London Marathon 2018 - FINISHER!

What an absolutely exhilarating experience whilst the most gruelling event I have ever been part of!

As you all know (certainly those in the UK) the day turned out to be the hottest London Marathon on record. The ironic element to this record is the training period had been through some really horrid winter months being plenty of rain, ice and snow, so the marathon was the first time I had run in minimal clothing of shorts and vest top this year. The following day was much cooler!! The massive bonus to the beautiful sunny hot day was the crowds and their enthusiasm to cheer runners on, pure jubilation.

Milo and I travelled to London on Saturday afternoon. He drove, thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to travel a significant distance and felt momentous for him to be driving on the M25 and four lanes of traffic, he drove confidently. We stayed overnight with my Bexley friends, really great catching up again.

An early start on Sunday on the train which was the beginning of the magic.  At Bexley station there was half a dozen runners, by the time we got off the train at Lewisham there was a good 30 runners to DLR when 90% of the travellers were runners. At Greenwich 9am the roads were filling with runners along a variety of roads to converge onto the roads/paths to the park crowds and crowds all being Marathon runners/spectators. A sea of people full of anticipated excitement, the emotion was starting to become palpable. Milo and I parted at the start gate.

Through the start gate was an open area of runners ‘waiting’ loitering under trees or wandering around. Big screens of the elites racing which was strange to think we were all part of that race but lingering in anticipation. The time came to move towards the start line up in the correct wave with more waiting but lots of concerned chatter on how to manage your run and then we surged forward. I was near the back of the red start, in wave 7 out of 8, so passed over the start line 40 mins after the elite men had started their race. It was exciting to move reasonably freely over the start, no Queen waving at us though but a band, so a bit disappointing.

My race was amazing. I had my name on my vest and my ‘Penis Hat’ on. My name was constantly being shouted it was initially a bit embarrassing as those runners around me were saying they were adopting my name too, all done in good humour. The crowds shouted and shouted all the way around the course it was by far the most overwhelming and distinct feature I will never forget. I had from the moment I started to the moment I ended people applauding my hat. I sensed I had made an impression as men in particular acknowledged I was making a statement – younger men cheered, older men were more earnest in their cheer, but all acknowledged. My hat was worn all the way around the route. At the end I very happily donated my hat to ORCHIDS, hopefully they will use in an appropriate promotional manner!

The heat was hard work and I could feel an impact in the early part of the race, although I had hydrated well the days leading up to the race, so slowed down and concentrated on taking water, always having a bottle in my hand and taking a bottle at each water station. I was a bit panicked when the water stations had run out but then there were people in the crowd who brought water and refilled bottles for the runners. I made use of the showers of fine mist water spray which was blissful, two fire brigades had their hoses running and children water gunned runners too. So lots of opportunity to keep cool.

The generosity of the crowds was truly astonishing in their enthusiasm and heartening encouragement was inspiring to keep going. The amount of food, sweets and offers of sun cream plus water as described was stunning, I struggled not to become overwhelmed with emotion. There was a strong sense of ‘community’ which was seized by the spectators, a privilege to be part of.

Around Canary Wharf there were no spectators due to building work. It was very hot within the concrete confines and the silence was palpable. There was a lot of runners who were all walking, the concentration was evident as people were ‘digging deep inside themselves’ to keep focused. All around the course there was a lot of people who were needing medical support including collapsing and being disorientated – disquieting to observe.

Running around Cutty Sark and over London Bridge was exhilarating. Seeing my nephew and his beautiful girlfriend was a great comfort. I was dispirited not to have seen Milo and poor Milo was bitterly disappointed not to see me. He was hampered by the poor performance of the app to track me, it kept freezing which gave a false reading of my progress. We did get the opportunity to speak when I was running I then appreciated he was struggling, it was a relief to hear him and told him to relax.

 

I enjoyed running on the blue racing line marvelling in Mo Farar had not long before me run here too! I did lose track of where I was within the race mileage so when I was coming up to Buckingham Palace it felt like the finish was sudden. ‘Shuffling’ down Pall Mall was soul-stirring, the relief of finishing was immense, as I walked away with my well-earned medal around my neck full of emotion at what I had mastered with a lifetime of desire achieved.

Eventually Milo and I found each other and what a blissful moment that was as he took control of his withered mother as I hobbled to the charity meeting point. Enjoyed a massage, friends company and tea. My wounds becoming evident of blisters, damaged toenails and generally knackered legs! Later that evening Milo drove me the 130 miles home to a glorious embrace from a proud hubby. Wonderful!

An event I am truly pleased I entered one I can now tick off my list, enjoy my medal and never do again! I have raised a total of over £4000 for ‘ORCHIDS Fighting Male Cancer’ which is double my target. ORCHIDS London Marathon Team of 20 runners are looking to reach a total of at least £50,000 together. I cannot thank you enough for your sponsorship to help me reach my fundraising goal and much more.

I am hoping you will enjoy my video of my London Marathon experience