Moshing on a marathon: my London adventure

First of all I’d like to say that, if anyone is in any doubt about whether or not to enter the ballot for the London Marathon – go for it!!  It was only my second time of entering the ballot and I was lucky enough to get in and am so glad I did because there is no experience quite like it.

I followed a 16-week training plan aiming for sub 3:45 and, yes,  some of the training was brutal – especially the time of year and the great British weather.  But I arrived in London feeling confident that I had done all the preparation and training that would allow me to have an enjoyable experience of this possibly once in a lifetime event. Hopefully it would result in me getting my goal time too.

As I was starting in Red Wave 2 in Greenwich Park, I had to get there 90 minutes before I was due to start.  It was hard leaving my husband Iain as he wasn’t allowed in the start area, but I got my bag onto the truck straightaway and then, because it was so cold and windy, found a relatively clean portaloo to shelter from the wind and mentally prepare myself, before that last minute nervous wee!

Then, before I knew it, wave 2 was opening, so I quickly warmed up my legs in the starting pen and we were excitedly making our way forward towards the start line. It was hard to believe it was really happening, but from the moment I crossed the line I knew it was going to be a very special experience. The crowds were lining the streets from the very start and were cheering us on excitedly. I’m sure I’m not the first to say get your name on your KUHAC club vest but it was great to keep hearing my name and lovely words of encouragement from the locals who had come out to support the runners.

The red start was surprisingly hilly until mile 4 when we merged with the blue start runners, and by then I had settled into my target pace and was feeling comfortable, soaking up the atmosphere of the day and the encouragement from the crowd. One of the main highlights was seeing my family at the Cutty Sark, and hearing my son James shout “go on, Mum!”. This spurred me on and I was feeling very energised at this point.

The next section, I just needed to knuckle down and stay on target, relax and allow the “flow state” to carry me through. I also remembered to stick rigidly to my fuelling plan, which was a Clif Blok at 3 miles, a High 5 gel at 6 miles, then alternating them every 3 miles. Then before I knew it I had arrived at the next course highlight – Tower Bridge. The atmosphere was electric in this area – the noise of the crowd was incredible. I managed to smile for the camera too, hoping I had managed to get a decent photo!

The next section up to 19 miles was the toughest. But the crowd was amazing throughout, with drum bands, choirs, music playing, people shouting my name – all of this really helped to keep me going and I just kept reminding myself “you are running the London Marathon – remember to enjoy it!”

Then when I reached around 19 miles, someone was playing metal music (I’ve always been a metalhead!) – it was Pantera’s “Walk” – so I joined in and attempted to mosh and run an 8:30 minute mile at the same time!!  From this point on, I felt amazing – I knew my goal of sub 3:45 was on if I just kept running the same way as I had throughout. So I just kept going!!

The next highlight was Canary Wharf.  I knew my family were going to be around there somewhere and it turns out they managed to see me, but the crowd in this area was several people deep and the noise was phenomenal. I didn’t see them, but just knowing they were in there somewhere amongst this incredible supportive crowd was enough to keep me feeling on a high.

I also absolutely loved running down “Rainbow Row” which I think was around mile 22 (?) – I even admit I enjoyed a bit of Kylie – don’t tell anyone!!  I wasn’t looking forward to running through the tunnel at mile 24, as I knew there would be no crowds in there and it would be dark, quiet and a bit weird after all the noise and excitement, but before I knew it I was out the other side with just 2 miles to go.

At this point I was obviously tired but I asked myself “how much do you want it?” and I was able to keep on going confidently at my goal pace. I knew I was nearly there, then I saw the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and, with the crowd screaming and cheering, it just needed one final push and I crossed the finish line at 3:43:45.

Just a short shuffle to where a lovely lady draped my medal around my neck and it was all done. To say I was pleased would be an understatement!! 

Then just a few painful moments of shuffling to reclaim my bag and trying to decide how I would make it to the friends and family meeting point – so I rested for a few moments before making my way to meet them. The organisation at the finish was great too and all of the event staff were so helpful as was the lovely female runner who sprayed my legs with some recovery spray!!

What a day, what a run, what an incredible experience. I would do it all again in a heartbeat, and of course I would never have got to where I am without the support of my family and this incredible club.  Thank you so much everyone!!