Run > Race

FLM <p>

Woke up on the Saturday feeling awful, I had a cold & cough and had not slept well for 3 nights now, If the race had been on Saturday I would not have been there. Still, a day off work and a chance to rest. I did have to go shopping though, I've had a slight niggle in my groin recently and had decided to buy some 'skins type' shorts to hold it all together on the day. They were bloody expensive at the EXPO on wednesday so a trip to JJB was required. <p>

The bag was packed on Saturday.My pre-race strategy started with immodium before I went to bed as I've had pitstop problems on my long runs recently. Another immodium was taken when I got up. <p>

Mrs Bob drove me to Chelmsford for 6.45, from where I took the Springfield Striders Runners Coach with Dick to the Greenwich Foot tunnel. A bit of a delay getting there as we had to negotiate with the Police teams to get through the road closures. (I guess next year the bus will have to start earlier). A nice walk under the Thames through Greenwich and up to the Park, said goodbye to Dick, ( i was at the Red start he was Blue) and made my way to the bandstand for an 8.30 meet with the 'Woolworths Kids First' Runners (it was by now about 8.40), and a 9.00 Fetchie meet. <p>

Hardly any Kids First runners there, and the planned photo shoot had not materialised, started getting changed, I left an old Tech Top on as well as my running Kit. I made a right prat of myself when I went over to the Fetchies and turned my back on them to show off my Fetch Logo on the back of my shirt. I had a bloody top over my logos!!! <p>

Dumped my kit, got some coffee, got some water, used the urinals, got some Lucozade, went to get my Chip checked as I was worried it wasn't secure enough, needn't have worried about that, I'd put it on upside down. the nice young lady snipped it off and re-attached it. Then used the urinals again and made my way to Pen 5.<p>

We soon started to move, and everyone started to chuck there binbags and old tops off. WHY! The race hasn't started we haven't crossed the start yet, and we're certainly not warmed up! the gun went off and we started edging towards the Start balloons. I was surprised that we crossed the line in under 3 minutes, any way the Marathon was on. A bit crowded, but that's to be expected at London. Went past the Masai's at about mile 5.By mile 9 was starting to get a bit warm ,and was fearing a hot Marathon! At the next water station the remainder of the water went over my head & face, and I took advantage of the first set of showers. <p>

The rain soom came to cool us down, and we were running through a few puddles for some miles after that. For me seeing Tower Bridge is the best moment of the race, unlike the other sights the first time you see Tower Bridge is when you turn a corner and it's there! right in front of you! and you're running up it! fantastic! <p>

Got down the other side and started looking for Mrs Bob, and Dicks family along the Highway. I heard a shout as I went by, and had to turn back to say hello and pick up my Wine Gums. This was a busy stretch of road for me, The striders were on the 13 mile water station,and then Fetchpoint 22 was a few yards further up on the other side of the road.<p>

I was now heading up towards Docklands. I could feel my Long run problem coming on and looked out for the toilets, there were some ahead, but massive queues! I ran past and kept looking, there was another 'toilets ahead' sign and no queue at this one. However, they were all occupied! waited done the job, and carried on. I had lost 3 minutes there! an 11.20 mile, my first over 9 minutes apart from saying hello to the Missus! <p>

Back into the groove soon though and a few more miles in the 8.40's . For some reason as we were getting towards the commercial centre the course was really narrow, just one lane of road when a lot more space could have been used. started to feel heavy & slow from mile 18, and really didn't like running the area around Canary Wharf with the twists and turns and the echoey noise. I was glad to get out of there and back on to the real roads! <p>

From now it was 2 or 3 miles to Fetchpoint! I passed Homer as he was walking through the 20 mile mark, I tried to give him some encouragement, but I guess it's not much help if your Target has gone and a slower runner is going past. Got to Fetchpoint, saw Max and oceanspirit, didn't see Team signs, didn't see Hendo, didn't collect Wine Gums. Fetchpoint was gone in a flash! <p>

Just a 4 mile slog to the finish now, it really was heads down and concentrate on keeping going. I was hardly acknowledging anyone calling my name by now. Sorry! I was knackered! looked out foir TomTom on the bridges by mile 23, but didn't see anyone waving at me. This was a long slog now! Keep going Bob! The 3.45 dream had gone, but a PB was still on as long as I keep going. <p>

At mile 25 an over exhuberant runner saw his supporters in the crowd, started some elaborate waving, sideways running etc, and nearly took me out as he started to fall. He went over. I kept going. Big Ben and the eye finally went behind me as they'd been looming for miles. I was on the last stretch, 800 yards to go, 600 yards to go, 400 yards to go, turn the corner, 385 yards to go, hit the lap button again. the clock was under 4 hours as I went through. When I got my PB at Edinburgh of 3.58.07 the clock was over 4 hours as it took so long to cross the start line. <p>

3.53.35 ! <p>

a 4 and a half minute PB, that'll do <p>

Then went through the assembly line, chip off, get medal, get photographed, get gody bag, collect kit. <p>

Drank the chocolate yahoo from the goody bag, ate the Mars planets, drank the chocolate Frijj that I'd packed in my Kit bag. went to Meeting area C where I'd arranged to meet Dick, DaveC and our supporters. No-one there yet, phoned Mrs Bob, they were at mile 23 and walking. The rain started so I headed to the Changing Tent to get out of the rain, and get changed. Went back to Area C, and found Dick, he had come in at 4.20. I was feeling decidedly dodgy by now and headed off towards the toilets. Bumped into DaveC on the way, had a chat before I threw up my choccy drinks! Luckily it was a gravelled area and I was able to cover up the mess. I had recovered after a cup of Coffee at Liverpooll Street, and was able to down the ritual Chinese Meal that evening. <p>

3.53.35, I have a new PB! <p>

8.35, 67% WHR <br>
8.21, 78% ? <br>
8.58, 73% <br>
8.11, 74% <br>
8.27, 75% <br>
8.42, 75% <br>
8.52, 73% <br>
8.30, 74% <br>
8.41, 74% <br>
8.47, 75% <br>
8.40, 75% <br>
8.38, 74% <br>
9.06, 74% <br>
8.08, 75% <br>
11.20, 70% <br>
8.55, 75% <br>
8.44, 76% <br>
8.41, 75% <br>
9.05, 75% <br>
9.05, 75% <br>
9.02, 76% <br>
9.02, 75% <br>
9.09, 74% <br>
8.56, 75% <br>
9.29, 74% <br>
9.20, 74% <br>
1.55 76% <br>