I ran the course four times in 24 hours (well 22hrs08mins). I set off from The Mall at 5:20pm on Saturday 16th and ran to Greenwich, then Greenwich to The Mall, The Mall to Greenwich and then the Official Virgin London Marathon to raise funds
or commemorate was to run 26.2 miles. For the first 13 miles I was cruising and then my body decided it was probably too warm to run another 13.2 miles and went into a lower gear (Any lower and I would have been disengaged). During the last two miles I passed
of myself for having got to the end, even though I was a whole hour behind my own predicted finishing time. As I can run a half marathon in 1:45, I was anticipating running the VLM in under four hours, but I was quite staggered to find how difficult it was
, an even split, 2:05 for the first 13.1 and 2:09 for the second half and I think this really helped. It was hotter than forecast, but not than I had expected, it's always hot on marathon weekend in London! Running through Canary Wharf it was like an oven
My first marathon completed and what a great day the London Marathon was (especially racing to Wembley after to see Stoke thrash Bolton 5-0) but the slight disappointment is the medals, there isn't anywhere to scribe your name and time onto them :(
The London Marathon felt more like an obstacle course than a race. I spent half of every mile looking at the floor trying to dodge the half-empty discarded water bottles. After every Lucozade gel station the floor was like an ice rink where
him enough. It was very hot but I am the happiest person in the world as I did this for The Christian Lewis Trust in memory of a very special 12 year old, Daniel Munson. I hope to get in next year to get that elusive 4:30 time.
All was going really well for a sub-4 hour target, until I needed to use some of my Lucozade Sport running gels, after then the stomach ache and tummy cramps set in, a very needed pit-stop to the toilet lost me vital time! 4.07 was my official time
!), Simon Tate, Nell McAndrew, Sophie Atworth and many, many more .. of course, including the Rhino, Zebra, Mankini and Horse! I completed in 4:13:18 – yipee! Eta 4.15 – 4.20 so right on plan I am sooo happy to have done it and so grateful to everyone
This was my 8th London marathon for United Response. Having spent a month in hospital from mid-February to mid-March, and having had back surgery at the beginning of March, I was waiting until the beginning of April before committing myself
