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RACE NUMBER 41490
TIME 5:01:26
Average Pace 11.29/mile
I love the sun, there was also a nice cool breeze - so it seemed to me a perfect day for running the marathon. I’d been really nervous the last couple of weeks, worried about whether I’d done enough training etc. - but on the day itself I felt really excited and just thought I’m going to really enjoy myself. The atmosphere was buzzing in Greenwich Park. It was great being amongst all the runners and seeing those dressed up in their amazing fancy dress outfits.
We set off and from the very start the crowds were there, in their hundreds and thousands it seemed, waving and cheering us on. It was wonderful going past the different sound systems blaring out music and the different bands playing. Before I knew it we were 7/8 miles down the road. I felt so buoyed up by the whole experience I remember feeling like I was running on air and thinking “This is great - I could run all day”.
The first half of the race felt fairly easy. About mile 18 I started to feel tiredness in my legs and I stopped to have a bit of a stretch and then carried on. At mile 20 it started to feel really hard as I started to go into unknown territory having done only up to 20 miles in training. About mile 22 had a moment of panic as I looked down the road at a sea of runners that seemed to stretch on forever, desperately looking for the sign that said mile 23 and thinking “where’s mile 23? Where’s mile 23? Oh my god, it’s TOO FAR!” And the sudden doubt; I’M NOT GOING TO MAKE IT!” At that point I gave myself a very stern talking to, put my head down and dug in deep.
General advice is not to do or eat anything you haven’t done in training. Well - that advice went straight out of the window when I saw jelly babies being offered.
I thought that I’m going to have to risk it - I needed the energy if I was going to make the last few miles - so grabbed a handful and stuffed my face whenever I could. At one point I even ran back for some that I had missed! I only stopped when I felt a twinge of queasiness and worried that I might be sick.
I went from; waving and geeing up the crowd and high-fiving all the kids, to barely turning my head to acknowledge someone calling my name. I could just about cock my thumb in response and even then, occasionally, I was too tired to do even that small action.
The last three miles were torture.
Seeing the finishing line and crossing it - still running - was just the most amazing sense of elation - and relief!
At the NAS post race reception where we had a shower, massage and some refreshments - I was asked whether I would ever do it again. I think I must have looked at her as if she was a little bit mad. The answer was a most emphatic NO, NEVER, EVER, AGAIN. It was the most wonderful experience, NEVER TO BE REPEATED!
Seven days on, after lots of sleep and my bruised toes mended, and nothing left but fantastic memories - after all, it is only the last six miles that are hard!! - I would most definitely love to do it all again. It has been one of the most amazing experiences - up there with all the best times of my life. So, maybe in a couple of year’s time I’ll have another go.
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A BIG THANK-YOU to each and everyone who has sponsored me so far. I AM STILL RAISING MONEY AND ACCEPTING DONATIONS TO AT LEAST ACHIEVE MY TARGET OF £1600 - I know its a tough time with the credit crunch and all, and we're all feeling the pinch. Every donation is much appreciated. Those of you who are yet to donate - BE BOLD - click here to DONATE NOW >> |
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