Prague International Marathon

As I lined up on the start line in the centre of the Old Town in Prague it was a very special moment in starting my first official marathon race. With the crush of people ready to run the atmosphere was electric and I started out a little harder than perhaps I should.

After the first 10km I was on track with the 3hr pace team which would have been very impressive. This pace eased off during the next 10km with me then being on 3hr 30min pace after the 20km distance as we approached the half way mark.

During the race it was a very different atmosphere when compared to the previous events over the past few weeks. The most obvious factor was that I could not understand a word of czech that was being spoken to me.

The professional running world insist that the back half of the marathon should be faster than the first! Now perhaps it was the fact that I had recently completed seven and a half marathons in the days before Prague or the fact that I was extremely tight after not having a massage for a few months. All I know is that I hit the wall and could not find another gear to move up over the final 20km. As the pace groups continued to past me I was getting concerned ...

With only 500m to go in the race a local camera crew who spoke English asked for me to stop for a interview just as I was getting into stride to come home into the Old Town for the finish ... I was more than pleased to help out though could not stop and he simply could not foot it with me.

I somehow found another level with the streets lined with poeople and the incredible support from the crowd. I made a great dash to the line with the crowd making lots of noise as I entered the Old Town and it was a great feeling to finally get across the line in 4hrs 30mins.

I addressed the crowd over the microphone with the race organisers at the end of the race and passed on my thanks for all the support though pretty sure there would have been only a few who could understand me!

It was a real rush back to the hotel as I was now very tight in the legs and made a quick change for the dash to the airport and then onto London before spending a few hours and heading back to New York City for a few hours before then making the long journey back home via Chicago and Hawaii ...