London Marathon 2011

Completed the London Marathon on Sunday and am now back home and have had time to reflect. The whole event was great. We went down to London as a family a few days before hand and made it into a mini family holiday; so we've done the Natural Histrory Museum, Hampton Court, and two days at Legoland. All of which were great, the kids had a wonderful time. We stayed at friends for few nights but moved onto to Dartford Hilton the night before the race. This was relatively close to the start, just a 20 min train journey up to Blackheath. Despite the number of runners staying at the hotel they insisted on starting breakfast at 7:30, which was too late for us. The hotel management agreed to provide a packed breakfast to take away and I also ordered room service. The room service at a horrific £15 consisted of the smallest bowl of muesli I'll ever have the misfortune of seeing and what I think was reheated toast. The takeaway was even worse an apple, an orange and a ham sandwich on white bread. I set off therefore starving, I bought a banana on the way and gorged myself on various energy bars I had in my kit bag. I kept an eye out for fellow Eden Runners and was delighted to see Alan Marshall waving at me in the GFA waiting area, we had a quick chat and were joined by Steve Angus from Border Harriers, everybody wished each other luck and soon  enough we were called to enter our pens. I had long since abandoned hope of going sub 2:50, I'm just not quick enough at the moment but was keen to go under 2:55.

The race was pretty straight forward, all the things people say about it are true. The crowds were amazing. The cheering was incredible at times, the atmosphere is way beyond any event I have done including the only other huge event I have taken part in, the Great North Run. I will never forget the screaming and cheering at Greenwich in particular where the cramped streets seem to amplify the crowds enthusiasm to a crescendo. I instinctively felt a grin come to my face and the hairs on my neck stand up.
The hardest part for me was the south of the river, so much of the course takes place on the north bank that I was desperate to get across Tower Bridge and feel that I was making progress.
John Bridge picked me out from the crowds and gave me a cheer which gave me a massive boost over the next few miles. I passed Steve Angus at about 14 or 15 miles I think, he was struggling and trying to stretch something, I gave him a pat on the back and an hopefully encouraging shout, but I didn't see him again I hope he got round OK.
I had completed the first half in 1:24 and felt reasonably comfortable even though it was now getting hot.
I passed my family; cheering wife and children, at parliament about a mile from the finish and after waving I put on a bit of a spurt for the finish, not daring to look at my Garmin, I knew 2:55 was close. I swept up the last couple of hundred yards passing people and crossed the line delighted and relieved to have finished in 2hrs 54 mins 41 seconds. A sub 2: 50 will have to wait, I think I can get there but not this time next year perhaps.

I will definitely do it again next year and it should be extra special in Olympic year.

Black Toes and Lager

Off to London in the morning packing my kit already am sure I will forget something. I am looking forward to afterwards a nice pint of ice cold lager, fantasising already. The preparation has gone pretty well. I had a stiff calf and I must thank Stu for recommending Ray Pescod for some remedial massage because it worked like magic. I was slightly sceptical I thought it was almost akin to voodoo, but I am now a convert. I raced last Saturday at my favourite race of the year, The Coniston 14, though this year it was again the17 mile course as the bridge at water Yeat still hasn't been repaired from the storms a few years ago. The view around Coniston particularly towards the end with the Old Man in the Background is outstanding.

This was my 5th running of it. My first was my second most unsuccessful race, my right calf tore on the hill up to Brantwood and my foolishness at continuing to the finish caused a partial tear of my right Achilles.I returned a year later to complete it more successfully and since then it has become the only event I run every year. It is not only a beautiful race it is so well organised and friendly too, can't recommend it highly enough.
Despite my best intentions to run it slowly I did end up pushing it. I started slowly and was quite smug as I watched people race off into the distance. It was good not to be running against the field but just feeling what felt comfortably extended within me. I after a couple of miles i noticed I was running smoothly and consistently reeling people in most of whom seemed to be blowing like whales. I was delighted to have my best ever finish in the race in really quite hot temperatures and picked up a prize £55 voucher for the best running shop I know, Pete Blands. I have already mentally spent it!

No real side effects afterwards either, except black and blue feet. My feet don't usually suffer much and it's typical that the first time would be just before London. Of all the things I worried about as a consequence of running Coniston it wasn't feet with toes that look like frostbite. I am sure they will be fine by Sunday though.

Here's to a cold damp London Sunday and an ice cold lager afterwards.