Fish Marathon Blog by Fish1980

Where do I start with this one?? logically lets start at the begininng

5:30 start to drive to London, yes I did just say 5:30 this may be normal for some people but the only times I have ever seen this hour before has been on my on my way home! So I was all packed and heading to Redbridge in my waterproofs before meeting Steve at Stratford. Everything was going well and I spent the time applying my compeed that I bought the day before at the expo the wear under my 100% blister free guarantee 1000 mile socks.

Off we both went to Greenwich and took the walk to the start area everything still going well and still no nerves strangely, the scenes were superb at Greenwich with fancy dress and happy people and glorious sunshine. What happened to the heavy showers??

Final preparations and I strapped my knee up and hoped for the best before applying vaseline and sun cream and putting my bag on board the designated lorry. Off I went in to pen 8 in the red start and waited amongst the thousands, still no nerves!

Right to the race, off we went and I felt good and settled myself in at a goodish pace, despite the lack of training recently due to the injury I felt surprisingly fit and healthy.

Miles 0-6 - Without doubt this was my highlight, the atmosphere was truly amazing and the eastenders were superb and fully deserve the Olympics on this display. So many people were coming out of their houses playing instruments and every pub had a live band and a real carnival atmosphere. I soaked up every minute high fiving every kid and running along the side to enjoy the party.
At his point I was unbelievably happy and planning on coming back every year.

Miles 7-13 - I first felt my knee give my a couple of big twinges around the 6.5 miles mark and I knew I could be in trouble but I still felt really fit and happy so plodded on knowing time could be against me.

Miles 14-18 - I knew my family were just after the half way point and I was on top of the world when I managed to pick them out and go over for quicks hugs, apparently this brought the tears on for my mum when she saw I was running and my knee was holding out.

I wish this is where the race finished as it generally went downhill from here. 14 miles in I knew my knee felt bad and I knew that I couldn't slow up or I would probably not be able to start again. 1 mile later came a big turning point I was tripped from behind going round a corner I got my balance back but my knee took a big whack against my other leg. This slowed me right up and as expected made it very difficult to start again but I got going and ran on to 18 still going ok but probably not maintaining what had been a very good race until then.

Miles 18 - 26.2 - My parents took Toby home at this point and drove past me on mile 18 and I was going well running through pain which is good because my mum went home happy but I was struggling in a big way. I knew Claire and Kate would be around mile 22 and when I got to them I was defeated, the pain was too much but seeing them convinced me to attack it and try to run through to the finish. I was now limping badly and this brought its own problems as cramp then set in and I found myself in new pain and having to get a massage on course (which was nice)

I still felt fit and desperately tried to run the last 5 miles but I just couldn't do it and limped home in what seemed to take an enternity. It was a crushing blow and I had a long time to reflect on it and it really took away from what should have been elation crossing the line. I managed a determined limp/hobble/run for the last 800 metres but I was gutted that my dream and my hard work was ruin by my knee.

I finished in 5:05 which is ok but having been going so well and feeling so strong still, it is hard when you just can't so it.  I ummed and arghed a few times on whether I would do this again but I now know despite the unfinished business my knees just won't take it and I will settle for the finish and the medal that I have.

I don't regret any of this experience (apart from the injury) and the marathon day will always hold some great memories, I will be there next year but as a spectator. I would encourage everyone to do something like this as it will live with me forever and despite the hardest training sessions I am so pleased with the discipline I showed dragging myself out every single week especially through the dark cold winter nights.

The marathon itself was without doubt the most humbling experience of my life and I was getting choked up from start finish seeing the causes and photos of lost loved ones that people were running for (some of them very small children) and I fought back tears for the whole day.

The highlight will have to be the party atmosphere in around the east end and the YMCA playing the song at full voume and every single runner joining in together as we ran by.

MSRC were fantastic all day and I will be so proud handing them the money over, they really looked after me and my sports massage aferwards from Carolyn was a God send, she spent a long time working on my ITB and it meant I could walk back to the tube feeling good apart from some horrendous blisters.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way including all of my family and everyone who has followed my blog it has been a rollercoaster but has really taught me a lot and given me some massive memories that will live with me forever

And finally

This was for you Mum we don't always understand what you have gone through but we are all very proud of you. Keep fighting it, everyone loves you very much.

Simon x

Well this is it I am definitely going to do it, the physio did an ultra sound and played about with my knee and then sold me some insoles and strapped my knee up and off I went last night for the make or break run.

I am absolutely delighted to say I made it round just short of 5 miles without my knee giving way. A few times I had funny twinges and got very worried especially after the strapping came off by the 2 mile mark. I was forced to go at a very very slow pace due to the lack of movement and the paranoia but it was running and I will take that at this stage.

My new problem now is the insoles have absolutely destroyed my feet and I now have some enormous blood blisters all over my feet but after my knee troubles that seems unimportant now (remind me of that on Sunday and Monday).

Unfortunately I am a long way from being where I was in terms of fitness but I will be making it round and I am determined to enjoy it and appreciate it.

I am booked back in for physio Friday but I am generally resting until Sunday now.

BRING IT ON!

This is getting silly with ups and downs now!!

I went on the treadmill yesterday for 3k and got through it without any major problems or pains but on several occasions my knee felt as if it was going to go again. This left me with mixed feelings and I made the decision to try a road road of about 4 miles that evening, however as soon I as started getting changed my fears came true and the sharp shock pain was back.This happened on 2 occasions getting changed and 1 more walking down the stairs to leave and then a final time in the office. At this point my knee felt very weak and I was concerned enough to cancel the planned run for that evening and basically admit defeat for the run.

I spent the whole evening and today very down agonising on whether it was best to go ahead and maybe limp round or pull out all together. However I have just been for physio again this afternoon and I am now very upbeat about running again and I am going to try doing the 4 mile effort this evening.

As it stands I am running but I keep building myself up only for my knee to let me down again (literally). I hope I get through it tonight unscaythed (spelling mum?) as if I do there will be no turning back, I have also booked in for physio again on Friday to try and prepare me for the race.

At the start I told everyone I would consider my challenge a failure if I stopped to walk but right now I just want to get round more than anything. My challenge was always to run the lot and I will always have that in the back of my mind when I do look back but I will be making sure my knee is right first before I attempt something like this again. Who knows what the future will hold though I may be back to fulfil the dream next year.

As for now my goals have moved a lot and I have been through it emotionally so getting round in any way will be huge

I've been to see the physio again this morning and the good news is not running was never mentioned but I have no real guarantees of making it to the end.

I am especially annoyed that he told me my running shoes have some responsibility for the problems I have now, as they are not offering the right support. These are the same running shoes that I went to a specialist shop to make sure I had the right ones and paid good money for the priviledge. To be fair I am not sure my arches are what he was actually looking for though.

The problem is definitely related to my kneecap and has a lot to do with how my foot leans in and becomes flat footed when I put weight on it. This leads to my knee not operated in a straight line and therefore the muscles not working in the way they should do.

Enough of the technicals my knee is now taped to one side to try and train it back to place and I have more physio planned for next week.

The whole of today was positive and based 100% around me running so lets hope the tape and a foot arch will make the difference

I am going to try a short run this weekend, probably on Sunday before I have been to see my tractor boys put the budgies back in their place, so hopefully Sunday will be a great day all round.

9 days to go!