Kelly's Crazy London Marathon Challenge! by blondiekels

How do you sum up the experience of a life time in one blog post???!!  Sunday 25th April 2010 will go down in Frew history as being a day to remember for a long time to come.... 

I have had the best weekend and it all started on the Saturday when Paul and I made our way down to London to visit the Excel Centre to pick up my running number and chip, etc.  He was so very patient with me, as I screamed like a girl at the first sight of the red virgin logos and banners, a theme that continued throughout Saturday! 

Sunday morning I finally gave up the idea of sleeping around 6:15am and had one final peek at my Justgiving page and the many texts, emails and messages I had received in support.  Putting on my running vest and running trainers felt like the first day at school in my new uniform and I knew then it was time to get serious, so I packed my bag and headed off to Greenwich, feeling very important when the tube man let me through and wished me good luck! 

I could not believe how quickly the time flew, the pouring rain had been and gone and before I knew it I was waving crazily at the cameras as we finally hit the start line 12 mins after the "official" start time.  I was suprised that I was able to run fairly quickly immediately as the run began...... lots of weaving in and out of people and avoiding bottles and spectators, but I soon found a good pace and settled into the race.  There was so much to see and hear throughout the race, from high fiving kids, priests blessing the runners, Paddington Bear, a human caterpiller chain, a London Pride bottle, Darthvadar, bananaman, a man carrying a fridge on his back, and so many more that at first the running was the last thing to think about, it was quite overwhelming.  About 3 miles in I put my Ipod on as I needed to focus and remember what I was doing there and it helped me to calm down and readdress my pace and focus, as I was going a little too fast for my liking and I was worried about burning out. 

It is hard to explain the support you receive from every single individual on the day, cheering you on and offering out sweets, fruit, water, and good luck messages just when you need it.  Every single person there from the St Johns Ambulance, the Police Officers, the marshalls, the water helpers, the bands, the banners and people of all ages are all there unified in helping along the runners with any type of encouragement they can offer........ absolutely amazing and it made me proud of our Capital City!  My favourite banner was definitely one held by 2 blokes who were waving it high in the air and all it said was "Motivatonal Banner."  Absolutely brilliant and it made me giggle for a good few miles that followed. 

So, to the running...... 1-15 miles were very comfortable and I was loving every second.  Coming across London Bridge just after mile 12, as you come around the corner and there it is cannot be described.... it is such an awesome feeling and I was bursting with pride.  I did a personal best half marathon time of 2:05, which was fab.  I spotted my work colleague, Eddie, in between mile 14 - 15 and it was great to see a familiar face.  I had desperately been looking out for David and Paul around the course, but I kept missing them and when I finally saw them there at about mile 20 I could have burst into tears..... you cannot sum up the support of having loved ones there, it is a fantastic feeling - thank you both xx

Throughout my training I have always found mile 16 tough and it was at this point I really had to start digging in and remembering the challenge ahead.  I found a new stride and kept going, determined now I was not stopping to walk for anything.  In the run up to the event, I was very much looking forward to hitting Blackfriars Tunnel and then experiencing the support on the Embankment, however in reality the last 2 miles hurt like hell!  They felt longer and harder than the rest of the previous 24 put together and I completely had to block everything else out and just focus on the running.  I cannot remember seeing Buckingham Palace at all, I just remember the 800 metres mark, followed by 600, 400, 200 and then after what seemed like an age, the FINISH LINE!!!

I actually did it.... I completed my first ever marathon and hit my target of sub 4:30, finishing in 04:27:27..... I was absolutely over the moon!!

Paul and David were there to meet me at Horseguards and we made our way to the CMA charity meet, which was lovely to be able to catch up with other CMA runners and share a few tales, as well as meet the people behind the charity who had offered so much support.

Tired, but feeling like Wonderwoman, I finally got home at 9:30pm and was overwhelmed again by the messages of support waiting for me. 

So, that is the end of my little marathon journey, which started about 11 months ago now when the CMA honoured me with my running place for 2010.  It has been a journey and a half and one I will treasure for the rest of my life. 

Thanks to my family and friends for putting up with me and supporting me in every way possible and thank you to all the fellow bloggers on here for sharing stories, moments of heartache and upset and now the joy! 

VLM 2011???? ......  Never say never hey!    

Hey fellow scared, nervous but excited people!

I am on my lunch break so I thought I would write my last post before I head off to the big smoke tomorrow for a small run around the capital of our lovely country!

So, what have I been up to in the last day or so??? Well, eating of course!  The girls in the office here are loving the fact that I am carb loading and we have had cakes, donuts, mini chedders and all sorts!!  Think I best stop now or someone will have to roll me around the course! 

How am I feeling?  The scaredy cat thoughts have passed at the moment and I am actually so excited that I could run to the top of the nearest hill and sing about the hills being alive!!  I am sure at about 1am Sunday morning the scared stiff thoughts may come back, but I am armed and prepared for them now

Everyone has been so supportive this week and are really getting as excited about this whole mullarky as I am.  I never thought when I signed up all those months ago that it would cause this much excitement within the ranks. 

Tomorrow I am heading down on the train to the lon of don and I am going to pick up my running number before heading down to Pall Mall to visualise me finishing..... (thanks Gloshawk!)  My brother, Paul is coming to join me and then my best friend, David will be there on Sunday too.  I am more worried about the two of them being there at the end to meet me and me not ever getting there than anything else!!

Got so much to do and fit in tonight and I have just realised that I have booked my train ticket for the way home on Sunday faaaar too early and I have to hope that Mr ticket man will take pity on me tomorrow morning and change it.... I will give him my best inspirational running the london marathon story and bore him to tears in the hope he changes it to shut me up!

Ok, well, I need to go and eat more food now, but just in case I do not get chance to write on individual people's blogs.......... GOOD LUCK FOLKS!!

We are all little stars and remember not to forget the sun cream!!!! xxx

All of the above are how I have felt in the last few days.  I have told myself over and over again not to think about any of it now until Friday, but that is like telling a child on Christmas Eve not to think about Father Christmas!

I completed my final run tonight.  Only 3 miles on the treadmill after a spin class and I have decided that enough is enough - nothing I do now will change Sunday.  Body Pump and Balance Monday, Tuesday was Body Conditioning and Balance and today spin and run.  I am shattered and going to have an early night before 3 days of rest begins before the big one.  3 whole rest days..... wow, it gives me the jitters just thinking about it!! haha

Going to sleep soon, so will keep this short, but I have to say, after reading people's blogs tonight about their Expos visits, it is becoming soooo real!  I studied the interactive marathon map last night and read every comment.......................

I am sooooooo excited!!!!!!

Since well before Christmas now Sunday's have been planned to a tee.  The route I will take, how far I will run, depending on the weather, what I will wear, my Ipod fully charged, some change to tuck into my Ipod case for Rowntrees Randoms and a Lucozade, what I will eat, etc etc...

So, today was a mixture of feelings as I set off on my final LSR .... well, not really an LSR, just an 8 miler.  I have decided 8 miles is my favourite length of run.  It is long enough to have a good work out and get a bit of speed going too.  With this in mind, I am going to see next Sunday as a couple of miles warm up and 3 X 8 milers all in one go...... surely that will be a doddle! haha

My final LSR was in the full sunshine on my old favourite route through Farcet, Yaxley, Hampton and Fletton.  I cannot imagine not running on a Sunday anymore, so I have decided I will keep this going, when I can..... although without the challenge to keep me focused, my bed might well have different ideas! haha

So, this week is all about sorting out the final plans... I don't normally write lists, but I have set up a list on my Iphone of everything I need to take with me next Saturday.  I am so scared about forgetting my running number letter, or my photo ID, and even worse, my trainers, that I am planning this with militry precision!

I also had some great news today, which has given me a fantastic boost - my fundraising has gone passed the £1000 mark!! People are being so generous and kind and it is amazing to think I have had so much support and I am getting closer to the target each day - it will be such a relief when I hit it (please let me hit it!!)

Enjoy the last week of planning, resting and carb loading folks!!