Inexperienced runner-London Marathon 2010- Am I crazy?? by sophia9187

Can't believe I finished actually!

Started off well and managed to run to the 13 mile point before I had to stop for the toilet (Wanted to go before the race but couldn't bring myself to use the womens urinals-snobby I know!). Unfortunately Once I had stopped that was it! I struggled to run to 15 miles and from 15 to 20 I had to run and walk. From 20 I felt I had to pretty much give up and began to walk. This was depressing! I felt completely alone (even though I was surrounded by 100s of people) and my legs and feet were killing me!  Every time I got to a mile marker I told myself I would run but couldn't bring myself to do it! I felt I had let everyone down by not being able to run the whole thing! Luckily for me I saw my boyfriend at mile 23 who gave me the moral support and encouragement to keep going! Burst into tears when I saw him lol!  Managed to run the next 2 and then saw my mum which helped push me the final mile! Seeing the finish line was like seeing an oasis in the dessert!

So my final time isn't a time that serious runners would be impressed with (6 hrs 10) but to hell with that, Im bloody proud of myself!  I have raised over 1000 pounds for great ormond street for the small price of a few blisters and a sore foot a week later! 

Thank you to all the kids that high fived me, all the people handing out sweets, fruit and drinks! Thank you to all the supporters! Thank you to the nice man Richard who chatted to me near the Cutty Sark!

Well Done to everyone that took part, the soldiers carrying the weights, the firemen in full kit, the man with a fridge on his back and everyone else!

Overall London 10 was the worst thing I have ever done in my life, but equally the best experience I have ever taken part in! 

So, would I do it all over again? HELL YES!!!!