omen? Full
effects of litre of isotonic drink take effect but it is not an all male bus, so
I’m cross-legged as I wait the relief bus
• Relief bus arrives and we finally arrive at Marathon, where 12,500
Marathoners assemble and it’s almost impossible to recognise other
MoMers
• 9:00: we’re away!
• After some 8k – injury! My left hip is where I am feeling most pain with
various stops for medical ‘encouragement’. I consider a short cut at the
tomb of the unknown warrior but see a recording station half way round
the loop
• Great encouragement en route and a real international flavour to the
participants
• From 33k on supposedly downhill through the streets of Athens. I’m
hurting all over but determined not to be outflanked by a group of
ancient Greek warriors!
• I make use of every water stop, and count each and every single one of
the individual 42 kilometre markers
• It’s brilliant to reach the ancient stadium but then you realise you have
to run half way round the track. Sponsored by a sleeve of Paracetamol
my weary body crosses the line some 6 hours and 5 minutes after
having started
• Alas, there is yet a final hurdle: due to the streets of Athens being
closed we have to walk back to the hotel!
Goodness this was tough but as they say: ‘Finishing is the achievement’’
Too right. I think about Pheidippides who when he arrived in Athens
uttered the words “Nenikekamen” - “we have won” - then collapsed
and died on the spot from exhaustion. I uttered nothing. I was just too
knackered.”
Jason Gull, Adams Street Partners, Boston
Brave comeback
after 24 miles
“I was feeling pretty good during the
run, even after the approximately first
20 miles of relentless uphill. However,
after hitting the 20 mile marker, the
road finally crested the top of the hill
descending for the next six miles into the
centre of Athens. The pounding on my
already fatigued thighs from the descent
took its toll. At the 24 mile point, my
thighs seized up and I involuntarily
collapsed on the road. When I looked
Indestructible: Adams Street’s Gull up, a boy scout fully decked out in his
uniform inquired, “hey sir, do you need
any help?” Which was followed by a fellow runner exclaiming, “You’re
Alternative
Insight