Philip's dream by philip_owen

After seeing a consultant, a physio and after an MRI scan it was discovered I have a small tear in a cartilage in my knee.

After much thought I have decided to have surgery to have it sorted out. Surgery is planned for next Tuesday. Hopefully I will   be back to running properly in the near future.

All the best everyone

Since doing the FLM my life has been full of mishaps.

Work went crazy on 23 April and hasn't stopped which interupted training somewhat. Then just as I was increasing my milage again BANG. I got a knee injury which. That was in the middle of May and I still have a problem now.

As I write this I am awaiting the results of an MRI scan and I expect to have to have an small operation. Hopefully I will be back to running after that.

The good news is I can still swim and cycle so I am not totally inactive. I can also run short distances but not pain free so not doing much of that.

Still hopeful of doing the Great South Run but the the Windsor half marathon is less certain. If I do make it I don't think I will be fully fit so would have to take it easy.

Hope everyone else is doing ok.   

Ok let’s get the facts over with first before I bore you with then details.

 Time 5 hrs 18 mins 28 Secs

Position 20175

Age position (40-44) 3456

My goal was 4:30 and I still think if everything had gone to plan that it was possible. However in the cool light of day (or should I say the baking heat of Sunday) I now know that it was not really on.

I should have known it was not my day when I got a stitch at 2 miles. I never get stitches in training but I ran though it and it disappeared.

Although I was doing OK (if not on schedule) at half way things then took a turn for the worse when at just past 14 miles I developed stomach cramps. Was that last banana I had 90 mins before the start too much or had I taken on too much water fearing dehydration I don’t. However I had to stop for a moment to be sick. I apologised to the poor spectators who witnessed such a site (even though I did find a drain to use so fellow runners did not have to run through my vomit)

Managed to keep going through the stomach cramps to about 20 miles but at a much reduced pace. (Though was sick again at 19 miles, or at least I would have been if their had been anything in my stomach to bring up) Can I say at this point that I owe the people of London a massive debt of gratitude for keeping me going.

With still 6 miles to go and the stomach getting worse I started to run/walk. I knew well before then that my target was out of reach and getting to the finish line was now the only priority. At 25 miles I seen my wife, children and other supporters for the third time on the route, they say I looked ashen at this point and had genuine fears for my welfare. These fears got worse when we failed to meet at the allotted point after the finish. We were in fact only 20 yards away from each other but neither could see the other. We did meat back at the hotel much to her relief.

I made to the finish with the help of the crowds and fellow runners.

It is hard not to be disappointed with the time and even though I have spoken to many runners who missed their goal by as much or more I still feel if the weather/stomach cramps sabotaged my marathon.

As for another marathon (London or another) I would like to do one. I want to put into practice some of the lessons I learnt on Sunday. I will, however, have to persuade my good lady who has been very supportive over the last 6 months or so and was put through hell on Sunday, that it is a good idea.

Looking forward I have entered the Windsor half marathon in September and the Great South Run in October. Done both before and hope for PBs.

On a final and very sad note I heard today that a 22 year old man who collapsed when he crossed the finish line died in hospital. My heart goes out to his family who I am sure are devastated. I never knew him but will think of him every time I look at my medal.

Well done everybody 

Just one little training run left to do then it's the big one.

My kit is ready, the iron on letters for my running vest are ironed on (a nice neat job if I say so myself but don't tell the good lady I used the iron) and the journey to the metropolis is planned.

It is all systems go.

We are leaving for the big city on Saturday morning and staying at the Novotel Tower Hill.

I will go to the Expo to register while the rest of the tribe go and see some of the sights. The kids are so excited you would think it is Christmas, birthdays and holidays all rolled together. Me, I go from excitement to fear and all stops in between  

Just in case I don't get to do any more blogs before the race I want to wish everyone all the best on Sunday.

May the miles feel short and your legs feel strong.

May you do yourself justice.

May your God may be with you every step of the way.

Good luck and good running.