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London Marathon 2019 race report:

Training had gone well, following P&D 70 – 85M 18 week plan almost to the letter. Only a couple of small hiccups, but plenty of positives – easily biggest mileage and PBs at 5M, 10k and half marathon. Two weeks out from London I was shocked to see I weighed more than at any point in the last 4 years. A concerted effort to eat sensibly in the last two weeks, especially having dinner early and then nothing after 6pm made a massive difference, and I ended up feeling light and fit, as well as greatly reducing the amount of insulin I was taking.

I followed the same plan as last year: spoons kindly collecting my number before I got the early coach from Cheltenham on the Sunday. Unfortunately, some loose wild horses on the M4 led to a nerve-wrangling journey, but all was fine in the end. I enjoyed sitting outside the Yellow pen waiting for to meet spoons, just soaking up the atmosphere. I retrospect, not getting changed at this point, even if it meant a brief bit of nudity, was an error. Time seemed to rush away, and before I knew it, we were in the toilet queue and being informed the baggage trucks would soon go. When I emerged from the loo, I saw the trucks had pulled their covers down – shit! Spoons and muddy were helpful in keeping me calm and organising my things. Fortunately, there seems to be some sort of broom wagon to collect the late bags – worth noting. Disappointed that I let myself become flustered – an example of not controlling the controllable. Of further concern was the fact that, despite trying on several occasions, I hadn’t managed to poo (TMI – sorry), for two days. And, spoiler alert, not shitting myself during the marathon was probably my greatest achievement. So, into the pen for a chilly wait. But, as usual, a cracking atmosphere from many like-minded folk.

So, 350 words and three paragraphs and I’ll actually chat about the race. The start of a marathon is a strange one – I don’t particularly want to do a warm up, acutely aware of how tiring the end of the race can be, but I never, ever, go from zero to a 6:30 mile at any other point in the year. So that, and a bit of congestion, are probably behind a slightly slower first 5k (average 6:32 pace). The steel band in the underpass after the downhill were, as ever, brilliant. I genuinely find that moment spine-tingling.

From then on, the pace staying remarkably similar: 6:29s measured over each 5k (according to the tracking app), with little variation per mile. I had a funny moment at mile 9. I recognised Chrissie Wellington (greatest ever female triathlete who I have had similar times to in a few races), so I pulled alongside for a brief chat. As we were running, I became aware of the crowd shouting my name and not hers (she had a blank vest). I know this is meaningless, but for some reason it gave me a real lift. I know – what a loser.

Unlike last year, I didn’t drink, other than the liquid within the gels. This made a massive difference and I didn’t feel sick with water sloshing around my stomach. Through half way and out towards the Isle of Dogs. I was feeling tired, but making a conscience effort to compare it to last year – I was never even close to being that destroyed. This comparison was useful, and I was doing my best to produce a Kipchoge smile (having watched Breaking2 the previous evening). I think that moderating my effort, and having even pacing made a huge difference for me – I was able to feed off the crowd’s energy and appreciate all the named shouts, whereas last year, knackered and slowing down, I just found it oppressing and a further drain on my energy.

I kind of suspected sub 2:50 wasn’t quite on the cards with a few miles to go, but I was determined to go hard, enjoy myself and truly empty the tank. Pleasingly, I started to actually speed up, with mile 24 a 6:18. When you turn right at Big Ben is the moment I think ‘nearly there’, but it’s actually a fair old way until you make that final right hand turn. I was overtaking quite a few, and it’s good to see this backed up in the results: 1st half I overtook 854, with 330 overtaking me, the 2nd half was 326/48. Most overridingly, I felt strong throughout, with a really positive finish. It was, mentally, such a good way for me to run a marathon. My finish time was 2:50:16, and whilst this wasn’t the sub 2:50 I have openly dreamed of, I feel truly satisfied by it: I gave it everything, paced it well and feel I left nothing out there. I am genuinely very happy. In years to come, I will look back on this with real positivity.

The agonising walk to the baggage trucks (always the last one!) took forever, before a painful plod to the Red Lion. I quite enjoyed the ‘finish line’ gantry at the entrance, and it was fantastic to meet up with HPR, Millsy, Spoons and Macca for a couple of beers. Despite spoons being an absolute hero and getting loads of Fullers vouchers, I wasn’t actually in a fit state to drink more than a couple of pints.

Today has brought sore quads (obviously), but I am feeling not to tired on the whole – not overdoing the eating and drinking yesterday has definitely helped. That said, there is a lovely bottle of Sav Blanc awaiting my arrival home from work. My wife and I are expecting No2 at the end on September (I am pushing to name him Eliud, but fear I’m facing a losing battle) – this means an Autumn marathon is definitely not going to happen. I will seek some random fun races over the summer, perhaps with an off road and/or hilly marathon thrown in. I will, I suspect, do London again next year, but will certainly not be able to give it the time I did this year.

I have really enjoyed sharing the journey with each of you – absolutely love this forum. Long may its rich contributions continue.

Split Summary
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1) 1m - 6:38(6:38/m) 189/194bpm
2) 1m - 6:29(6:29/m) 193/193bpm
3) 1m - 6:26(6:26/m) 181/193bpm
4) 1m - 6:12(6:12/m) 174/177bpm
5) 1m - 6:23(6:23/m) 154/162bpm
6) 1m - 6:29(6:29/m) 155/162bpm
7) 1m - 6:24(6:24/m) 162/171bpm
8) 1m - 6:25(6:25/m) 159/165bpm
9) 1m - 6:25(6:25/m) 155/159bpm
10) 1m - 6:18(6:18/m) 156/160bpm
11) 1m - 6:22(6:22/m) 157/161bpm
12) 1m - 6:23(6:23/m) 157/160bpm
13) 1m - 6:22(6:22/m) 161/170bpm
14) 1m - 6:19(6:19/m) 162/167bpm
15) 1m - 6:22(6:22/m) 169/174bpm
16) 1m - 6:21(6:21/m) 180/185bpm
17) 1m - 6:26(6:26/m) 177/187bpm
18) 1m - 6:32(6:32/m) 176/185bpm
19) 1m - 6:25(6:25/m) 176/188bpm
20) 1m - 6:30(6:30/m) 178/181bpm
21) 1m - 6:32(6:32/m) 182/186bpm
22) 1m - 6:32(6:32/m) 182/187bpm
23) 1m - 6:35(6:35/m) 184/189bpm
24) 1m - 6:15(6:15/m) 181/184bpm
25) 1m - 6:32(6:32/m) 179/182bpm
26) 1m - 6:30(6:30/m) 184/188bpm
27) 0.51m - 3:15(6:20/m) 186/192bpm