Stockholm marathon 2012

First of all, my biggest congratulations to all of you in "team El Maco"  Fernando & Paul. You did your very first, Pernilla your 2nd, marathon under these terrible conditions. I am longong to hear all your stories. We must have a nice long run together soon :-)

This, my 15th Stockholm marathon was something very special I must say. Low teperature, that's just fine with me, but this was actually the first time I have ever experienced rain all the way, from the very first meter and all the way until I was back in my car....... 

I thought I had everything under control, clothing strategy - like in Skövde this year, my Craft ventair spring jacket, thin gloves & long pants....  but I did one major misstake.
The jacket was perfect, except for the arms. When it rains, sooner or later you get wet, and then the shitty thing starts... I lost my feel in my fingers (both left & right hand). And even worse, out on the second lap I lost my feel allmost up to my elbow on my right hand. I was scared, started to move my arm, did some boxing, I was so disturbed... First when reaching Statshuset my right arm woke up again.
Lessons to learn for me, under these conditions I must wear 100% rain protection, and that goes for my gloves as well. (For example a small plastic bag should have saved me).

Greve Von Essens väg
( El Maco creek  )

When comes to the physical things, I am much more satisfied this year than in 2011, but still I am  to convenient I guess. I know it sounds crazy but given the "short" distance, only 42,2km, I need to stress my HR up to at least 85% (perhaps even higher), from the very first meter if I will ever become a fast runner... What I mean is that I wasn't even in the near of cramp tendesis & lactic thresholds (more than in on the Stadium).Another reflection that is now getting clearer & clearer every time I attend a big "marathon" is that it's gold worth bringing your own fluid belt. I guess that saved me at least 5-10 minutes this year. Most service stations first lap was more or less a chaos, that I can live without. Of course when talking about "drinking" it's a lot easier this year in low temp but anyway.
I will from now on fully adopt to the "double dinner the day before concept". I had  a normal dinner at 18.30  and then another dinner at 22.00 , and that works nicely for me....


Last but not least, El Maco do you know why we never met in the start area...... heheh, I was hiding in a "Baja-maja" for allmost 30minutes (not to avoid you but the rain :-) :-) :-)

Stockholm marathon 2012   Time: 3.38.57
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/184929584