A Virgin London Marathon I will never forget.....
Apr1820113:33 p.m.
Well I finished, though not quite in the way I was expecting! I set off with everyone else at 9.45am, determined to do a 4 hour marathon. It was an amazing sight as thousands and thousands of runners from three different starting points all converged together on the route. My friend Charlie decided (sensibly in hindsight!) that she was going to run at her own pace and not try to keep up with me. So I ran alongside Matthew Pinsent for a mile or two, before forcing myself to slow down and stick to my marathon pace of 9 minute miles. I saw friends from work at mile 5, my goddaughter and her wonderful banner at mile 8 and I made it to Tower Bridge, the halfway point, in 2 hours. But even in those early stages, I found it much harder than normal. It was just so hot and there was no breeze or shade at all.
Having trained all through the winter in the rain and cold, I just wasn’t prepared for the heat. I had water at every station, I took my running gels every 45 minutes but by 18 miles I was really starting to struggle. I was so determined to do a good time that I just kept pushing myself forward. I got to 22 miles in 3 hours 25 minutes. I remember going through mile 23, feeling very lightheaded and aware that my heart was beating fast. The next thing I recall is waking up with a jolt on my side, unable to move. I was wearing an oxygen mask and someone was pouring water over me. I heard a woman ask if I knew where I was. I had absolutely no idea. In fact I thought I was at pop concert in Leeds at first for some bizarre reason. I could hear people cheering nearby but couldn’t work out what the noise was.
I remember telling the woman I had 3 children and I kept asking her over and over again if I was going to be ok, if I was going to make it. I had no idea what day it was, why I was there, who I was with. I got through a whole canister of oxygen before random details started coming back to me. I don’t remember any of this at all, but apparently I collapsed on the course and was carried unconscious to a nearby St. John’s Ambulance bay. My body had completely overheated and my temperature had soared to almost 43C. The amazing people there stuffed my clothes full of icepacks to cool me down. It’s the first time I have ever blacked out and it was the scariest moment of my life.
But after a couple of hours and 3 wonderful cups of sugar-filled tea, my temperature was back to normal and I was finally able to stand up again. I couldn’t bear the idea of being so close to the finish and yet not finishing after all the money I’ve been sponsored. So I just thought ‘bugger it! I am going to walk to the end’. The doctors didn’t look terribly convinced by my plan and had me under strict instructions to sit down the moment I felt dizzy. So I set off walking and continued for about a mile. Then pride got the better of me and I decided to finish as I’d started – running! My poor family who’d been waiting hours, unaware of what was going on, were still there at the end.
So too was Patrick, the husband of our friend who died last summer. I have never been so happy to see them all. There were no tears at the end, as I’d expected. In fact I couldn’t stop smiling. I was just so relieved to be there. I was handed my marathon medal which I have to say I am incredibly proud of now. It may have taken me 6 hours and 22 minutes in the end, but I did it and I’ve now raised £14,000 for Cancer Research which somehow makes it all worthwhile. I can safely say that the London 2011 Virgin Marathon is an event I will never forget!
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Comments (42)
daveredrock 'Sophie, Fantastic effort to get back on your feet after all that and get to the finish. Well done. It was hot out there and I don't think it comes across on just how hot it becomes when you're participating and the tarmac starts to heat up, the sun beats down, you're using energy searching for shade and your body is dealing with the demands of the last few miles. I suspect you'll be back for that 4 hours though :o) Thanks for a great blog. Enjoyed following your progress.' added 18th Apr 2011
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Misshiggi73 'You are amazing I am reading your story in complete awe, a friend of mine collapsed at 21m yesterday after I saw her looking so good at 9m spend the night in hospital. Its amazing the strength we find in ourselves, I watched along the route yesterday after running last year and was so emtional seeing so many struggle. You are a Marathon Runner therefore you are AWESOME xxx well done xxx' added 18th Apr 2011
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LondonF 'Congratulations Sophie, to continue and complete it having collapsed is truly amazing. You should be very proud of yourself.' added 18th Apr 2011
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therealFacthunt 'Well done! People will say you're mental (and that may be true) But if you are then so am I. I bust my knee at mile 22 of the Berlin marathon last year and it took me 30mins to get out of the first aid tent. I walked/hobbled/hopped the last 4.2 and that took me as long as the first 22. So hats off to you! You're full of heart, thumbs up!!!!!' added 18th Apr 2011
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RhinoMarc 'Sophie, I know we've had banter on Twitter (@marcjenner) about me overtaking you in the rhino suit, but I did not wish to catch you in such circumstances! Yesterday's race was tremendously difficult and very similar to 2007 when a freak heat wave hit the race. I found that far more people this year were walking long before half way, which was possibly a sensible thing to do, as the sun really wasn't being too kind. Well done for having the strength to get yourself along those last few miles. I have a feeling you'd thoroughly have regretted it this morning if you hadn't. You're now an official marathon runner!' added 18th Apr 2011
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glen_b 'Sophie, wow. I ran London last year, and felt very similar, I got to mile 23 in just over 3:40 with dreams of sub 4 gone as I was slowing rapidly and had been since about mile 18, and I started feeling light headed. Luckily for me (but not for the poor guy who I saw), I spotted a guy laid at the side of the road with an oxygen mask on, and I made myself walk/run the remainder to ensure I got to the finish, which I eventually did in 4:28. Your experience has made me come over with goosebumps as it seemed scarily close to my own experience. But the utmost respect for keeping going and getting the finish, seeing The Mall and getting the medal is all that matters! You are a Marathon Runner, many many congratulations.' added 18th Apr 2011
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leb28 '43C? I had no idea that was even possible..... Well done for making all that money and for dragging yourself to that finishing line! I suspect I would have ended up on the floor with you if I hadn't given up my pace at mile 17 and settled for run/walking the rest - it was just too hot out there with the sun blazing down - seeing spectators in little dresses was not cheering me up! 4 hours next year....?' added 18th Apr 2011
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stephanielett 'Sophie I've been following your blog and was gutted to hear what had happened - but you must be so so proud for finishing. It was horrible a lot of the time - so hot I was really sick and came in well over an hour more than I had anticipated. But the support was incredible and got everyone through. You have been an inspiration and will continue to be for everyone who knows you or reads your blogs. Well done!' added 18th Apr 2011
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Pete 'Sophie - my daughter and I did the FLM2007 (and it was hot) - yesterday we did the VLM, and it took us 50 minutes longer than 07 - my 'one word' description of yesterday's race was "V Tough" - what you did was VV Tough - Many Congratulations!' added 18th Apr 2011
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marathonmummy 'Yay! Well done Sophie, you did brilliantly to complete the marathon!' added 18th Apr 2011
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cassie1103 'Sophie Congratulations! I ran yesterday too and my god it was hot! Your getting up and carrying on after what happened to you sums up everything that is great about the VLM and those people who run it.' added 18th Apr 2011
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Octopus 'Wow! That's amazing Sophie! I did exactly the same thing at a Great North Run once but I didn't make it over the finish line. Brilliant effort!' added 18th Apr 2011
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pruszm10 'Sophie, To run any marathon is I think a huge achievement. To get up after being out cold (or rather out hot) is doubly courageous. I don't think many of yesterday's runners had to do that.. I ground to a halt in similar weather during the Royal Parks a couple of years ago - and that was only a half marathon. The heat makes an astonishing difference. Hope you are now being pampered whilst admiring your very well deserved medal, Marek' added 18th Apr 2011
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runnerbarbie01 'Sophie, you should read my blog - the exact same thing happened to me last year. I did VLM 2010 and at mile 25 started to feel a bit dizzy and the next thing I knew I had woken up in St Thomas's hospital. I went back to the course though and still finished - i think my time was 8 and a half hours! I trained harder this year and knew what to expect on the course this year and beat my target time of sub 5 hours by nearly 15 minutes. You learn so much on your first marathon - you will get your 4 hour marathon and just finishing after what happened is a huge achievement - I know! Well done and hope your recovery goes well x' added 18th Apr 2011
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CancerBikeMan 'That took some bottle! Well done, you're a great ambassador for Cancer Research UK too!' added 18th Apr 2011
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kategofasterfood 'Running in the heat can be really tough so congratulations on finishing...that must have taken an enormous amount of guts if you ask me!' added 18th Apr 2011
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Johnf 'Well done for finishing Sophie. But wow what a tale you have and what an adventure, though best not to repeat it. It is a tough event and many people would give up in the same circumstances so great effort for knocking out those last miles.' added 18th Apr 2011
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Skelly2011 'Well done Sophie! I have followed your blogs with great interest as many of your thoughts reflected mine. Even yesterday we had a similar experience and I also collapsed at mile 24. Unfortunately I didn't have it in me to continue to the finish line and feel so disappointed. Well done for finishing, you are a star!' added 18th Apr 2011
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Account_closed 'I did the Budapest Half a couple of years ago in 35C heat. I remember thinking "Sod this, I'm going to walk most of this", at the start. Approx 100 people were taken to hospital, and when I got to the finish after 2hrs 45mins of pleasant sight seeing my wife gave me a rollocking for being slow. Anyway, enough rambling ..... well done.' added 18th Apr 2011
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Murphysdad 'A humbling account of your fantastic endeavours. Congratulations on completing the event and raising awareness and so much money for Cancer Research. The furthest I've done was a 10k run sometime last century but your efforts, ambition and success have made me consider going for it and competing and raising money for a charity close to my heart. You're blog is an inspiration and you're Herculean efforts to get up and complete the last couple of miles are truly remarkable. Well done - a great job well done! Enjoy the rest!' added 18th Apr 2011
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shedar 'Well done. I know just how you feel, it was hot and winter training did not prepare us for this. It was my first marathon and the second half was far slower than the first but family and charity got me through but it's back to halves for me. Again, well done.' added 18th Apr 2011
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beedieman 'Fabulous achievement, Sophie. You were really suffering, it seems, but you made it all the same. You're an inspiration to so many people. "Bugger it" indeed!! Well done!' added 18th Apr 2011
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Way_Too_Slow 'Running a marathon is mental, in more ways than one! Mental to even consider it, and mental in that you need the determination to finish. Despite taking (quite a bit) longer than you anticipated, you got to the end and got your medal. Huge congratulations both for finishing and raising so much for such a worth cause. Have you taken your medal off yet?' added 18th Apr 2011
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Amethyst 'Well done that's an amazing story!' added 18th Apr 2011
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Sarah_Doodge 'Well done Sophie - I'm very impressed you made it. I had a very similar experience a couple of years ago but couldn't make it any further than the St John's Ambulance at mile 21. But I've lived to run a few more, including Sunday which I just about survived - I decided to drop out at halfway but after a rest on the pavement, managed to drag myself to the end - kept going by crowd and sponsorship (British Heart Foundation). Congratulations for being so tough!' added 18th Apr 2011
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angowl 'Well done for finishing Sophie. Your story of Sunday has brought a tear to my eye, your sheer determination was brilliant. I also ran and suspect it may have been you who I passed at about mile 23. The heat was indeed extremely difficult and I congratulate everyone who made it across the finishing line. Well done!!' added 19th Apr 2011
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Carly_A 'Well done Sophie - that's amazing that you carried on after all that, so a big congratulations - you've done great!' added 19th Apr 2011
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ithurts 'Well done for finishing, it did for a worthy cause. I ran as well and I agree that it was a hot day which we are not used to from the cold weather we trained in. It was hard and it hurt all the way. I am very impressed after collapsing you continued. Your family must have been really proud. Great achievement!' added 19th Apr 2011
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Whitey12 'Well done Sophie, I ran yesterday and went the other way (not that I got lost) and slowed from my training pace. I saw the sun shining brightly and knew the danger it posed for me. Got through half way in 2hrs 44, and went a bit slower through the rest. Besing my 1st marathon I was determined to finish and to enjoy it, I can always try for faster next year. I went past you while you were sleeping I guess, glad to hear you did so well to get back out there and great for the charity. Fantastic crowds, staff and charity workers, first aiders and Police. The banner that gave me a final push was this: "Pain is temporary, Pride is Forever" , just before Big Ben. Thank you all for your support.' added 19th Apr 2011
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tinabee 'Absolutely fabulous Sophie. Yes you could have finished more quickly had the weather conditions been more favourable but the thing is you did finish and no one can take that away from you! I hope you keep the running bug. I have enjoyed your blog immensely.' added 19th Apr 2011
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lizzy1368 'Well done Sophie. I did it yesterday and it was soooooooooooo hot. It does get to point where all you can do survive and keep going. I helped a woman who threw up and passed out in front of me. Got to say though it was an incredible experience. Well done to all of us who finished' added 19th Apr 2011
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Ethan33 'Sad that I didn't get to come and say hello at the expo. Your day at the marahton sounds amazing, well done for finishing!' added 19th Apr 2011
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babyg2909 'Sophie well done for finishing the London Marathon!! I got to mile 19 and my knee went so I had to mentally change my 'target' of running under 5hrs to just completing the course...I finished it in 5hrs 43mins. I've followed your blog all the way through and didn't realise what had happened to you until I saw a picture of you on the front of the newspaper yesterday morning. I'm in awe of the strength and determination you showed for getting to the end. We are now marathon runners!! Already planning my second one for next year...Paris sounds fantastic...' added 19th Apr 2011
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kraftykat 'CONGRATULATIONS Sophie! Fantastic effort, not only to complete the race after collapsing, but also congratulations in raising such a massive amount of money for such a worthwhile cause. You should be extremely proud of what you have achieved. Running a marathon is a task in itself and to complete it, under such difficult circumstances is outstanding. I really hope you continue to enjoy your running. but first of all, enjoy a rest! WELL DONE x' added 20th Apr 2011
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lisrun 'Well done Sophie ! :-)' added 20th Apr 2011
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nooby2shoes 'well done sophie, it must have been dead scary blacking out and so close to the end. well done for finnishing though :o)' added 21st Apr 2011
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JSIMMONDS 'Sophie - completing the marathon is something only 1% of the population ever do, so very well done. I was on holiday and looked up a few friends' results as well as yours. Looks like, from your splits, you were really motoring until that point. Hope you don't feel bad at all as you should feel only pride in your achievement. You have raised a huge amount of money as well as run a spectacular race for 24 miles, then provided everyone with some additional drama to boot. In short, very well done and I hope the journey doesn't end here!' added 26th Apr 2011
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daveguiel 'Sophie, I am moved and impressed by your story. I was running too and I know exactly how you felt. I fortunately walked at 21 miles for 200 yards just to take on a whole bottle of water, rather than the normal running sips. It worked a treat and after reading your blog, I am glad I did this. You were incredibly brave to start again and you deserve every penny of your sponsor money. Well done.' added 3rd May 2011
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juliebee 'Sophie, I have just read your post after coming back onto the forums. What a huge effort to finish - hats off to you - I ran VLM this year too and luckily had toe cramps at 18 miles and had to sit down for 20 minutes - I honestly think if I hadn't had that warning I would have been out for the count too - just didn't expect the heat in London to affect me - I trained in Australia in 30C -40C over Summer ! Just proves that you nothing is predictable about Marathons ... Congrats on your fundraising too - you'll get sub 4hrs next year :) ' added 17th Jul 2011
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Rachel_Amy 'Amazing effort- your strength and determination to finish the race is admirable. An inspiration! Well done.' added 5th Sep 2011
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Rachel_Amy 'Amazing effort- your strength and determination to finish the race is admirable. An inspiration! Well done.' added 5th Sep 2011
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Rachel_Amy 'Amazing effort- your strength and determination to finish the race is admirable. An inspiration! Well done.' added 5th Sep 2011
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