This was my first ever marathon and it was the best running event I have ever taken part in. The race, however, did not go as planned. I spent nine months training, completing two 17-mile runs and a 20-mile road race five weeks before (3:19
I had a real rollercoaster of a run: my training had been cut short in mid-March from a horrid virus that laid me low for 2 weeks, but I had run up to 20 miles in training by then anyway, so I was determined to run.I started well, not too fast
had decided to join the Runner's World Run/Walk pacer as I had done the previous year.Joining the back of Pen 9 at the Blue start I was feeling quietly confident that I was going to run under 5:00 which was my target. We crossed the start line at 10am
and by the time I reached halfway, I had been running for two hours and 17 minutes - seven minutes more than my slowest half-marathon pace in training. "Not good", I thought.I soldiered on, determined not to stop despite my mind, body and legs screaming at me
long. By mile 6-7 the sun was really beginning to pound down and along with my asthma (which is always worse in cities) I have to say I walked for about a minute. I was dissappointed as I had hoped to run at least 15 miles non-stop but I found the heat
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
The Virgin London Marathon was my first ever marathon. Previously I'd run the Bupa Great North Run and, having been hooked on the atmosphere and the fantastic sense of achievement, I set my sights on the London Marathon.With four months of five
hot. I remember getting to mile 16 and saying to Linsey we only have 2x5 miles to go - I was feeling ok, but it was so hot at times and there isn't any shade.At mile 18 we were trying to run but it seemed everyone was walking so we decided to walk
I had a place in the London Marathon in 2003 but unfortunately had to pull out after doing all of the training, as I had a chest infection during the taper. It was particulary sad because Dad was dying in hospital and was really looking forward
This was my first marathon and it was great. I didn't reach my target time (to go under five hours) but I finished in 5:25.57. I got to that dreaded 20-mile point and then my legs got very heavy.I used a combination of running and walking after
