Stockholm Marathon 2014 Race Review

Over two weeks since I ran 2.33.08 in Stockholm. Even though Stockholm is not a fast course, I was aiming for sub 2.30 and PB. I’m not really satisfied, but not too disappointed either. Stockholm Marathon attracts both the Swedish elite runners and fast foreign runners. To compete in the Swedish championships, you have to represent a Swedish club. Thus, I was running for Västerås Friidrotts Klubb instead of Brooks Team Thailand in this race.

Beforehand, I wasn’t quiet sure about what shape I was in as I hadn’t done any proper racing since my last marathon in early March. Also, Bangkok’s hot and humid training condition in April and May made the speedier sessions tougher than normal. The last week prior the race felt great though, running in the Swedish summer was easy!

We Swedes spend most of our time awake discussing the weather and I was a bit anxious about the forecasts of 10°C, rain and rather strong wind. On race day however, it looked promising, just under 15°C and not too many dark clouds. Ten minutes before the start, we did two other Swedish specialities; being on time and lining up in perfectly organized queues. Light rain and fresh air, I had a good feeling going into the marathon.

0-5 km: Trying to find a good rhythm early on, letting the leading pack go. Had decided to let other runners do the job, I wasn’t going to go up front in any group. Instead I found other runners to “sit on” and let them set the pace. The rain stopped a few minutes into the race. The first kilometers are always fast and the first 5k split had an average pace of 3.23/km, 10 seconds per km faster than target pace. My legs felt light and vibrant, all good.

6-10 km: Waiting for the course’s only real climb, a bridge (Västerbron) after around 8 km. Kilometer splits at 3.20-25 before the bridge, slightly slower up and faster down. Remember thinking “Was that it?! Just a little bump. Easy!” Little did I know how terrible Västerbron was going to feel on the second lap with some 8k to go…

11-15 km: Really enjoying the race now, I’m flying! Keeping 3.25-ish pace. Effortless! Giving thumbs up to the support around the course. Average pace: 3.27/km.

15-20 km: Finishing the first lap (approx 17k) in style. Still remarkably easy, still letting others do the work, I’m just taking their backs and hold on. 3.27/km.

21-25 km: Half marathon in 1.12. Way too fast, but I don’t care, I still feel on top of the world. It feels like my legs haven’t started to work yet. Following two Swedes and one Italian through the more open fields of Gärdet and Djurgården. Turning down all invites to go up front and pace the group. “Thanks, but I rather stay behind you guys.” 3.29/km.

26-30 km: Staying with the three other runners. Starting to work a bit, but no problems. Feeling optimistic about the last quarter of the marathon. The pace is slowing down to 3.33 per km, which suits me perfectly.

31-35 km: Now the difficulties begins… After around 32k, two of the other runners get a gap and the third guy is struggling behind me. I’m in between. Trying a halfhearted attempt to catch the two runaways, but the power isn’t there. Feels like I’m keeping 3.30/k pace, but the 32k split is bad news; 3.40. Run through the next kilometer in 3.43 and I’m starting to struggle. The bridge is approaching again, 4.10 for the 34th km! The following down sloping kilometer doesn’t give the boost I was hoping for. Average pace: 3.48/km. Ouch!

36-40 km: The legs aren’t responding, I’m moving in slowmotion. My body is completely empty, not sweating anymore, I’m starting to feel cold. Km 38 onwards over 4 minutes. I’ve hit the wall. Game over!

41 km – Finish: Runners I left behind me earlier are now strolling past me one by one. Kilometer splits over 4 minutes. Finally I see the stadium and the finish. Finish my 7th marathon in 2.33. 26th place overall, 12th amongst the Swedes. Not a poor result, not great either. Let’s do it better next year!

Noticeable: My GPS showed a total distance of 42.7 km. I spoke to a handful runners after the race and all of them had between 42.7 and 43.0 km on their GPS watches. I never trust my Garmin to be 100% accurate and there are explanations why your GPS thinks the course is too long, but I still think 500+ meters extra is noteworthy. Nevertheless, here are some stats taken from my Garmin.

[table]
My Stockholm Marathon 2014 in Numbers [attr colspan=”2″]
Finish Time, 2.33.05
Place Overall, 26
Distance Covered, 42.7 km
Average pace, 3.35 min/km
Half Marathon Split, 1.11.51
Fastest Kilometer, 3.15 min/km (km 3 & 10)
Slowest Kilometer, 4.23 min/km (km 42)
[/table]

My official splits, photos and videos.
All results.