I usually have a rule about keeping this blog for business topics, but for once I’m going to make an exception. A few days ago I took part in an event for which I’ve been preparing for many months and I thought my blog would be a good place in which to share all the details. A lot of people gave me a lot of support and I wanted a way to share my report of the event with them – so here it is.

On Sunday 21 April 2013 I completed the London Marathon!

I woke on Sunday morning to sunshine and clear blue skies – not the sort of weather I’m used to running in, having done most of my training in rain, snow and wind. But I decided that I could cope and joined the huge throng of people gathering in Greenwich Park. On the advice of one of my training buddies, I got myself a cup of tea (free to runners!) and settled under a tree to soak up the atmosphere and get ready. The time passed quickly and before I knew it, we were all collecting in the starting pens, waiting to get going. After a very poignant 30 second silence to remember those affected by the events in Boston earlier in the week (and yes, 35,000 people really did fall completely silent) we were off. It took about 15 minutes of slow walking before I reached the start, but I was able to start running as soon as I crossed the line. And we were off! This was really it!

Right from the start, the streets were lined with people, clapping and cheering us on. Complete strangers cheering for complete strangers – wonderful! I quickly settled into my pace and ran the first few miles exactly on my target of 10 minute miles. I kept to the shady side of the streets where I could, took on plenty of water as it was handed out at the drink stations and particularly enjoyed the sound of the Komodo Drummers around mile 5. I enjoyed the close up view of the Cutty Sark and views of the Thames. Before I knew it, I turned corner and saw Tower Bridge rising above me _ it’s huge! Spurred on by the packed crowds, I crossed the river and reached the halfway marker exactly on schedule at 2 hours and 10 minutes. I was still really enjoying myself and we headed east, along a stretch were the serious competitors were running back along the other side of the road – going almost twice as fast as me!

Just keep running.

As I reached the Isle of Dogs, around 15 miles, I realised that I was slowing down a little. My 10 minute miles were becoming 10.5 minute miles, but I was still running. It wasn’t until mile 17 that it began to get tricky. I’ve run further than that before, but I started to get tired. I’m putting it down to the sunshine that I’m not used to! To keep me going, I promised myself that if I could keep running to mile 20, I would be allowed to walk for a while. This is a trick I’ve used a lot and it always works. I made it through those next 3 miles and enjoyed running through Canary Wharf – just about managing to crane my neck up to look at those amazing skyscrapers while still running. It was a relief to see the 20 mile banner and as I passed under it, my legs did something strange. While my brain said stop, the legs just kept going. And they kept going for the next 3 miles! I have no idea what kept me running – maybe it was the thought of all the people who had helped me get that far, or all the people in the Third World who will be helped by the money I’ve raised – but something kept pushing me on.

However, by mile 23, both the brain and the legs had run out of steam and I decided to walk. It was almost more uncomfortable than running – by this time my left shoulder had completed seized up, I felt as if someone had punched me in the back and the ribs, my thighs were agony and each foot screamed every time it hit the road. But at least I was still moving. What I really wanted to do was curl up and die, but I knew I had to keep going, to get across the finish line. And while I was walking, I actually overtook someone who was running!

Out of the tunnel and into the light.

Just before the 24 mile marker, I came out of tunnel to be greeted by a cloudy sky – finally it was cooling down and it was enough to get me running again. Only 2 miles to go, although when you’ve already done 24 miles, 2 miles is still a long way. The crowds lining the Embankment were extremely noisy and although I was having to work hard to keep going, I did manage to see the London Eye, Big Ben and some of the other sites. The mile 25 marker slipped by and I was edging closer. Turn the corner into Birdcage Walk and the signs start counting down … 800 yards … 600 yards … and then you turn the corner past Buckingham Palace. (Why wasn’t the Queen there to wave at me?) And then you turn the next corner onto the Mall and in front of you is the finishing line and gantry – it’s so close! I actually laughed when I saw it, because there had been times earlier in the afternoon when I didn’t think I’d see it. And somehow, despite being more tired than I ever thought possible, on feet and legs that didn’t seem to be mine, I managed to speed up and make one final dash across the finish line.

4 hours and 39 minutes of (mostly) running and I had done it – I had completed the London Marathon!

All the months of training and preparation had paid off. I got my medal and my finishers T-shirt – all I needed was a new set of legs and feet that actually worked!

Running the London Marathon is one of the toughest and most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Will I ever do it again?  As a write this, a day after the event, I can’t even walk up and down stairs properly, let alone think about running. So just watch this space!

I’d like to send a huge thank you to everyone who helped me get across the finish line. If you sent me training tips and advice, took me running, sponsored me, tracked me or texted me on the day, raced around London trying to spot me on the day or anything else ? THANK YOU! If you haven’t yet sponsored me and you’d like to help me raise far more than my target, then please click here to visit my Just Giving page, where you can make a donation.

What about the numbers?

If you’re interested in the statistics, I was placed number 19,863 overall; number 5279 out of all the female competitors and number 971 in my age category. I used up about 4300 calories, ran an average of 10.5 minute miles and have, to date, raised £1708 for The Brooke!