Heart of the matter by Simon_Doyle

Now that the dust has settled and the quad muscles are no longer crying out "why oh why did you put us through that" it's time to reflect on my VLM experience and consider where I turn next.

Sunday was an amazing experience but not one filled with the jubilation I'd expected largely because of the grim cramp which set from mile 14 onwards as I explained in my previous post. People have been constantly been telling me it was a great achievement to finish especially give the injury problems I'd had all winter (thanks for some of your words of encouragement fellow bloggers), but the competitive being in me is never satisfied why I know you can do much better.

If I'd run Sunday's race, ended up knackered and then been beset by cramp, I'd accept that maybe I wasn't very well prepared and that I got what I deserved, but during the race I was never tired at any point (other than the last 500 or so yards). I was full of running BUT also full of cramp.

That is what is frustrating - you'd usually expect to beset with cramp when you are knackered, not when you are running freely and feeling great as I was at the half way point and beyond. When the cramp wasn't there I was running at least twice as fast as anyone else!

So what can I take from this year's experience? I got the opportunity to meet up with many of you this time round. It was a privilege to meet many of you at the realbuzzer's picnic in Hyde Park (how may of you can identigy yourselves in the pic below) and it was my immense honour to be greeted by a huge hug from the real legend that is Jamie B at the Expo. What a genuinely sound guy.



I found that London marathon crowds really are superb and deserve all the praise they get as much as the runners do. Without their support I really don't think I would have made it to the finish.

I discovered the real meaning of pain (I've never had cramp while running) and found that I had more inner strength than I thought previously. I also found that when someone is waiting for you near the finish you'll do everything you can to get to the bloody end.

Most of all, I learned that the London Marathon is undoubtedly the best running event around and that despite the mental scars I'll be looking to give it another go in 2011, as long as I get a place.