Valencia Marathon 2023 - My Full Race Vlog

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Hey Matt, you should be proud of your training, preparation and race. Sometimes races don't play out the way we plan, but it wasn't for lack of effort. And your self-deprecating humor at the end shows your humility. Thanks for bringing us along on your journey.

[@RunThePlanet]

Thanks Reto, appreciate your view 😁 Happy to take you along and show the show. Fantastic course if you ever feel like switching mountains for tarmac

[@johanpauly3154]

Great video to watch. I'll be running this marathon this year. You should be proud on your performance. You've ran a marathon! Great job!

[@RunThePlanet]

@@johanpauly3154 thanks Johan 😃 yeah it was a great marathon, glad I did it and I will go back someday. I want to do better there next time 😁 Hope your training goes well and wish you a good race !

[@kennyosborne5835]

Well done Matt. Loved the video. I could feel your pain as the race went on. Don’t give up on your marathon dream. Maybe try some shorter sharper races. My marathon was my main goal this year but I’ve really got a buzz off the 5k/parkrun and 10k stuff. Maybe find people to do some running with too. I still believe you will be a sub 3 runner one day.

[@RunThePlanet]

Thanks Kenny, this was supposed to set up 2024 for the sub3 attempt, maybe not now but let's see 😂

[@kennyosborne5835]

@@RunThePlanet big jumps can happen. You still have a 3.20ish one from earlier. It’s not impossible but develop the speed endurance a bit and see what you can do. The shorter races can help.

[@raleyadventures]

Such a great video to watch, thank you for taking us along, that finish looked amazing 🎉🎉 you’ll definitely come back stronger 🙌🙌

[@RunThePlanet]

Thank you Raley 😁 appreciate your comment. Enjoyed making it. I think it will be easy to better my time next time 😜 What a day but if I had to live it again knowing the result be the same I would. And now I know the course for next time. I will have a video of the route coming soon (albeit missing the first 10k as my GoPro was playing up I think or user error 😆 )

[@ricd2821]

Well done matt another execellent experience, you'll come back strong next year you always seem to produce your best at manchester so keep it going! Also the no cramp thing is a big breakthrough for the future

[@RunThePlanet]

Thanks Ric 😀 it would have more encouraging to have pulled a reasonably good time around my PR and still no cramp so for good comparison. But I'm happy with that small win, must have done something right in the training 😆 I'm also quite sure now that I was ill on race day 🤧 Tried to run a 5k last Friday at easy pace mostly and it did not feel good. Virus was probably incurbating underneath on race day before. But yes I won't excuse too much and thinking now about to plan for the next race in April (I'll announce in the coming weeks)

[@juanpabloaliaga]

Great video! Thank you for sharing. BTW, I did it in 3:35:20 and appeared a couple of times in your video (when walking up to the starting line, and right after the finish line)

[@RunThePlanet]

Thanks Juan Pablo 😃 great to share the race track with you, we must have been close from start to finish. I might see you there again one day.

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

Looks like an epic place for a finish line 👌

[@RunThePlanet]

Yeah it's fantastic, best one I've ever finished, so if you ever get the chance give it a go 😃

[@TheRedCyndaquil]

I'v never seen the famous Valencia before and it looked amazing and shoutout to all those volunteers! Congrats man, well done

[@RunThePlanet]

Thank you @TheRedCyndaquil 😊 they do need a shout out, there were alot of volunteers and did a great job

[@KumailZaidi]

Well done buddy! Great run .. marathons are just a beast .. it was such a great atmosphere though .. Anyone knows what that song is 2:08 onwards?

[@RunThePlanet]

Thanks KumaliZaidi 😁 not sure about the song sorry

[@kevrunsascott]

The elite runners don’t know they are born, only being in feet for just over 2 hours and missing all the crowds at the end. Good effort on the run! Better than 99% of people. Looked like a stunning last 400 metres.

[@RunThePlanet]

Thanks Kevin 😀 Maybe that's the trick, we've got to get it all over and done with in a couple hours... Running for 2 hrs sounds much better than 3.

[@MarcMarx-g4p]

Well done on another marathon Matt. Ive been following your progress with keen interest. I did however feel your sub 3:10 target was hugely ambitious. I think this marathon has shown how well you did in Manchester earlier in the year. Be proud of your effort, you showed heart and grit out there. I do recommend you scrap your sub 3 target though and set more realistic goals (possibly sub 3:20) it will then mean your training cycle will be geared towards a more do-able pace. I also think you may have come in to this race a little fatigued and overcooked (i dont know any training plans with 25k+ race pace efforts etc) i do admire your commitment and heart in sleeve attitude. I hope youve learnt more lessons that you can take in future marathons. Don't give up... continue giving it your all and i reckon youll go sub 3:20 in the future if you train smart 👍

[@RunThePlanet]

Thanks Marc, all comments appreciated 👍 I know what you mean sensibly drop sub3, but that's just not me at the moment 😁 Although I don't quite have a 3:20 yet I'm happy training for the 3:10. Anyway it's time for some time off running now for a couple weeks and a good chance to work on ideas plans races for 2024.

[@conradburdekin722]

I would agree with this. I think if you save a bit more of yourself in the training block you’ll have more of yourself left for the race itself. Good run anyway, however! But I know you’re disappointed. Chin up, have a reset, then wallop 2024!

[@PoetWithPace]

Well done on finishing an epic marathon! As you say, prefect course, prefect conditions and a great day to run! What next for you?

[@RunThePlanet]

Thanks Donato 😁 nothing as glamorous as Valencia next time round unfortunately, somewhere local in the UK I think for spring April time. I wonder whats on then... I'm enjoying resting and having some free time off training and recovering, and planning to start it all again soon.

[@PoetWithPace]

@@RunThePlanet enjoy the rest and see you in Manchester!

[@TheWu]

Well done mate. Not the result you wanted. I’ve been there many times and after the initial disappointment we just go back and try figure out the puzzle! Valencia looks stunning I’m going to enter this!

[@RunThePlanet]

Thanks Will. Would be great to see you run it. Just seen a video about Valencia, this year over 5000 runners did sub3, more than any other race apparently. They sent some stats and graphs yesterday which is a nice touch, it only about 26,000 finished form 35k entrants (not sure how many turned started) but about 20% running sub3 is amazing, right up your street

[@tworunningbrooms]

Great account of the day. It looked mighty congested for the first half of the race. Has anything happenee since which shines a light on why you felt off it? Virus? It's not easy to carry on when things start going wrong so early. Well toughed out.

[@RunThePlanet]

I may have had a virus, I'm ill today at time of writing 🤧 I planned to have a break for a short while and also come off the supps including the vitamin D, maybe a mistake 😂 I felt a bit off balance in the run, which is exaggerated today, but don't want to excuse too much, it was what it was 😃

[@johncarroll25]

Well done matt .keep going buddy. Jc

[@RunThePlanet]

Thanks John, appreciate you dropping a comment, Must do better next time 🤠

[@johncarroll25]

@RunThePlanet few weeks off 15 week plan for Manchester you'll be great. I went 3.39 in London 2017 and quite marathon. Then had another go at Manchester with correct training and 3.13 so you can do it pal

[@conradburdekin722]

Matt I don’t know why but your audio quite frequently mutes for a second then returns on a number of your videos?

[@RunThePlanet]

Thanks Conrad, yeah it's a shame but it has to mute at times due to music played by the event otherwise copyrigt problems unfortunately.

[@conradburdekin722]

@@RunThePlanet oh really?! Isn’t that ridiculous!

[@conradburdekin722]

You beat my pb by… one second 😂

[@RunThePlanet]

1 second ! That's amazing 😂 Well I'm sure you will be planning to take time off your pb next year !

[@conradburdekin722]

@@RunThePlanet in fact possibly not. Next year is the year of the ultras… 😳😳😳

[@RunThePlanet]

@@conradburdekin722 good luck with the ultras !

[@paulcollins1098]

Great video Matt. I think you had 3.10 in you, just not your day. Some unfinished business there in Valencia I think..

[@RunThePlanet]

Thanks Paul, yeah somehow this one got away from me, next time I'll do better.