Is this the maddest thing I've ever done? by fudge29

So it's been a while since the Virgin London Marathon and to be perfectly honest I have been unable to write anything about it until now! a mixture of PMS (post marathon syndrome!) and just enjoying the mental rest..

I promise not to entirely bore you with the whole story.And I may have to update it.

So having spent the 2 previous days before the marathon in London I was feeling pretty relaxed about the whole thing.The Saturday was spent "doing the tour" in blazing sunshine and had the pleasure of meeting up with with some forum folk at the Buzzers Picnic in the park. It was going to have to be an early night and I wished,at that point, that I could just hang out in London without the issue of running 26.2miles the next morning.

THE BIG DAY!!!

Had 2 alarms set and was up before both of them. 5.45.... not too bad and not feeling too bad. Quick shower,dressed and then brekkie. This was my major mistake.... I had one of these instant pots of porridge made with water and it hardly  contained anything at all !! My stomach was saying "urgh you're full now" Normally at home I stuff my face before a long run and here I was about to run the furthest EVER and could hardly eat anything. The text messages were starting to come through and the nerves were there but not too noticable.

The walk to the station was about 25 minutes and there was a bit of panic about whether it was train or tube as runners were going either way!! lol I met a really nice guy called Steve  who was like me wondering which way we were going. Having got on the right mode of transport for the Red Start I was on my way ! It didn't take long.. it felt a bit strange saying goodbye to my husband, Derek, at the gates.....he was heading back to the course and hopefully the next time he would see me would be ME running LONDON!!

I still had Steve with me and then bumped into fellow Buzzer Julie who had herself met up with an "unknown" on the big day. It's amazing how friendly everyone was! The four of us walked into the Start area and got our photos taken

Soon after we all went our separate ways. A few trips to the loo,a banana and another meet up with the Buzzers and the time was getting closer to 9.45!! Dumped my kit bag on the big lorry and went to find Pen 9...which I couldnt find lol I knew it was at the back so I just followed all the strange costumes. Waiting there I felt a bit sad that I didn't have anyone to run with (yeah I know!) because there seemed to be loads of groups of friends all chatting away. Perhaps I was just quietly taking it all in....

Finally the countdown!! Arghhhhh.  A massive cheer went through the crowd and it was a big crowd...you've seen it on the telly! It took me twenty minutes to actually cross the START line and up to that point it was just a slow walk....

And there I was in the London Marathon with a huge task in front of me. I had a little giggle at the runners bursting for a wee all heading off to the left into the bushes women too! Just heads poking out of bushes....thank goodness nothing else.

Most of this is a bit of a blur and I had no idea where I was most of the time lol. The first few miles were difficult because I was so overcome with nerves that my heart rate would not slow down....I wasn't even running particularly fast either.Then the sun came out and I felt so hot and uncomfortable. The crowds were lovely... from the minister blessing the runners with holy water to the household blaring out the " Chariots of Fire" theme tune whilst drinking their Sunday orange juice on deckchairs.

First and only loo stop was at 4 miles and that was about 15 minute wait. Quick phonecall to my mum and I was on my way again. I was just in awe all the way around. I couldn't believe I was doing this!!

Folk were shouting my name from either side of the road and the kids were hi-fiving you as you ran past. My thumbs were in a permanent "thumbs -up " position so I could "Thank" folk without saying anything. Everytime I ran under a mile marker which was a big red structure... I looked up at  it and thought "YES!" keep going.....and I kept going.  I 'd adopted more of a run-walk thing as I couldn't get into a proper stride. I would run through a quiet area and I would settle into it but then I could hear the crowds cheering building up and round the corner BOOM sheer madness of cheering and shouting my name and would get all nervous and panicky again lol. Words can't really describe the feeling!!

Tower bridge at 13 miles was a moment for me..through the shouting I heard Derek shouting "Go Susie!!!" and I ran over to him and gave him a  kiss and  a hug and said something like "this is mad!"  Now you'll know if you've done this marathon that at the 13 mile point you meet up with runners at the mile 22 going in the opposite direction. And there were a LOT of runners...it didnt put me off it just spurred me on a bit . Then there was this lovely old man, who was one of the Virgin supporters who nearly made me cry. He was standing on the roadside just after the bridge and he grabbed my hand and put his other arm around my shoulder and said "Susie, my love, well done you're at 13 miles, you're half way there!! Keep going! " 

On I went and supporters were as massive and as loud all the way.Handing out sweets and even flowers! Spoke to quite a few folk on the way too. Hayden the Womble and Dangermouse, the man with the Angel of the North on his back, a guy in a suit of armour ...astounding.

The ground was particularly sticky at the gel stations and I can still hear the squeeky noise of the trainers..the showers too were a welcome relief as it was really warm at some points.

Random moment- a man holding a banana,just one man ,one banana...wait a minute..that'll do me ! Wait a minute..it might be poisoned... sod it.  Eat it !! (thank you banana man x)

I loved running thorugh Canary Wharf,these massive buildings !! I just kept looking up at them and taking in the atmosphere.

The mileage was going up and my time was slowing but it didn't matter.This was my first London Marathon and I was LOVING it. LOVING IT!  Another teary moment was at 23 miles. Running under a massive Lucozade banner that read  "IN 3 MILES YOU WILL HAVE MADE HISTORY! "   Oh god I was actually going to make it !! I was pretty much numb from the waist down by this point. My toes were burning and my feet had already gone the way of the Hobbitt. Some folk were throwing up by this point...

Flapjacks at Mile 23 were a godsend.Stuffed 2 down my gob and on I went. Got  onto Embankment for the last few miles and I saw Derek again....didn't stop this time. Did a bit more walking in preparation for the finish!

THE FINAL BIT....

I still had no clue where I was going and then I realised that I was running under Big Ben...I was amazed at how much of the London attractions I had ran past and almost missed! The crowds were just mental.!!! "you're nearly there" " only a mile to go!!" Arghhhhh this was it and I was on Birdcage walk. Overtaken by Spiderman at this point. The markers were now down to metres and I wanted to cry quite a lot at this point. The runners just had to run past Buckingham Palace and  onto the finish line.....

Here I go... more crowds,more cheering ,Buckingham Palace passed... I CAN SEEEEEE THE FINISHHHHHH!!!!!!!! 200 metres to go ....100 metres.... quick check around me..no wombles or rhinos.. the line!!! Hands in the air and across...

I AM A BLOODY MARATHON RUNNER!!!!

I was in a bit of a daze at this point and it wasnt until the lady put the medal around my neck that I cried!. It took me 6 hrs 19 and 43 secs but you know what?? I still did it and it was THE MOST AMAZING thing I have done.

Unless you do it you can't really fully understand the awesomeness of it all.The crowd support along the way is neverending. Thank you to everyone who made my first London experience a lovely one....

The pirate ship pub,the drunk folk,the water station people,the drunk folk, St Johns Ambulance handing out lumps of Vaseline! banana man and flapjack lady, and of course the drunk folk....if you can do London...you'll not regret it.

As for me its LonDONE for now.Here's to next year x

Yes I would do it all again it is soooo worth it!