Yesterday I ran the London marathon – yes, really and it was difficult, but yet in a bizarre way enjoyable as well.
The day started early with tea and toast and then a drive to the train station, because our local line had engineering works going on I had to journey across the Queen Elizabeth Bridge and we could make out Canary Wharf, where I would be running around. As I arrived there were lots of other runners arriving, bright red kit bags in hand also arriving and the moment I arrived on the platform you could begin to feel the excitement and anticipation. There was a lot of chatter on the train, as well as the smell of deep heat and ibuprofen gel!
Soon enough we arrived at Blackheath in glorious sunshine, a steady stream of runners crossed the grass from all directions making their way to the blue start. Music was blaring, Lucozade sport was being drunk everywhere you looked and the number of banana skins was immense! Having queued for the toilets once I grabbed everything out of my bag for the run and then went and dropped it off at the relevant baggage lorry and then queued again. To be fair there were enough toilets that only a few minutes were spent waiting, others braver than me used the female urinals but I decided I’d rather queue. I watched the start of the elite women’s race and then headed over to my start zone, right at the back. Again there was lots of chatter a mix of people who had competed before and others, like me who were nervous first timers. Quarter to ten finally ticked round and after a couple of minutes we began our slow shuffle forwards, it took about ten minutes to get over the start line and then we were off and running. The sheer sea of people was mesmerising, the costumes were amazing. Everyone seemed happy to be there and be taking part. From the first step to the last the support was amazing, no spare pavement anywhere.
The thing that caught me by surprise was how hot it was, the forecast had been for showers all week and in the end it didn’t rain until about 4pm by which time I was fighting my way through the crowds trying to find my friends and family! The run itself was going well, the Cutty Sark section was amazing and I was making good progress, I did get overtaken by a huge pink nurse which looked very heavy and a rhino and it was great looking at all the costumes and the messages people had on them as to why they were running.
I was starting to feel hungry heading towards Surrey Quays when I spotted some familiar faces in the crowd. I was delighted to see the kids and the big bag of jelly babies they had! A couple of handfuls later and I was back on my way. Crossing Tower bridge was amazing, the noise and the colour as well as the landmarks of London was amazing. Then came the turn towards Canary Wharf, those that were faster were already on their way back heading towards embankment and the finish line. For me though there was still a hard slog and still no sign of the promised rain!
As I came into Canary Wharf I couldn’t help smiling as the runners came to the underground roundabout and all started walking and stretching, after all it was one of the rare places that no-one could see you! Emerging back out of the tunnel and running again into the noise of the crowds and cheers. As I ran through the Limehouse section and people began to slow down and walk I could hear some of the kids in the crowd saying ‘come on, you’re meant to be running.’ Their parents tried to shush them in vain but it did make me smile, there were loads of people handing out oranges, sweets and even custard creams! As I came into the part of Canary Wharf that I properly recognised I saw more familiar faces and then saw the kids, hubby, even more friends and my Dad and Step-Mum all together! At this point I grabbed the school Travelling Teddy as Pixie had asked for him on purpose and ran round with him. Luckily it was at the point where Canary Wharf loops round on itself and so I was able to give him back about a quarter of a mile later but we had pics of it. Mr T even managed to capture some pics of runners doing the YMCA moves by the Lucozade bus at mile 19. As I left Canary Wharf energy levels began to fade, I knew I wanted to run the last bit so I slowed down and tried to save some energy. The Lucozade jelly beans came in handy and I power walked until the Rotherhithe tunnel. Coming out of there onto embankment was another highlight! The noise was a roar, charity boppers and notices were everywhere and you couldn’t run a step without someone cheering you up. I had seen the Great Ormond Street Caterpillar, several rhinos and the London Pride beer bottle.
As I closed in towards the finish I could see the dark clouds gathering, once through mile 24 I knew I was nearly there so I tried as hard as I could to keep up an even pace, mile 25 arrived and then I knew I didn’t have far to go! As I ran past the London Eye to my left, Big Ben in front of me and then turning towards Birdcage walk the countdown began. The noise in the finishing area was immense and the atmosphere was brilliant, I did run ever so slightly more quickly for the last 200 metres. I went up the ramp to have my timing tag removed, was given a medal and a goody bag containing my finishing t-shirt and the famous foil blanket and then the heavens opened.
The exhilaration of finishing was amazing, the sights I saw all day inspiring but honestly I won’t be doing it again. The amount of effort the runners put in, especially those in heavy costumes is monumental. Perhaps the biggest test was reuniting myself with my friends and family, trying to make my way through to where those with ‘T’ surnames were supposed to congregate was awkward, we then had to make our way out of this area to Westminster tube station. As some points the station was closed due to the heavy foot traffic in the area but when we eventually came to the platform the train was not too crowded. We had decided due to the heavy rain storm not to hang about, I was eager to get home and rest my aching legs.
I was thrilled to be presented with a huge Millie’s cookie from my family and once we got home, with my legs feeling decidedly jittery – the adrenalin having taken over I had a hot and bubbly bath. I discovered a huge blister on my left foot – a first for me and a purple toe on my right foot having been squashed a few times en route by other runners and stray bottles of water and lucozade! By then my legs gave up the ghost and I stayed in bed occasionally moving to try and loosen up the muscles that were now tightly wound! I feared the worst this morning but surprisingly once I got moving I was OK. If I sat down for too long it was difficult to get back up again but as the day has gone on the tightness has eased. I think it will be a couple of days before my legs feel completely normal again and I am not planning any type of run until next week!
What has amazed me most is the support both during my training, the race and today and the fantastic generosity of people My initial fundraising target was £750 but to date the total without gift aid is 1498 practically double (and with gift aid on eligible donations it is £1742) After six months of training, and a time of 5.25 for the marathon I am happy to say I’ve done it – from now on I am definitely going to be a ‘fun-runner’ from now on running a couple of times a week to keep fit! Having said that the experience of running the marathon, seeing the costumes, the determination and the sheer organisation of it from the port-a-loos, to the charity volunteers, Saint John’s Ambulance and the people giving out water and Lucozade is unique! There are some down sides as I got nearer to the end I saw those who were struggling ,fellow runners helped them on and others stopped for a massage and plasters, I did see a couple of people who needed more medical assistance and it does make you realise who hard it is, however there is an extent to which I enjoyed running the marathon – especially as I know I’m not going to be doing it again!
Well done to all those who ran, especially those of you in costume and thanks again to all those who watched live or on telly and tracked me and even more thanks to those who gave up their money for the charities I supported!
