Post-Marathon Reflections: A Humbling Experience at the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, 2024

Hello everyone,

As I stand here at the finish area of the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon 2024, I find myself grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. It’s rare for me to feel so raw and reflective right after a race, but today’s marathon was a particularly humbling experience.

To give you some context, I had set myself a target time between 3 hours 15 minutes and 3 hours 20 minutes. I felt well-prepared for it through rigorous training. However, life had other plans. I picked up an injury, which makes today's difficulties even tougher to swallow. But that's the nature of marathons—they demand respect, no matter how experienced you are.

The race itself is a magnificent setup, starting at the southern point of the mesmerising Loch Ness and running alongside it back to Inverness. It’s a scenic route, but the first five miles are quite a steep downhill, which brings its own set of challenges, especially for a barefoot style runner like myself, who favours Vibram Five Fingers V runs.

I’ve always been told to let my legs go on the downhills to avoid straining my quads too much. Today, I took that advice to heart, perhaps a bit too much. The initial part of the race felt great as I let gravity do its job. But the downside of this approach became painfully clear. The impact from the downhill running proved brutal on my feet, resulting in several blisters, including one massive blood blister. This gruesome toll on my feet disrupted my running rhythm and technique severely.

By the time I reached the halfway mark, my quads felt as if they were on fire, and each step felt like walking on razor blades. Despite this agony, I forced myself to continue. It was a painful, grinding struggle, and I seriously doubted I would finish. However, I reminded myself of the commitment—the travel, the expenses—just to be here. And so, I pushed on, albeit at a much slower pace.

The time on the clock as I crossed the finish line read 3 hours and 48 minutes. It was significantly off my target and felt like a substantial let-down. The sense of disappointment was overwhelming, to say the least. But amidst all this, there’s a sliver of pride. I didn’t quit. I managed to limp-run the remaining half-marathon stretch, stopping at medical stations to get my feet dressed as well as possible.

Reflecting on what went wrong, I realise that while letting your legs go on downhills may save your quads initially, it can punish your feet brutally, especially with minimalist footwear. I need to find a balance—letting my legs go enough to avoid resistance, but still managing the impact to protect my feet.

In the midst of disappointment, there's always a lesson. Today, I learnt about the fine balance required in barefoot running and the mental fortitude needed to continue when everything is screaming at you to stop. It’s a harsh reminder of the unpredictability of marathons and the importance of respecting the course and the journey.

Although today didn't go as planned, I'm intent on taking the positives. I didn't quit. I adapted as best as I could under the circumstances. And, true to the spirit of Runpreneur, I’m already thinking about recovery and how I’ll lace up for tomorrow’s run—though I honestly have no idea how I’ll manage it!

Thank you for sharing in this journey with me. Remember, stay positive, stay happy, and keep running.

Cheers,

Kevin Brittain