"I could have walked it faster"

I came into work this morning still buzzing from the VLM yesterday, I finished in a time of 5.32, which I know is slow, but I ran the whole way without stopping or walking despite starting to get tired at mile 14, which is a massive achievement for me. I also beat my PB from last year by 15 minutes.

No sooner had I said my time, someone said (joking, but still) that they could have walked it faster. He was swiftly told where to go and reminded that the ballot opens on Monday, so why not have a go.

But why do people think this comment is funny or even necessary? It's probably a throw-away comment but even so, it's really ruined my good mood, something I had to slog my guts out for over 26.2 miles and 5 and a half hours.

Adam Binnie

Well done you, a fantastic achievment. Not just doing it, but doing a PB by 15 mins!. Just ignore the sad muppets who make negative comments like that, they are not worth bothering about. You ran a marathon, that's something most can't do. Be very proud.

R Allen 2

thats goes for you too, and anyone else who has the guts to run a marathon.

i had "did you where lead boots?" and i did it in 4hr 33min, so i challenged him in front of the whole pub to do one and he soon shut his mouth lol!!

Only a proper race walker could walk a marathon faster than 5.32 as walking pace is around 15 minutes per mile so anyone who says that, even in jest is a numpty - Adam, WestBromton, you do exactly the right thing when you challenge these people to put their money where their mouths are.

Adam -well done!

Take no notice of these so called jokers. They're the ones who are usually envious and feel inadequate themselves. And as for being fragile - rubbish! You have every right to feel miffed when someone belittles your achievement.

Well done Adam and all those other runners who have finished a marathon (or any other race for that matter). You should be very proud of your achievement. Whether you're a 6 minute miler or a 13 minute minute miler - if you're giving it your all, you've done yourself proud

Thanks everyone, guess I'm still a bit exhausted and emotional. I only started running in 2010 and that was to train for the 2011 Brighton Marathon, and then the VLM this year. I've only ever done 10ks as part of marathon training so they've been around the hour mark. I've always been a slow runner!

I've looked at my splits for yesterday and I started off at 12min/mile and held that until mile 15, slowed to 13min/mile until 24, dropped to 14min/mile for that mile, and then back to 12min/mile for the finish. At points I was running at a fast walking pace but because I'm stubborn and said I wanted to run the whole way I kept at it.

Next mission is faster 5 and 10km times, a fast half marathon and then a fast marathon. Probably the order I should have done things in the first place!

Well done on finishing. You're right, the only thing to do is call them out.

The one that's harder to refute is the comment that the front of the field can run twice as far in that time. I got that after my first half, fortunately no-one's yet thought of it (or maybe just not voiced it) after my first marathon...

I know what you mean, Screamy. I know how difficult it is to try and run even half a mile at 5 minute mile pace, so lord only knows how the front of the field manage to run 26 of them...

I take finishing in twice the time of the leading lady as a good target for any race. Although I am more sucessful at the shorter distances... H remarked that I got to half way in the marathon before the first lady finished, but I had a 'mareish second half and finished a bit outside that.

I keep being told by my physio mate that if I want as faster time I need to ditch the 70 mile a day commute, apparently that's why I always get bum cramp, because I sit on it too much.

Dunno how true that is but it's a nice excuse!

My friend who runs at 3:30 said there's no way he could run for 5:30, fast or slow, so I just keep reminding myself of that

Well Done for yesterday Adam and dont let anyone take away from your amazing acheivement.

I did it in 6.05 and did way more walking than expected due to hip and foot pain.  The complete strangers that were shouting words of encouragement didn't appear to have a problem with my time and neither do I - I am exhausted but elated and already starting to think about the next one.

Congratulations and enjoy your moment!