So had to get up even earlier as wanted to strap my feet up, put on the padding on ball of foot and was thinking of having breakfast and we had to be on the first train out which was 6.26am. So getting up at 5am makes it a really really long and tiring day in more ways than just running 26.2 miles.
So did the strapping and padding on left foot as had problems throughout all of training with a corn or something and it really caused me pain after 6 miles normally but the padding seemed to help (tapped it so it wouldn't move too) was just hoping didn't get the pins and needles which normally followed. Didn't bother with breakfast was too early, just had a half cup of black tea and a small glass of chocolate milk drink and took banana and breakfast biscuits for train. Not many people at the station (started to worry a little as was loads last time) but anyway the train was on time. Got to Rayleigh and Kate got on train so was nice to see her. She was starting from the same pen as me but in the Red start so she got off at Stratford and we carried on to Liverpool Street. Train was pretty packed by the end and all headed off to the Circle Line as there were no trains going to Blackheath from London Bridge. Wasn't too bad in the end, got a seat on tube to Embankment, a little walk to Charing Cross and luckily a good seat on train there and not long to wait until it moved - now that was a packed train!! Anyway got to Blackheath just before 8.30 so perfect timing really. Jay waited with me until about 9 and then I went in the runners enclosure and he went off.
Now this is where I walk around dazed, there are so many people, so first stop work out where to drop bag off - check, second stop queue up for the loo. Once that was completed I went to the trucks and got ready to leave my bag, was chatting to a nice lady who also had done the marathon in 2013 and was doing again and walked to the pens with her (although she was in 9). So when I realised I needed to move up a bit I went into Pen 8 with other runners all waiting, some pushing forward but there really isn't any need to do that. Got chatting to another nice lady running for NSPCC who actually works for them too and had run the marathon last year in 4 hours and 20 mins, so was then panicking a little that there was no way I could run it that quick!! Infact I didn't even know if I could run at this stage anyway or if my ankles would just go as soon as the gun went.
Anyway obligatory binbag on to keep me warm (it was perfect running conditions) and everyone started to move very slowly at 10.10am. I think it took me 10 mins to get through the start so not too bad. So ankles felt ok and thought would just plod along and not push too much, just relax into it. The crowds were amazing again and its great to hear them shout out your name. I was doing great up to 6 miles, infact I wasn't that much about a minute outside my PB time, although obviously knew would slow down eventually. Just didn't expect it to be that quick. Every step with my left foot left me with pins and needles and the pain on the ball of my foot was awful shooting up my leg into my left hip. Think I must have stopped 4 times enroute to pull the padding away from my foot and sock so that it still felt like there was something there and it did work to an extent but the damage was already done and running in pain whilst the left hip compensated for the next 20 miles was so painful I was nearly in tears. Jay had said he would try to see me at Tower Bridge somewhere, he was there and did see me but probably a good job I didn't see him as I'd have burst into tears and told him I was in so much pain. When you've not experienced that pain before its really hard to work through it, but I wasn't going to give up. I had my 12 miles loo stop, didn't really feel the need this year but was taking on a lot of water and thought should (just in case).
So didn't see anyone enroute to be honest I was concentrating so much more this year, where as I wanted to see more and experience it more, that didn't really happen but never mind, def. mind over pain though!!
So when realised that my time wasn't going to be as fast as I'd hoped due to pain and really didn't think I could push any harder than I did, I thought just enjoy it. So had the odd jelly baby, haribo, orange segment and even a mini mars bar and plenty of water from the water stops. Didn't bother with the lucozade this year, didn't want an upset tummy as the 4 gels I'd had didn't go down too well at times so had to be careful.
Saw loads of people in fancy dress, even a womble passed me this year, but I kept passing the chef and various other costumes I saw.
So Jay had told me he'd see me at Temple again like 2013 but this year he said I'd better be running and not walking;-) So I made the effort and when he saw me at 24-25 miles I was running, in pain, gritted teeth but I was running (don't ask me how though!). Ran over to him, hugged and kissed him, told him I was in so much pain, but he told me was nearly there and to keep going. He even ran along side me over the otherside of the barrier for about a mile down the Embankment just seeing my pink hat and me waving at him:-) def. spurred me on,although at one point I did have to walk so he shouted move and pump the arms, so I was trying as hard as I could ignoring the pain. He couldn't get any nearer to Big Ben as it was packed, he made me look at Big Ben and said he'd see me at the recovery centre afterwards. I think I ran/walked a lot as it seemed longer than I remembered even seeing the balloons saying 800 metres or whatever it said. As I rounded the corner to Buckingham Palace I new my mum and her friend Joyce were going to be in the Grandstand on the right with Macmillan so I just ran up the mall, waving at everyone, trying to see them, but didn't - they did see me though which was nice for them. I was running by them with another lady running for Macmillan and I think we both punched the air for joy shouting yes as we crossed the finish line - 5 hours 32 mins and 16 seconds. So not as fast as I'd hoped but still over 8.5 minutes quicker than 2013 and 2 years older so can't really complain about that.
Got my medal and goody bag, asked someone to take a photo of me and collected my things. A lovely recovery centre volunteer asked if I'd like help to the recovery centre and he took my bags for me and we walked to meet Jay at the Centre. What a gem he was, really kind, chatting the whole way, he was a godsend as was finding it hard to walk and hold two heavy bags at that point. So got a great cheer in the recovery centre and booked myself in for the best free massage I've had. Can't remember the name of the volunteer but he was so kind, offering to even undo my trainers for me as was struggling bending down. Calves, thighs, lower back and even my feet were massaged, best 45 mins ever and def. needed. So re-joined Jay and we went and got something to eat and drink upstairs in the centre before I went off to change. We must have been there an 1.5-2 hours at least. Train journey home was even ok, got seats on both tube and train with only a little walk and stretch of legs home. A runner passed us down the road and she shouted out, brilliant who's the runner as Jay had one bag and I had the other - when I said it was me she said wow you're walking great well done you.
So will I do again - I've said no, but would like to do another one before I'm 50 - you never know:-)
At Blackheath - Blue start
Digging in deep and in pain
I did it again :-)
Cheers
So back to work tomorrow, as long as the legs hold out:-) Had an easy day today, bit of lunch and lots of rest, although sitting down makes my legs seize up. Been wearing my medal with pride (see above when Jay took me out for lunch at the pub) :-)
So thats Challenge 2 complete for Macmillan, and total so far stands at just under £800 so not too bad. Challenge 3 is in a months time 25th May but at least its only 6 miles - should be much easier than yesterdays little run.
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