General Fitness by Rob_Brack_7

What a day Sunday was. The crowds were magnificent. I swear that (a) on the negative side there were more runners than ever, making the first 5k a bit slow and stop start, but (b) there were more spectators, in a far louder voice than they were in 2008! The crowd, the volunteers with the water, lucozade, kids with the jelly beans, thankyou thankyou thankyou!! Admittedly I did get my name printed on the vest, and if anyone reading this ever runs a marathon and hasn't yet....do the shirt printing, it makes a LOT of difference. The cries of 'come on rob' really pushed me on, and if you make eye contact with the spectators, do a bit of high fiving with the kids watching, and dance (yes thats right dance' to the tunes coming out of the street parties and pubs, the crowd really do give that energy back to you in support!

Despite the slow start I managed to motor a bit, and the first 14 miles or so were relatively easy. I made sure I drank enough, ate some energy supplements, and stayed on time to challenge 4 hrs without really driving myself on so much that I'd cause early burn out. I passed Richard Branson, the bloke carrying the fridge, and batman, all quite comfortably. Having said that I'd have been a bit worried if I hadn't of passed the guy with the fridge.....but batman.....if the criminals can run faster than me, he's in a bit of trouble I reckon.

So all was well and good.....until the Isle of dogs. I felt OK going in, and absolutely wretched coming out. I walked for the first time in sight of the o2, fifty paces and started running again, and every time I felt like my thighs were seizing up, walked another 50 paces, or until someone from the crowd screamed at me to run not walk. Most of the time I obliged straight away, and only once did I mutter beneath my breath 'you f***ing run'...at a particularly sore moment!

The difference this time was I knew I'd finish wheras last time I wasn't sure. That straight into London, 7 miles long or so, felt a lot shorter than last time. Sure I had to manage cramp, I had to walk 400m sections with running mixed in, but the experience of last time helped me on. It also helped me gee up a few around me who were feeling as bad if not worse than me, who were on their 1st times and going through what I felt in '08 where I thought I'd need to give up.

So 4.32 official time, though my garmin suggested 4:26, and made out that I had run 26.6miles...and I tend to believe my watch more than the official timers...but I was gutted in part at the end. I had resigned myself at mile 18, that 4 hrs wasn't happening. Even before starting I knew. But I woke up feeling supercharged, fit, no aches, pains, and ready to rumble. I hoped that fatigue wouldn't set in, that the legs had enough in them. So I hoped. At the end I was close to tears, quite unreasonably so, but I managed to get my composure pretty quickly, and straight away decided to run 2012. I can't do it every year, the requests for sponsorship every year would be unreasonable, and the training and commitment it takes put too much of a strain on home life, but 2012 for sure. I want 4hrs, I can do 4hrs, and I'm damn well going to acheive 4hrs (or 3:59:59).......I know I said this 2 years ago!

Lastly big thanks to everyone that sponsored me and sent me messages of support...you were all amazing!! From clients, to suppliers, to friends and family. Aidan, your support, and keeping me updated with the times etc was massive motivation (every 5k mat, I was hoping that the time was impressive...though by the last couple I didn't care!) Linda, Paul, Paul and everyone at ESM (I'm sure you've heard enough about running/marathons to last a lifetime), the Ebbsfleet crowd, my mum for coming to watch, all my family for that matter, and my wife.....who has put up with 7 months of training again, injuries, and a husband who said he'd give up football to train but never did, sweaty washing, smelly trainers, whinging and whining.....thank you so much baby....

They think its all over.....till 2012!!! :-)  

PS It'd be lovely to have someone to run with.....anyone fancy 2012????