I'm in - after I'd given up. by STUBLACK

Yes, I was down after Sunday. I had the feeling that I had let myself and others down, felt a bit of a failure with my time - but then came all the lovely comments from my marathon comrades and my attitude is changing.

The comments on my last post have really helped and I am now focussed on what I actually did.

I completed the London Marathon - which thousands never get to do and millions don't want to do.

I won a medal which my son proudly took into school yesterday

I raised over £1000 for charity

And , my legs still hurt (which is a positive - no pain = no gain and I must have gained something)

I have put the lighter fuel away and will not be setting fire to my running gear. I will sneak a little ballot application in on 4th May (don't tell the wife) and I will be out running again soon. I have already enterred a Half Marathon in October and may do the Mersey Tunnel 10k in May. There is unfinished business between me and marathons, especially London. I will keep applying until I get in again, definately want to do it again before I reach 50 (6 years then)

There is a great hope the Mersey Marathon will return next year after many years of absence. Liverpool Council have put it out to tender so hopefully this will go ahead. The Run Liverpool initiative have been trying for this for a few years but the council always blocked it,  before I started running I think they had a link with the London Marathon Company. Could be one to look out for next year.

Thanks everyone for all their support over the last few months, and especially over the last few days. I will be taling my medal into work tomorrow to show it off with pride.

Well, I survived the marathon but only just. Did the first half in 2 hours, great, on schedule for a run between 4 and 4.30 but things went bad from mile 16. I could feel the energy being drained from my body, from mile 18 I was drained and couldn't get into a regular stride. I think I walked most of the last 4 miles, unable to run for than a few hundred metres without having the urge to sit on the kerb, even walking was an effort but I was determined to finish no matter what. I managed to put on a show for the cameras up to the finish line with a time of 5hrs 17min.

I am dissapointed in my time but at least I did it, I would like to have another go so with any luck my 2nd and last marathon will actually be the last one before the next one.

Where did it go wrong, ate well before the race, plenty of water before the race and during, Lucozade Sport (although drinking it while running makes me feel sick) and jelly beans.  My legs just couldn't take it on the day. Probably could have rested a bit more on the Saturday after the Expo but after what I'd put the family through during training I couldn't begrudge them a trip to the shops. Didn't sleep too well the night before, checked I had set all 5 alarms on my phone a couple of times, checked the time was right twice, fell alseep only to be woken up by some idiots outside the hotel arguing, beeping car horns and playing music. I felt ok when I got up so although that was annoying it wasn't the reason for taking an hour longer than I had hoped.

Must say the crowds where fantastic, Grahams tip about having your name on your top worked, loads on encouragement, especially when they could see I was struggling, just wish I could have got going again. Lost count of how many BBQ's I ran past or people having a pint, wish I could have joined them.

Hope all your runs went better than mine, will be catching up on your reports while I'm off.

Final run of my training completed today, 5.4 miles at lunchtime with John at a decent pace, now it's feet up time and making the final preparations. I've even cleaned the car for the trip, don't know why as by the time we get off the M62 onto the M6 it will be full of crumbs.

I've finally managed to download some pictures. After realising I couldn't carry a life size Lego man with me Luke gave me a mini figure instead.

We set off on Friday so I'll still have time to read Blogs but incase I don't get to Blog again before Sunday (hopefully Melissa will take her Laptop) Good luck to everyone, I have enjoyed reading your Blogs/posts/comments, I wish I'd have commented on more posts but if I didn't comment on yours I can assure you I will at least have read some of them. Thank you to everyone who read/commented on my Blogs posts, it really does mean something when people make an effort. I'm sure I read a comment somewhere (probably more than once) that this is like a big support network or a big extended family, it feels like that is the case sometimes - but I'm not inviting you all round for tea.

Most of all, enjoy yourselves on Sunday, listen to your body, but after the miles everyone has put in we'll all be fine.

I will be at the Expo on Saturday, I'll be the one shouting at the kids to behave.

28680 signing off.

I went to the shop last night and asked for their best carb product. After 3 bites I started to feel sick so I spat it out. I fon't care how good they say carbs are for you I'm never eating Carbolic soap again.

6.7 mile run at lunchtime, one more shorter run this week and that's me done. I managed to keep a reasonable pace, unlike last week when I pushed myself to do my fastest time over that distance.

During one of my frequent early morning wakes up when I can't get back to sleep I was thinking about the marathon and how I will feel when I've finished. After several seconds I camae to the conclusion I will feel knackered, then I fell asleep again. I can't wait to experience the whole day, especially when I can see the line, cross it and get the edal round my neck, just hope I have enough strength to wear it.