Race report - London marathon 26.4.2015
Well, how to begin? Most know that
I was running London for Multiple Sclerosis after a good friend
was diagnosed recently. And of course like many runners I've
always wanted to have a shot of the big one. However, race prep
didn't quite go to plan, I was working away
on Friday night and planned to get back to bedford in good
time Saturday morning to get to the expo. However I managed to
get lost and after much messing around I picked my number up
just 1.5 hrs before the expo closed - even for me that was too
close for comfort! I did still manage to find a little time to
flex the credit card though.
Sunday morning soon arrived and I
met the Harriers coach
at 6am ready to travel to London. I decided to make my race
plan involve lots of high fives, jelly babies and general fun
rather than a full on hard race. This was London, I wanted the
experience, the sights and sounds, the wonderful crowds of
supporters.
Waiting in the red start I held on
to my bag and jacket as long as possible as it was a little
chilly. Soon it was time to get into the pens and I found my way
there easily, the organisation was pretty good. It was a fair
while before we got to the start so I chatted to other runners
as we crept forward, I had a nice chat with the queen too,
twinset and pearls worn stylishly with an inflatable corgi.
Soon we were off, it was quite
congested which kept my speed down, I didn't mind at all, I even
turned my Garmin inwards and chose to ignore it, happily I
plodded on taking in the atmosphere and scenery. The crowds were
fantastic, cheers, names being shouted out and tonnes of
oranges, jelly babies, beer etc. I high fived hundreds of little
and big hands along the way, bands played and music blared.
Sometimes I sang badly, laughed and watched some hilarious
outfits from a red telephone box to a tardis and several
gorillas.
Water stations were placed at every
mile, lots of gels and lucozade also from about mile 11. Soon I
reached mile 13, and it felt good, I wasnt dreading the next 13,
legs were happy. It was great watching the leaders at this
point as they were on the other side of the road, i screamed ant
any MS runners and harriers to cheer them on. At mile 20 I
sneaked a peek at the Garmin, I was very surprised to see under
three hours..and here is where the brain kicked in (maths as
well as directions are not my strong point..) I realised I was
close to a four hour ish finish. Things got a little less
relaxed, there was some serious potential for a PB here, was I
mad to try? Should I? This is London, of course I should!! I
ran harder, stopped messing about and knuckled down, 22, 23
miles, just a park run to go... Time looking good still... At 24
miles I was beaming, I was in PB territory and it felt good.
25-26 felt stupidly long and the, all of a sudden it was over. I
had a medal around my neck and a shiney new PB on my Garmin.
Off to the MS reception I got a
40min massage, hot food and a cup of tea as well as some lovely
thank yous.
We all met at the Cenotaph
afterwards, there were a few new PBS and lots of stories to
share on the bus home.
What a fab day out and some
brilliant running too.
And the biggest thank yous to all
that donated, target is smashed and money still coming in too!
It's London baby
Sarah
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