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This time last week I had just run my second London Marathon
Apr2420117 p.m.
What a difference a week makes, this time last week I was sitting in horse Guards parade drinking my recovery shake having just completed my second ever London Marathon.
The day had started at 4am when the alarm woke me in time to get ready, eat my breakfast of porridge and banana, and catch the early train to London in time for the 9-45 start of the Virgin London Marathon.
After the Months of training it was finally here and as I reached Blackheath I could feel the nerves and excitement begin to start! I had met up with some of my running club members on the train and it was nice to have company to join me getting to the start.
The weather seemed perfect overcast, not too cold or too warm, ideal running conditions but as we know that was all about to change.
Standing in our pens it all seemed to happen so quickly and before I realised it we were off, but with the crowds of runners it took a while to reach the start line. And even once we did it was difficult to run without bumping in to other runners, elbows, and heels and I was worried about tripping up as I had already seen someone do so I took it slowly and as I had planned to try and keep an even pace doing 11 minute miles it didn’t really matter.
The first 5 miles I ran felt perfect and I felt good, but by the time I had reached 10 miles it stared to feel a lot warmer and I seemed to struggle, not much, and although I lost a a bit of time on the next couple of miles I didn’t worry that much as I thought once I reached 23 if I felt good I would push the last 3 miles.
But by the time I had reached 21 I just knew it was a case of finishing and any hopes of a PB or even a 5-30 marathon was out the question as by now the only way I could complete this was to add walking breaks every mile something I had not needed to do before. And all around me there were people walking and I don’t remember so many people needing the St Johns Ambulance. So I decided how ever long it took me I would finish so as not to let all my sponsors down for Parkinson’s UK.
The crowds were Amazing and the atmosphere incredible, and because I had to take my time I was able to soak more of this up than before and even chat to some of the other runners. Including the oldest man who was running his 20th Marathon I think he told me he was 85 and he was fantastic! And really made me laugh when he said he got round by following a nice looking bottom, only one year when he reached 18 miles, when they turned round it was a man
Another highlight was seeing my family at half way and even stopping briefly to have my photo taken, that really spurred me on and the people shouting every ones names this year was exceptional, a group even broke into the Neil Diamond song Sweet Caroline when they saw my name on my top, which was so touching!
Apart from a chafe mark on my arm I had no blisters, no injuries to report and I manage to cross the finish line feeling pretty ok apart from very stiff and achey .And after meeting up with my family was able to go back to the Hotel where the Charity I was running for laid on a food, showers and a free massage.
So although I didn’t get the time I had hoped I did it in 6 hours 15 minutes just over 50 minutes slower than in 2005 and have managed to raise over £600 for my Charity thanks to everybody for their support in sponsoring me.
Well today I have been on the beach where the temperatures have reached even hotter and have spent the day relaxing, and no I haven’t been for a run yet and have decided to take advice from my sports massure and not run for 11 days and then just go out and do a few easy runs, not worry about times and just enjoy them! Which I fully intend to do, but am not going to put any pressure on myself as to when I am going to enter my next race, and am just grateful that I was able to run at all after thinking back to last year when I thought I would maybe never be able to run again.
gunes
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Comments (13)
Keith_L 'Great pics Love the advice from the physio - 11 days not 10 or 12 but 11 :-) Enjoy the break' added 24th Apr 2011
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Firefly123 'A great post, Caroline and I'm so glad you enjoyed the day. I remember how gutted you were when you had to defer from 2010, so well done you. Bask in the glory now - you deserve it x' added 24th Apr 2011
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ClaireJJ 'Fab Caroline, well done! Fancy some company on one of your gentle runs in the next week or two? xxx' added 24th Apr 2011
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eclipse 'Glad you also had a great day, real shame I missed you, unfortunately I seemed to miss everyone, probably because I was at the back. Well done mate. Tel' added 24th Apr 2011
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squa25 'Lovely report Caroline and congrats again!! You take it easy and enjoy your deserved break.' added 24th Apr 2011
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crooxi 'Well done! - so glad it all went okay, and you were able to enjoy the experience. Enjoy the 'easy running' now. I was also intrigued by the very specific '11 days'!' added 24th Apr 2011
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agj202 'well done...I found mile 21 onwards incredibly hard work as well!' added 24th Apr 2011
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karobinson 'Well done Caroline, you did it! Was getting a bit worried when I hadn't seen your post, hopefully we'll meet up at the next one!' added 25th Apr 2011
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HellenH 'Well done on your sucess! It was soooo hot! Enjoy your medal!! Congratulations! :)' added 25th Apr 2011
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Nick 'I was wondering where your report had got to, Caroline! Well done on making it across that finish line. I hope you had a good time and maybe we might see you there again next year!' added 25th Apr 2011
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Jenny1961 'Well done Caroline! It's amazing how a few degrees rise in temperature can affect people's performance. You did yourself proud. The photos are great. Hope you are signing up for next year- ballot opens midnight tonight apparently!' added 25th Apr 2011
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glen_b 'About time you blogged your race report! Many congratulations!!' added 26th Apr 2011
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Suziewee 'Fantastic report Caroline - it sounds like you really enjoyed it and soaked up the atmosphere. What an amazing day and like you say last year you weren't sure you would run again let alone complete another marathon. What a star you are. Enjoy your break and I can't wait to see what other challenges you set yourself xx' added 1st May 2011
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