and the URWFRC for organising us at Mile 17! It was great to meet so many other Runner's World forumites, both trotting past (pausing only for a chat and a handful of jelly babies), and lending voice to the cheering.I spent a joyous race handing out baggies
, and then the 10 magnificent forum support teams at mile 17 who looked after all the runners, not just their own, and my own support team seven - you were all truly superb, and gave us a huge lift at a difficult part of the course.Thanks to forumite photographer
Belfast last year in 3:11, but did not really do the full training. This year I followed the sub 3hr schedule and felt really confident that I could break 3hrs. I ran 2:51, so can I say a big thank you to Runner’s World for getting me there. One
-prepared, having trained for six weeks. I used the Runner’s World emergency schedules which were excellent. But work pressures and a nasty cold cut into this last-minute attempt at training. I feared for my life as I stood at the back of pen nine at Blackheath! I
it an event none of us will ever forget.'Why do I put myself through it?', 3:55The preceding week found me reaching for my sanity at the RW forum to know I wasn't alone. A strained calf was straining right up to the start line and had me in a bad state
instead of sitting behind the fence sipping tea)But after I debriefed I found I was fascinated with the whole world of marathons, like how many people do it. How there were 35,000 runners with a single shared desire, how much of a spectacle the whole thing
. He looked gutted.The most memorable moment was seeing my football hero Tony Cottee struggling out of Docklands and, as a fellow runner for the Bobby Moore Fund, giving him a "gee-up."For future events, I will train properly rather than doing one run a
. This could have been because I was frozen. No, the best moment was getting the results and finding out that I had finished 907 out of 2841.The worst moment? Running through the largest, deepest puddle in the world at kilometre 41.The biggest surprise? My time
who witnessed the event, either as a runner or a spectator will know why: it is quite simply the greatest running event in the world!RFJ, 3:51The start area was great. I met up with Tea and Toast Man, AlanM and Dunnarunner as planned on the 3:30 forum
their 22-mile marker on the other side of the road.14, 15, 16 miles and we are still going strong with a never ending chorus of cheering and support from the thousands of spectators lining the route.17 miles and there are the signs for the Runner’s World
