2013 Half Marathons/London Marathon and others

2013 Half Marathons/London Marathon and others

So I decided to do The Great Bentley Half Marathon - 13.2 miles in Feb 2013 - oh my god why did I do that? I obviously thought it was a good idea, I'd ran 13 miles by then once or twice so thought this would get me into the race mentality. Well it was still freezing, it was sleeting, snow, rain and so bleak:-( jay was waiting for me at the end, but how I honestly finished I'll never know. No headphones allowed, it was so lonely. At 7 miles I nearly gave up and walked, I even shed a tear or two feeling so bad and annoyed with myself for feeling like giving up after all my training!! I continued, but again 11 miles in I think I text Jay whilst walking, he told me I was nearly ther and to keep going. I did and finished in about 2 hours 25 minutes or something like that. I fell into Jays arms crying like a baby, it was the most awful thing I'd ever done. I think there were only about 6 people behind me in the end, and I started so well. I hear it's the first run of the season for runners so I think I can say was probably the worst one for me to pick. I certainly didn't feel very motivated by that one, but I didn't give up!!

So the day of the marathon came, all that training, all the pain, all the money on trainers, kit, days off for massages etc came all together on that one day and it was the best day ever. I was scared, excited and couldn't believe I was actually going to run a marathon (me the fat kid from school that did everything in my power (including learning the clarinette) to get out of any sports whatsoever) and not just any marathon  the London Marathon - just a shame my dad wasn't around to see me really:-( I started at the back with the fun runners but I didn't care. I knew Jay would be somewhere around we'd planned a few places. Unfortunately I was a little quicker in the beginning and he missed me in Docklands but I kept going spurred on by crowd. The crowd is something else, even if you can't run they still spur you on its amazing, I've never experienced anything like it.  Ofcourse you have the cheer points for the charities - Macmillan had about 6 I think, and they shouted my name at all of them and cheered and waved, but it was all the other spectators too that just shouted out "Ali" was just brilliant and put a smile on my face the whole way round even when I was feeling tired.  Now I won't lie and say I ran the whole lot, there was a bit of walking, including down the Embankment when Jay finally say me around the 22 mile mark. I couldn't believe he was shouting my name and running alongside me, I gave him a big kiss and hug and he shouted don't stop keeping going. I was running with one headphone in and one out so I could hear the crowd as its so important to keep you going and wanted to hear everything. I worked in London for 20 years and although not in the west end, I knew the area quite well so to run on the roads around and see all the sights was just fab, crossing Tower Bridge was something else and running along the Enbankment and then seeing Big Ben at the end before you turn the corner, just made me want to finish even more.  I took my glasses off once I saw old Buck House and turned right into The Mall, wow, I wished I could have taken a photo or a selfie at that moment. I just ran towards that finish line and then wow, I was a marathon runner, I'd run the London Marathon, 26.2 miles, wow, wow and wow.  Was all a bit of a blur at the end you get a medal and goody bag and they take the timing chip off and I asked a guy to take a pic of me with my medal and then went to collect my belongings from the truck in a bit of a daze really.  I met Jay at the Macmillan recovery centre and you get such a cheer from everyone as you go down the stairs (well I think I hobbled down the stairs) but I had a nice massage afterwards and something to eat and drink before changing.  The worst bit of the day for me was actually getting home on the train, it was packed, typical train was packed and only 4 carriages and I had to stand!! Luckily I couldn't fall down as I was wedged up against the door, I think I finally got a seat at Billericay - I kid you not!! A take away and a glass of wine was my treat when got home and a full leg massage the next day, wearing my medal to eat out at lunchtime with my mum - I think I even wore my medal to work the next day too:-)

So its a bit of a downer after the marathon I must admit, I felt very down and sad;-( So luckily I had the Southend Half Marathon in June, the Olympic Park 5 mile run in July and to finish off the Southend 10K in October.

So not much training really for the half, I don't think I did more than 6.5 miles each time I went out, may  have been pushing my luck really, but I had only decided to do it when the weather wasn't as hot as a nice June day should be.  Infact it was pretty cold down the seafront and I don't know how but I think I knocked a few minutes of my time too.

July was the Olympic 5 miles - wow awsume to run into the Olympic Stadium, hear the crowds shouting, the route was pretty boring in my eyes, was that last bit that made it for me. I waved to Jay sitting in the stand, he took a fab picture and I was pleased with my time.

So back really to where I began the Southend 10K. So was the second time I'd now ran this race, but did it on my own that year. Managed to knock another few minutes off my time so was pleased with that.

So what's next.  I did apply for the London Marathon again that year for 2014 but I didn't get to run, was so jealous of watching it last year. But had another race in London to run and a small matter of a little cycle ride with Jay.