Overview

Just returned from New York having finished my first marathon at the age of 47 in 6.23 hours. When I rang my mum at the end she asked if there was anyone else finishing with me. i.e she thought I must have come last! Now I want to do another just so that I can prove I can run the whole way. I had a back injury in September which lost me 3 weeks training so my plans was to run walk the course as I already had a lot of sponsorship for Great Ormond Street . Although seriously tempted to withdraw (admittedly through sheer cowardice) I didn't and am so pleased I didn't. It was the scariest thing I have ever done and I have always pushed my comfort levels having travelled alone at a young age and regularly speaking in public. Out of a group of 23 of us there were only 2 women but we hadn't trained together. In fact I had pretty much trained alone all the way through.

I hadn't appreciated how stressed I would be in the lead up.  I have been tearful, snappy and on the way to NY completely unable to hold a conversation with people. Sitting around in the bitter cold for 5 hours the morning of the run was tough but boy, did I enjoy the run. The view of Brooklyn as we came over the bridge at the start was breathtaking.  I didn't notice the hills or where the hours went I was just so determined not to be the only one of our group of 23 to not finish that I just got on with it. 7 loo stops must be a record! My partner was at the 17 mile mark and that was ideal. During training my longest run was 11 before my injury and post injury my longest walk was 16, so 26 was completely unknown territory. Knowing from 13 miles that I would see him at 17 kept me going and I knew once I got there I would get to 20 and once I got there I would finish. I felt sore and stiff by mile 5 but that seemed to improve as time went on,  is that normal? The whole trip was topped off by being in Times Square when the election result was announced.  Fantastic!!

 

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Sunday saw me complete my first 5 miles in driving snow along the seafront. V.V pleased with myself. It really helps to have someone to run with at the same pace but I would like to speed up so that I can keep pace with my monday night mates. Have also started yoga and and the odd session on a healthrider machine. Should provide total workout all together.

 

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First week outside. Took my courage in both hands to join the regulars on Monday night. I had just managed 30 minutes with no walking on Saturday but I had to start with the group at some time. I turned up with the gazelle like Alison who pops out every so often for the odd ten miler!!. Only 5 of us . I just prayed I could do the distance. 4 miles was the goal. The group set off faster than my usual plod and despite lagging way behind I did manage to finish without making a complete pratt of myself. Poor Mark was trying to keep an eye on me and had to keep running back to check I was OK.  He will end up doing double the distance until I speed up or the evenings get lighter. We have a month of 4 miles 3x a week then a mile a month increase. Hey I don't have to give up alcohol until September - that's a result!!

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So here I find myself at the tender age of 46 committed to running my first and probably only marathon. How and why? A drunken discussion at a party last summer resulted in me agreeing to join a large group of nutters intent on running the New York marathon this November in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital. "I'd be up for that" I slurred. My longest run at that time was 45 minutes round the race for life event a mere 5K.  In fact more of a lollop than a run if truth be told. Last summer I was running about 30-40 minutes 2-3 times a week but by September I had fallen off the training wagon. By Xmas and about a stone heavier I weaved my way to the door of the pub to have a fag when a voice behind me yelled "That will all have to stop in January when we start training!" He hadn't forgotten!!

So before putting down the non refundable £600 deposit for the run I thought I ought to check out my fitness level. January found me in a new job and on a hotel treadmill desperately trying to make it to 20 mins. I just didn't seem to be improving and my negative head was telling me I wouldn't be able to do it. 26 miles !!Oh my God!! But by now I had told people and didn't want to lose face. The incredulity on the faces of some of my friends when I told them just served to justify my doubts. I tried an outdoor run and pathetically slowed to a walk after ten minutes. Meanwhile I learned that my fellow runners training sessions were stacking up 6 miles. Then my pride kicked in. A one off chance to go to New York with a big group of people who hopefully will have become good friends by then. The incredible sense of acheivement of completing a marathon must be hard to beat and if all else fails I can always walk the last bit!!

So Friday found me biting the bullet and booking the ticket. No way back now just months of gruelling training, little or no alcohol and begging complete strangers for money. Goodie!! I shall give it my all and yesterday saw me complete my first 3 miler. There is only one way to go. Wish me luck oh and if you have any spare cash.....

 

 

 

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