Notice I titled this post 2019. Yes, most likely we will be returning to Inverness sometime in the near future.
It’s hard to put into words how beautiful the city and the marathon course really is. I now understand why The Baxters Lochness Marathon is known as the most scenic International Marathon in the world.
My husband was so jealous and he said over and over again, “lets come back and I will run this with you!” I like the way he thinks?.
When we do come back, I will definitley be more prepared for all the HILLS! To be perfectly honest, I don’t remember Boston having as many climbs as this one. There was one right after the other and a few felt like mountains?.
The weather was also all over the F’in place on race day and most of the trip. It rained EVERY day but two on our holiday, including race day, (plus we had lots of wind).
Like most international marathons, my goals were much different for this race. I told my family I was hoping to finish around a 4:15 pace. I wasn’t running for a personal best due to lack of sleep, hills, and the unfamiliarity of the course, so this sounded like a realistic time for me. I was also bummed that my husband or my sister in law would not be on the course to support me?.
The logistics of the course didn’t allow for transportation to any points along the course making it impossible to meet up.
And like most other international marathons, my body has a hard time adjusting to the time change. The good news, I did sleep well the first night of arrival but the bad news is, both nights leading up the race I was awake most of the night.
We also did a fair share of sight seeing leading up to the race. It’s Scotland, so of course we did.
I am not one to hibernate before international marathons. I have never run them for time so why start now.
We found the cutest cafe for lunch the first day of arrival near our place. It was so good! In fact most all our meals were fabulous. The seafood is exceptional everywhere and so are the British scones.
Hills everywhere!
After visiting the expo we drove the drive the marathon course. Both my husband and sister-in-law looked at me and said…“wow Karen, you have your work cut out for you!” HAHA…No kidding.
The longer we drove the course, the more picturesque it got.
Now that I now the course a little bit more, maybe next time I will try to run for a better time. Or maybe not?.
I have to admit, probably the most stressful part of the race was waiting at the start in WIND and RAIN for nearly two hours.
Also unfortunately I also cramped up in my calves which may have had something to do with lack of electrolytes. Running without my fuel was definitley not exactly the smartest decision I have made, but whatever… I finished❤️️.
And of course there was a delicious celebratory dinner and a LARGE glass of wine later that evening after a nice HOT shower.
To my surprise, I finished in the top 25 percent of my age group (77/300) with a 4:34 time which wasn’t my best but I did it. I was a bit disappointed I cramped up which did slow me down more then I had planned but there is always a next time! I love Inverness….We will be back!
Have you run any international marathons? Or raced one?
Have you been to Scotland?
Do you have a favorite destination marathon course?
What’s next on your race calendar? In case you’re wondering…I am hoping for London.
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