A very special start by bobbi10100

On Saturday 24th April,  I waved goodbye to my family and made my way into London for the VLM Expo.  On my way down I was full of excitement and fear, as this was my first Marathon.  As I approached the Expo I saw a number of inspirational banners that really pulled on my heart strings.  Could feel myself getting emotional but kept it together.  I then took my place in the queue at the Expo ready to register.  Once I'd got my sweaty paws on the number I made my way around the Expo.  First stop was the Adidas Wall, where I wrote the words "For Josh" in one of the last remaining spaces. This felt very special to me. Throughout the afternoon there was a buzz in the air as everyone sorted out last minute preparations.  As the day was drawing to a close a member of VLM staff gave me a bag of Jelly Babies and asked me if I was interested in writing down the reasons why I was running on a postcard.  That's when it really hit me, the enormity of the challenge ahead.  This proved a little too much for me and felt quite upset, as I wrote the words "For every memory of my son".  I've become quite an expert at hiding my feelings and managed to keep it together. 

My Dad and I then made our way via Canary Wharf to Greenwich for the Barnardos pasta party.  We spoke to a couple and shared running stories which was good.  I also had a chance to meet the Barnardos team again and enjoyed our chat.  By that time it got quite late and made our way back to our hotels.  I duly made pre-race preparations and pinned my number onto my vest and fixed the chip to my shoe.  The following morning the bus was leaving the hotel at 06:45 so I made sure I was organised and ready to go.

We got to the start a couple of hours early and I was lucky enought to bump into Dean Parsons (aka Haydon the Wimbledon Womble) he was lovely and it was a pleasure to meet him.  Felt really sorry for him having to cart the huge womble suit around.  We had a quick hug and I went to find the loo's in the start area.  I must have gone to the loo 4 times and then it started raining.  After I handed in my kitbag into one of the baggage lorries, I met one of my Twitter friends Rachael Moore (aka. @karamina) She lent me her iPhone armband, which was very kind of her as mine wasn't water proof.  We joined the queue and was soon on our way through the start.  The costumes were really impressive, so much time and effort had clearly been invested into them. 

The 1st mile flew past very quickly, on the course there was plenty of bands playing at pubs that lined the route.  Even a priest flicked holy water on us as we ran past.  The first 13 miles were ok, most of the way I wanted the loo again which was annoying.  I initally joined a toilet queue, but then saw loads of runners nipping into the bushes across the road.  So in the end I thought "sod it" and joined them in the indignity of it all!  My bladder was bursting by that point, a runner commented that she couldn't go as I was peeing like a horse! 

So after this little diversion I was back on track towards my goal.  Seeing the large red arches across the road was a welcome sight as was the 5K markers that reported progress to my wellwishers.  Running over Tower Bridge at the halfway point was brilliant, the crowds were shouting encouragement to all of us which really kept us going.  Once I'd reached the 16 miles mark I knew this was unknown territory and the blisters were then apparent.  I had kept my eye out for my Dad along the route but didn't see him.  However, I did see the very lovely Sue (@CocaBeenSlinky), Sheila (@Sheb57) and Debs (@surreyblonde) at the Barnardo's cheering point at Mile 17.  I quickly stopped to receive hugs, kisses and a photo. Then went merrily on my way. 

This is when it started to get tough, I'd come to the conclusion that running all the way wasn't going to happen and settled for walking through the water stations and past each mile marker to give my muscles a rest.  Another highlight was running through Canary Wharf, the crowds were so amazing I can't expain.  Truly a carnival atmosphere with children handing out jelly babies and giving us a 'high five' as we ran past.  These wonderful people that lined the route to support us, were the ones that gave us the strength finish.  Truly amazing.  The pain in my right leg was getting intense and the blisters were sore, but the crowd still had me smiling and determined to finish.  So much so that I had a second wind by the time I'd reached the final mile.  It was so tempting to walk but kept running, the tears were filling my eyes again as I saw the 200 yds mark.  But I told myself that if I cried my contact lenses would fog up and held it together again.  Crossing the finish line in 05:23:23 was such a relief, as I've never felt exhaustion like it in my life before. But it was well worth it because it was for Josh and Barnardos.

Oh I nearly forgot! On the way to the tube station we bumped into David Essex outside a bar.  Sue assisted me in getting a photo with him as I was too scared to approach him! haha!

Thanks for reading my ramblings!

Next event? Newark Half hopefully, are you doing it?

Donna xx

Rachael and I at the start.