The day is finally here, after all this training. I woke up to the lovely sunshine rather than to rain which we were having all week. I walked round to Folkestone Central to meet the others and I was greeted to a locked door at the station and no one was around!!! Talk about a good start to the day. I was sure I got the time right and soon I saw Dave and Kirsty walking up. Now it was 5:55am and no sign of opening up. Then we saw a car pull up and the doors were unlocked.
We found our seats and when we got to Folkestone West we were joined by other fellow runners from the club. When we reached London Bridge I received some sad news that Becky and Leah were involved in a car accident, they were all safe but everyone was gutted for them and relieved that they were ok.
From the train we made our way to the Blue Start and then we said our goodbyes to Kirsty and Stephen who were in the red start. That left, Dave Weekes, Nikki and I. We then made our way through and saw the big hot air balloons that you see on the telly. First thing first was to head to toilet and it was then we said goodbye to Dave Weekes. The queue was short which we were chuffed with and then we found a spot to sit down and rest and people watch. Wasn't long till we had to hand in our baggage to the baggage lorry. Not long to go now!! Another toilet stop was needed but this time the queues were just too long to queue. Nikki and I saw someone go behind the toilets, so we thought, why don't we join them!!! Problem solved and then we had another sit down and just watched the toilet queue, silly people!!!! Now it was time to go our start and now Nikki and I said goodbye and wished each other luck and we headed to our own pen. Once in the pen, I made my way near to the front. Whilst in the pen, got chatting to the others, then off we went. I had my phone and prepared a text to say that I was off when I reached the start line which I had sent to my Dad, Lucy, Tim and Will so they knew when to expect me. It only took me about 5 minutes to get to the start which I was chuffed about. I was also surprised that I was actually able to run rather than walk. The crowds had started straight away and were cheering. I made the most of running on paths to have a clear run. When we reached a hump, everyone shouted HUMP. At 3 mile point we were joined by the red zone and had some good natured booing!!! when we joined up, my pace was still good and I jumped on the middle reservation and ran down there.
My first point to look forward to was mile 6, the Cutty Sark, where I had my Mum and Dad, Sue, Trev, Pam, Clive, Tim, Will, Emma, Lauren and Louis and Kirsty's mum and Dad. It was wow when I saw the Cutty Sark and I kept to the right where I was told to go. I got round the bend and then I saw my Mum and Dad and the crew!!! YAY, they all gave me a massive cheer when I went by. By this point, I have been running quite fast running 8 minute something miles.
The next landmark, was seeing Tower Bridge and that was amazing, nearly half way now. My legs were getting tired and heavy and I did stop and took a pic. I am now starting to struggle, every now and then I had to stop and walk and then pick up again to run.
Along the way, Dave Walbrook caught me up, had a little chat and then he went on his way. Now I had to get over to the other side to the left to run by Tina's usual spot at the 16 mile mark. I could see Catherine and was waving like mad and then I saw the others, Tina, Grahame and Poppy and got more cheers.
In front of me I could see a girl with GB on her back and she got a massive cheer, so I was trying to work out who she was. Then next minute I hear my name being shouted frantically it was Mum and Dad and the crew as I run past them without realising and managed to wave just in time. They were at 16.5 mile mark. Looking back on the video footage it was the crew that was cheering the GB lady lol.
Now I was starting to really struggle, again was stopping to walk and then run. I then saw Gary, friends husband on the way, had a little chat and off I went. I walked again and then Gary caught me up and encouraged me to get going again. Each time I stopped my name got shouted to keep going which was great. At around 18 mile mark, Stephen caught me up and went by.
It was a hot day and each time I got water I poured it down my neck. There were times when we were running through the tunnels and I lost satellite signal. There also the sight of men doing their business in the tunnels!! Also there were the chants through the tunnels.
Now I was getting a bit fed up, I was walking and again I could my name being shouted, me thinking yeah, yeah and then I noticed it was Faye, YAY, was good to see her and Faye got me running again!!! This was around the 20 mile mark.
Wasn't too long before I was running along the Embankment and I could see Big Ben which means I was nearly done woohoo.
Now I could see the 800m sign and it just took forever getting to the next metre sign and now the end was in sight woohoo!!! It was such a relief seeing the finish YAY. Now I was over the finish line at long last and I did feel a little choked. I got my much deserved medal!!! My time 4:23.56, PB by 11 minutes. I was really chuffed, getting a PB and got my time around 4.20 which I was aiming for. So am very happy.
I then saw Dave Walbrook and I ran up to him and gave him a hug, was great to see him. Dave said he was feeling a little rough and I took him to get our pic taken with a medal at the photo stand. Then we saw Alan Fletcher another Folkestone Runner. Dave then made his way to get his massage and Alan said that he was getting a massage so I followed so I could get one too. I did try calling my Dad, put the phone was just not ringing. We headed to Cancer Research and there I got my massage. Afterwards it felt like I had new legs. I got my phone and noticed I had lots of missed calls. I managed to phone my Dad back to tell him I was on my way. It was a nightmare getting through the crowds and managed to get to the letter F for Folkestone. There everyone was waiting for me and was worried and there was me getting my free massage!!! I then got see my Mum and Dad, the crew and there was Dave, Kirsty and Malc who had also finished. Everyone had great runs and all were beaming!!!
Dave, Lucy and I decided to go and meet Rona. But heading out was a complete nightmare, we just couldn't move and was told to go back. Then the rain came, that was all we needed after running a marathon!!! We decided to give up and just head back on the train.
I have completed the London Marathon and NEVER AGAIN - (until I change my mind a few days later).
Splits
9:32, 8:54, 8:29, 8:20, 8:43, 8:52, 9:01, 8:53, 9:11, 9:25, 9:41, 9:28, 9:58, 9:36, 9:55, 10:42, 10:13, 10:33, 11:20, 11:05, 11:30, 10:50, 11:35, 11:54, 10:34
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