London Marathon

What an amazing experience.

Hastings Half 1

After weeks of training the day suddenly was apon me.

Way back at Xmas I started the training, dark nights after work running along the river and of course motivation after a day at work.

I completed 4 half marathons in training, Watford, Reading, Hastings and Silverstone. Silverstone my quickest at 1hour 47 mins. Unfortunatley a week after this I tore my calf playing football, but fortunately the tear was not that bad a three weeks later I ran at Reading.

After my lasy 16 mile training run a week before the marathon I felt confident I could complete the course. By the was the run was amazing down the river from Surbiton to Richmond and around Richmond park.

Hastings Half 2

On the day of the race I awoke at my nan's and meet my parents for a 7am tube journey from Osterley to Charing Cross. You could tell it was a special day due to the excitment on the tube with fellow runners. I said goodbye to the folks and jumped on a train dressed in my silver foil off to Blackheath and the blue start, pen 5.

The train was packed and it took what seemed a lifetime to travel down to the start, we actually waited for over half an hour to get to the platform. In greenwich park three balloons indicated the start and helicoptors circled above, recording the progress on the elite athletes.

After a quick loo break and warm up session I waited in my pen for the start, building up excitment and worry of what I was getting myself into.

Hastings Half 3

The gun went for the start and off we ran, well walked for the first mile as everyone bunched up at the start, like rush hour on the M25.

The first couple of miles was great and by mile 5 I was really inot the race. By 7/8 we entered Greenwich and Cutty Sark, how amazing...the crowd..the cameras. A couple of miles later I saw Lou for the first time, screamming the ran. It was good to see a familar face and 5 minutes later I saw my parents, dad filming the race.

I managed to see Lou and my parents on another four occasions, in Canary Wharf and on Embankment, which was great to see Lou, especially with a glucose snack top up.

Hastings Half 4

The highlights were to come, Tower Bridge with Colin Jackson interviewing runners and Canary Wharf, where I saw Scott, Ian and his mates.

The last 4 miles were hell, my legs wouldn't move and didn't really enjoy bird cage walk and parliament. But I made it 4 hours 24 mins, quite respectable considering the injury. I did manage to beet Mr Incredible and scooby doo, spiderman and the easter bunny over took me......

Close to tears I dragged myself across the line got my medal, hobbled off to the meet the folks and stuffed myself with pizza. I hope to raise around £750 for the sepilok orangutan appeal.

The most bizarre thing was putting on weight while training, it must of been all the sugar I ate!

London Marathon 1

Here's are some photos of the day and some from the previous races

London Marathon 10

London Marathon 11

London Marathon 12

London Marathon 13

London Marathon 14

London Marathon 15

London Marathon 16

London Marathon 17

London Marathon 18

London Marathon 19

London Marathon 2

London Marathon 20

London Marathon 3

London Marathon 4

London Marathon 5

London Marathon 6

London Marathon 7

London Marathon 8

London Marathon 9

Reading Half Marathon 1

Reading Half Marathon 2

Reading Half Marathon 3

Reading Half Marathon 4

Reading Half Marathon 5

Reading Half Marathon 6

Reading Half Marathon 7

Reading Half Marathon 8

Silverstone Half 1

Silverstone Half 2

Silverstone Half 3

Watford Half 1

Watford Half 2