DIDN’T I SAY I WOULDN’T DO ANOTHER MARATHON!
So how did it happen? Well I did say I would only do it once, but my husband happened to mention after my first marathon on 2001 that he felt he should have done it, so that was it. I couldn’t face seeing him run it when I knew I could do it, so we made an agreement – we would both apply in 2002 and if I got in and he didn’t I would give up my place to him. Neither of us got in. In August 2002 we had another marathon conversation and agreed to both apply again, with the exact same policy, if I got in without him he would have my place.
In November 2002 Tim received notification that he had not got a place, 2 weeks later I received her letter ‘yea I had a place’, however it wasn’t just any place. The numbers all get issued and then they do a lucky 1000 person dip and I got a place out of that. I must say my lucky dip place was offered to Tim. However, there was a problem – Tim’s friend was getting married in 2003 and had planned his stag 5 day holiday so it clashed with the London Marathon! The girls were going 3 days after which meant I had a place in the London Marathon 2003. Now you may think I had a choice – which I guess I did, but it is such an honour to get a place without having to run for a charity, (as anyone that has applied for the Marathon will know), places are really difficult to get. So I took this as a sign, this was something that I had to do. I thought it would be a doddle seeing as I had done it before – wrong, very wrong!
Training – well since the last London Marathon I kept up the running, 3 – 4 times a week doing 2 – 3 miles. In January 2003 I started the improvers training programme kindly given to me by the marathon organisers. This meant running 6 days a week for roughly an hour most days with a big run on Sundays, in January this was 1 ½ hours, 2 ½ in February and 3 ½ hours in March. As a part of my training I entered a number of races – Canterbury 10 mile (92 mins), Dover half marathon (2 hours), Cranleigh 15 mile ( 2 hrs 33) and Worthing 20 (3 hours 30 mins) spaced out over the three months! How was it -HARD- having done it all before the novelty had definitely worn off and it was really hard doing the longer runs and the races, I knew the pain, I knew the boredom and above all I knew the commitment that was needed, but I persevered!!!
Two weeks before Marathon day, the training dies down and eventually ceases on the Thursday before the big day! In the last week, I gave up caffeine drinks and drank only water and ate lots of pasta and rice!
On Wednesday evening Tim and I had to go to Docklands Arena in London so that I could register, it’s a nice evening out, there is an exhibition, lots of freebies and a chance to buy souvenirs. Registering is so easy and well organised, you take your letter to the booth with your number, they check your signature, and sign you in. You then move to the next part, they scan your registration bar code, and your name comes up on the computer with your sex and age. You are then given a bag with your name on it and in the bag is the running number (16633), a timing chip to fasten to your shoe, 4 safety pins and a sticky number to attach to your kit bag. Its then on to pick up your kit bag and that’s the registration over with! All done in about 10 mins.
Tim went off on his stag week on Friday and I was left to stress over what was to come! I may not have looked stressed but I definitely was! What pace should I run at, what should I eat, how should I do my hair, blah blah! I had known Tim was going for months, but I hadn’t prepared myself for it very well – and I can truly say I really missed him in every sense, his support, his shoulder, it was really hard, I needed him with me through this more than anything else!
So Saturday was spent quite calmly – I actually worked which was very sad, but at the same time it kept my mind off the marathon. I ate a huge pasta lunch at midday, and took Benji out for two one hour walks. In the evening after a snack, I watched Disney’s Cinderella (I know I am sad), had a bath and went to bed at 10pm. I had an awful night’s sleep, (well after drinking so much water I needed the toilet all night), but to be fair I was also a little stressed and had no one to share it with.
Up at 5am – straight out for a walk with Benji before having a bowl of porridge and a shower, and the off in the car. I dropped Benji off at Jan and Dave’s (Tim’s mum and dad) and went off to my Mum and Dad’s and we got on the Aylesham road runners bus at 6.30am. Luckily there was a toilet on board!!! We arrived at Black heath 2 hours before the start – nerves were really kicking in now! I got myself dressed at about 8.30am and put everything I needed in my kit bag I then dropped it off to the right van which had my running number on it (the Marathon is just so well organised!), and then it was back to the bus for another toilet stop and Vaseline! I saw the elite and wheelchair start (my only hope of seeing Paul Radcliffe all day!), and then I walked to my start blue – zone 9 (the slowies). I didn’t need the sweatshirt or the bin liner I had taken in case of the cold as it was already hot at 9.30am. I stretched my muscles and talked to a few people on the start line and at 9.45am the gun went off. It was a 10 minute amble to the start and then we still had to walk for about 5 mins after that (unlike the last time I did it). It was great – the pavements were full of people, I decided to run on the left hand side, because I knew that I would get my name constantly shouted out – but at the same time you are expected to high five every kid you see!
There were some memorable moments! Funny and Painful! I was running alongside Harry Potter, lots of fairies, bumped into a few Elvis look a likes, the rhino’s were out in force and I did pass a womble! The costumes are amazing! A man beside me was wearing an outfit which included an emu made to look like he was riding it, and it made my day when I heard a little boys voice shout out “Oy Mister that’s cheating!”.
The race started off hot and it got hotter – water stations were every mile after about 3 (I believe) and I had to get water and drink it all at every station! There was very little breeze and I could feel the sun shining down on me! It’s quite hard in the first few miles to get a rhythm as there are so many runners, particularly when all the starts come together after about 2-3 miles, but I maintained my position on the left and for the most was okay!
At 6 miles we got to Cutty Sark – masses of people everywhere, all screaming my name, the runners came to an almost standstill at Cutty Sark, and we had to walk for quite a bit just sheers numbers I think, but we all got running again soon after. I then saw Mum and Dad, which I have to say has to be one of the best motivators in the world. Seriously if you ever know anyone going in for the marathon go and watch them, you will never know how much it means to them when you see people you know! I had needed the toilet since the start and this is the only downside of drinking so much water. There are toilets at regular intervals but there are always huge queues, so I am sorry to all of you squeamish people, but I had to find a bush, just after the 7 mile mark. At about 9 miles I was serenaded by group of people singing my name from a balcony which was nice, and I also got cheered on by some London Fire Brigade workers, which was also very nice! My first half was great I was averaging 10 – 11 min miles (I had been told that I should start of slow and increase my pace later – I should have known better as I always have to do things differently). At some point I passed the 4 fireman from Aylesham who were just about to have a leg massage, on the side of the road, maybe I should have got one too? I got to half way in about 2 hours 23 minutes – the Tower Bridge was just before this and it was totally awesome. For one you are running over the bridge, but to be honest it’s the people! Screaming and shouting at you, urging you on, it’s fantastic. There are banners every where with peoples names on and little messages – enough to make you cry! So, anyway I came through half feeling okay – it was hard though as at this point alongside the half (or is it the 13 mile marker) on the other side of the road is the 22 mile marker for the faster runners – that’s a hard one to take in knowing that they are 9 miles ahead of you. But I carried on and I felt pretty good. I think the music on the side of the road is also a big help as it really helps to take your mind off the pain, particularly when you can sing along.
I am not sure what the wall is exactly, but I think if I hit it, I hit it at around 19 miles and I struggled then until about 21/22. I had to walk 1 min and jog about 5 for some of that time – I know you’ll be thinking walk – but in actual fact I power walked and so I felt it was okay! What got me running again – well a group of young lads who were shouting my name and urging me on! (Thank you to who ever they are!). And then I ran, and continued to run (not quite Forest Gump). And then you go under the Tower Bridge and past Tower of London – this was really difficult as its cobbled stones, with a carpet along the centre – lots of walkers at this point which meant I had to dodge in and out of them. But I got past that and hit the 23 mile marker and then I saw Mum, who was screaming at me – I ran over and she took a photo (um I bet that’s a nice one) I had a hug and then ran to my Dad for another hug – with 3 ½ miles to go this was the spur I needed (thank you Mum and Dad you’ll never know how much I appreciated your support).
I then ran, at some point I met up with the only other women from Aylesham who I had been meeting up with for the past 4 – 5 miles, we were both having a bad time around the 19 mile mark but at different times. We ran together – she was running at quite a good pace, and I was struggling at this point, but with ½ mile to go she had to stop so I carried on. I got to Big Ben (what a lovely sight) and rounded the corner towards Buckingham palace, the streets were thick with people and all I could hear was my name – this was my race and for a few minutes I dreamed I was the winner instead of being number 5451st (women only before you get too impressed). I ran up the road (it wasn’t that easy believe me) and turned the corner into the mall and I could see the finish line – pints of beer flashing before me! I also saw a man dressed as a Timex watch which gave me inspiration to beat him – we came in together. The time was 5 hours 8 mins – 8 mins slower than in 2001. How did I feel, well to be honest I just wanted to cry, I was really emotional.
The finish is fantastic, at the line you are met by a photographer who takes a photo as you come over the line – you are then moved along to a ramp where someone takes off your timing chip from your shoe. You are then given your well deserved medal, and moved along to queue for another photograph this time with your medal and your number showing. Its then time for the goody bag (I was really looking forward to this as last time it had sandwiches in it, and after 7 hours of no food and after running 26 miles I needed food), and then it was along to the lorry to pick up my kit bag! As I said earlier the organisation is absolutely fantastic. So armed with my kit bag and my goody bag I decided not to sit down but keep moving to meet up with mum and Dad at Festival hall. I phoned them immediately to tell them I was on my way and then started the text messages to all my friends and family. I also delved in the goody bag for food – did anyone have a microwave I wondered? You may well laugh, but in it was microwaveable rice, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal (but no milk), deodorant, shower gel, body spray, a muesli bar and an apple, water and lucozade. I was starving! I walked the what seemed like 10 miles to the Festival Hall and had 2 pints and a bagel with cream cheese (thanks to Mum and Dad once again) and waited for the bus to arrive at 5pm. A nice moment was when two ladies came over to me to congratulate me on finishing the marathon! At that point it kind of sunk in!
So we the got the bus home! I was well and truly spoilt that evening by my Mum and Dad with a lovely hot stew and rhubarb Crumble followed bya bath. The next morning I went off to work with a full breakfast inside me!
How did I feel – well I had (and still have a big grin from ear to ear), but in terms of aches and pain, I feel marvellous! On Tuesday I even managed a 2 mile run and it felt great.
So now what’s next! Good question – 5 days in Gran Canaria and then who knows! Thank you for all your support and well wishes, I hope you enjoy reading this – the purpose is that whenever I start to think ‘Yep I could do the London marathon again’, I need to look at this and remember exactly how it was. Absolutely fantastic but how it hurt!!
Suzanne Gough – 15 April 2003
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