The Long Road ahead... by EmilieT

What an amazing, amazing day!  Still actually feels surreal and can't actually believe i've RUN A MARATHON!!! So elated and also exhausted.  Finished in a respectable (for me) 5 hrs and 15 minutes but I am most proud to say hand on heart that I ran every last step.  No walking. And the carb loading build up and jelly babies and lucozade on the way round stopped me from hitting 'the wall'.  19-23 miles were TOUGH but bearable and the crowd really, truly make all the difference. I listened to a 'boost' of music in the tunnels but that was it - the supporters were amazing. 

I have so many memories that will stay with me forever - the build up before (the female urinals - dear god what an undigified experience!!), the runner doing it barefoot, the blind runner next to me, the fellow 'Mind' charity runners and supporters who were all so friendly, the amazing people who had lost part of their legs running on blades, all the different fancy dress costumes - the giraffe, the womble, the mr men, and of course turning into 'The Mall' and by sheer luck having Britney Spears piped out at full blast as I crossed the line!  Receiving my medal. And of course seeing my husband, my sister, my niece, my mum and and other brilliant friends throughout the course - they gave me such a boost. Seeing a whole gang of my friends on a balcony of our friends' flat at mile 12 going crazy was just amazing.  I did a little running skip in excitement.  I ran in my Mind vest as they were the charity that got me the place who i raised most money for, but covered the vest in Marie Curie daffodils as I also raised over £1500 for them since my friend and training partner got diagnosed with cancer.  She was there to cheer me on which meant so much and hearing she was proud made it all worth it.

I slept SO badly last night and looking forward to sleeping like a baby tonight.  Dreading the stiff legs - not sure a cold bath will have prevented that, though hopefully it will limit the damage!

TOP TIP - write a shortened version of your name on your shirt (I had 'Em' rather than Emilie). Someone in a pub told me to do it and it was the best advice.  People really shouted my name a LOT i think because it was so easy!  I would also recommend writing something to keep you going on your hand - something that boosts you or reminds you when you're finding it tough. 

So I now just simply can't believe all the training is over and that it all paid off!!!  I don't know if i ever believed the training would 'work' and that I would finish!  In fact, I don't think it has sunk in.  It is just something i never in my wildest dreams thought I would accomplish.  I don't want to go back to the mundane reality of day to day life - i want to be a marathon runner every day!! (without actually ever running one again, you understand...).

Thanks again for all the advice - IT WORKED!!!!!  I did it!!!!

26/4/2010 - logged back on to add more memories to this post - wish I could relive the day over and over again!!!  I am SO stiff today but feeling decidedly emotional and overwhelmed that i've done it!  Remembering the vicar outside his church in his robes sprinkling runners with holy water and the amazing feeling of running over Tower Bridge.  And all the people outside their houses playing trumpets and drums and generally whooping and cheering!  All the kids and firemen hi-fiving as I went by!  The drunk men outside pubs cheerng me and saying I looked sexy when i clearly, clearly didn't!  All the people who started walking/stretching in the tunnels as if it was only 'ok' there because there were no spectators!  Also remembering feeling SO sick from all the jelly babies and lucozade - think it will be a while before I can face eating sweets again.  Felt like my teeth were rotting with every mile!  Strangely I can't remember all the different places we ran through - it was all such a blur!  Blackheath, Greenwich, 12 mile mark, tower bridge, canary wharf, embankment and of course the Mall - just amazing memories. Checked out the celebs times - I was only 12 minutes behind natalie imbrulia and richard branson and i thrashed michelle heaton.  The marathon really is a unique experience - its such a personal challenge and battle for everyone individually. I just loved it and feel so proud to have finished. x