Preparation for Milan began in early January. Actually, it began on the 1st of January with a 5 mile race in Kilnamona, which not many people know that I actually won.
My ambitions were set, I needed a new P.B. in Milan. Training went well in the winter, thanks to the many Crusaders out on those dark and cold mornings. And a very special thanks to Siobhan and Ronan who somehow managed to ensure these mornings were always dry!!!
And so the 5th of April arrived with an early rise in order to catch the plane at 7.10 am in Dublin, everyone seem to be in great spirit that morning, ready for a great weekend away in the industrial, commercial and financial centre of Italy, former Fashion Capital of the world.
Arrived in Milan, it was a bit dull and wet, checked into the hotel and then the rest of the day was spent finding the Expo, checking out the “Duomo” and the inner city of Milan. Saturday started with a lengthy breakfast in the hotel, everything was there, but by god not a patch on the Riding School. We then continued with what seemed like endless wandering around the sights of Milan. We passed the La Scala Opera House, (some of us managed to go in) the magnificent piazza in front of the Duomo, through the beautiful Galleria Vittoria Emanuelle with the world famous glass roof, we walked and walked and …walked a bit more, not ideal prep for Sunday, part of every away marathon I guess. (We should have warned Aiden).
My ambitions were set, I needed a new P.B. in Milan. Training went well in the winter, thanks to the many Crusaders out on those dark and cold mornings. And a very special thanks to Siobhan and Ronan who somehow managed to ensure these mornings were always dry!!!
And so the 5th of April arrived with an early rise in order to catch the plane at 7.10 am in Dublin, everyone seem to be in great spirit that morning, ready for a great weekend away in the industrial, commercial and financial centre of Italy, former Fashion Capital of the world.
Arrived in Milan, it was a bit dull and wet, checked into the hotel and then the rest of the day was spent finding the Expo, checking out the “Duomo” and the inner city of Milan. Saturday started with a lengthy breakfast in the hotel, everything was there, but by god not a patch on the Riding School. We then continued with what seemed like endless wandering around the sights of Milan. We passed the La Scala Opera House, (some of us managed to go in) the magnificent piazza in front of the Duomo, through the beautiful Galleria Vittoria Emanuelle with the world famous glass roof, we walked and walked and …walked a bit more, not ideal prep for Sunday, part of every away marathon I guess. (We should have warned Aiden).
As the hotel didn’t provide us with breakfast at a convenient time on Sunday, we had to organise our own prima colazione, at least they had some coffee made for the early riser, as some of us gladly realized. So I got up at 5.45 am, I have to say even though I was nervous I had a great night sleep and felt ready for the task, I would try and run 3.20 today, it would mean I had to stay around a 7min 35 sec. pace for the duration of the marathon.
Our room started to turn into the breakfast room at around 6 am, it was great to see everyone in good form, and ready for the marathon. Off we went on our 40 minutes metro ride to the Fiera Rho-Pero area followed by a 2 k walk through a huge exhibition complex outside the city, then we reached the starting area with the bag collection, we had a bit of time so we stretched a bit, got some pictures taken and everyone in their own way got ready for the 26 miles, and yes, Dr. Bogue was there with his runners on, what a hero after only the rudiments of training that winter, but there was another hero on the starting line that morning or should we call him miracle man, because it seem like a miracle that Ronan was running a marathon on that day. But he can tell that story better than me…
Our room started to turn into the breakfast room at around 6 am, it was great to see everyone in good form, and ready for the marathon. Off we went on our 40 minutes metro ride to the Fiera Rho-Pero area followed by a 2 k walk through a huge exhibition complex outside the city, then we reached the starting area with the bag collection, we had a bit of time so we stretched a bit, got some pictures taken and everyone in their own way got ready for the 26 miles, and yes, Dr. Bogue was there with his runners on, what a hero after only the rudiments of training that winter, but there was another hero on the starting line that morning or should we call him miracle man, because it seem like a miracle that Ronan was running a marathon on that day. But he can tell that story better than me…
The morning was dry and the Italian speaker shouted that the temperatures were around 11 degrees that morning, it was overcast and that made it ideal for running.
Off we went at 9.22 am, and again I found myself at the starting line of a marathon my 4th so far.
There seemed to be a big crowd of runners around us and for the first couple of miles I had to overtake a good few runners, left and right, in order to maintain an 8 min pace. On one occasion I choose to overtake some runners on the left side not realising I had missed one of the timekeeping carpets, thanks to an Italian runner shouting something at me, probably “ you flipping fool, you have to run over that” I was able to go back a bit in order to stay in the official ranking for now.
I quickly lost contact with the other orange shirts and found myself in the middle of well trained and seemingly very passionate Italian runners. This marathon was promised to be a flat course and therefore a fast one, I on the other hand was a bit concerned at the fact that I wasn’t running any hills on the day even just for a bit of variety on the long course.
I was trying to get myself down to a 7.40 pace, and, I have to say probably my only mistake on the day, I had my garmin watch changed to average pace, and the only indicator I had on these miles was that my average pace was around 7.48 and I knew I had to run faster to reach the 7.35 but how fast was I running ?
The course went through parts of residential neighbourhoods, industrial and agricultural areas, after around 6 k we seem to run on a motorway for some time, that was a long and boring straight road but thank god we left the road to run past some small woodland and sporting facilities. I was able to lower my average pace to around 7.44 and my watch showed me that at the 10 k mark I was 2.5 minutes ahead of the 3.30 time, bang on course. Next we ran past the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza commonly known as the San Siro, but somehow I didn’t feel like sightseeing, could have been anything there to be honest, felt the whole area was a bit run down and not very appealing to run in, I was looking forward to the inner city at this point. The support on the side of the road was scarce or absent at most of the first 15 k. Only at one point I had noticed two women watching the runners going by, and to the amusement of the male contestants of the marathon one of the ladies showed off her boobs, she sure got her cheer for the day off the runners, the male ones mainly I guess.
At around 18 k we came to run the first time on the Corso Sempione, a stretch of the course leading into the city centre with the dominant Porta Sempione in sight, an arch clearly visible from far away, I knew the half way point was just around the corner, as at this point we were running in an area close to our hotel.
I was looking forward to some Crusader Support of Anne…
Reached half way point at 1.42 I was still on course around 4 minutes ahead of the 3.30 pace, I felt strong my legs where good, taking the gels was going fine, and I was putting on my race smile for the picture Anne surely would take of me.. I saw her from a bit away but somehow she didn’t see me until it was too late and all I could hear is "Oh ah …sh*t…Up Crusaders !!" Needless to say there was no picture of me at the half way point. A good wish was good enough at this point though :)
We were running now in the city and on very tricky uneven ground with many potholes, cobblestones, trolley tracks and curbs to jump over, but at least we got a bit more support, or at least potential support. The people seemed to wait for a particular person to cheer for, so it needed a bit of shouting from the runners to get the expected support back from the side of the road.
Two loops were waiting for us ahead and after that back into the inner city with more cobblestones, and I really struggled to keep my concentration up for them. I started to feel my legs at this point, 30 k were passed! I took another gel and told myself only another 12 k, nearly there, nearly there.
The next few miles I vaguely remember, all I noticed was an increased need to go for the sponge to cool myself down, the sun had started to push through and it seemed quite warm now. All I wanted to see now was the Corso Sempione with the arch that would signal the last 3 k. My pace was now around 8 minutes a mile, and I had realised the 3.20 would not be possible to reach, but I was also certain that it would be a new P.B. and that was good enough.
Reaching the Arena Civica an old amphitheatre, I knew the finish line could only be around the corner, but this was the longest 1.5 k ever. One more turn left and I could see the Castello Sforzesco, where the finish line on the piazza was positioned.
500 meters, 250, 150, (fecking annoying signs), 100, 50meter done….3.26 something I seen on the clock, my garmin says 3.25.12 happy out….love away marathons. Smile for the official photo, which I wont buy anyway, but I have to show someone my smile, happy out.
Off we went at 9.22 am, and again I found myself at the starting line of a marathon my 4th so far.
There seemed to be a big crowd of runners around us and for the first couple of miles I had to overtake a good few runners, left and right, in order to maintain an 8 min pace. On one occasion I choose to overtake some runners on the left side not realising I had missed one of the timekeeping carpets, thanks to an Italian runner shouting something at me, probably “ you flipping fool, you have to run over that” I was able to go back a bit in order to stay in the official ranking for now.
I quickly lost contact with the other orange shirts and found myself in the middle of well trained and seemingly very passionate Italian runners. This marathon was promised to be a flat course and therefore a fast one, I on the other hand was a bit concerned at the fact that I wasn’t running any hills on the day even just for a bit of variety on the long course.
I was trying to get myself down to a 7.40 pace, and, I have to say probably my only mistake on the day, I had my garmin watch changed to average pace, and the only indicator I had on these miles was that my average pace was around 7.48 and I knew I had to run faster to reach the 7.35 but how fast was I running ?
The course went through parts of residential neighbourhoods, industrial and agricultural areas, after around 6 k we seem to run on a motorway for some time, that was a long and boring straight road but thank god we left the road to run past some small woodland and sporting facilities. I was able to lower my average pace to around 7.44 and my watch showed me that at the 10 k mark I was 2.5 minutes ahead of the 3.30 time, bang on course. Next we ran past the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza commonly known as the San Siro, but somehow I didn’t feel like sightseeing, could have been anything there to be honest, felt the whole area was a bit run down and not very appealing to run in, I was looking forward to the inner city at this point. The support on the side of the road was scarce or absent at most of the first 15 k. Only at one point I had noticed two women watching the runners going by, and to the amusement of the male contestants of the marathon one of the ladies showed off her boobs, she sure got her cheer for the day off the runners, the male ones mainly I guess.
At around 18 k we came to run the first time on the Corso Sempione, a stretch of the course leading into the city centre with the dominant Porta Sempione in sight, an arch clearly visible from far away, I knew the half way point was just around the corner, as at this point we were running in an area close to our hotel.
I was looking forward to some Crusader Support of Anne…
Reached half way point at 1.42 I was still on course around 4 minutes ahead of the 3.30 pace, I felt strong my legs where good, taking the gels was going fine, and I was putting on my race smile for the picture Anne surely would take of me.. I saw her from a bit away but somehow she didn’t see me until it was too late and all I could hear is "Oh ah …sh*t…Up Crusaders !!" Needless to say there was no picture of me at the half way point. A good wish was good enough at this point though :)
We were running now in the city and on very tricky uneven ground with many potholes, cobblestones, trolley tracks and curbs to jump over, but at least we got a bit more support, or at least potential support. The people seemed to wait for a particular person to cheer for, so it needed a bit of shouting from the runners to get the expected support back from the side of the road.
Two loops were waiting for us ahead and after that back into the inner city with more cobblestones, and I really struggled to keep my concentration up for them. I started to feel my legs at this point, 30 k were passed! I took another gel and told myself only another 12 k, nearly there, nearly there.
The next few miles I vaguely remember, all I noticed was an increased need to go for the sponge to cool myself down, the sun had started to push through and it seemed quite warm now. All I wanted to see now was the Corso Sempione with the arch that would signal the last 3 k. My pace was now around 8 minutes a mile, and I had realised the 3.20 would not be possible to reach, but I was also certain that it would be a new P.B. and that was good enough.
Reaching the Arena Civica an old amphitheatre, I knew the finish line could only be around the corner, but this was the longest 1.5 k ever. One more turn left and I could see the Castello Sforzesco, where the finish line on the piazza was positioned.
500 meters, 250, 150, (fecking annoying signs), 100, 50meter done….3.26 something I seen on the clock, my garmin says 3.25.12 happy out….love away marathons. Smile for the official photo, which I wont buy anyway, but I have to show someone my smile, happy out.
- Water was available at well stocked aid stations, some with lids some without lids, no sports cap
- Fruit plentiful, bananas, oranges,
- Gel at some stations,
- Toilets: didn’t need one, cant remember seeing any porta loos
- Volunteers and police did a great job, keeping some clearly pissed of motorists of the course for the time being.
- Post Race: great organisation, enough room, nice goody bag, finish area with toilets, and lovely green area in the Parco Sempione