London Marathon 2016 Race Day
Slept really well and was up at 7:10 and breakfast of porridge and bananas followed by toast with boiled eggs. Quick shower and I'm ready to go. The overnight rain had stopped and it was cold with a very fresh breeze.
Short walk to the Shard and the London bridge station for the overground train to Blackheath and the blue start.
Trains were rammed and I wasn't able to get onto he first two which came along. The third was just as rammed but just enough room to get on. Warmest I'd been all morning at this point. You just needed to follow the crowds to the blue start. Where everything was clearly signed. I kept my top and hat on for as long as possible to avoid getting too cold before handing in my baggage.
Superbly organised the baggage handling.
Queues for the toilets were large as expected but the queues moved pretty rapidly.
You can see the screen in the background which the camera man was picking out people and flashing them up on the big screen and the pa was shouting out for people to give them a wave. I ducked into one of the tents to have a free cuppa but it was by far the worst tea i've ever had. Didn't even attempt to finish it.
Major Tim Peake started the race from space where he was also competing in a virtual London Marathon. You can just about see him on the above pic. I was in the start pens at this point and waiting for the off. As soon as the start gun went it started raining clothes as everyone shed their warm tops for the pre start.
Here we go !
The first mile I was really conscious not to go too fast and just kept my place and tried to just ease myself into the race. At this point still a long way to go. Before I knew it the Green start people joined us Blue starters.
The Green start people joining.
Before I know it Mile 1 leapt out at me. Good pace and feeling strong.
Who you going to call?
The sun came out to welcome in mile 2 and everything felt good. Pace was consistent and even.
After 30 mins I had my first energy gel and bumped into Snow White just before mile 4.
Mile 6 passed in 49 minutes, still felt strong and was maintain really good pace. Next up was the Cutty Sark where I saw Peter and Rachel briefly. I was expecting to see them but didn't know in advance where they were so was a really nice surprise and a good motivational boost to see them.
Crowds as always were huge around the Cutty Sark and it was so loud.
It was around the 8 mile mark I had to stop for a pee. Pace was still good and legs were good and I was quickly back up to pace after the stop.
A couple of the bands I saw on route. So many bands playing and pubs playing music.
Before I knew it the Shard was in view which meant...
Tower Bridge and half way were not far away.
I stayed to the left this year as my sister and nephews were hoping to be on that side of the road. Unfortunately I didn't see them and was a little gutted not to see them. Afterwards they said they were on the far side of the road at the half way point but although they saw me I didn't see them.
By this point I was getting sick to death of energy gels and although I picked up a couple at the lucozade stop I only had one and went for people offering orange slices after then. Feeling so far had been spot on.
One of the pro men passing on the other side of the road. Am convinced I saw Wilson Kipsang although didn't think to take a picture.
16 miles in and my pace dropped slightly. But of more concern was my left glute and lower back started to cramp. A quick stop to stretch seemed to do the trick and I was back up to pace.
17 miles down and still feeling ok apart from the crapping glute. Was great and unexpected to see Brendan around here and was a real boast to my confidence as my folks couldn't make it to the 16 mile mark.
On through mile 18 and my glute was cramping again and I had to stop to stretch it off again. The weird thing was I was stopping and getting up to pace again (looking at Garmin connect afterwards) after the stop quickly and efficiently and felt comfortable. But I did get a little despondent as my pace was dropping because of the stops but I was keeping good pace.
Into the Canary Wharf zone and the crowds were immense and the noise was actually painful it was so loud.
Gorgeous views though.
By the 20 mile mark though I wasn't able to stopping the muscle cramping and by this point the muscle just went into spasm. I was hobbling now and was really painful. I was struggling to stand up straight and really finding it hard to hobble for more than a few hundred metres before having to stop. This was happening on and off for until just before the 21 mile mark. At this point this point i was getting to the point where i didn't think I could finish.
Then I saw one of the first aid stations and had to stop and ask for help as I couldn't stop the muscle spasming.
The above girl (who is an absolute legend) gave me a really painful massage which lasted 5-6 mins. But she did manage to stop the muscle spasming. The pain stopped enough for me to carry on. Unfortunately being still for so long meant my legs had completely seized up.
I took a while walk / run the next few hundred meters and the legs did actually start to respond. This is the bit where I think mentally I was kind of gutted as I had been going well before the glute went off script. Looking at my watch only further disappointed me. Looking at the run details afterwards I had been running at 9 min mile pace between stops. But the legs weren't loosening up much so I had to keeping stopping to stretch to avoid them cramping up.
The next few miles were a bit of a blur where I was feeling pretty low. There was a runner down at 23 miles who didn't look good but was being attending by a team of paramedics. After this point I did stop beating myself up over silly targets I had set myself and tried to enjoy the rest of the route.
Snow White from earlier caught up with me around here and ran for while with me to pretty much the rest of the way.
Got a huge cheer from the Macmillan cheering point on the route which was a great boast and really picked me up.
Just after this I saw my parents who were on the opposite side of the road to me. A quick dive across the road for a quick high five and as I turned to carry on I felt a blister pop on my left big toe. Nice ! Missed Peter and Rachel who were only a few feet down from my folks. Sorry guys.
Crowds were pretty mental !
Big Ben and nothing will stop me finishing this one. Although the Mall is definitely longer than they say. I swear this was at least two miles. Seemed to go on forever. Then turned the corner to the best sight in the world.
And finished !
Thanks Snow White for chatting with me through the last few miles.
The organisation is second to none. The whole event seems to run like clockwork. Supremely well organised and the crowds are immense all the way round the whole course.
Horse guards parade and you meet with family by the signs for the first letter of your surname.
Finally got to see my sister and her boys. Third time lucky !
My nephews were fascinated by the armed police. Who were really friendly and happily chatted with the boys.
Tired but pleased with a new pb even if not the one i'm capable of. A tough day though and i've learn loads from this experience. Was so good to see Mum, Dad, Anne-Marie Ben and James at the finish. The Macmillan recovery centre was in the commonwealth offices and another bum rub sorted me out nicely.
Stopped on the corner by Big Ben to cheer on some of the runners. Those Rhino suits are huge !
Then I headed off back to Colin and Marcela's for more cake and tea. So needed !
Here is the medal:
The goodie back contained and nice technical t shirt and the usual assortment of food and drink and flyers.
Short walk to the Shard and the London bridge station for the overground train to Blackheath and the blue start.
Trains were rammed and I wasn't able to get onto he first two which came along. The third was just as rammed but just enough room to get on. Warmest I'd been all morning at this point. You just needed to follow the crowds to the blue start. Where everything was clearly signed. I kept my top and hat on for as long as possible to avoid getting too cold before handing in my baggage.
Superbly organised the baggage handling.
Queues for the toilets were large as expected but the queues moved pretty rapidly.
You can see the screen in the background which the camera man was picking out people and flashing them up on the big screen and the pa was shouting out for people to give them a wave. I ducked into one of the tents to have a free cuppa but it was by far the worst tea i've ever had. Didn't even attempt to finish it.
Major Tim Peake started the race from space where he was also competing in a virtual London Marathon. You can just about see him on the above pic. I was in the start pens at this point and waiting for the off. As soon as the start gun went it started raining clothes as everyone shed their warm tops for the pre start.
Here we go !
The first mile I was really conscious not to go too fast and just kept my place and tried to just ease myself into the race. At this point still a long way to go. Before I knew it the Green start people joined us Blue starters.
The Green start people joining.
Before I know it Mile 1 leapt out at me. Good pace and feeling strong.
Who you going to call?
The sun came out to welcome in mile 2 and everything felt good. Pace was consistent and even.
After 30 mins I had my first energy gel and bumped into Snow White just before mile 4.
Mile 6 passed in 49 minutes, still felt strong and was maintain really good pace. Next up was the Cutty Sark where I saw Peter and Rachel briefly. I was expecting to see them but didn't know in advance where they were so was a really nice surprise and a good motivational boost to see them.
Crowds as always were huge around the Cutty Sark and it was so loud.
It was around the 8 mile mark I had to stop for a pee. Pace was still good and legs were good and I was quickly back up to pace after the stop.
Before I knew it the Shard was in view which meant...
Tower Bridge and half way were not far away.
I stayed to the left this year as my sister and nephews were hoping to be on that side of the road. Unfortunately I didn't see them and was a little gutted not to see them. Afterwards they said they were on the far side of the road at the half way point but although they saw me I didn't see them.
By this point I was getting sick to death of energy gels and although I picked up a couple at the lucozade stop I only had one and went for people offering orange slices after then. Feeling so far had been spot on.
One of the pro men passing on the other side of the road. Am convinced I saw Wilson Kipsang although didn't think to take a picture.
16 miles in and my pace dropped slightly. But of more concern was my left glute and lower back started to cramp. A quick stop to stretch seemed to do the trick and I was back up to pace.
17 miles down and still feeling ok apart from the crapping glute. Was great and unexpected to see Brendan around here and was a real boast to my confidence as my folks couldn't make it to the 16 mile mark.
On through mile 18 and my glute was cramping again and I had to stop to stretch it off again. The weird thing was I was stopping and getting up to pace again (looking at Garmin connect afterwards) after the stop quickly and efficiently and felt comfortable. But I did get a little despondent as my pace was dropping because of the stops but I was keeping good pace.
Into the Canary Wharf zone and the crowds were immense and the noise was actually painful it was so loud.
Gorgeous views though.
By the 20 mile mark though I wasn't able to stopping the muscle cramping and by this point the muscle just went into spasm. I was hobbling now and was really painful. I was struggling to stand up straight and really finding it hard to hobble for more than a few hundred metres before having to stop. This was happening on and off for until just before the 21 mile mark. At this point this point i was getting to the point where i didn't think I could finish.
Then I saw one of the first aid stations and had to stop and ask for help as I couldn't stop the muscle spasming.
The above girl (who is an absolute legend) gave me a really painful massage which lasted 5-6 mins. But she did manage to stop the muscle spasming. The pain stopped enough for me to carry on. Unfortunately being still for so long meant my legs had completely seized up.
I took a while walk / run the next few hundred meters and the legs did actually start to respond. This is the bit where I think mentally I was kind of gutted as I had been going well before the glute went off script. Looking at my watch only further disappointed me. Looking at the run details afterwards I had been running at 9 min mile pace between stops. But the legs weren't loosening up much so I had to keeping stopping to stretch to avoid them cramping up.
The next few miles were a bit of a blur where I was feeling pretty low. There was a runner down at 23 miles who didn't look good but was being attending by a team of paramedics. After this point I did stop beating myself up over silly targets I had set myself and tried to enjoy the rest of the route.
Snow White from earlier caught up with me around here and ran for while with me to pretty much the rest of the way.
Got a huge cheer from the Macmillan cheering point on the route which was a great boast and really picked me up.
Just after this I saw my parents who were on the opposite side of the road to me. A quick dive across the road for a quick high five and as I turned to carry on I felt a blister pop on my left big toe. Nice ! Missed Peter and Rachel who were only a few feet down from my folks. Sorry guys.
Crowds were pretty mental !
Big Ben and nothing will stop me finishing this one. Although the Mall is definitely longer than they say. I swear this was at least two miles. Seemed to go on forever. Then turned the corner to the best sight in the world.
And finished !
Thanks Snow White for chatting with me through the last few miles.
The organisation is second to none. The whole event seems to run like clockwork. Supremely well organised and the crowds are immense all the way round the whole course.
Horse guards parade and you meet with family by the signs for the first letter of your surname.
Finally got to see my sister and her boys. Third time lucky !
My nephews were fascinated by the armed police. Who were really friendly and happily chatted with the boys.
Tired but pleased with a new pb even if not the one i'm capable of. A tough day though and i've learn loads from this experience. Was so good to see Mum, Dad, Anne-Marie Ben and James at the finish. The Macmillan recovery centre was in the commonwealth offices and another bum rub sorted me out nicely.
Then I headed off back to Colin and Marcela's for more cake and tea. So needed !
Here is the medal:
The goodie back contained and nice technical t shirt and the usual assortment of food and drink and flyers.
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