Seville Marathon - 21 February 2016

This all started in November 2015 when Susan asked me "Do you never run anywhere warm?" 

So I took to the Internet and within 15 minutes had signed up to run in Seville. Have to admit that starting and finishing in the stadium where Celtic played in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final influenced my decision. I also decided to wear my Celtic home top for the marathon.

So we booked up for a few days in Malaga (recommend) and got the train up to Seville on Saturday morning. Has to be said, very good rail service , hassle free and ran bang on time.
First thing to do in Seville was to get registered for the event. This took place at the FIBES Auditorium, we made our way there, got signed up and attended the pre race pasta party...load up fella! Hadn't got my longest run in as I'd wanted in the weeks leading up to the marathon, but I've been this distance before and knew what to expect (or so I thought).

The Seville marathon is used as an Olympic qualifying event for the elite runners, and most of them were staying in our hotel, as were the officials/marathon organisers and also the Real Betis football team!

Sunday morning was breakfast with the Kenyans (last time I'd see them all day!) at 6:30 as the bus to the start was leaving at 7:15
A very chilly, blowy day welcomed us at the stadium, and the nervous excitement that goes with the start of any big race filled the air. 

A total of 14,000 runners, by far the biggest event I've ever been involved with. Took a wee while to actually get to the official start line, start the stopwatch...off we go!

The crowd never split or provided any space until about 10k when the road got wider and the overexcited starters were blowing a bit! The 4hr marker runner was sitting just behind me and I was feeling really good. The sun got up a bit and the temperature started to rise. I was taking on fluids, little sips often preferred to big glugs. Only food I has was a pack of biscuits and some jelly babies, but I wasn't to concerned about that. 

As we made our way through the streets of Seville, the locals were out in force urging the runners on, it makes one hell of a difference to your morale, and I thank each and every one of them. There were plenty shouts of "Celtic Glasgow, Vamos" directed at me, which was really nice.

Seville is such a beautiful city, and to be able to run through the main streets closed to traffic is awesome. Around mile 17 I became aware of the heat starting to having an effect. I was drinking more than I normally would and my pace had slowed down and wasn't so comfortable anymore. This continued through miles 19 to 23, I found myself seeking little bit of shade for some respite. The information stations showing 22 degrees, my last run at home had been in 3 degrees! Runners were struggling all around me, the medics were busy treating people at the roadside as the weather and effort took its toll.

Running around the Plaza De España, then down by the University and directly past the wonderful Cathedral buoyed me, and also knowing I'm going to finish gave me a wee boost. 

Over the bridge, the last mile and a half brings you into the stadium for a final lap of the athletics track, there's the finish. People are in tears and collapsing as they cross the line. I scanned the crowd for Susan, I knew she'd be there somewhere but I couldn't locate her. Just knowing she's there to see me over the line gets me emotional, and I shed a few tears, as I always do! I finished in 4:26:15

Not under four hours, not my best ever run. However...it's still only 4 years ago I couldn't run round the North Inch in Perth without stopping.  We've come a long way Baby!

What have I learned...you NEED to get that last long run before a marathon, it will not 'be OK'. 

People are awesome, muchos gracias Sevilla!