Running at the French riviera

Worldwide I don’t know if the marathon between Nice and Cannes is that famous but for Scandinavians it is. It’s like a bucket list marathon that every running enthusiast should do and of course it has been on my race list also but until now I never made it. I had until last week not a clue I would run it either. Thought I would be away for work this time of the year like I been the last seven Novembers but no. I looked at social platforms and found a start place to the run, grabbed it and booked tickets. And I don’t regret it. Was one of the most fantastic marathons I been running.

Pre race

The day before the run I got my running backpack, enjoyed the beach and took it easy. No rush to do sightseeing since I been here many times although it was five years ago the last time. In July. The second day Europe opened up for limited travel in Covid times. Spent the day walking the costal promenade in Nice and relaxing in the sun at the world famous pebbles beach. Good enough.

The runner up part

I had one goal this run and it was to enjoy. My body felt very good at the start and I enjoyed to the max running the avenue under the palm trees with the clear blue sky above us. Marathon magic. The course I have been running before when I started my travel and running blog more than ten years ago I was here for a workation and did a 10K along the course every day followed by a swim and train back to the laptop. I would say this is like Highway 1 in Europe. Turning every corner will make give you a “wow” experience. The first ten kilometers was over before I even know about it. I wasn’t pushing for any time but tried to put in 3:40:00 in a race against time function at my Garmin.

I was ahead of the time at this point but honestly did not looked at the watch a lot. High fived with kids and sucked it all up. November can be beautiful if you are at the right place. And like one friend of mine wrote that also been running this race, imagine it in headwind and rain. It would be different then.

There was not only marathon also various relay races, 10K and 20K was going on in parallel. Passing my one beach after another, packed lines with cheering people, pepping signs at the kilometer marks, luxury fuel stations with everything’s runner needs like banana, organs, chocolate, candy, cakes, salty crackers etc. Had though brought three gels of the brand I am used to and had one at 12, 24 and 34K.

Second half

At this point I would say I am an experienced marathon runner. I though tell myself that every time a marathon is a marathon. Everything can happen. This stage I saw not only one and two fellow runners struggle. It was more. It started to get hotter and not drinking enough will pay off at this part. it is not possible to recover it fully if you fail in the first part. Some had to give up and the ambulance was coming from time to time. My hamstring also started to remind me it is there. It was rather painful. I stopped and stretched at 27K mark. It felt better. Changed running from the left to the right. Helped a little. There were some small uphills also and it helped to get a different technique. Not fully recovered but who is feeling 100% after running 27K?

We turned beautiful cap de Ferat and entered Juan Les Pines. The girl I had bought my place from was there cheering. I felt sad for her she missed out this beautiful day because of a fracture making her unable to run. Got some extra energy to fight the last 12K which before I knew about it was only 8. Stopped for another stretch and drink a coke.

Told myself to get it together and run to the finish line. The last kilometers after entering Cannes it was packed. Runners and spectators. What an amazing atmosphere. Impossible to stop running. Just to suck it up. Liked the finish part and the fact that my swim wear was waiting for me. About 100 meters before the finish line a 27 year old man had fallen to the ground just ten minutes before I passed. Police had covered the area and doctors were trying to save her life so sadly I read in the news after that they could not save her life.

For me it all turned out well also time wise I’m happy with the result. 43rd maraton finished and I had a swim in the ocean before having a pizza. Perfect ending of a very nice marathon. One of the best I been running and can recommend all running friends to sign up for.

/ Pernilla that got another marathon bling