A bit late but I can't stop smiling.
My 6th Marathon and ran with a shirt of "Paul" on the front and "Run Forrest Run" on the back.
Settled into the start line and met a guy from Bracknell (John) who said he was running about a 3.20 ish. Me aiming for anything better than a 3.27, so we ran in synch.
The original plan was to run at between 7.50 or 7.40 at a push !
After a few miles it felt a nice comfortable run and amazed Garmin was pinging at 7.35 to 7.40. Didn't have too much of a plan on the gels as didn't use them in training, so planned for water at each stop and a gel around every hour and stick to that. The race went well and with good support hit half in 1.42 a little slower than thought but the pacing felt good. A top up of lucozade sport at 14 allowed for a bigger drink and then off for lap two. I still felt strong and our two man team began picking of people (Un-intentionally). Great Marshall support and made a point of thanking as many as I could. At 19 miles I was feeling amazing and felt strong. By them I wanted home and kicked in. At 21 I looked back and started to see John drop and despite giving a shout was told to carry on. By 22 miles I felt I was flying. Never had this energy before at this stage and told the group on supporters at the lane turn "I'm going home !!" I came across more people and they slowly slipped away behind. At this stage I can only put it down to repeating "Stronger, Stronger" in my head from 18 miles. I hit the river stretch my pace had increased I'm now doing 7.30m/m at 23 miles !!!??? out into the centre and pass 24 feeling in good shape but with heavy legs. Under the subway and took the slope easy coing out and knew I was gunna be on for a good time. More water (Just in case at 24.5 and then on to the bend at 25 miles. At the entrance me support team caught up on their bikes (Where had they been?? ). Entered the park and was flying nothing was going to stop me now. Saw the mud and puddles at the back and depsite thinking I didn't want to get my trainers dirty, ran straight through and up to the stadium.
I entered the track and caught another person up, he looked at me and said "Don't you make me race you, I'm happy with my pending PB" ..."Yeah.. right come on join me!!". 200m to go and reflected on how this time last year I was in big trouble here. Breezed past congratulating myself and whooping !! Come to the last 100m and the annoucer calls my number and name and I turn to show him my t-shirt back, He reads it out and laughs, I pass the point where I went down last year grinning big time now and shaking fists in the air I cross the line feeling absolutely fantastic. I look at the time and it's 3.22 the official ends up 3.21.59. 5 minutes better than my PB and no crashing out. An amazing run.
I waited to thank John as he came in at 3.26. His initial drive meant my best ever run. Thank you.
Marshalls - Quality ...thank you for the support and the seemless crossings
Mick n Phil - Legend. At 20 miles you shouted "you're enjoying the pain, you love it !" ....and actually I was ...Thank you for your two lap encouragement.
Fetch - Amazing water station I felt you all knew me !
Tip - Wearing my name on my t-shirt meant so many people called my name I felt awesome !! (see above three sections at least). Try it !! unless you get bored of saying Thank you 
Another great race and well done Abingdon for your support and organisation.
