Unfinished business at the London Marathon........
Oct05201112:18 p.m.
I got home from work last week to find a parcel from the Virgin London Marathon. I ripped it open, suddenly convinced that I'd been successful in the ballot for a place next year. Inside I found a red running top and a magazine with the words 'commiserations!' emblazoned in yellow capitals across the front. I was surprised by how disappointed I suddenly felt. On the day of the Royal Wedding back in April, when I received an email from the New York Marathon organisers, I stood in the media compound by Buckingham Palace and actually shouted out in relief when I heard that I didn't have a place to run in the race there next month. This time it was different. I have unfinished business with the London Marathon.
But my disappointment didn't last long. I arrived at work the next day to find an email from St. John Ambulance. They'd read on Twitter that I'd been unsuccessful in the ballot. "We would love to offer you a place to run for us", they said. Given they picked me up off the floor and got me back on my feet in April, it was an offer I clearly could not refuse. In fact, I was thrilled. It'll be my thank you to Trish and the team of volunteers who looked after me so well at mile 24 and it's the perfect incentive to keep me training through those long winter months. My mother, though, is appalled by the idea. She thinks I am mad and is already dreading the stress of marathon day next year.
But having run it once, I think I will deal with the distance much better next time. I put myself under far too much pressure to do well, ignored the heat of the day and literally ran myself into the ground. When I was feeling dreadful and was clearly suffering, I should have walked for a bit and taken on more water. But my pride stopped me. Next time I will do it differently. So here we go again on the emotional roller coaster of marathon training. I've got a little warm up this weekend in the shape of the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London and then I'll just keep the running ticking over until Christmas.
The big push starts for real on 1st January (though I may have to shift that by a day!) and ends sixteen weeks later in the Mall. When I told a colleague I was doing the marathon again - this time for St. John Ambulance - he laughed out loud. "What? On a stretcher?" he cried. Let's hope not! But one thing's for sure, if I get into trouble again next time round, at least I will know that I am in very good hands.
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Comments (13)
Johnf 'The first one is run with too much excitement, the next one is run with experience so you'll be great. Surely your mum must be young enough to have a go as well, though don't tell her it was me that suggested it!' added 5th Oct 2011
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Rachel_Amy 'I'm glad you got a place after all! Good luck with the training' added 5th Oct 2011
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sarahjanep 'Well done Sophie - really pleased you didn't get a place in the ballot - I didn't either. Your 2nd marathon will go so much better. I really struggled in the London Marathon this year (my first) and felt really unwell due to the heat - it took me 5hrs 38mins. My second marathon went so much better (Robin Hood 11/9) and I did it in 4:59:38 - I got the sub-5 hours I wanted so was over the moon. I am going to do the Milton Keynes marathon next year. I was so much more relaxed the second time and felt great. Good luck with your training - I will follow your posts as I did earlier this year ' added 5th Oct 2011
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shazzer2 'Marathon training, certainly is an emotional rollercoaster! Good luck with the training.' added 5th Oct 2011
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Beth_Perk 'It all turned out in the end! Great stuff. Good luck.' added 6th Oct 2011
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williambarbero 'excellent news. Will be keeping an eye on the blog :) I am hoping for a place in the teamPB charity, should find out in November. Good luck with the training' added 6th Oct 2011
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Amethyst 'Well done Sophie - hope the Royal Parks went well today. Good luck ' added 9th Oct 2011
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DymphnaB 'Good luck.... I totally believe it all in the training. I left mine too late last year and ended up running with an injury. This year I am doing so much more prep for it so I can get my goal time... It feels so good when you get in again to challenge the demons of the London Marathon!' added 24th Oct 2011
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pizzapat 'lookin forward to readin your blog again;marshalled last year and missed cheerin you as you ran past where i was;this year ive got in via a club place,so i will read with keen interest what Karen has in store for you!!! i ran a 1/2 last sun in 2hrs 08 so i will be way behind you at London!!!! im running for Childrens Trust....' added 16th Nov 2011
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pippaglen 'Hi, Great to hear that you are running for St John's next year, I too have been picked by St John's to run and raise money for there charity, This will be my first ever Marathon and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm a athletics coach as well as training myself,working and family life, I find it hard at times. I have been training hard for a year now hoping I will make it to the finnish line. This is the only thing I have ever wanted to do since I was 13yrs old I'm now 35, with 5 children showing my family you can acheive anything if you try may help my children in later life. You never know we may pass whilst running. ' added 14th Dec 2011
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Catgrrr 'Hi Sophie, how's this year's training going? Well I hope x' added 26th Feb 2012
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HelenJacks 'Saw you finished the marathon this year with a great time- congratulations!' added 24th Apr 2012
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Michellebubbles 'Congratulations for completing this years marathon- have you entered for this year or Are you having a year off?' added 5th May 2012
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