Talkback: Share Your VLM Stories

My name is Alex Milne, I am 20 years old and this was my third (consecutive) London Marathon. The last two I ran went horribly wrong. The first one I was aiming for 3:10, finished in 3:30. The second one I wanted sub 3 and finished in 3:22, with a halfway split of 1:28!

However this one was a totally different story:

The first 10 miles passed fairly quickly and I paced them well (stuck to 5:55 pace which was my aim). I passed halfway in 1:17:48. Even at 15 miles I was feeling great and still on my pace.

By 18 miles I was starting to feel my legs getting heavier, but I could still run at the pace I wanted to. I think the wall hit me at 20.5 miles. It got progressively worse as I got closer to the finish. All my muscles were in pain, my vision was completely blurred and flickering strangely, I was feeling sick and my hands had gone tingly and numb!! I just forced myself not to stop and walk as that was one of the main goals that I had in my head, otherwise I wouldn't have counted it as running the marathon properly.

I eventually crossed the line to my relief in 2:39:26 (my aim was sub 2:45) which was a PB by 43 mins! I half collapsed and had to be looked after by a first aid team for nearly an hour until I had 'recovered'. However, I did get an amazing massage!

All in all, I'm not sure if the amount of pain I went through was worth it, but it's amazing how quickly the mind forgets what happened. I told myself, 'never again', but now I'm not so sure.

I'm very happy with my time and I was the fastest out of all the 18-21 year olds! Still can't believe I did it. One of the best days of my life.

Hi guys

Congratulations all! Please send us your stories via this page rather than posting them here - that way, they'll be stored as articles associated with your member profile once they're set live.

Thanks and all the best for a speedy recovery,

Catherine

Hi Catherine,

Last year I shared my story and it was published, yet it's not showing in my "articles".

Edith

Im no runner.............

I was lucky enough to secure a place in the VLM back in november last year, I have trained up to a 20 mile distance which was acheived with confidence and some energy in the bank. Over the months I have bought the gear, the trainers, the leggings, the shorts to cover the leggings, even a rucksack to carry the essentials. Come race day I felt very confident in my ability to cover the distance within the 4 hour mark however, I decided not to use the gels that I had used on my training runs because they gave me belly ache and associated 'troubles' so thought I would stick to water and kendle mint cake. The first half went well I was taking it nice and slow for a faster second half but then without warning my left leg cramped up. This began to spread from my toes to the hip. Then the right leg cramped up again from the toes to the hip. I have never suffered cramps before and found it almost unbearable and even if I could have suffered the pain my legs simply did not work. I felt spurred on by the crowd (one of whom caught me when both legs went at mile 19) I was determined to complete which I did but well outside of my time. This was both the worst and one of the best days of my life. Thanks to everyone who shouted my name and encouraged me along, thanks especially to those who straightened out my feet and legs when they were twisted below me.

Im was no runner, but now I have the kit, Ive done the miles and I have a story to tell...... Im a marathon runner and I am hooked. 

My name is Louise and this was my first Marathon.  I found the whole experience fantastic.  I knew from August last year that I had a charity place and built my training up gradually from being a complete non-runner through to Sunday in finishing the Marathon in 6:04:39. 

I had suffered from ITB during the last few weeks of my training and the furthest I had managed was about 14 miles, but I did do this on several occasions, mixed in with 6 and 7 milers every other day or so.  I rested completely for 10 days prior to the Marathon and the ITB didn't kick in until about mile 16.

My split times were 10 miles - 2hrs, 20 miles 4 and a half hours and finish as above.  This is because I power walked/hopped/hobbled the last nine miles but I was determined to finish.

I cried as I saw the 800m to go marker and really started sobbing when I went under the 385 yards to go banner, so much so that I was given the best hug ever by the lady who gave me my medal.

Highlights: Crossing Tower Bridge and the hug from the lady giving out the medals, the fantastic support from the crowds

Lows:  The pain!  The sticky road surfaces after the gel stations, not nice to run on!

It's a fantastic feeling and even though the pain was bad, I won't say never again!  I'm now wondering what I could have acheived had my knee held out?!!

I hadn't run very far at all prior to my first Marathon (VLM). I wouldn't advise my preparation as I'm sure it can cause long term damage but I managed 4hrs 30mins on true grit and stamina coupled with the thought of the charity I was supporting. Well done to all who completed it in whatever time

 Kevin (8 training runs - 13 miles being the longest)

everyone's an expert aren't they!?

my longest run for the marathon was 21, i finished in 3hr 6mins - this was my first marathon so I was well chuffed.

your right these people need to keep their opinions to themselves, take it with a pinch of salt - well done to your wife!!!!

my longest run was under 22 miles, I only ever did one run over 20 miles too. But I managed a 3h18mins. However, I did struggle in the later stages, so maybe a higher mileage would have helped me, but it may have also fatigued me.

So I also take peoples advice on board, but we are all different, so what works for one person may well not work for someone else. I guess the more advice we hear the better judgement we can make. But sometimes we learn the hard way.

A great event for me, a real mixture of emotions, from an odd calm at the start to a elated feeling at half way to a distraught and very tired finish - but I am smilling like never before at the end so I guess I enjoyed the journey.

this was my second London marathon. I got to Maze Hill for the 3 quarter of a mile slog up the hill to the Green start. Just as we were about to start the skies darkened and the Heavens opened?! What a joy? The gun was fired at 09:45 and we were off...

The first mile went with no incident. I was on my race pace of 7:45-8 min/ mile. At 2.5 miles just after Green and Blue starts merged. Someone crossed my path sending me down into the road?! My race was ruined from then on? Although, I knew I had to finish...

Must say the atmosphere of the London Marathon is magical. The tip ofhaving your name on your vest  really is great motivation. When you hear the crowds cheering your name, egging you on.

The rain subsided to replaced with increasing temperatures. At every drinks stations I took on the much needed fluids. I continued on through mental strength. Knowing that I had to get to the end. Was only when I got to Parliament Square that I heard a familiar voice of a fellow Ashford & District Road Runner, cheering that helped me get up Birdcage Walk to the Palace. Then above me was the 385yards banner and I knew the finish was in sight. Hoorah!! 26.2 miles later the 1st Virgin london Marathon was completed. With sore feet I made my way back to Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross.

Second VLM, worst moment was when I realised that my ill friend's lucky mascot - a small grey elephant named Melanie - had dropped out of my fuel belt somewhere around mile 14

Still managed to take 20 mins off my PB though, so not all bad

Well done to everyone who achieved their goals. This was my first marathon and my sixth "race". I managed to finish in 3hrs 10mins 16secs. I'm very happy with the time I achieved, but how the hell do you train for those last four miles! At 42 years old I think I may get a good for age entry next year.

On the down side, my feet are killing me, I can only walk down the stairs backwards and trying to get off the bog seat takes me to another level of pain! I was beaten by a lepricorn? but, thankfully, I managed to out run Buzz lightyear and the bloke off Emmerdale in a nappy.

One final thought. The crowds, all cheering for me. I couldn't have done it without them. Thank you.

BB Mk II, sorry to hear that, let's hope you can find Melanie, it's along shot but you never know.

Moof, excellent time for a first marathon, now I know I was beaten by the baby by 5 mins! I too have issues with going downstairs, people laugh at me at work for walking backwards down them. You are very true about the last 4 miles, I went to pieces, i've never felt like that before. One minute I was cruising and then it just went pear shaped! I wish i'd drunk the energy drinks more often.

What a day, the highs and lows in 5 hours are enough to tire you out let alone running the 26miles. My second time at the London marathon,and had a ball. My wife and I ran together until mile 21 I had gone at mile 19 and everything was going to pot. So I pushed her forward to go get her time 4:46 and I then knew I had to get a wiggle on and make sure she was not there waiting until Monday for me to finish, shufffled round in 4:54 in the end. Funniest moment at mile 22 with a very funny celebrity swearing like a trooper at himself or about the crowd cheering him on with beers in hands, he was at that point where its hurting badly but your not close enough to relax. And then being overtaken by Sir Richard and convoy at mile 23, now that had to spur me on when we got to 400 metres to go and think its only 400 metres give it everything and get past them, and I did, a small achievement but put a huge grin on my face. Greatest marathon ever, and well done to you all, we all get the same shiny medal however long it takes and to somebody out there you are a hero. Well done and roll on May4th when we all apply again

This was my first ever marathon and I was really nervous!  Having pullet my IT band earlier in the year my longest run had been 16 miles!  I was really doubting myself but I stuck to my 10 minute miles and crossed the finish line in 4:30.  I ran the whole way and enjoyed the great atmosphere and the cheering from the crowd!  I am definately a marathon adict and will try to get a place again next year!

We ll done to everyone, it was amazing!!