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!