Last Sunday was the Marathon in Brussels and these were my times:
at 10km -> 0:56:44
at 20km -> 2:06:08
at 30km -> 3:09:06
at 36 km -> I gave up.
Why? It was a pitty because, actually, I did not have any condition problem, I felt strong all the time, capable of finishing the Marathon sometimes it was even laughing like I will finish this with no issues. But, I did I gave up, you may wonder. MY KNEES !!! from km 32 till 36 a unberable pain came to my knees. Exactly the same muscle in both knees.
Reasons:
- Perhaps the cold? (we started the marathon with 10 degrees) after three hours my knees say "no more".
- Perhaps the rain?: Apart from cold weather, it was raining all the way.
- Perhaps my shoes?: Needless to say that I used the same shoes that I've been using for last 4 months (advised by all marathon runners) so no it can not be. But there is a difference, it was raining and my shoes are not GORETEX.. bad!!!
Maybe none of them. ?
Conclusions:
Fisical condition is quite good. I ended up with enough power, but without knees.
I took the safest option and I stopped. Perhaps I could have finished, but my goal is to finish in 7 months the IronMan in Lanzarote. I played conservative, I stopped, so I can run today. I do not have the luxury of finishing a Marathon with broken legs that will keep me away from training in weeks.
Look at the picture km 21 (left botton corner)
