Originally Posted by LEECE

congratulations to you all, i watched every bit of the marathon on Sunay and wished i was doing it or there.

Hats off to you guys

Hugs

Originally Posted by Trinity

I started to feel it at around 16, thoughts of last year's London came to mind when I was really struggling with the injury by then. I pushed those thoughts away for fear of bringing it on.

I had a support group waiting for me at 17 and I knew Twinks was going to be at 22 miles, then it would only be another 4 miles to the finish.

Miles 18, 19 and 20 were hard... my head was telling me all kinds of lies. Mile 21 and I wanted to stop for a little rest... but I knew that would be fatal, besides Twinks might catch me slacking

22 miles and I looked out for Twinks... 23 and I knew I'd missed her. "Ok, regroup...3 to go...just 3 more and the pain will stop" I kept telling myself.

I went under what I thought was the 25 mile marker but it turned out to be the 40k marker... 25 came soon after. I started to feel sick. I should mention at this point that I actually felt hunger pangs just before the start...which concerned me. I hadn't eaten any less than I normally would. So during the race I made sure I had my gels and drank the energy drink I was carrying... even in the latter stages when I really didn't want to.

So I took on some more fluids and pushed myself on.

Then I saw a fellow female Hogweed, who is quite a fast lady and I'd expected her to be way ahead of me. I passed her easily and that gave me the motivation I needed at that point because I couldn't let her come back past me.

My garmin as still showing average pace of 8.02's, which surprised me, so head up, focus forward and ignore the voices screaming at me to stop.

Then the big sign said '385yrds to go', I turned the corner... the finish looked soooo far away. I picked up my legs and went for it.

As I ran across the final red mat the achievement felt real... more real than it's ever felt at London.

I was in a daze, could hardly believe it. It wasn't really until I woke up this morning that it finally sunk in that I had got a 3.31.34 finish time. A PB by over 9 minutes, and as even paced 26.2 miles as you could get.

stats say that i was:
4940th finisher
470th lady
62nd in my age group

Originally Posted by Granty

Here I am better late than never. (too many ciders last night in celebration)

LJ,Hollywood and Trin all put me to shame and I am so impressed with your times !!

I came in at a more steady time of 4:53:09 - I had been aiming for between 4:30 and 5:00 so was really chuffed that I had achieved what I set out to do.

It was my first ever marathon and I had the most fantastic experience, loved every minute of it. Felt good upto about 18 then started to struggle from 20, 21......22 almost killed me and then I saw my wife and 2 lads at mile 23 which really gave me a boost (mentally not physically )

I'd heard all the stories about how good the crowd were etc, and during the last couple of miles were amazing and gave me so much encouragement, crossing the finish line is something I will never forget. !!

(come over all emotional )

Words cannot describe how sore and stiff I am today !

PS, TT - shame I did not get a chance to meet you Saturday !!

Originally Posted by LazyJones

I'm not sure flooding the muscles post race with cider/lager is the best recovery method!!!!!!

Originally Posted by LazyJones

Granty! I know how you feel, I can hardly walk today & having to go down stairs is impossible! I'm not sure flooding the muscles post race with cider/lager is the best recovery method!!!!!!