We did it, two weeks of little or no running and we managed to survive the Venice marathon.
We were feeling guilty about not running so we went for a run in San Giuliano Park when we went to pick up our race packages on the Friday before the marathon. It was a large park, nice but mostly just bare lawn with few features, we were able to do a nice 40 minute run and we all survived that with not too many complaints.
The running expo was about medium size, we drank some mystery Yoplait type probiotic concoction, received dozens of Mentos gums and then found where to pick up our race packages. The race shirts are very nice.
We were informed while we picked up our packages that daylight savings would end on Saturday night, so in addition to the stress of getting our gear ready and trying to figure our where to catch the buses we also had to remember to change the clocks. We probably asked a dozen other people during the next two days to confirm that the time change was happening.
When we had all finished shopping at the expo and were ready to catch the bus back into Venice, we discovered that there was a one day bus strike on. We spent about an hour trying to figure out how to get back to town before we went to a hotel and got a cab back to town.
Marathon Morning:
up at 5 am so that we could go catch Vaporeto to where we needed to catch the bus to the start at 6:50. As we walked up to the Vaporeto stop we started to see the crowds of runners. We were very happy to see them as we probably wouldn't have been able to navigate our way without someone to follow.
The bus trip was about 40 minutes long (standing on the bus), we arrived in Stra (the start line for the race) at about 7:40 and then we had to wait around for a 9:20 start. The marathon ended up being very difficult which I think had a lot to do with the fact that we ended up standing around for over two hours before the race started.
The first 20 km of the race was a lot of fun, lovely country side, beautiful villas, friendly towns folk cheering us on. We were popular in our Running Room Canada shirts.
The middle section of the race was difficult, we went through a more industrial area of Mestre with few spectators and then we ran for several km weaving back and forth around San Giuliano park (I was happy to see something I recognized but was sick of the park by the time we finally left it). After we finally left the park it was on to several km of approach to the Liberty Bridge and then 4km across the bridge. I found this section especially difficult, there was a lot of traffic on the other section of the bridge and I think the pollution was bad. I walked the majority of this section as it appeared the majority of other runners did.
After the bridge the run became much more enjoyable again, the last 7 km was along the Canal and over 13 little bridges and one large pontoon bridge that they built over the Grand Canal. It made for natural walk breaks, walk up one side then run down the other. There were signs counting down to the finish (14, 13, 12, ........ 2, 1 bridges to the finish). I managed a finishing "sprint" for the last couple of hundred meters so maybe the pictures will look good.
I think I would recommend this marathon to others (I definitely would have recommended it during the first half). as long as you are well trained, well rested and can manage to stay off your feet for the hours immediately before the race (one of those race tours would probably be a good idea as they shuttle you to the start),
We were feeling guilty about not running so we went for a run in San Giuliano Park when we went to pick up our race packages on the Friday before the marathon. It was a large park, nice but mostly just bare lawn with few features, we were able to do a nice 40 minute run and we all survived that with not too many complaints.
The running expo was about medium size, we drank some mystery Yoplait type probiotic concoction, received dozens of Mentos gums and then found where to pick up our race packages. The race shirts are very nice.
We were informed while we picked up our packages that daylight savings would end on Saturday night, so in addition to the stress of getting our gear ready and trying to figure our where to catch the buses we also had to remember to change the clocks. We probably asked a dozen other people during the next two days to confirm that the time change was happening.
When we had all finished shopping at the expo and were ready to catch the bus back into Venice, we discovered that there was a one day bus strike on. We spent about an hour trying to figure out how to get back to town before we went to a hotel and got a cab back to town.
Marathon Morning:
up at 5 am so that we could go catch Vaporeto to where we needed to catch the bus to the start at 6:50. As we walked up to the Vaporeto stop we started to see the crowds of runners. We were very happy to see them as we probably wouldn't have been able to navigate our way without someone to follow.
The bus trip was about 40 minutes long (standing on the bus), we arrived in Stra (the start line for the race) at about 7:40 and then we had to wait around for a 9:20 start. The marathon ended up being very difficult which I think had a lot to do with the fact that we ended up standing around for over two hours before the race started.
The first 20 km of the race was a lot of fun, lovely country side, beautiful villas, friendly towns folk cheering us on. We were popular in our Running Room Canada shirts.
The middle section of the race was difficult, we went through a more industrial area of Mestre with few spectators and then we ran for several km weaving back and forth around San Giuliano park (I was happy to see something I recognized but was sick of the park by the time we finally left it). After we finally left the park it was on to several km of approach to the Liberty Bridge and then 4km across the bridge. I found this section especially difficult, there was a lot of traffic on the other section of the bridge and I think the pollution was bad. I walked the majority of this section as it appeared the majority of other runners did.
After the bridge the run became much more enjoyable again, the last 7 km was along the Canal and over 13 little bridges and one large pontoon bridge that they built over the Grand Canal. It made for natural walk breaks, walk up one side then run down the other. There were signs counting down to the finish (14, 13, 12, ........ 2, 1 bridges to the finish). I managed a finishing "sprint" for the last couple of hundred meters so maybe the pictures will look good.
I think I would recommend this marathon to others (I definitely would have recommended it during the first half). as long as you are well trained, well rested and can manage to stay off your feet for the hours immediately before the race (one of those race tours would probably be a good idea as they shuttle you to the start),
Congratulations everyone!!!! Another marathon under your belts. You should be proud. Who would have thought that a few short years ago, saying "the first 20km of the race was a lot of fun" would be possible. Wait until you say that to the participants. They'll think you're nuts! 4km to cross a bridge? Holy cow! Was the route fairly flat?
ReplyDeleteItaly sounds wonderful. It sounds like you guys aren't having too much luck with transit, but at least you're making it from A to B :).
Looking forward to more pictures and posts.