Well, what a weekend! We had some good test results from the hospital and instructions to go ahead with the run. We paid for accommodation weeks ago so decided it was on. My bug was not giving up but I was getting better. Still feeling tired and headaches, but I did a 4 mile easy run on Friday and it went OK.
So I turned up on the line at 10am. I was expecting to feel nervous but wasn’t; more sort of terrified. But I knew I’d done the training and had some great support from the wife and kids, not to mention 27 of the greatest vegan athletes the internet can bring together on a card on my pocket. The start was delayed by 15 mins due to ponies on the road (I love the New Forest) so I lined up with ChrisJ and decided to give a go.
Started off on 9 min miles. 9:13/mile is a 4hr finish (vague target) and 10 min was fine. I trotted out a few and felt OK, but there was a lot to go. By HM I was on 2 hours and going steady. I took a fuel gel and got a good mile 15 in for Aardvark Boy.
There were more hills than expected, and a strong headwind to fight over the next few miles. Kept picking up names from my list, great to have you guys there when I needed help. As I went past 20 it was starting to bite – hard work and pain, but my mind was on the job and while I passed people walking. Marathons start with your feet and end with your mind.
Around 22 I felt it hard. The pain was big but the end wasn’t in sight. I lost concentration and stopped. Behind me was an old runner, a member of the 100 Marathon Club. He bluntly told me I could do it and I should get going. It was just what I needed, so I got upright and moving, cursed myself and went ahead.
A bit more water, some mental application, and 25 miles came. 4 hours was looking unlikely but I wanted to finish well. I gave it all over the last section, and think I did the last miles and Duke 385 in about 9 mins. Finished in 4:01:38, outside the 4 hour but close to it and happy. I kept moving all through, total breaks were less than 2 mins. 246th of 494 finishers.
My legs were knackered and I could barely walk. I didn’t want to sit in case I couldn’t get up again, but needed to and did. I finished ahead of the 100 Marathon guy and made a point of thanking him for the boot up the backside. After about an hour I got a physio rub down and felt better. Had a great curry and a bath, and didn’t need help getting out of it. Felt great since, legs have been fine, undecided as to whether there will be Marathon 002.
A seriously big thanks to everyone who encouraged me. Five years ago I would have laughed at anyone who said I’d do a marathon, without VF this would probably never have happened. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a 10k PB to smash.
On the start line
On the Duke dash putting in my customary final charge:
I've hardly taken this off yet:
