WRC Club Members 100 Best/Favourite Races – 5: London Marathon

I have been saved this week by Rebecca.

Over to Rebecca:

Seeing as we have passed what would have been the 40^th London marathon the other weekend, I thought I would look back on my experience last year; my first ever marathon (and only one, despite what others think!)

I always remember watching the marathon on T.V when I was younger, and way before I was a runner and thinking “how can people run that far?!” Little did I know 15 or 20 years later I would be one of those people.

I first entered the ballot for the 2017 event, but sadly (although secretly quite pleased) didn’t get a place and instead joined my running club the Ealing Eagles at mile 23 to be part of the cheer squad. I was living in London at the time and the whole city was buzzing. The atmosphere at mile 23, and indeed en-route there, was electric. I felt so inspired to run it, so the following year I entered the ballot again and, again, got the consolation magazine and jacket in the post. Ah well I’ll just join the cheer squad again I thought! That was until Ealing half marathon 2018 where I unintentionally ran a 1 hour 29 minute half marathon, securing a championship place for the 2019 marathon (females need a sub 1:30 half marathon and to be part of an England Athletics affiliates club to qualify.)

I put off my entry right until the last minute in January 2019 as I still wasn’t sure if I REALLY wanted to run a marathon; it was more the fear of the unknown and the pressure I would put on myself to finish, regardless of the time! The furthest I’d run up to then was 30km and that final 12.2km could be the worst. Anyway, application sent, application approved and it was confirmed; I was running the 2019 London Marathon (Sh*T!)

Training was going well; clocking up the miles and “time on feet” to slowly increase my weekly distance, as well as keeping up with the all-important strength training that so many runners seem to neglect. However, despite my efforts, an old knee niggle cropped up, resulting in physio for a few weeks and I had to pull back on my training.

In the March, my confidence and faith were restored when I completed the Wilmslow half marathon in 1 hour 29 mins (again!) with my knee holding up. The original plan for the following weeks was to attempt a couple of 20 milers, but with the shorter time frame left and following advice from my physio, I only completed one 20 mile run (32 km) before the event. Despite what people think you don’t actually have to, or even try to run the whole distance before!

The week or so before, “maranoia” had well and truly kicked in! “My knee hurts!” “My hamstrings are tight” “What if I fall down the stairs?!” “How far should I run? What if I fall over?” “I need to eat more!” This is common in runners leading up to a marathon where you convince yourself everything hurts or you can feel a niggle, and generally just worry about everything thinking the worst can happen!

Anyway, everything was fine (which I knew). On the morning of the marathon I met the Ealing Eagles bright and early to make the group coach journey across London to the start line in Greenwich. I was a mixture of nervous and excited, constantly checking my watch and planning the timing of my breakfast to fuel me correctly (a cinnamon and raisin bagel, banana, coffee and jelly babies all to consume in the run up to the start making sure there were no erm…digestive issues!). Note: Practice your race nutrition BEFORE an event and figure out what works for you!

We pulled up at the start and everyone descends into their coloured zones and I, being the only female Eagle with a championship place this year, wander off into the Championship area, feeling a little bit like a celeb if I’m honest! I was put right back in my place when I see the likes of Mo Farrah and Kipchoge warming up in the start pen though!

I nervously wait around talking to other runners; some experienced marathoners, some marathon virgins like myself. We all queue for the toilet, warm up, stretch, queue for the toilet again, down a bit of Lucozade (they gave out bottles for free, which in hindsight I was very thankful of) and then toss our belongings onto the big truck that takes it over to the finish line. The weather conditions were great for running, albeit a tad chilly waiting around- about 14 degrees and overcast. Us championship runners and Elites are ushered towards the start line and begin 10 minutes before the mass event. The countdown is projected through the megaphone…3..2..1! And we’re off!

The first few miles were a blur, just trying to dodge other runners and settle into a comfy pace, whilst also soaking up the atmosphere. I remember specifically running down a road of speedbumps and a marshal was stood shouting “HUMP”. I couldn’t stop laughing to myself for at least a mile, which passed some time. There was a bit of a chitter chatter with other runners and I saw some familiar faces from the expo and parkrun the day before. The first few miles are slightly downhill and as I checked my watch, I think I was going slightly too fast, but what the hell, I just went with it!

Somehow I got to 13 miles (half way) VERY quickly seeing fellow Ealing Eagles cheering at the side lines to spur me on. Time for a fuel top up so I had a gel and continued at my comfortable feeling pace. I was surrounded by a couple of world record attempts: 3 people dressed as a sausage dog, Elmo and a man as a post box. Just when you think you’re running well, a character from Sesame Street passes you and puts you to shame!

Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, the Shard- all landmarks I passed at some point but again, it all just faded into one! The streets are lined with supporters cheering, DJ’s, steel drums and an uncountable amount of signs which I attempt to read as I go by. I got a cheeky shout-out as from a DJ as I sang to the song he played as I passed “Eagling Eagle girl you lookin’ flyyyy!” And I felt it too!

I was waiting to “hit the wall” , but the wall thankfully never came! Sensible fuelling and pacing paid off. All I remember thinking was “get to mile 23” where the masses of Eagling Eagles were waiting. Advice from the experienced Colin: get up onto the pavement as you come around the corner and pass the mile marker. Well that 23 mile marker soon came around so I leaped onto the pavement and could see the Eagles lining the barriers. This was the boost I was waiting for and I literally flew past, high fiving everyone I could and almost knocking over our Ealing Eagle mascot! Not surprisingly that kilometre was clocked as my quickest! This is it…3 miles to go!!

I try and do some calculations as to my finish time… I went in with no expectations but I was sure I could make 3 hours 20 with the final bit to go. I pushed on coming down Pall Mall where the atmosphere is even more incredible. Sadly, I saw people struggling so I urged them on as much as possible reminding them we are almost there! I see Elmo again in front of me and he appears on the big screen in front of Buckingham Palace (which is broadcast on TV), so I weave over to get my brief second of fame on the BBC!

The finishing line is in sight, as is the clock ticking away. I put all my effort into the last hundred meters and bound like a gazelle across the finish line, almost bumping into others who stop dead! “You can stop now!” said a marshal. I look at my watch 3:16:22. I’ve done it. As if I’ve just completed the London Marathon!!?

I take my medal and goody bag proudly and collect my bag. I quickly get my phone out for an obligatory finish line selfie and call my mum to tell her I’m alive. Her and my sister had taken a trip down to come to meet me at the finish in my designated area. It’s a bit of a minefield getting out but I eventually see them and run towards them for a massive hug. “OMG stop running you’ve just done a marathon!” “But I loved it! I feel great, I want to do it all again!!”

And before you’re wondering NO I did not do it again, walking the next day was a bit of a struggle! But that’s one ticked off the bucket list, and it gave me the urge to go further… an ULTRAMRATHON maybe…?!

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Thank you Rebecca. Is it possible some of you others to make the time to put some words together about your favourite or best race and keep the series going? 🙂