I've done it now..... by simonedumergue

I don’t know when I will come down off Cloud Seven but I really like sitting up here, feeling fantastic, basking in the glory of being a ‘marathon runner’ and having had the most incredible, positive and enjoyable time of it all. I simply can’t stop thinking about the most spectactular experience of my life (up there  with the birth of my children) and think I have a good week ahead of me boring the pants off anyone that I can corner.

So, where to begin.... at the beginning I guess!

I started the day on about three hours of sleep. I had gone to bed around 11pm. Should have gone earlier but too keyed up. Took ages to get to sleep and then was awoken by other guests staying in the next door apartment who decided to have an impromptu party between 1am and 3am. Aargh. My darling husband kept telling them to shut up, which would work for 10 minutes and then they were off again. Dropped off at 3am for two hours of sleep before the kids woke early at 5am. Well, that was sleep then. Decided to not let it affect me and to take a positive approach and get on with the day.

Had a ten minute walk to the London Bridge station and I felt like I did on the morning of my wedding. The same blue skies, quiet, that amazing feeling of excitement and anticipation. I really enjoyed that 10 minute walk. It gave me a chance to reflect, centre myself and focus on what was going to be the biggest physical challenge of my life. I’m no athlete – just an ordinary person and I was about to undertake a significant event.

The train was packed. I was standing next to Spiderman and chatted to him and his girlfriend on the way there. There was a definite atmosphere of nervousness and anticipation in the carriage.

The walk up to the Red Start from the station was lovely too.  In a way though, it was like being part of a large group, yet also feeling quite isolated, so it was wonderful to meet up with some real buzz bloggers: Shazzer, Helen Carley,  Ant Coleman, Maxine Slade,  Gazzer1971, Jon Simmonds.  We had some pics together and stood around feeling nervous in a joint effort. Shazzer, Helen and I did the girly, queuing for the toilets together thing and then Helen and I went to the pen  as we were in the same area for that.  Brilliant to have finally met some of the wonderful bloggers! It was lovely to have the company and we stayed together for the first mile before I carried on as we were running at slightly different paces.

I don’t know what to say about the race other than to say that I genuinely enjoyed every fabulous minute of it. I was aiming to do under 4:30 but came in at 4.38:58. I could definitely have done under 4:30 if I hadn’t spent most of the race tripping over slower people in front of me, dodging around walkers that just stopped in the middle of the road etc but hey – I’m not stressing about it. I was in it for the experience and if my pace was forced down in time due to the inability  to get a good clear run at it, then so be it. The main thing is that I felt so strong throughout that I maintained a very even pace, didn’t feel any urge to stop (even managed to consume those gels on the move in the end!) didn’t have any moments when I felt like it was horrible (OK – from 25 miles on I had to dig deep as my legs were so achey) and had no hint of a ‘wall’ anywhere along the way. So I’m bloody chuffed with that!

So, why did I have such a positive experience?

I put it down to three things:

1.       Following my training plan to the letter

2.       Committing myself fully to the three days of carb loading and forcing another bagel, pikelet, bowl of pasta etc down when I didn’t feel like it to meet my carb targets.

3.       Being really well hydrated when I started and then taking the fluids and gels on at the exact points that the sports scientist has recommended that I do so.

What were the highlights of the race?

Not using my MP3 and instead, soaking up the atmosphere

The music around the course (mixed genres of music to please all tastes), with a highlight of all the runners clapping their hands above their heads as we ran past a band playing “we will rock you”

The friendly crowds outside the pubs, with some of them looking like they couldn’t run to the corner, but cheering you on as if their lives depended on it

High fiving some of the children along the course

Accepting jelly babies from people

Hearing strangers call out my name (an awesome feeling)

Running around Docklands and really enjoying it rather than the horrid experience I thought it was going to be

Feeling the change in tempo of the crowds as we got closer to the finish

Running along the embankment knowing I was close, hearing the crowds going wild

Rounding the corner for the last bit down the Mall and grinning like a loon at the thought of what I was doing

Spotting my family in the grandstand seats by the finish and my husband throwing me a kiss

Me throwing my arms in the air in exhilaration

Having that medal put around my neck

Feeling like a superstar

Having a massage at the post race reception

Proudly wearing my medal on the train on the way home

Feeling good rather than completely wrecked

Reflecting on the fact that little old me, has run a MARATHON!!!!!

 My only request would be a new pair of legs. I spent the morning in bed as my legs are so damn sore I didn’t see the point of getting out until I had to. Have just got back from a complimentary sports massage from my physio friend.  Ouch – that had me screaming out at a couple of points but at least my legs now only feel 8 out of 10 on the pain scale rather than 10 out of 10 as per last night when I couldn’t sleep as every time I turned over, I woke up from the pain.

Another marathon runner turned up for his appointment just as I was leaving and we swapped notes on the best way to get up and down stairs and agreed that the sideways ‘crab shuffle’ was most effective.... don’t  even feel like going back to work tomorrow but have to, so will be hobbling around the office seeking out maximum sympathy I think.

And after saying it will be a once in a lifetime thing to do, I am now trying to get on the site to enter for a ballot place for next year. Yep – bitten by the bug big time.......

Can’t wait to hear how everyone else did, so will be trawling around the site doing so.

 I could not have done this without the fabulous community here on Real Buzz.  A huge thank you to you all. xx