Before you start writing a full-fledged report, which not everyone will master, since there are a lot of emotions, and I want to write as much as possible, I would like to immediately write a few words about the organization of this marathon.
It was just great. Local authorities, organizers and residents greeted each guest of the city of Muchkap as a close relative. Accommodation, a sauna after the competition, a concert program specially for runners the day before the start, a "glade" from the organizers after the races, large by the standards of Russian marathons, cash prizes for winners and prize-winners, and all this is completely free!
The organizers did everything to make the athletes feel at home. And they succeeded. It was nice to get into this real running atmosphere. I am absolutely delighted, and I am going to come here again next year, and I advise you. 3 distances - 10 km, half marathon and marathon give an opportunity to participate to any amateur runner.
All in all, it was really great. Well, now about everything, about this in more detail.
How we learned about Muchkap
About a year and a half ago, the main sponsor and organizer of this marathon, Sergei Vityutin, wrote to us and personally invited us to the marathon. He probably found us from the protocols of other marathons.
At that time, we were not ready to go, so we refused the offer, but promised to go next year if possible. Our fellow countryman, also from Kamyshin, nevertheless decided then to master the marathon for the first time in his life, and he wanted to do it in Muchkap. When he came back, he talked about the magnificent organization and the beautiful small town of Muchkap, in the center of which there are many magnificent monuments and sculptures.
We got interested, and when this year the question arose of where to go to the competitions in November, the choice fell on Muchkap. True, we were not ready for the marathon, but we gladly decided to run the half.
How did we and other participants of the marathon get there?
Muchkap can be reached either by train or by bus. There is only one Kamyshin-Moscow train. On the one hand, it is convenient for us that we get straight from our city to Muchkap by straight line without transfers. However, due to the fact that the train runs every 3 days, we had to arrive 2 days before the start and leave the day after. Therefore, this train turned out to be inconvenient for many. Although, for example, in the past 2014, on the contrary, the start day successfully coincided with the train schedule, so many arrived on it.
Another option is a bus from Tambov. A bus was hired especially for the participants, which took the participants from Tambov the day before the start, and in the evening on the day of the race drove back to Tambov.
Therefore, at least from one side it is difficult to get to Muchkap straight ahead, but the organizers did everything to minimize this problem.
Living conditions and leisure
We arrived 2 days before the start. We were accommodated in the local FOK (fitness center) on mattresses on the floor in the fitness room. In principle, those who had a lot of money and came by car stayed at a hotel 20 km from Muchkap. But this was more than enough for us.
A free shower was provided for the participants of the races. In a 2-minute walk there were grocery supermarkets and cafes, as well as a buffet in the FOK itself, to which food was brought specially for marathon runners from a cafe (not free)
As for leisure, a tradition has emerged in Muchkap - the day before the start, marathon runners plant trees, so to speak, leaving a memory of themselves for many years. Many visitors willingly participate in this event. We are also no exception.
In the evening, an amateur concert was organized for the participants, in which local talents performed, with great voices. I myself am not a big fan of such concerts, but the warmth with which they organized all this did not give a reason to get bored during the performances of the artists. I really liked it, although, I repeat, in my city I rarely attend such events.
Race day and race itself
Waking up early in the morning, our room began stocking up on carbohydrates for the race. Someone ate rolled oats, someone limited themselves to a bun. I prefer buckwheat porridge, which I steam in a thermos with hot water.
The weather in the morning was wonderful. The wind is weak, the temperature is around 7 degrees, there is practically no cloud in the sky.
From the FOK, in which we lived, to the starting point 5 minutes walk, so we sat until the last. An hour before the start, they began to gradually leave their sleeping places in order to have time to warm up. We were given numbers and chips from the evening, so there was no need to think about this component of the competition.
The start took place in 3 tapas. First, at 9 am, the so-called "troughs" started for the marathon distance. These are participants whose time in the marathon exceeds 4.30. Of course, this is done in order to wait less for them at the finish line. An hour later, at 10.00, the main group of marathon runners started. This year, 117 people took the start. Having made two circles along the central square of the city, the total distance of which was 2 km 195 meters, the marathon runners ran to the main track that connects Muchkap and Shapkino.
20 minutes after the start of the marathon, the half marathon and 10-kilometer race were started. Unlike the marathoners, this group immediately ran out onto the track, and did not make additional circles in the city.
As I wrote, I preferred to run a half marathon, since I was not ready for a marathon, and I trained more for running on the "Height 102" cross-country, which took place on October 25. The length of the cross was only 6 km, so, you understand, I did not have the volumes for the marathon. But the half is quite possible to master.
The starting corridor turned out to be rather narrow for about 300 participants. While I was warming up, almost everyone was already at the start, and I could not squeeze into the leading group, and had to get up about in the middle of the race. This was very stupid of me, as the bulk was running much slower than my average speed.
As a result, after the start, when the leaders had already started running, we just went on foot. I calculated that while I was getting out of the crowd, I lost about 30 seconds. This is not so bad considering my final result. But it gave me a lot of experience that in any case, you need to break into the leading group at the start, so that later you do not stumble over those who run much slower than you. Usually such problems did not arise, since the starting corridor on other races is wider, and it is easier to squeeze forward.
Distance movement and track relief
Two days before the start, I ran about 5 km along the track with a light jog in order to know at least a little the relief. And one of those who lived with me in the room showed me a relief map of the track. Therefore, I had a general idea of where the ascents and descents would be.
In the half marathon distance, there were two rather long ascents, and, accordingly, descents. This, of course, affected the final result for each athlete.
I started very slowly because I had to “swim” with the crowd for the first 500 meters. As soon as they gave me some free space, I started to work at my own pace.
I did not set any specific task for the race, since I was objectively not ready to run a half marathon. Therefore, I ran solely on sensations. At 5 km I looked at my watch - 18.09. That is, the average pace is 3.38 per kilometer. The 5 km mark was just at the top of the first long ascent. Therefore, I was more than satisfied with the numbers. Then there was a straight line and a descent. In a straight line and downhill, I rolled 3.30 per kilometer. It was very easy to run, but by 10 kilometers, my legs began to feel that they would soon sit down. I didn’t slow down, realizing that on my teeth, albeit with a little slower seconds, I could crawl to the finish line.
Half of the half marathon was 37.40. This cutoff was also at the top of the second climb. The average pace has grown and became 3.35 per kilometer.
I ran fourth with a minute advantage over the nearest pursuer, but with a 2-minute lag from third place.
At the first food point after 11 kilometers, I grabbed a glass of water and took only one sip. The weather allowed me to run without water, so I skipped the next meal.
The strength was felt, the breathing worked well, but the legs were already beginning to "ring". I decided to speed up a bit to catch up with the third runner. For a couple of kilometers I was able to play 30 seconds against him, reducing the gap to one and a half minutes, but then I was already forced to slow down, as my legs simply did not allow me to run. They still huddled. And if there was enough breath and endurance to run and run, then the legs said that it was time to settle down. I no longer dreamed of catching up with the one running ahead. The lag grew with each kilometer. I set the task to endure until the finish line and run out of hour 17 minutes. When there were 300 meters left to the end of the distance, I looked at the clock that I was just getting within the planned 17 minutes, accelerated a little and ran as a result with a result of 1 hour 16 minutes 56 seconds. Legs were hammered after the finish. As a result, he took 4th place in his own and absolute categories at the half marathon.
Conclusions on running and training
I really liked the distance and my movement along it. The first 10 km were very easy. At 35.40 I covered the first 10 km with a lot of endurance. However, the legs thought differently. By about 15 km, they got up, and then ran "on the teeth". Plus, while running, my back muscles ached, due to the fact that for the last 2 months I did not include general physical training in my program at all.
My goal for the next year is to run a half marathon in less than 1 hour and 12 minutes. And the marathon is faster than 2 hours 40 minutes (emphasis towards the half marathon)
For this, the first 2-3 months of winter, I will focus on GPP and long crosses, since I have big problems with volumes. Basically, for the last 2 months, I focused my attention on interval and repetitive work at a speed significantly higher than the average pace for a half marathon, and even more so for a marathon.
I will do complex physical training, for all muscle groups, since during the half marathon it turned out that the hips are not ready for such a distance, and the abs are weak, and the calf muscles do not allow for more than 10 km to firmly put the leg and do a good push off.
I am also going to regularly post reports on my training to achieve the goal with the expectation that my reports can help someone understand how to train for the half marathon and marathon distances.
Conclusion
I really liked Muchkap. I will advise absolutely every jogger to come here. You will not find such a technique anywhere else. Yes, the track is not the easiest, the weather in early November is capricious, and maybe even minus with the wind. However, the warmth with which people treat newcomers covers all the little things. And the complexity only adds strength. These are not just nice words, it is a fact. For interest, I compared last year's results of the same athletes who ran a half marathon and a marathon in Muchkap with the results of this year. Almost all of them have worse results this year. Although last year, as they said, there was a frost of -2 degrees and a strong wind. And this year the temperature is +7 and there is almost no wind.
This trip will be remembered for a long time for its warmth, atmosphere, energy. And I really liked the city. Clean, nice and cultured. Most residents use bicycles. Bicycle parking practically next to every building. Sculptures at every turn. And people, it seemed to me, are much more calm and cultured than in most other cities.
P.S. I have not written about a lot of other organizational “bonuses”, such as buckwheat porridge with meat at the finish, as well as hot tea, pies and rolls. A big banquet in the evening after the competition. A support group that was brought to the middle of the track, and they cheered each participant very well. It will not work just to describe everything. It is better to come and see for yourself.
