It's important to mention from the beginning how great the support was throughout the race. People had said before that the far loop (around 25km) got a little quiet but actually you didn't really feel that. There were crowds everywhere. So if you were someone supporting, thanks. My face might not have shown gratitude, but I got to the line and that's the main thing.

So, the race. I planned to target 5min/km for the entire race. We had run faster for shorter distances and felt this was ambitious but achievable. Clearly it was a step too far. We managed that until about 24km but then I realised it wasn't to be my day. Chiara, my running buddy, was stellar and is such a strong and impressive runner. It was around 25km where I didn't want to hold her back and said she should run on. But that's the beginning of the psychological struggle.

I continued to the 27/28km mark and then felt I had nothing left. And had to start walking. The main issue at that point was knowing that there was still 14km to go - a huge distance to walk as part of a race. So then my mind started testing me the most. I do put a lot of pressure on myself to compete as I like to see how far I can take things - but my body's reaction was a reality check.

I walked the majority of the final 14km with a few, very painful, attempts at running. But cramp and pain limited any real rhythm or pace. I truly considered pulling out as I wondered if, in my dazed state, I was doing too much harm to myself. There was also the personal agony of walking in front of the great crowds. Whilst it's a personal race against your own goals, you want to run it for them too. 

So in the end I managed to complete the race in 4:27, well below my own expectations. But my BSR team around me were a great pick-up just to feel the achievement of finishing. And it gave me the time and group to reflect upon the race and move forwards. So some of my key learnings are:

- Expectations
I need to consider longer term targets. Rushing in to nearly match a half marathon time to the full distance was too much pressure. With the goal of doing more longer races I need more race practice to reach my time goals.

- Pacing
Just acting as a pacer, checking watches and dodging the crowd to try and maintain it is quite consuming. We'd plan to settle into the crowd but still I didn't listen to my own plan. I really need to learn to build when feeling good.

- Conditions
It was a hot day, although strangely I didn't really feel it during the race. Adjusting a race plan more to reflect them could have been wiser. 

- Training
I think we did a great job as a group and I did build nicely doing at least 3 x 32km runs. So I need to rethink what is right for me and also practice a little of race pace too. 

- Enjoyment
I love to race. That's the reason I am turning my passion into my working life too. But what I realise from the run is that I couldn't enjoy it because it was too far from my plans, and I still remain a little disappointed. So I know that maintaining that enjoyment is going to be key to progressing.

So with all this in mind, I have the chance to learn and progress because in 5 weeks I am running the Frankfurt marathon. This is a great chance for me to enjoy the distance run, set myself better expectations and put down a time from which I can build on. So wish me luck.

If you have any race tips, similar experiences or just comments, I would love to hear from you. 

Thanks for reading this.
Jon