Paul Hammond
A NEW YEAR, new targets and optimistic thoughts of a 2006 which will be injury-free and filled with personal bests.
For Stubbington's Paul Hammond, his focus is drawn to Britanny in northern France this summer and the Mont St Michel marathon - or to use its proper name 'Le Marathon de la baie du Mont Saint-Michel'. Paul made his marathon debut at this event last summer, so once bitten, twice shy, he's returning to this picturesque part of French coastline again this June for another go. Here is his story of the training so far....."
I am now coming out of my winter hibernation and am again plodding round the streets of Locks Heath and Warsash in an effort to regain race fitness. My ultimate goal this year is as last, 'Le Marathon de la baie du Mont Saint-Michel'.
It was staged last year on what must have been the hottest day of the year; for the whole event the temperature hovered around the 95 degree mark. I had a cracking race number, '1664' , very apt for a French race (Kronenbourg 1664 - aaahhhhhhhh)!
An 8am start meant that the final stages were run during the real heat of the day. With a very flat and open course, it was easy to know when shade was ahead as the whole field crossed the road to take advantage.
For my first marathon I had, foolishly, set myself a target time of three and a half hours. At halfway, and to my surprise, I was spot on target. Then at about 18 miles the dreaded wall appeared and I struggled to get over the b****y thing. I got cramp in muscles I didn't know I had, and I really did think at one point that I would be unable to finish.
But after 18 weeks of training, what's a bit of pain and discomfort? I now have the T-shirt, the medal and a time of 4hrs 18min 52sec. And I'm sure that I came in ahead of the pair from Lordshill runners who I saw earlier in the race. The atmosphere along the whole length of the course was fantastic.
Every village we passed through was out in force supplying water from every conceivable container. There were bands, flags, bunting, picnics, locals in national costume and everyone was clapping and cheering; that alone made it worthwhile.
This year the race is to be run on Saturday, June 17th, starting at 5pm hopefully it will be a bit cooler and I will be on the start line, (well maybe midfield). I have attached some photos, and in the one at the finish with the blue "ouest-france" banner, if you look closely in the distance I'm the nutter with his arms up."
Click here for photos.