EDINBURGH MARATHON: Hitting the wall in the race! Watch me run 26.2 miles badly

[@FordyRuns]

Have you listened to the LONG RUN PODCAST? www.fordyruns.com/podcast

[@matthewsenior4208]

Well done Chris, that was one of your best videos. Raw emotion, showing the highs and lows of the marathon.

[@FordyRuns]

Thank you I appreciate it

[@CrazyRamUK]

I'll second that.

[@AlexandraBullard]

Hi Chris, thanks for uploading this and showing your experience! I am running the edinburgh marathon this year (first ever marathon) and I can't lie I am quite terrified! The course looks so brutal!! I'm hoping it won't be too hot otherwise I'll struggle big time!

[@harveydean7952]

The 25 minute walk to the bus straight after the Edinburgh marathon, the 40 minute bus ride and then the 35 minute walk into the City Centre from the University buildings where the bus dropped off its passengers was for me even more gruelling than the race itself.

[@clowancelane8799]

Well done all of you. Great to see the laughing, grumps and emotions, keeping it real. Never under estimate a marathon as it is a real achievement no matter the time. So much can happen that you can't plan for.

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks

[@stevewarren63]

Great effort Chris, the same happened to me at the Edinburgh marathon in 2006! Went through the half way point at 1.51, hit the wall at 18/19, got through that and then stomach cramps at 23. I eventually finished in a time of 4.06. I am planning to return next year👍

[@juliebarnes3510]

Such an emotional ride Chris and crew. You had me in tears and laughing out loud. Thank you for being honest and true with your feelings. Great video, boo Edinburgh with your 2.75!

[@FordyRuns]

Thank you

[@thomasrichardson9212]

It was my first marathon.. ran a 3h21 which I’m chuffed about. that country house gravel loop bit though really was awful though… struggled big time after that

[@bh4560]

Is that at the turnaround?

[@tonybastin3628]

I had a very similar experience at this race. Aiming for 3:45 and faded badly last 10km. I saw you guys with the fordy runs tops. I had a particular excuse though,I was tripped at 10miles and crashed down hard injuring my left arm, hand & shoulder, but still struggled to understand how it went so wrong. In the end I put it down to Heat, the fall and maybe going off too quick. Marathons are still my bogey distance. 3:59 at Edinburgh, then 3:51 at Yorkshire later in '22. Let's see what the Leeds Rob Burrow does next month. Thanks for these videos. Very helpful

[@twold4this]

Thanks

[@MrSkellum]

A real Marathon video,loved that! The post-mortem was great:"That house.....was a joke!" 🤣🤣🤣

[@jmac13131]

I feel your pain. I ran my first marathon in Savannah back at the end of March. Was shooting for a 3:20:00 as that is what the Tanda race predictor had me at but the temps were about 20°(f) warmer than what I had done most of my training. Was on pace for just under 3:30:00 at halfway point and held it until about mile 22. I started getting left hip/groin pain and times dropped significantly the last four miles. Finished in 3:41:xx. Have run less than 25 miles in the last two months but I did just start back this weekend after three weeks off with a left calf strain. At 47 years old my goal is still going to be a BQ before I’m 50. Congratulations on finishing, as that in itself is always an accomplishment.

[@FordyRuns]

Thank you

[@deanallwood1957]

just a brilliant video chris. really highlights no matter how well you prepare, a marathon can be brutal. most of us 'normal' runners hit those emotions you showed which is why you're so relatable. great achievement to still finish in a good time

[@FordyRuns]

Thank you

[@GaryHowland26]

Well done everyone for completing. Totally agree 150% mate with you all. I ran it in 2009 and they had no water from mile 13-21 in 26 degree heat. People were dropping like flies. They even stopped people at mile 20-21 so they couldn’t complete the event so you can imagine how that went down. The route around the house grounds was a nightmare even back then...it was a dirty dusty farm track. I emailed the organisers and they told me they had 10,000 bottles stolen the night before.....mmmm Just love all your honesty Keep up the great work

[@FordyRuns]

Thank you Gary

[@pennyrusbridge5725]

Well done fordy. Great effort and good video. Good to see the emotion at the end. It was warm though. 4hr 04mins is a great time. You still completed it and got the bling

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate well done

[@ABucc]

Good job Chris, 4:04 is nothing to sneeze at. That's a good time, be proud, you toughed it out, well done.

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks

[@philipklink5406]

Good on you Fordy! Bit of unfinished business with Edinburgh, but you'll topple it at some future time. Great video. You gave it your all, and almost had me in tears too! We live to fight another day! Thanks for the journey.... Cheers! Phil

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate

[@alangrout9434]

Brilliant Chris - Raw honesty and good to watch. Thanks so much for taking my picture at the bag collection area.

[@FordyRuns]

Nice to meet you

[@matthewhorrocks6735]

Well done, Fordy - a very respectable time that a lot of people would be pleased with, even if it wasn't what you'd hoped for. But especially thanks for those last couple of minutes, post-event - you and the guys encapsulated the rollercoaster of emotions that is marathon running. Bravo 👏 👍

[@FordyRuns]

Thank you!

[@conradburdekin722]

I started running in the spring as a 45 year old who hadn’t run since school. Stumbled upon The Long Run podcast recently which I love. This is the first video I’ve watched. Great to put faces to the names and voices! I’m going for my first marathon next May. Thankfully it isn’t Edinburgh!

[@FordyRuns]

Which one you gonna be doing?

[@conradburdekin722]

@@FordyRunsI ended up Doing Manchester then Leeds. Leeds was my Edinburgh - hot, hilly, broke me

[@martinharvey49]

Great honest video Chris. Sometimes for whatever reason we have a bad day, and sometimes you never work out why, it's just a thing. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@emilyhealy3249]

A massive, well done! 🎉 I'm doing the Edinburgh marathon in May! I'm excited to accomplish something so amazing, but very nervous 🏃‍♀️

[@simon_onemoremile]

Well done Chris, amazing effort and great to see the emotion at the end 👏

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate

[@simon_onemoremile]

@@FordyRuns hope your going to go again next year as you've inspired me to enter it.

[@TR-ul1qd]

Well done Fordy and really enjoying the daily videos! At 4:20 it looks like you are all about to get into a ruck with the Gooners!

[@FordyRuns]

🤣🤣🤣

[@almorrison2040]

Its not called the race of truth for nothing. Top effort by all gutsing it out to the end. As you say Chris, 1:38 half shows you are easily capable of 3:45 pace. The video of the course looked quite good. Well done again and brilliant work Speedgoat.

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks so much

[@NOKIA6031]

Congrats Chris, def the heat can slow you down really seriously. This is why I train for marathons during the winter and I usually run a race no later than April, because here in Greece the weather is quite hot. This year I managed an effortless marathon race in 3:34 (pb), on March, just working out on my aerobic base with some tempos and taking some iron supplementation because my blood was really weak. Actually I noticed the difference when I started taking iron and folic acid. All these after a physician's recommendation and excessive blood testing. Have some rest now, you need it!

[@FordyRuns]

I was taking iron before surgery and will be including back now

[@robinatter8934]

Fab video. My first marathon, did it in 3:36 loved it but found it more hilly than i thought it would be.

[@danielmeek790]

That’s what I want to see, I want to see someone battle through it all, pain, grief, that’s what makes these things worth doing, give me a man in bits, borderline tears, that’s when you know he emptied the tank. Awesome effort

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks

[@laura-louisetudor463]

Well done, such a great video too!! This was my first marathon and I had an amazing time, despite also starting to find it difficult at the 16 mile point. I think that long stretch of the course down to the big house/park and looping back to the town started to get a lot of people, but it was so nice not to be alone in the emotional rollercoaster. Such an overwhelmingly supportive crowd in Edinburgh too!! Looking forward to watching your next challenge!

[@FordyRuns]

Well done!

[@danielfrost1466]

An emotional video showing how never to underestimate the challenges of Marathon running. Well done for focusing until the end and fighting through that pain barrier and it’s another one done which you’ll learn from and move onwards. Take care bud and good luck with the recovery 👏

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks buddy

[@colinhunter1759]

Well done Chris, and all the team too. I was in Scotland that day and it was warm! Come to Manchester next April 👍🏻😎

[@archiepops]

Getton Chris! I really hope you realise what a constant source of fun, information and inspiration you are! I think you must have gone through every emotion. Bloody awesome! 😄❤

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate I really appreciate it

[@leeroy0203]

Fantastic video. Highlights the challenge of the distance, the fact not everything will always go to plan and to expect the unexpected. Also those raw emotions on finishing, a 2 😂😂. Well done all!!

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate

[@willdowney312]

I was a 1.40hr half and couldn't break 3.45 full for ages. Some key advice to work on from seeing your videos this year - have a rest day (do nothing, Rd is the most important run of the week). Tempo runs - tempo runs have to peak at least 10 miles in distance and around 20-30 seconds faster than goal marathon pace. Finally long runs should be done without stopping and breaks - this was my biggest flaw, stopping every hour - how can you expect to run 3.45hrs without stopping when during your training you include breaks. Final final - don't chase the win now - the worst thing you can do is try and enter another marathon. Recover, look for an autumn half, smash that, take a few weeks off and start fresh in December for the next marathon

[@alfdickinson1971]

I love this video, great Mockney Neistat edit meets Soccer Saturday level of Banter.

[@stephanieadlinton1218]

Well done Chris, brilliant video, really enjoyed it. So real and shows what all runners go through, even speed goats!! Helps us all so much. Bling is bling, be proud! Onwards 💪

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks alot

[@peterrobson1201]

Amazing effort! I also burst into tears at the end, very humbling feeling crossing that line. I collapsed at the 24.5 mile mark with the worst leg cramps ever. So glad you didn't catch me rolling around screaming on the camera 🤣

[@FordyRuns]

We got it done

[@stephenmurchison2681]

Well done, mate. Yesterday was also the Ottawa International marathon, and I’ve been training along side you these past months. Your podcast has gotten me through many of my long runs. The journey’s been great, all the best!

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks for being part of the team

[@mikejames3148]

Good effort great video: I liked the music. By Scottish standards this is a flat course but your pal is right to say it is slightly undulating: my Garmin made it 123 m ascent (maybe not particularly accurate), and I found the fact there are no houses and little support from mile 15 to 21 tough psychologically (although quite picturesque). The original course was more scenic (Princes St Grassmarket) but had more elevation I believe. I was covid positive on 6 May and although symptom free I think it took its toll in the second half

[@benhenderson1096]

Great video, deserves my first ever comment. Reminds me of my 2018 Manchester 1:52 half, 16mile wall, 4:31 finish… this video makes me wanna go again for that sub 4. Keep up the brilliant content. 👊

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks so much I really appreciate it

[@mikeommanney]

Well done guys, main thing is you got through it & finished. The course isn’t easy from memory, it was very windy along the coast when I did it with rain too. Also a laugh with the course reviews 😂

[@alansmith1716]

Well done! Great effort. it was tough out there yesterday. My goal was 3.45, plan b was under 4, and I completed in 4.19. I went out too quick and blew up mile 16. That long road up to the turn around point killed me. Great experience, and really emotional especially at the finish.

[@FordyRuns]

We go again 👊

[@cattyscoobie]

Fantastic work getting to the end Chris, inspirational video, well done, look forward to seeing you for the Southend half.

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate see you soon

[@barryextancemtb3932]

Well done mate, everyone I spoke with after this marathon said it was tough and I also found it tough, not sure if it was the route or the heat but no one found this easy and a lot of people didn’t meet their expectations, myself included. Again, well done to you and the mates

[@jameschaves5723]

Absolutely epic video Chris!! I’ve been there and felt what you have felt and I also felt what Sy felt. A broad range of emotions and I loved every minute of it. Thanks for giving me the laugh

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate

[@gary_runs]

Well done Chris! Great Video, You just had one of those runs where your body didn't fancy it! You don't need to train harder. I had exactly the same at my last Marathon. You was dying but finished it and in a good time, others would of slung the towel in! You will smash the next one! Keep up the great work mate!

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks buddy

[@eoincasey5461]

Well done Chris. The bad days are what make the good days so good 👍

[@FordyRuns]

So right

[@charlackerman7459]

Well done Chris!!! Thank you for sharing. Inspiring. Keep it going!

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks buddy

[@50Something]

Excellent time for such a struggle and great job documenting all of this! I'm going to try to run my first this October at 55, the goal is to finish!

[@misterwalker3598]

Have to say thank you for the honest video mate showing that sometimes things don’t go to plan. Well done for getting through it and loved the choice words at the end 🤣

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate

[@TheChessPlayer1956]

Thank you Chris for sharing this experience with you and your friends.

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks Ray

[@ryanfitzsimmons9646]

The 18 mile point broke me, was so glad to cross the finish line. It was great to meet you, Toby, Wilko, Simon and a lot of other fordy runners. I liked the medal and the t shirt in the box idea. But they needed more toilets.

[@FordyRuns]

Nice to meet you

[@rumblefoxxdesign]

Emotional day Chris, tough one, fantastic resilience to make it through and still finish though. Learn and move forward.

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks dude

[@bh4560]

Smashing vid. Shows that over that distance so much can go wrong. Sub 4 is on my wish list for my next attempt after a 4.10 for my first. I will get there.

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks buddy

[@kieronturner2667]

Well done Fordy 👏👏 awesome running. Congratulations on getting it done and going through the pain 😁👍

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate

[@tomtcf76]

Hi Chris, after running 25 Half Marathons i decided to make my Marathon debut at Edinburgh. Had a fantastic run and everything went well after 16 weeks of proper training. I was in the black pen for a predicted time of 4hrs 30mins and came in at 4hrs 26mins, no negative issues at all (except increasing soreness in leg muscles, par the course) i even increased my pace around mile 20 and started really pushing after mile 26. Think ill move up a pen and train even harder. Enjoyed your video and very well done for your finish.

[@FordyRuns]

Well done

[@2815andy]

Hit the wall trying to get a sub 4 in Amsterdam 2022.it was hell. 25 km in and my legs turn to concrete.dragged my arse to the end in just under five hours.told myself I'll be back to put it right. Ran it in 3.59 in 2023.what a feeling running over the same ground which crippled me the year before.it was all about fueling correctly

[@mark-sz4ey]

That’s an amazing video. Great effort to keep going in that much pain. Hope you recover well

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks buddy

[@ElusiveHedgy]

Amazing effort Fordy!!! Don’t let it get you down. Always the next one. Keep strong bro

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate

[@PaulH-S]

Fair play for finishing Chris. Sometimes you can do all the training right and still just have a bad day on race day. Look forward to the next one

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate

[@brunofracalossi]

congrats, managing to finish with all the pain is a great accomplishment! it is really hard to keep the focus when it happens

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate

[@johnnruns]

Well done fordy and team! Your reviews of Edinburgh make me really look forward to running a city marathon because that was my first and I loved it 😂

[@FordyRuns]

🤣

[@cameron-alexander]

Congrats Chris. I ran by you early on in the race you were looking strong. Sorry to hear you had pain towards the end but you finished in such a great time. Shows such dedication to have kept going. I also hated that bit by the country house too😂. Was not happy to be running across gravel there. That long road felt like such a lush at times, was quiet and lonely. I ended up finishing 3hr39 so I’m chuffed with that for my first marathon. Was a lot hotter than it looked. A great experience all round. 💪🏻

[@cameron-alexander]

Such a push*

[@FordyRuns]

Well done

[@BradleySingerRuns]

Chris, thanks for sharing the good, the bad and the ulgy part of running. well done again for completing the marathon

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks

[@richshelley2922]

Great video mate and well done, sums up the pain of the marathon and what can happen during those 26 miles 🏅👏🏻

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate

[@tabby1265]

firstly,well done all of you...fab video,showing the real side of running a marathon.Same happened to me at Brighton,but we pick ourselves up and enter another 🍾💪🤪

[@FordyRuns]

100%

[@thepatternforms859]

Mad respect!

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks 🤩

[@RunThePlanet]

Well don Chris. I had the pleasure running with Hayden mid race and talked about his 3:20 shot, so glad he pulled it off too. I have some footage of him in the race - i'll send it over later. Was hoping to see you and the gang, Hayden said you were 2 minutes behind, but you'll forgive me for not slowing down. My 3:20 shot didn't go to plan, not a PR, but came home in 3:35 so happy with that - and of course I enjoyed the challenge and event. Good look next time. It not always about winning, the taking part was ace too !

[@FordyRuns]

Well done mate

[@stephenwoodburn1350]

Awesome video, loved your opinions, thank you!

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks

[@adamsmall4970]

Well done! Learn from it and move on. It was unexpectantly a bit warm yesterday and Ive got pretty bad sunburn 🥵. I managed to get my first sub 4 despite bad leg cramps at mile 24 /25. It was nice to bump into you very briefly at a water station.

[@FordyRuns]

Well done mate congrats

[@JB-uv1cg]

Awesome effort fordy & team for digging out

[@FordyRuns]

Thank you

[@JB-uv1cg]

@@FordyRuns Edinburgh marathon starts out nice in the city, then after 1/2 way is a steaming babies nappy until you cross the line , true story 😉

[@gary7542]

Well done Chris. You ran a marathon on the only sunny day of the year in Scotland 😂💪😂. The turnround through the estate is always my wall. Great job keep it up.

[@FordyRuns]

🤣🤣🤣 thanks

[@ingridvanderkooij9218]

Well done Chris! Great video!

[@FordyRuns]

Thank you

[@georginamcnulty2919]

Great vlog the boys giving the reviews just made my day well done I’ve seen mixed reviews but your guys just made me howl 🤣🤣

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks! Yes they kept it real 🤣

[@msandiford93]

Well done guys 👏 Si's reactions were hilarious 😂

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks

[@kophotography895]

Fordy good honest video, keeping it real.

[@FordyRuns]

❤️

[@johnmiller5630]

Us runners are a funny lot. I’d have been well chuffed to get 4.04 but for you it wasn’t good enough and of course shows everything is relative. Well done on getting through the pain and finishing, looked really tough. My hat is doffed. 👏🏻

[@FordyRuns]

Thank you mate

[@williamcass68]

Great job! Thanks for sharing!

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks

[@danielmorris8174]

Saw you on way to starting pen. Was going to say hello. Perfect review mate and agree with yourself and the fellas. I was looking for a sub 4 and from halfway the course for some reason just took my soul haha. Didn’t get target time. Wont be doing Edinburgh marathon again, not a flat PB potential as organisers say.

[@FordyRuns]

Next time say hello! Well done

[@danielmorris8174]

Will do mate. Was a bit intimidated looked like getting yourself pumped up

[@BillyButcher91]

Well done Fordy you still gave it your all. I'm sure you will hit your goal in London in October.

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate

[@rodlambert1425]

Edinburgh definitely need to mix it up alright. Was tempted to run it as mum's from the city but glad I stuck with Manchester in the end. Dublin home town next, followed by Loch Ness or Chester! Onwards and upwards lads!

[@FordyRuns]

I’ll be hitting some of those next year hopefully

[@andrewowen2549]

Hi Fordy, Great effort running though the pain barrier mate. I was out there on the course and it did get pretty hot! 🥵

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks buddy

[@andrewowen2549]

@@FordyRuns I know it feels tough right now, but we stop and rebuild and you will be stronger for the next one! Roll on London and Amsterdam, I’m sure you will smash it next time!

[@ricd2821]

Well done you toughed it out I'm surprised you have completed a marathon so soon after surgery, incredible effort! The quicker times will come later in year and next year I'm sure 👍 love the reaction at end haha it IS flat but it's probably the monotony, narrowness, coastal winds and out-and-back feel which sap the energy and don't make it so PB friendly!

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate just ground it out in the end

[@davidhodgson3901]

Edinburgh is a funny one. Yesterday was my 3rd time on the course (slowest ever road marathon as I’m 3 weeks post Covid so the breathing wasn’t good and I nearly bailed out at 13.1). Unlike London, which is wonderful tour of the city, taking in a lot of the famous sights, Edinburgh takes us down the Royal Mile, past Holyrood and Arthur’s Seat, then it’s a fairly boring out and back. You don’t even see the sea that much but I appreciate the fresh sea air. A lot of city marathons are like this. Manchester goes into the suburbs. Yorkshire briefly goes into York but soon heads out onto uninteresting country lanes. Liverpool was more interesting but much hillier. I’m doing the inaugural Brighton trail marathon next month. Hopefully the lungs will be better. Btw, my two pence on the wall you hit. If you were coaching me, I expect you’d be saying that I got the pacing wrong. Too fast in the first half. You might disagree 😊

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate appreciate it

[@carlosangalang]

Well done gents! The post-run course rating was too funny 🤣

[@masheeniblick]

Inspirational stuff 👏 P.S. Trim looking fresh 👌

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate

[@drapper75]

Good honest review - the humour at the end 😅 - keeping it real

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks buddy

[@RunEdinburgh]

Love it, the Del Boy of running 😁

[@FordyRuns]

🤣

[@HereWeAreRunning]

Oh man, can definitely relate. What is it about Edinburgh? On paper, it's net downhill, should be a PB course but has a tendency to destroy you. Still, you did great given the tummy issues 👏👏👏

[@FordyRuns]

❤️

[@yvonneforrest6689]

Well done I loved running it

[@runningwithstephen]

I seen you at one point mate and then you vanished!! I was on for a 330 and hit the wall around the same point as you guys !! What a tough tough race that was an I'm just very glad I managed to complete it. Great vlog once again mate

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate well done

[@runningwithstephen]

@@FordyRuns thanks mate I appreciate that 👍

[@munkki2700]

how many gels do you take in marathon? i usually eat one for each 5km, 7 in total. that helps not hitting the wall. and of course the speed matters, and training (longer tempo runs at race speed for example + slow long runs).

[@FordyRuns]

Fueling wasn’t the issue on this one buddy but thanks

[@jameschaves5723]

“We’re now going to sit here and die” brilliant!!!

[@FordyRuns]

🤣🤣🤣

[@martinrollo5540]

well done for finishing Fordy.

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks mate

[@martinmchenry7339]

Was my first marathon on sunday, sure i passed you about 10k in had a goal of 3.40 but same as yourself found the heat got to me and back pain, got over the line 3.51.

[@FordyRuns]

Well done

[@stuartwalker6786]

Sometimes when we fight beyond our limits just to finish.....WE WIN!...... Congats lads

[@FordyRuns]

So true

[@aristodiga82]

Congrats!! everything can happen in the marathon. we learn and we move on to improve! that was a good race! by the way, did you wear the alphafly? that shoe is LOUD, I can hear your steps clearly in the video :))

[@FordyRuns]

I hope V2 has sorted that

[@cuberstu]

Slick hair, cool shades, at least you looked good! Great effort, best of all not injured 👍✔🏅

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks

[@Ponty30]

Great video. Emotional & funny. Maybe have the 3½ pints like Wilko next time 😂

[@FordyRuns]

🤣🤣🤣

[@jonathanlilly3270]

I bet that was a long journey back to Herts for your mates! 🤣