Five weeks ago was the first time I seriously considered running a marathon. I entered on impulse. Flooded with doubts, I sought out a running buddy - one of my daughter’s friends who’d never run more than 12k (but walks a lot - think three peaks challenge - and being almost 35 years younger than me believes anything is possible) agreed to join me. We only managed two long training runs together but a plan developed; walk the first 1.5miles, run 23x 1 mile reps (1.2k run, 0.4k walk), then finish with a 2k walk and a 1k ‘sprint’. The route was planned, checked and triple checked, with potential toilet stops identified along the way (none of which were needed as it happens); a loop one way down the river, a loop the other way up the river and a small loop around a lake to finish.
Worsening ankle/calf pain in the two weeks leading up to the event, meant I really wasn’t sure I’d be able to run yesterday, but was going to give it a good try. Pouring rain for two days prior meant our trail route by the river - solid earth trails, grass fields, compacted gravel paths and some roads - would be unrecognisable from the training runs and route recce rides we’d done.
It was with complete trepidation that we both got up on Sunday. My buddy's car had picked up a flat tyre the night before so I drove to pick her up …I was a few minutes late, so when my phone went I assured her I was on my way. Oh good she said only someone drove right past that looked a bit like you! Oops, yep that was me … back I went (wonder how long it would’ve taken me to realise by myself).
So we parked down by the river (empty car park) and got ourselves sorted. Very glad we opted for rain jackets as it was wet and windy. Almost immediately there were puddles as wide as the path (we soon gave up trying to dodge round and keep our feet dry), mud as sticky and slippery as could be (glad I decided to risk my trail shoes, previously untried over long distance) and of course the never ending wind, rain and cold!
I had water in my shoes, then mud between my toes and then I was happy for more water to wash the mud out again! They tell you to visualise anything that might happen during your race so that you’re prepared for any eventuality - well, how about a group of cows that have decided to lie across the road, or the fallen trees that we had to limbo under? Trust me, I plan everything to the nth degree, but somehow I missed those possibilities 🤦♀️
But this was London Marathon day, and spirit and fortitude were evident everywhere. We met lots of other bib wearing runners and walkers and we all cheered each other on. We met other runners, dog walkers and families who clapped and cheered as we passed. On road sections we were brought back to the present by horn tooting cars (and just one particularly obnoxious car who went as fast as possible through a massive puddle sending water everywhere). A couple of times we were cheered on by supporters presumably waiting for other runners. Our thanks go to every single one of these people (except the splasher), it was really uplifting.
One group of runners in particular - I recognised the name on the lady’s bib and called out to her - I’m Miss 9389’s mum I shouted! She works with my daughter. I’ve checked her route and we only overlapped for such a short distance, it was an amazing coincidence to bump into her (especially as we've never met before). That was our only unscheduled stop - a quick selfie!!!
Then there were our own supporters. Pretty thin on the ground, but they made a huge difference and a lot of noise. My daughter in her car at 7k, my daughter’s friend at 17k (actually there to cheer on her sister who we didn’t see). Mr9389 informing us we were 47% of the way through!
I had made a variant of my usual pace band - this time it had the planneed time we should take to get to specific points on the route. As we turned to come back at around 28k we were 20 minutes ahead of schedule! The chatter in my head started. That meant sub 5:30 was a possibility - beyond anything I had hoped for, but the thought took hold and I swear the excitement of that possibility kept me going to the end.
I sipped an electrolyte drink throughout, and had had an energy bar in small chunks over the early part of the run, but around 18 miles (the app marked every mile with some distracting chat and loud cheers) I thought I was feeling a bit dizzy, so from then on I kept eating small energy chews and a few mini cheddars; I was worried I was about to experience the notorious 20/21 mile wall but it turned out to be nothing (or maybe it was, but was fixed by the increased food consumption).
Our final 3.5k should have taken us round a lake, but neither of us could face any more mud. My buddy was going to run the last bit on her own anyway, while I was going to run/walk it. We agreed that once we got to where our supporters were waiting, we would separate for the last few kms.
As we got to the final 3 or 4k we could see our cheer squad in the distance, we could hear them! They were amazing - just 7 of them, but what a noise! I was quite tearful and my buddy stepped it up a gear. We separated and ran on. I was not exhausted; sore, tired, heavy, but not spent so I ran 0.5k and walked 0.5k twice for that last 2k walk segment, then ran the final km or so as planned.
And that’s where it all got a bit confusing for us and our supporters! No longer on our measured route we were guessing how far to go before turning round. Talk about false finishes! Our cheer squad had brought a finish line that we had to keep running past; even when the app finally cheered us as finished (I’m sure I got the ‘you did it’ message at 26 miles and again at 26.2), Garmin wanted another 200m or so (and no way were either of us stopping without getting 42.2km on Garmin and Strava)!! So there we were, up and down the street to whoops and cheers. I crossed the ‘finish line’ as the app cheered, then ran on until Garmin beeped! Good job there was no one else around!!!
Photos, congratulations and recovery drinks in the street. We were all grabbing masks to go into the pub when Mr 9389 reminded us of the rule of 6. Ahh yes. That real world. So the two of us went home and left the youngsters to it.
There was of course another group of ‘virtual supporters’ who were there whenever I had doubts, or needed to dig deep (which wasn’t too often) or whenever I needed to pinch myself to believe it was really happening - the bunch of supporters who have encouraged and informed and helped me fulfill dreams I never had!!! It is amazing what we can do, how we can repeatedly achieve the seemingly impossible. I feel so satisfied and content today; the stiffness and soreness are simply a positive reminder of how amazing I feel. With huge thanks to everyone here - HU is a truly awesome team!!! Never say Never!!!!
BBB10K - race report
Heathfield 10k Race Report
