MARATHON 122: BILBAO NIGHT MARATHON (21/10/2023)

oneKmore 02/11/2023 No Comments

Due to circumstances, I returned to the Bilbao Night Marathon, which I had already run in 2017. Initially, I considered running the marathons in Lisbon and Palma de Mallorca in October, and I even had the option to debut in Ciudad Real and Tirana, both of which had races scheduled for the same date. In the end, for logistical convenience, I travelled to Bilbao on the morning of the race, just 4 hours before it. Enough time to pick up my race bib at the runner’s expo, take a short walk, and prepare to head to the start line.

The race will begin at 7:00 PM at the San Mamés stadium and finish at the Guggenheim Museum, making it an attractive marathon. Placed in the starting corral 4, I quickly remembered why I hadn’t repeated this race. Besides the marathon distance, there are options to run a half marathon (21k) and a “pirate” 10k race, all starting simultaneously. This would be the biggest flaw of the race, because there were over 5000 participants in the 10k race, while there were fewer than 1000 in the marathon!

With a temperature of around 18°C, I wait for the previous waves of runners to start. By the time I cross the starting line at the back of corral 4, the largest one, has been already 7 minutes, and I haven’t seen any pacers to follow.

Amid this massive crowd of runners, it is difficult to maintain a steady pace. I continuously have to evade other runners while trying to maintain the distances with the runners ahead and behind me to avoid potential collisions.

After the first 5 kilometres, I am already 2 minutes behind my scheduled time. Despite my efforts to pick up the pace, it remains challenging due to the number of runners and the numerous bottlenecks on an urban course with many sharp turns.

We must endure this running almost to the finish line of the 10k race before the course clears up. From that point, we can run more comfortably, but too far behind my target time.

I didn’t remember the course very well, and there with its many twists and turns along the riverbank. I reach the half marathon mark in 1 hour and 58 minutes, realising that I have limited margin to finish under 4 hours. Anyhow, I don’t seem to find the right pace. Possibly my biorhythm doesn´t respond well to this evening/nighttime schedule.

The second lap is quite lonely, but it allows me to gradually pass other runners. With limited spectator support, I appreciate the dedication of the volunteers who cheer us on and provide the necessary refreshments at the aid stations.

As I reach the 41-kilometer mark, I am caught by the 4h pace pacer, which is almost running alone. I overhear a runner reprimanding him for not pacing properly. I assume it is because he went too fast at the start to build a time cushion, a flaw I have noticed in several races. Personally, I think is more logical to maintain a consistent pace. However, it didn’t affect me.

Entering the final straight to the Guggenheim Museum the race is done. I cross the finish line with a net time of 4.01.30, finishing in 402nd place out of 682 who completed the race. For some reason, I always go over 4 hours in this marathon.

After catching my breath, I head back to the hotel, already thinking about marathon number 123, which should be in San Sebastián. This would be the first time in a calendar year that I ran marathons in the three capitals of the Basque Country, after having completed Vitoria in May.

Advice to organisers: please separate the 10k start by at least 15 minutes.

MARATHON 121: LOGROÑO (01/10/2023)

oneKmore 07/10/2023 No Comments

Logroño was going to be the location for the 121st marathon, after having hosted the 111th in 2022 and the 101st in 2021. Thus, it was my third time running its marathon. The short distance from Valladolid and the option to run it for free (thanks to the sponsorship of Sapje Renovables) were decisive factors in this decision.

Unlike other years when I had travelled the day before, I meet up with Gorriti at 5:30 am to go directly. Already with our race bibs before leaving, we could arrive with peace of mind.

Therefore, we arrive in Logroño at 8 am and park near El Espolón Park, where the start and finish are located. We still have time for a small breakfast before walking to the starting line, where the runners are already gathering, most of them for the half marathon distance, and many familiar faces. Unusually, four members of Atletas Populares seeking the full marathon distance.

With pacers for times of 3h30m and 4 hours, my usual choice of joining the 3h45m group disappears. With just over 200 runners for the 42 kilometers, it is likely to be a lonely race in its second half.

We start on time at 9:00 am with temperatures around 15°C, that could reach 28°C by noon. The heat calls for caution, but I am running a bit faster than supposed, around 5 minutes and 10 s per kilometer (instead of the 5 minutes and 20 s to achieve a 3h45m finish time).

Repeating almost the same route as in previous years, I know it is a race with no much spectator support, often taking us away from the more touristy areas of the city. Long straightaways and some tough inclines, especially the one along the side of the church next to the river, paved with cobblestones, and the final one heading towards El Espolón. The first lap serves to refresh my memory and confirm that the second part of the course is the more demanding one.

I complete the half marathon distance in 1.50.30. Things seem to be going well, with some buffer to achieve a good time. However, the heat and the course will not make easy to maintain that pace in the second lap.

With tired legs, I manage to keep up on track until kilometre 28. From there on, kilometres start to stretch on my watch. I begin to consider the backup goal of finishing in under 4 hours. By not missing any aid stations and choosing isotonic drinks whenever available, it is just a matter of convincing myself that each step forward is one step closer to the finish line.

In the end, I finish in a hard-fought net time of 3.53.46, in the position 152 out of 247 finishers. Overall, a result almost identical to the one achieved in 2022 (3.52.47 and 150th out of 243 finishers).

Although at the beginning of the year I had considered trying to run fewer marathons and being more selective, in the end, as with Logroño, I finish participating in those with simpler logistics and the opportunity to continue adding marathons to my tally.

If all goes well, the next stop should be be Bilbao, to repeat the night marathon we ran in 2017.

MARATHON 120: RIO BOEDO (20/08/2023-Bascones de Ojeda, SPAIN)

oneKmore 30/09/2023 No Comments

For years, I had heard about this marathon, especially after participating several times in the Aguilar de Campoo marathon, also organized by Gabriel, until its last edition in 2019. Then, Covid came, and it was another race disappearing.

Due to its timing, this marathon usually was during my holidays. Consequently, being far away, I couldn´t participate. However, this year things were different, and it was my chance to debut in the Río Boedo, for my 120th marathon.

On Sunday morning, it is an early wake-up to join Gorriti and a friend on their way to Bascones de Ojeda, in the north of Palencia. They are regulars of this race, as are most of the participants who gather there.

I learn on the way there that the village has been fully supportive of the event for years, as it has been going on for more than 20 editions. With 138 registered residents, the village take advantage of their festivities to embrace this challenge, always with Gabriel, his family and a few friends at the centre stage.

With a short saxophone play, just after 8 o’clock, the 40 runners who had gathered there set off. Many familiar faces of the regular marathon runners who “pilgrimage” to Bascones year after year. Strange that a free marathon where they treat you like family can´t congregate more runners. But perhaps that’s the secret of its spirit.

The course consists of 3 loops, mostly on dirt roads, all the way to the village of Collazos de Boedo. That’s where we encounter one of the most challenging sections, with a rocky path that will bring us back towards Bascones.

With temperatures rising quickly, it’s a race for those who love running solo. However, it’s not a problem for me as I’m used to training alone. The laps go by, and I try to stay hydrated the best I can. Approaching the last lap, I see the possibility of achieving another sub-4-hour finish.

In the end, I cross the finish line in 3.54.02, securing the 15th position out of 43 finishers.

In the words of another runner: “If there’s an iconic marathon, it’s the New York Marathon. If there’s a marathon that truly crowns you as a marathoner, it’s probably the Rio Boedo.”

After adding this marathon to my list of achievements, it’s time to think about new endeavours. Autumn always brings opportunities to collect more marathon medals.

See you at marathon number 121.

MARATHON 119: UTRSC SANTA CRUZ (07/31/2023 – Santa Cruz, Portugal)

oneKmore 11/09/2023 No Comments

As the holidays began, we had the opportunity to run the Santa Cruz trail marathon again, starting and finishing in the village/beach of Santa Cruz, near Torres Vedras, about 60 kilometres from Lisbon.

We had previously run the 2021 edition, at an earlier time, as there were nighttime mobility restrictions due to Covid at that time. With the start at 18.30, there are also races of 12 and 22k.

Despite only two years having passed, I didn’t remember much of the course, except that I thought certain sections of the trail would be challenging to navigate at night due to their rugged terrain.

With heat, although not too intense at that hour, we set off. The first section is a 22k stretch that will bring us back to Santa Cruz, featuring beautiful landscapes mostly following the coastline. Among the highlights, the views and crossing of the long Azul Beach.

We then embark on the second part of the race with only the marathon participants. This segment covers another 20k. Shortly after leaving Santa Cruz, it is time to use the headlamp to see where I step. Some of the most challenging areas are here, due to the rugged terrain and dense vegetation, as well as the attention needed not to lose sight of the reflective ribbons, which, at certain intervals, indicate the path to follow.

Despite the challenges, I don’t lose my way, and upon reaching the aid station at the abandoned monastery, I know that an ascent awaits me. I take it easy to maintain balance, knowing that what follows will be much easier. Moments of complete solitude allow me to enjoy the nighttime silence in the wilderness as I make my way back toward the coastal area of Porto Novo, with the final aid station.

From there, it is simply a matter of continuing, mostly in a straight line with the sea to the right, towards the finish line. In the vicinity of Santa Cruz, the section with planks over the beach arrives. There is only a small ascent left, and there is the finish line.

I cross it in 4.32.18, 16 minutes faster than in 2021, securing the 25th position out of 41 finishers. Pleased with the result and the opportunity to add a marathon to my list in the always challenging month of July. Now, all that is left is to catch an Uber back to Lisbon since there is no public transportation options until the following morning.

We will return (or at least try) on a future occasion to a marathon that we would highly recommend to fellow marathon runners, both for its beauty and good organisation.

MATERNITY ON HIGH-LEVEL MARATHON PERFORMANCE

oneKmore 01/09/2023 No Comments

For top-level female athletes it is a challenge balancing professional life, maternity leave, and returning to competition after it. Allyson Felix, a renowned champion, faced difficulties with her sponsor when renegotiating funding contracts after pregnancy.

When studying the career progression of elite marathon runners and how age influences performance, it was found that the marathon peak performance occurred around 28.5 years for women, although many elite runners continued to perform well beyond 40 years.

Therefore, elite sportswomen often choose to temporarily interrupt competition, rather than wait until retirement, to have children.

A recent study aimed to investigate the impact of mid-career maternity on performance progression among elite female marathoners.

Participants and Data Collection

The study identified the top 150 female marathoners listed in the IAAF’s All-Time Marathon Top List and included them in the study if they had at least one maternity during their careers.

Results

The study confirmed the well-established age-performance relationship observed in various disciplines, including running. Peak performance tends to occur at a certain age, after which there is a decline in performance. In the case of elite female marathoners, the peak performance age was found to be around 28.5 years.

The study demonstrated that maternity does not alter this age-performance model. Athletes who experience maternity before the age of peak performance can still progress in their careers and achieve their best performance after maternity. Similarly, those who experience maternity after reaching peak performance would experience performance decline regardless of motherhood.

The length of the maternity break varied significantly among the studied athletes, ranging from 9 to 94 months. The study showed that some athletes can quickly recover and return to a highly competitive level after a shorter break, while others may require longer breaks before reaching the international level again. Younger athletes tend to recover more quickly and achieve higher performance levels after motherhood.

The study’s limitations include the lack of data on athletes who may have chosen not to return after maternity or were unable to return to the international level. Further research on mid-career maternity in other sports could provide a deeper understanding of the impact of pregnancy on athletes’ careers and life balance.

Conclusions

Elite female marathoners can continue to perform at their best after pregnancy.
The timing of pregnancy relative to the age of peak performance plays a critical role in determining an athlete’s ability to return to and surpass previous performance levels.
Overall, this research contributes to destigmatizing motherhood among elite female athletes and highlights the importance of strategic planning and support for athletes during and after maternity.

For more information about pregnancy and sports, and more specifically running check our previous posts:

https://www.onekmore.com/en/2020/04/12/sports-and-pregnancy-i-physiological-effects/

https://www.onekmore.com/en/2020/04/13/sports-and-pregnancy-ii-the-running-women-community/

Bibliography

Does maternity during sports career jeopardize future athletic success in elite marathon runners? Forstmann N, Meignié A, De Larochelambert Q, Duncombe S, Schaal K, Maître C, Toussaint JF, Antero J. Eur J Sport Sci. 2023 Jun;23(6):896-903.

doi: 10.1080/17461391.2022.2089054. Epub 2022 Jun 26. PMID: 35703008.

DOWNHILL SECTIONS: KEY FOR PERFORMANCE IN TRAIL ULTRAMARATHONS

oneKmore 06/08/2023 No Comments

Trail running is an emergent endurance running discipline that takes place in open country on unpaved surfaces. It includes various distances, with ultramarathons (>42k) being the most popular.

Running on steep terrains alters the running parameters, with uphill running characterized by a concentric phase and downhill running dominated by an eccentric phase, being the concentric phase approximately 3–5 times more energetically demanding than the eccentric one.

Pacing strategy significantly affects ultratrail performance. Positive pacing, where runners slow down throughout the race, except for a final spurt, is commonly observed. Even pacing, with minimal speed variation, has been associated with better finish times.

Factors such as performance level, sex, and age can influence pacing strategy, although findings are inconsistent. Extrinsic factors like terrain also impact pacing strategy.

Previous studies have focused on specific races or factors, and a comprehensive analysis using a large dataset from multiple races is still missing. Such analysis would provide valuable information to optimize training and performance.

The study

A recent study analyzed data from four popular trail running races held within the past five years: the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc (UTMB), the Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix (CCC), the Javelina 100 km and the Javelina 100 miles. A total of 16,518 athletes (14,330 male and 2,188 female) were included with the race course characteristics retrieved from the official event guides.

Regarding the athletes, they were categorized, and three datasets analysed: all finishers, elite men (top 10 men from each race), and elite women (top 10 women from each race).

As for the terrain, the analysis categorized it into uphill, downhill, or level sections based on the elevation profile between two consecutive checkpoints, and further categorized as belonging to the first or second half of the race. Sections characterized as mixed or flat were excluded.

Thus, three values were calculated:

Average Race Speed (ARS)
Average Speed of each Section (ASS)
Pacing strategy, evaluated as Relative Section Speed percentage (RSS) and calculated as (ASS/ARS) × 100.

Conclusions:

Faster finishers tended to run faster in downhill sections and slower in uphill ones.
Differences in pacing strategy between faster and slower finishers increased in later stages.
In later stages there was a general tendency to slow down more in downhill sections than in uphill sections.
Among elite athletes, no significant differences in pacing strategy were observed.
Women paced less evenly than men and slowed down more in downhill sections in the later race stages.

Limitations:

The study did not include flat sections and the steepness of uphill and downhill sections due to inconsistent data availability.

Future studies should focus on examining how terrain steepness and flat sections affect pacing strategy in ultratrail races.

Bibliography

Downhill Sections Are Crucial for Performance in Trail Running Ultramarathons-A Pacing Strategy Analysis. Genitrini M, Fritz J, Zimmermann G, Schwameder H. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2022 Nov 21;7(4):103. doi: 10.3390/jfmk7040103

MARATHON OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS (XXXVI) – Rio 2016: JEMIMA SUMGONG (1984-)

oneKmore 16/07/2023 No Comments

Rio de Janeiro won the bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games against the candidatures of Madrid, Chicago and Tokyo. These were the first Olympic Games in South America, and the first held in in the host country’s winter season.

The women’s marathon at the 2016 Summer Olympics took was scheduled on 14 August on the Sambadrome, over a course where runners had to run 3 laps.

Almost all the favourites were the African runners who had shined in the last World Championships of Beijing 2015. For Ethiopia the world champion Mare Dibaba, for Kenya Helah Kiprop (2nd) and Jemima Sumgong (4th), and now competing for Bahrein, but born in Kenya, Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa (3rd).

Sumgong was born in the Nandi District in Kenya. She began competing abroad already in 2004, winning her first races, many of them in US soil. Her first marathon was in Las Vegas in 2006, which she won in 2.35.22. At the 2007 Frankfurt Marathon she came fourth, improving her PB to 2.29.41. Shortly afterwards she married, taking a break during the 2009 season before returning in the San Diego Marathon of 2010. After the birth of her daughter, the next season she won the Castellon Marathon with 2.28.32. From that point onwards she finished in top positions in World Marathon Majors, although missing top spot. Finishing 4^th in the Beijing World Championships of 2015, she ensured a victory in the London Marathon of 2016. Rio 2016 could be the time to finally claim the show, after a long and successful running career.

At 9:30 in the morning, the Rio 2016 women´s marathon started with temperatures around 19°C and noticeable humidity. With sparse shade, the bright sun was going to be directly overhead of the runners for most of the course. The pace was consistent from the outset, passing the 5k in 17.23 with most of the main contenders at the front. Desiree Linden from the US moved to the front and reduced the pack from 30 women to 13 just before the 10k mark (34.22).

The next section showed some movements. Before the 18k Ethiopians Tufa, the 2015 London Marathon winner, suddenly stopped, and soon after Volha Mazuronak of Belarus moved to the front, pushing the pace. The remaining runners with her reached the 20k in 1.09.07 and the halfway point in 1.12.56.

Things didn´t change much in the next section, although the leading group consisted of 7 runners when crossing the 30k in 1.43.21. Kenyan Kiprop and US Amy Cragg and Desiree Linden were already falling behind.

At the 36k mark Kirwa, Dibaba and Sumgong opened a gap. With 2.15.00 on the clock, Sumgong surged at front, with only Kirwa able to go with her. Heading towards the Sambadrome Kirwa was 5s behind and too tired to challenge Sumgong.

Therefore, Sumgong crossed first the finish line in 2.24.04, to win the first woman Olympic marathon title for Kenya. She had run the second half of the race almost two minutes quicker than the first. Completing the podium were Kirwa (2.24.13), winning for Bahrain its second ever Olympic medal in any sport, and Dibaba (2.24.30) for Ethiopia.

All members of the US team, Shalane Flanagan, Desiree Linden and Amy Cragg finished inside the top-10. Likewise, three pairs of twins finished the marathon: two of the Luik triplets from Estonia, the Hahner from Germany and the Kim from North Korea.

Regarding Sumgong´s racing career it didn´t go well after Rio 2016. In 2017, two weeks before the London Marathon, was suspended for 4 years because of erythropoietin doping. Her doping ban was doubled to 8 years, accused of forging her medical records, and re-started in 2019. She will be unable to compete until 2027, meaning probably the end of her sports career.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Summer_Olympics

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletics_at_the_2016_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Women%27s_marathon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jemima_Sumgong

https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a20816411/womens-marathon-jemima-sumgong-becomes-first-kenyan-woman-to-win-olympic-marathon/

https://worldathletics.org/news/report/rio-2016-olympic-games-women-marathon

CREATINE: EFFECTS ON SPORTS PERFORMANCE

oneKmore 08/07/2023 No Comments

Creatine is synthesized in the body, primarily in kidneys, liver, and pancreas, and can also be obtained exogenously through the diet (seafood, red meat, and poultry) or supplements. It is primarily stored in muscles, with a majority as phosphocreatine (PCr) and the rest as free creatine.

Supplementation with creatine has been shown to improve power, endurance, and strength in resistance training.

However, when it comes to endurance performance, the effects of creatine are less clear.

Negative effects: some studies suggest that creatine may have a negative impact on endurance performance due to water retention and an increase in body mass.
Positive effects: creatine supplementation can enhance glycogen resynthesis, buffering capacity, and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially improving endurance performance and recovery by countering the gains in body mass.

The effectiveness of creatine supplementation may depend on factors such as exercise intensity, anaerobic work capacity, and the recruitment of fast-twitch muscle fibres.

It seems to be more beneficial in high-intensity races or activities that involve bursts of high-intensity efforts. In continuous, steady-state moderate-intensity endurance exercise, creatine is unlikely to have a significant benefit.

Based on the current scientific evidence, recommendations for practical application of creatine supplementation include a loading phase followed by a maintenance dose.

Creatine monohydrate is the most researched form, and co-ingestion with carbohydrates may enhance its uptake. Response to creatine may vary among individuals, and it is advised to experiment with the supplementation during off-season periods.

Conclusions

While there is evidence supporting the potential benefits of creatine supplementation for enhancing endurance performance, the effects can vary depending on factors such as exercise type, intensity, and individual response.
The increase in body mass caused by creatine may be detrimental for endurance sports, but it shows promise for improving the ability to change pace and perform fast-finishing sprints.
Further research is needed to fully understand the impact of creatine on endurance performance.

Bibliography

Creatine supplementation and endurance performance: surges and sprints to win the race. Forbes SC, Candow DG, Neto JHF, Kennedy MD, Forbes JL, Machado M, Bustillo E, Gomez-Lopez J, Zapata A, Antonio J. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2023 Dec;20(1):2204071.

MARATHON 118: MARTÍN FIZ VITORIA-GASTEIZ MARATHON (14/05/2023)

oneKmore 30/05/2023 No Comments

Being near Vitoria and having run its marathon in 2004, for one reason or another, it’s a race I hadn’t returned to. Usually, it coincided with the Eco-Lisbon Marathon. However, this year I took the opportunity to revisit a race of which I barely had any memories.

Arriving on Saturday around lunchtime, we have some time to kill before heading to El Boulevard Shopping Center to pick up the race bib. For some reason, bib collection isn’t done continuously, and I’m not sure why because there was no race expo or anything similar, just a small booth on the second floor of the mall.

With the race bag and bib in hand, and with rain in the forecast, it’s time to take the opportunity to visit the historic city center before retiring early to rest.

On race day, with rainiy overcast and a few drops already falling, I head to the Mendizorroza area, where the start and finish lines are located. Alongside the marathon, there will also be a half marathon and a 10k race taking place simultaneously. I leave my backpack at the last moment to avoid getting cold. It’s about 10°C.

Without any corrals or separation between the different races, around 2,500 runners set off at 9:00. These first moments are not easy, not only due to the crowds but also because the route at this point doesn’t follow wide streets.

Shortly after starting, I have to make a brief stop to tie a shoelace. A rookie mistake not to have checked that it was properly tied. It’s not much of an inconvenience, though, and I quickly get back to my pace.

Not far from the times of my previous marathons, I manage to reach the half marathon mark in 1.53.04. It’s time to go for the second lap, which largely follows the same route of the first.

Amid intermittent downpours that make difficult to run as comfortably as one could, especially for those of us who perform better in milder temperatures, I slowly see the kilometers go by. With fewer runners on the course, I try to overtake as many as possible.

Finally, I reach the finish line at a good pace, with a net time of 3.47.58.

The worst part is not the exhaustion from the race or finishing soaked, but rather finding out after collecting the clothes that most of them are wet, because the backpacks weren’t adequately protected outside.

Things shouldn’t be done like this, Martín Fiz. In a marathon that has reached its twentieth edition, these details could have been taken into account, especially when there is no shortage of sports facilities or more iconic locations for bib collection.

We’ll consider whether it’s worth repeating next year.

MARATHON 117: MADRID POPULAR MARATHON (04/23/2023)

oneKmore 20/05/2023 No Comments

Madrid has always been one of the most classic marathons at the national level. It’s the place where I made my debut in 2000 and crossed the threshold of 100 marathons in 2021. This was going to be my seventh participation. This year, I chose it after reading that the route had been slightly modified to pass through the most emblematic places in Madrid, such as Puerta del Sol.

You can tell it’s a marathon with extensive experience, and its expo, held in one of the pavilions of IFEMA, doesn’t disappoint, offering a wide variety of stalls, both for sales and other races. I visit it late in the morning, with a large crowd, although it doesn’t take us much time to collect the bib and race bag and go sightseeing in the city.

Race day dawns with good weather forecast. Alongside the marathon, there’s also a 10K race, starting at 8.30. I walk from my accommodation near Atocha to the start area. The marathon starts in waves, every 5 minutes, with mine scheduled for 9:20. I arrive just in time after dropping off my baggage at the gear area, and feeling a bit confused, I can no longer enter the 9.20 box. I move to the next one, at 9.25, where I move near the front. The return train is shortly after 15 and I already feel that I don’t have much room for unexpected events if I want to make it on time.

The start on Paseo de la Castellana reminds me of the 2021 edition, which was one of the first large-scale races after Covid, where despite the numerous runners, there was an almost sepulchral silence during those first kilometers, straight and slightly uphill. It has always been an area with few spectators, a place to become aware of oneself and what lies ahead.

From there, and away from the pace groups, I try to follow the strategy from previous races, adjusting my splits to 16 minutes every 3 kilometers, aiming for a final time around 3 hours and 45 minutes. In the early kilometers, I try not to get carried away, even though my legs are asking for more, but I already know that it usually takes a toll on me in the second half of the race.

Fortunately, it seems that the Clarete Marathon from the previous week hasn’t had much impact on my legs, and I can maintain a steady pace without much trouble. Just as methodical as with the paces, I manage to be with gels. Maybe it’s excessive for some, but I find that 5 is a good number, both for logistical reasons (carrying more would be challenging in the waist belt) and in terms of kilometers, as I take one every 6 kilometers starting from kilometer 12 (then 18, 24, 30, and 36).

I reach the halfway point with a time of 1.53.01. Not far from the goal. The heat is starting to be noticeable, and I try to drink isotonic beverages at every aid station where they are available. As we have mentioned in some of our blog posts, in hot conditions, one must be careful with hydration, obviously, but also avoid dangerous hyponatremia in case of excessive water intake. Therefore, in hot weather, and when drinking in large quantities, it is more advisable to turn to isotonic drinks to maintain the concentration of electrolytes in the blood.

Anyone who has run Madrid knows that reaching Casa de Campo means entering the last quarter of the race, but also encountering the “wall” and some of the toughest inclines of this marathon. Fortunately, it also offers shaded areas, welcomed at this hour, as the heat is already punishing us relentlessly.

After overcoming this part, it’s time to head back towards the center of Madrid, where the crowd pushes us when our legs can’t. Memories come to mind of past editions, from the sounds of the “caceroladas” from the balconies to the music zones, like the one with “Chariots of Fire” on Avenida de Valladolid. Glimpses of what it was like to run in bygone eras…

Pushing in the final kilometers, I manage to cross the finish line in 3.51.51, which, although far from my PB on this course, is still 3 minutes better than my 2021 time. Satisfied with the result, I don’t have time to waste in collecting my bag, changing clothes hurriedly on a bench, and head towards Chamartín.

Thus, we consider our participation in Mapoma concluded, certain that we will be back for future occasions. Thank you for making it this far.