London Marathon

Hi Everyone,

So thought I had best drop by and let you all know about this little run I went and did yesterday...




As always I will be truthful to the embarrassing core....

So Saturday night I had a visit from my Mum, Stepdad and Sister who had traveled up from Cornwall to support me.  My amazing Fiance had cooked us a buffet of Pizza, garlic bread, pasta, turkey, chips and more.  I should have been carb loading but to be honest with you I was tired, and I guess probably nervous about the next day so barely ate a thing.

I went to bed and actually slept better than I thought I would, but still at best probably only had 3 hours sleep.

I got up at 5.30am, and my usual pre-race tummy started.  I must ave gone to the toilet at least 8 times before leaving the house.  So as I hadn't eaten the night before and had only eaten a bowl of porridge I guess I wasn't in the best shape for going out and running round London!

We left at 6.30 and got a train into London.  My fiance and daughter accompanied me to the entrance to blue start but then I had to go it alone.  Luckily I had been chatting to a lovely lady called Vicky on Twitter.  She also ran/walk at similar pacing and was also suffering with her knee.  Amazingly we managed to meet outside the toilet cues!

We chatted about ourselves and our training as we made our way into the pen, both deciding that we intended on enjoying it rather than pushing ourselves to DNF.  We promised each other we would stick together and drag each other to the finish line.

I still don't think even at this point it had kicked in what I was about to do, or in fact how hard it would be.  The pen started moving forward and I was shocked to find us moving over the start line with in 15 minutes of the start time.  It all happened so quickly and we were off.

Vicky had been training at 5 min run 2 min walk and we decided we would give this a go and see how we got on.  I was a bit concerned that it was too much walking in the ratio, but as it happens it felt perfect.  We were strong for the first 5 miles which we did in just over the hour and it flew by.

I actually started to think we could get a half decent time if we carried on as strong.  We rounded Cutty Sark, and I took a quick selfie and posted to Twitter/Facebook, all whilst still running!!

It wasn't long after this that Vicky's Knee really started to play up, she told me to go on, but I couldn't.  It so easily could have been my knee that went and I am sure if she had left I would not have made it to the end on my own.  We were in this together, no matter what happened we would get each other over that finish line before the cut off time.

We saw my family just after mile 9 which was a welcomed stop and boost.  Rob sprayed us both with freeze spray and off we went, at this point we were still both in high spirits and feeling good.

We made a pact that no matter how much pain we were in we would run over every mile marker and we stuck to this, I also decided that every time we went past some loud music I would do a little dance which I did.  Then we rounded on to Tower Bridge... and we managed to run the whole way over it due to the amazing crowds.  It was electric.  I actually think this was where it hit me I was running the London Marathon.  I kept looking from side to side and smiling from ear to ear.  In fact it was just as we came off that I shouted to a random stranger drinking a pint 'am I running a marathon?'.

We made the half marathon at about 3 hours 20 ish, and even at this point I thought it wasn't too bad, a steady start was a good thing.  Seeing my family again just after this was another boost, but I fear that my mental ability at this point was out weighing my physical and it soon became apparent that it wouldn't last.

I had been lucky and my knee issues hadn't really played up, but my feet were incredibly sore as was my lower back, pelvis and hips.  I am not sure at what point it all started to go down hill, but I know when I finally got to 18 miles, and was feeling no where near as good as I had when doing it in training that finishing the marathon was going to be extremely hard.

It was now Vicky's turn to support me, I started to get extremely upset, I wanted to stop moving, and sit down in a massaging chair!  She kept on telling me how amazing we were and what we were doing and that I couldn't quit, because she was making the finishing line and wasn't doing it without me.

The next two miles dragged so much, we had been pretty much been walking around deserted back streets which didn't help, and I kept longing for that 20 mile marker.  

It wasn't the 20 mile marker that brought my strength but the sight of Rob who came from no where and gave me the biggest hug!  I burst into tears and told him I couldn't do it.  He held my hand and walked with me for the next 5 miles.  Every now and then he would get me water, spray mine and Vicky's legs with deep freeze and my back with deep heat (even though he hates both of them and the smell makes him feel ill.)  He gave me his coat when I started to get cold, ran with me over the mile markers and danced with me at the loud music.

It was still very painful, but we were doing it.  Those next 3 miles dragged, I really started to worry that I would not get a medal.  Then I heard my name being shouted, at first I didn't have the strength to turn and thank yet another kind stranger for supporting me, but then I realised that it was someone that knew me.  It was My Coach Richard, he had waited all that time to see me!  I am sure that all of his other runners would have gone past hours before, but he had stayed.  I gave him a massive hug and he told me how proud he was of me.

Not long after we saw Rob's Dad and his Partner Maryce, it was a new challenge for them being still out this late on in the day, they were used to much shorter times with Rob and his sister (both of which have sub 4 marathon times.)  But they were there usual amazing supportive selves, Rob's dad brandishing his Ipad and running along trying to get photos of me.

Vicky's family and friends met us and started to walk with her.  She had been amazing all of the way and I couldn't have done it with out her help, but I left her at this point with the support of her friends and sped up as I really wanted to get to mile 25 to see my family one last time before finishing.

Suddenly I was at mile 25, I had thought I still had 2 miles to go, and was over the moon to find out it was only one left.  It was here I saw my family again and stopped to give them all massive hugs, and yet again burst into tears that I was almost finished.  But then I looked behind me and saw the dreaded sweeper bus.  I went into panic mode, I thought it was going to stop me, I didn't want to be stopped having done 25 miles, I wanted my medal, and I sped off, Rob chasing behind me telling me to stop panicking I had plenty of time.

Rob left me not long after this to run down to the Band Stand in the mall to get a video of me running over the finishing line.  It made the last walk very painful and lonely, but then again I heard my name being shouted, Rob's Dad and partner were walking down on the path at the side of me.

Then I saw the 1KM mark, then 800m, 600m.... I always do a sprint finish as soon as I see the finish line but as it came into sight I had no energy left whats so ever.  I kept looking ahead and then I saw rob waiting to get a video and he shouted my name.  

I started to pick up my speed into a jog, then into a run, then I could see a rhino in front of me and I suddenly got the urge to want to beat it, only as I got closer it too sped up, it took every ounce of being in me to push my weight forward and over take him and also pipping another lady to the finish line.

A lady placed my medal over my head and congratulated me... I had done it, I had completed the London Marathon.... or so I had thought...

I then had to walk god knows how far to collect my goody bag and even further through crowds of non runners to get my stored bag.  I could barely walk at this point and was being pushed about by hundreds of people who thought getting in the way was there job!

Thank God Rob came and found me and held my bags and supported me to where my family were waiting, and thank god I could finally sit down.

I don't care how long it took me to complete the marathon, because I did it, and I have my London Marathon Medal.  I am so proud of myself that I did it and didn't quit.

Me with my Mum and Sister

So how am I feeling today and will I be staying up late to enter the ballot in May??

I hurt like hell today and am very tired, I only ate that bowl of porridge yesterday, I tried eating some chips last night but was too tired.  So today I am starving also.

I have managed to get up and move around and find that the more I move around the more it eases and I feel better.

I think my dog thinks it was him doing the marathon yesterday though.....

And... No I will not be doing the London Marathon Ballot this year.  I intend on working on my 5/10k this year and then half marathon next year.  If I feel that my running has improved, my fitness, weight etc and my half marathon goes below sub 2.5 hours then maybe I may consider doing another marathon... But only if I can be confident in myself to go out and smash it.

So I have come to the end of the Big Marathon Challenge and I would like to thank:

Women's Running UK, in particular Liz (editor), who is the loveliest lady and reported on all my training, ups and downs.

ASICS UK - Michael Moore for all of the amazing kit (any chance you would like to consider continuing to sponsor me?? Id consider an ultra?)

High 5 - Raphael Deinhart for all of the amazing High 5 products, especially the chocolate recovery shake which was definitely my favorite.

Pure Sports Medicine - Ellie & Michael for strapping me up and giving me exercises to help wake my bum up!

Everyone Active - Ian for sponsoring me my gym membership.

Everyone who sponsored me (currently at £499.80, £587.60 with gift aid) for two amazing charities, and its not too late, if you want to sponsor me you can, using the donate button just up there on the right..

But most Importantly:

Full Potential's Richard my coach, who without I would not have got this far.  No he didn't run it for me, but he gave me the advice, the structure and the support I needed to get me through and keep me going.... Even now I am in tears whilst writing this, because I couldn't have been more proud of myself, and with out the support you gave me I would have quit long ago.  You are one amazing person, and if anyone is looking for a coach, then look him up!!

and

Rob, my fiance, my best friend, and my rock.  You have seen me through when I have moaned and groaned.  You support me and my running and you are so proud of what I achieve.  I love you with all my heart and I hope that we continue to run through life together.

So is this the end?  Don't be daft! I hate getting to the end of a book and not knowing what happens next!  I will start my new blog very soon -

Much Love

FBB xx