I completed the London Marathon.
On Sunday 13th April, I was up at 5am getting ready for the big day. I didn't get much sleep, you'd think it would be because I was so excited about the marathon.. it wasn't (well maybe a little :)) My boyfriend kept me up all night snoring. Throughout our whole relationship I have never heard him snore (maybe because I'm to busy snoring myself) but the one night I do, its the night of the big day!
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| Mum waving me off 2014 |
So I was on the coach by 6.45, waving me off was my mum, step dad, boyfriend and 2 friends of mine. It was a strange feeling sitting there thinking to myself, that in 3hours and 15mins I'll be beginning my run. It was also an odd feeling that this time last year my mum was sitting in this seat whilst I was waving her off.
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| 2013 waving mum off |
We left at 7am, on the way I tried to get some more sleep but that was impossible! I'm not sure what I felt, I could of been nervous or excited, it definitely kept me awake though!
Once we go there we had a little was to our colour areas. A runner I had been training with was lovely enough to show me where to go. To enter your colour area you show your number then you in.
I was in at 8am, surprisingly the next 2 hours passed very quickly. I had my first ever experience of using a female urinal, it was one of the most strangest things I have done but can see it catching on. After working out how the 'P-Mate' worked and where it goes and the position I should stand... not to forget the bag sliding down my arm and remembering my trousers don't need to be dropped to the floor, I realised it would only take 30seconds to be in and out the loo (once you get the hang of it)
Just remember not to wave the 'P-Mate' about like I did when someone asked me how to use theirs :|
I had a little walk around, collected a bottle of water to fill my bottles and finally sat myself down to get my gear together. Before I knew it,, it was 9.15am, I needed to be ready. I made sure I was topped up on suncream and got my bag into the storage lorry.
I walked on over to the start, and prepared myself for the big challenge ahead.
Before I knew it, I was on my way. The crowds were incredible! Everyone cheering you on and people shouting your name to help you along. I was soon at 6 miles which is when I saw my family and friends, seeing them gives you the little boost, puts the smile back on your face :) . The next stop was 12.5, knowing i only had that far to go till i saw all their faces again kept me going. The toughest point is when you run past that point and you haven't seen them, the disappointment that set in, and how deflated you feel. I gave mum a quick text to let her know I'd gone past. All I hoped now is that i saw her at 18miles. During the next 6miles the crowd really helped, I felt my head keep dropping and my feet dragging. I started talking to myself asking if I was going to complete it, am I going to get to the end. You see the occasional runner fall or laying on the floor and it worries you to think, it could be you. Your mind really does play tricks on you!
18miles down
I finally saw everyone again, I was in pain but seeing them pushed me that little bit more. I kept telling myself i had 8miles to go, which is nothing compared to what I had already done.
I had only trained up to 20miles, which is what was advised. Getting to 20 and knowing you still had 6 to go was hard. Its at that point I could of hit the brick wall. I could feel the burn in my legs, and joint pains from my feet stomping the ground for hours. I gave myself a minute to stop and walk.
At 23miles I had an amazing surprise by my cousin, how she saw me out of all the running shocks me. I was running when I heard my name being shouted and someone waving in the corner of my eye. When I looked I had to double take to realise who it was!
The surprises didn't stop there. at 24.5 miles it happened again, someones shouting my name, I've run past the voices now. I turn my head to see it's my boyfriend with the biggest smile on his face, he held my tight for a moment as if to say your going to be okay, just a short way left.
I'd reached 25miles and all I could tell myself is 1 more mile, a mile has nothing on me. Mum and everyone was standing cheering me on, telling me all I had was a mile. I was crazy to think that i had just run so far.
There it was, the finish line. I picked up my pace to get to there and I ran though that line. It felt amazing. I had just completed my first marathon! Sitting here now, it still hasn't hit me that I did it. It all happened so quickly. I didn't reach my goal but I completed it. 5hour 24minutes and 11seconds
People have been asking me would I do it again and my answer is, definitely! I would do it again but take in more on the atmosphere, smile back at the crowd, give them high 5's when they put there hands out and accept the sweets and fruit people offered.
Amazing day!
