I first applied to run the London Marathon 27 years ago, then 15 years ago. Six years ago, I made the decision that I would keep on applying until I got in as I’d heard that if you applied six years in a row, you’d automatically get a place. Last
This was my first marathon and I had no idea what to expect. It was amazing.At the start I got caught in the loo queue so was in a cubicle when the klaxon went. I didn't see the numbered pens as I rushed to the start so ended up running in pen 6
Its great to see how many first-time marathoners were running the Virgin London Marathon. I was one too. A guy who at 58 has only been running two years, prior to which I'd been a couch potato for 20 years! Even when my girls got me running and I
helped.On Saturday, the family and I arrived at the Expo in time for a nice lunchtime picnic before going in and really setting the excitement ball rolling. That said, driving through London and having seen the signs warning of road closures and various
This was my first marathon and I can only descibe it as the most INCREDIBLE but also the most AWFUL experience! I will never forget the mix of highs and lows... and the sheer strength of both emotions.I run a lot of mileage and was expecting to find
. I finished in 37:30 and when I returned eight weeks later I improved my time by over two minutes.My next goal was a 10K race and while researching 10K runs, I stumbled across the registration for the 2012 London Marathon and, on a whim, applied for a
with the obligatory white trousers and black caps.On the morning of the marathon I was up at what felt like the crack of dawn (actually 6am) and had to get to Farnborough Station for 7am to catch the coach up to London. On the way to the station it felt strange
Saturday started early, with a big breakfast and a lift to the train station to meet my running partner Frizzer. This would be the first time that I had been to London as an adult, and I was as excited as a kid at Christmas!We dropped our bags
! From an almost standing start, I knew I would have to train hard to cope and it was a rocky road. I had done a half-marathon before but hadn't run for months. Luckily I had a decent physio and was driven by fear of failure.I thought I had some idea what
I did it, I finished the Virgin London Marathon. It took me 6:38:12 but I succeeded.I had been inspired by a motivational speaker, Miles Hilton-Barber, back in October 2008. His talk made me want to push my personal boundaries. I have a 50th
