I stopped immediately as I crossed the mat and stepped to the side and leant against the gantry out of the way of other runners. A medic came over, and said “Are you alright Daz?” (see, name printed on shirt has it’s uses) I said I was just stiff and knackered, he said best to keep moving. I then had chip clipped off and medal presented, by Robin and Janice respectively who said “Well done Daz”, I thanked them both by name.
Retrieved my kit-bag and sat down on one of those huge square stone blocks by the side of the big white medic tent. Switched on mobile phone. First text in, “Are you entitled to PPI compensation?” – fuck off!I I couldn’t remember if VLM confirms chip-time by text like some other races, they don’t! Second text within about 1min of the first, “Free Laser Eye surgery”, go away! Another guy about my age had shuffled and sat next to me. We discussed the texts and laughed about them, shame I didn’t get a text about “Do u need new legs” lol. The other guy was gutted, he too wanted sub 3:15 but believed he was about 5 seconds too slow, how frustrating.
Called missus, said I would shuffle down to meeting point. Spoke to young girl who was stood there changing shoes as I came off the phone, congratulated her on her finish as she did me. She asked how I got on and said I’d achieved my target of GFA, but ironically I was seriously thinking that this would be my last marathon. Coincidentally, she said she felt the same, this one had drained her and she said “Never again”. Met at meeting point, then tried to shuffle through HorseGuards to get on to Whitehall. Some cock was walking immediately in front of me then decided to stop to take a photo of the soldier. As I crashed into him I cursed “Don’t stop, I won’t be able to get going again!”. Onto Whitehall, sat on central reservation/pelican crossing kerbstone in the sunshine whilst missus fetched me beer from pub. Lovely!
Ahem – I seem to remember more than I thought I did lol.
Pictures are also out – race number 4416.
