RW Forum 6 - Just Finish!

DL   SS

Glad to have been of help and looking forward to the reports!

*woop woop* for DL and SS!!!!!

Thanks

Aching a bit today and very sunburnt...it was hot hot hot!

So here it is - it's a bit long - feel free to ignore:


I discovered that there was no way I could win the race as they give the elite women a 45 minute head start. A tad unfair I thought – so I settled for plan B – aiming to stay with the pacer and going a bit faster later in the race if I could face it.

Off we shuffled, then we started running – it’s really, really congested and a bit dangerous at times. A few people fell quite badly. I was tripped at one point and nearly went over. The pace felt quite hard as we went on as it was really hot – much hotter than I expected. What I can remember - thinking ‘bliddy hell I’m actually running the London marathon’, Deptford, Canary Wharf, Polar - glamorous beyond belief, why can people in rhino costumes run faster than me?, realising that this was my one and only chance to run the thing so I might as well enjoy it, looking at people struggling and thinking myself into a place where I didn’t feel so bad, realising it was so hot that I needed salt so wiping it off my face and re-ingesting it!

Approaching half way I was beginning to struggle – think the heat and crowds meant that I wasn’t running the way I wanted. A bit too much ducking and diving which couldn’t be avoided. . Made it to mile 17 said hello to support group 3, Soup Dragon, Tickled Pink, and had to wait for Meldy to be called away from her drinks party to say hello.

Having lost the pacer looked at my Garmin to see what was going on – it had decided to die – luckily, having done 2 races where the same had happened it didn’t freak me out. I just decided to run it how I felt as I had no idea what time I was aiming for on the course clock.

The next few miles are a bit of a blur but had a bit of a burst of energy. Loads of people now struggling. It was still very hot. Kept telling myself all was good and that I should enjoy it – this thought made me chortle inwardly. It was so hard to maintain any pace as so many people stopped to walk and didn’t go to the side, you almost had to push people out of the way at times to get through.

Mile 25 and I was feeling tired but good. The last bit was really amazing – the crowds were fantastic. Also no-one tells you that apart from tower bridge all the sights are squished into this last bit when you really couldn’t give a s*it. Turned into the mall and ‘sprinted’ to the finish feeling slightly amazed and quite relieved.

Got my medal, bag and bits no problem then got funnelled into horse guards parade where all chaos ensued. Think they had shut some gates and no-one could get out – it was shuffle fest.

It wasn’t until I was on the train and could check online that I had it confirmed I’d beaten 5 hours. Had started hoping for a bit quicker but more than happy with the result. I didn’t finish thinking ‘never again’ as although it was hard and it hurt it wasn’t as awful as I imagine it could be. However I think it unlikely that I will do another – too all consuming. So see you there next year!?

Fantastic report DL!  Are you going to be at Mile 17 next year then?

Hope so - I did it last year - it really is a good day out, and obviously we'll have Len to get round

Great report DL - well done!

Oh DL your report is funny - that point at mile 25 or so I was thinking I really couldn't care less if Buckingham palace is over there....you echoed my thoughts totally!

Well done on breaking 5 hours!

Bex x

Brilliant report DL!! Well done (and I LOL'd at ingesting the salt off your own face, Ive done that in a training long run that was hotter than I'd anticipated!!).

Definitely see you  next year then, one way or another!

I've found myself a nice friendly 10k plan to get me to August 5th (well, a few weeks of tootling about enjoying myself, and then an 8 week plan to follow). And I am slowly now getting used to eating much less. As a word of warning to you all - if you suddenly stop running, but you keep eating loads, you incredibly get fat! No idea how . I'd like to lose a couple of stone over the summer, get myself in tip top condition for the winter training! You never know, I might even be better prepared for 2013!

Nice one DL

Great race report DL, it all sounds so positive! Gives me hope for Sunday (serious nerves kicking in right about now!) Fantastic time too, take time to bask in the glow...

SS - a couple of years ago we walked across the Thames towards St Pauls.  As we crossed a road I suddenly realised that I had run along it but had no idea where I was!

beck* - you'll be fine, just remember to rest and eat!

Len - sounds like a good plan

I've been to a lecture in Oxford about particle accelerators this evening

Congratulations DL and SS and well done on your times.

I finished in 5.19 which is a PB by almost exactly half an hour so I'm delighted.

I'll do a full report tomorrow because I'm too tired to do it tonight. I didn't get home until after 4pm today and then I went for a steady 3.5 mile run to loosen my legs, followed by a soak in the bath and I'm now ready for bed!!

Len - I remembered you and your FIL from mile 16 until I got to RW at 17 - you kept me going until I could stock up on gels;)

Hi all - I'll be posting a report later on today but I did it! Apart from a bit of sunburn and achy legs I'm doing ok! It's great to see everyone else's reports!!

@Len - I ran my mile for you and did think about you a lot en route.

Aaaw thank you LMB and Emmy!! I can't believe how lovely everyone has been - you've all made me smile a lot recently.

Can't wait for the full report LMB! But you did a RUN??? Arent you meant to rest for a month or someething?!?!

xx

Well here is my race report (very long - so skip if you want!)

I woke up early at 6am (having already woken three times in the night anyway) and managed to eat a bowl of cereal and half a bowl of porridge before nerves stopped me eating any more. My legs felt a bit achy due to the amount of walking I had done on Friday and Saturday (I'd tried not to do much but I think the stairs on the underground had got me!!) I double checked I had everything and then took a taxi to Charing Cross and caught the 7.09 to Greenwich. I met two guys from my club in Greenwich and we nervously walked past the red start to the blue start, admiring the rhino costumes on the way and we met up with another club mate and two local runners. The next hour or so to the start passed quickly and soon I was in pen 9 waiting for the starting gun.

I can't really remember the first 11 miles except for the great atmosphere among runners and spectators and me trying to keep to a steady pace (which worked as my fastest mile was 11.16 and my slowest 11.34).

I saw my parents, aunty and uncle at 11.5 miles and had a hug and a quick chat (but then had to wait ages for mum to empty her entire rucksack to find my energy gels - aargh!!). I had a quick stop and chat with my brother and his girlfriend at 15 miles and was feeling ok but very salty and warm.

By 16 miles there seemed to be more people walking than running and it was getting difficult to pass people in the narrow streets. I felt too warm and was trying to take on more water than usual. I remembered to run my mile for Len and it was great to see RW team 5 and get my extra gels.

At around 18 miles on Canary Wharf I started with a stitch and to feel sick so I had to walk for a few minutes until the stitch had gone. I think this is where I passed Arg from TOWIE!!
I couldn't get rid of the nauseous feeling and the stitch and so from around 19 miles I adopted a strategy of running at 11.15 pace and then walking at each mile point for a minute or when I needed to drink water (and I gave up with the gels). This worked ok as my miles averaged between 11.25 and 13.17 for the last 8 miles (except for mile 20 when I had a family pit-stop again). In the last 5 miles I was actually overtaking people and spectators shouted that I had good running form - which really spurred me on

By 25.5 miles I was feeling really sick and didn't know if I would have to walk to the end (I'd already worked out that I could walk the last bit and still do 5.30) but then an angel called Mel who was also running in an Alzheimer's Society T Shirt grabbed hold of my arm and told me to keep running with her - and I did virtually to the finish line!!

As I turned up the Mall I started to run as hard as I could but then realised this was a major mistake because I was going to be sick! I slowed down and manged to get over the line and pass the cameras but then I was really sick and had a marshall come to help me.

I felt much better after throwing up and was absolutely delighted with my time of 5.18.59 - a PB by nearly half an hour.

It was hard and there were times when just keeping going was an effort but the atmosphere was fantastic and I would definitely do it again

Here's my report 

I didn’t get the best amount of sleep and was awake at 5.30am. After struggling to eat porridge - I ended up getting to the start with time to spare. Cue a hilarious trip to the female urinals (has to be seen to be believed ) and trying to get my bag checked in. I met Marathon Molly again and she gave me some last minute tips and encouragement. I didn't expect to meet up with her again but I'm so glad that I did!

After working out which pen I needed to be in and working out the timings and where the pacers were we set off at an easy 11 min mile pace. It started off really nicely and there was a lot of support from the people. The pacer was quite relaxed and helpful. My biggest fear was blowing out and starting off to quickly so I made a conscious effort with my pace to keep it even and this worked for the first 15 miles. From my first gel at 5 miles I felt that something “wasn’t right” with my stomach. It just didn’t feel right and for the rest of the race it turned between cramping pain and just aches. This continued throughout the race and into the evening. I still don't know what caused it but i'm glad that I managed to work through the pain.

 The crowd support is something that they tell you about but you're never sure of... For me - I was amazed that every 50metres there was someone calling out my name. Crossing tower bridge was one of the best moments for me - I was still coherent enough to be in complete awe of it. Up until Mile 16 I was relatively strong and tried to make sure that I was keeping my heart rate steady and a “good” speed. The biggest problem that I found were the other runners. There’s the rule that’s written out that if you’re walking – move to the side so that other runners can past. I found that for the last 10 miles all I was doing was swerving around people who were walking in the middle. It made things so much harder to do as all I seemed to be doing was overtaking people....

... Part 2

After seeing the RW crew at Mile 17 and having my gel precut and some amazing hugs from the team – I set off with a renewed spirit. Then came my lowest point: Miles 18-22. It hurt. There were tears and a near asthma attack where I was getting panicked about the last few miles. When you hit your low point – it’s hard to put one foot in front of the other – but slowly I managed to pick up the pace and kept moving. The last few miles are a blur. I was determined to enjoy it and see the sights. Seeing my Fiance as I neared the finish line made me run faster and I can honestly say that I was sprinting as hard as I could (whilst weaving through people!). 

Would I do it again? In an instant!! I'd just make some subtle changes to the preparation and the day before but there is nothing that would deter me from another one. There were times when I thought “damn this is hard” but never did it cross my mind that I wouldn’t finish.... in fact - to make things easier during the last few miles I was trying to work out what I could do better on my next run! It diverted my mind a little!

Great reports What an encouragement!

16 for me tomorrow. Forecast is heavy rain and 48mph gusting winds. Ho hum!

Great reports everyone- thanks for posting them! Seems like nervous tummies were a recurring theme? I'm a bit prone to stitches and have vomited after one of my long runs, so it's something that worries me a little. Sounds line you both did a great job running thought the pain and finishing though. Woop woop!