Run > Race

Flora London Marathon shall fill in at later date with details. RAN THE WHOLE THING
OK thought I'd better wrire a little about this one before I forget!!

Started run feeling pretty good and confident about the distance. Was a bit bottlenecked for the first mile or two and we came to a stop a few times in the first mile. Ran with Rich and Des to start but by mile 1 Rich was off. Stayed at a pace that felt nice and comfy and I felt great. Breathing was easy and legs felt fine. Continued feeling good and enjoying the crowds until way into the race. Came to a bit of a stop at Cutty Sark (which I was expecting from previous experience) and defo could have saved a good 5mins if it wasn't for people traffic in the first half. Felt good crossing tower bridge and recalled how I was walking by this stage last time I ran FLM. Felt strong and positive by half way but was a little anxious at the fact the clock said 1:59 when we passed the half way mark. Knew that it took a couple of mins to cross the start but wasn't wearing a watch and didn't know what time I would have to spare. It was clear the second half was going to have to go well to make the 4:00 mark. Anyway, all was well with Des and I, although we couldn't really chat as the crowds were too loud but just each others pace and company was enough for me. I felt as though I picked up a little here and felt pretty strong for the next chunk of miles. I took some swigs of sports drink from 10M onwards at eash station, which I was pleased with until des told me he was putting a whole pouch away each time!! Also had about 3/4 of a gel at mile 16.5 more for psychological reasons really. Told myself that at mile 18, when it kicks in, I'll take off even more Anyway, got to mile 18 and still felt pretty good. Noticed the clock said 2:44 which was the time I finished Stamford, so still had the thought of 4:00 being a close call and a little negative thought crept into my head but I quickly shoo'd it away and kept my mind on the job and the cheer from the crowds. Recalled how last time I walked the whole of Canary Warf and therefore I would run every step of it this time!!! Things were going well and I kinda felt that I had been one step ahead of Des and looking strong from half way til this point. Then mile 20 came and Des broke the silence asking "how you feeling?". was funny cos I wa justi thinking about how I was feeling and I answered "IT'S starting to set in now" and I think we both knew what IT was. Des told me "if I said I was feeling fresh I'd be lying" and we laughed and continued. Felt I had a good couple of miles then and 22M was the point I had in my head that I HAD to run to. Got there feeling ok and knew running to 23 wasn't going to be a problem. Knew that once at 23M the thought of 5K being left would be a very nice one. "I wouldn't bother getting out of bed for such a short distance" I thought to myself and continued to there. It was at this point I started to loose Des. He was just very slightly in front and slowly the gap was growing between us. I instinctively thought I was slowing down (although I now know it was Des speeding up (fantastic running!)) and thought that maybe that sub 4 wasn't going to happen as time was tight, but I had no watch for a reference. Decided then that another goal was needed and wouldn't it be fantastic to have something else to celebrate ... such as ..... RUNNING the whole thing without walking at all at any stage OR a toilet stop!! So on I plodded and after what felt like an hour I was at mile 24 ....... no I wasn't, it was the bloomin 40k marker!! ...... and then mile 24 came. Felt knackered, legs were aching and so was my back but somehow it just didn't seem bad enough to warrant a walking break, so I continued and after what seemed like a lifetime I reached 25M Had a little shout off a Paul from Cobra which snapped me out of my 'hard work' thoughts and then I passed Big Ben. Knew it wasn't long now and had run this part of the course the day before. Had also taken photos there the night before at the 600m to go markers in a tipsy prat about the night before and this was making me laugh and take my mind off the task in hand. Next thing I knew I hear a loud "Go on Carolyn" shout which dragged me out of my daze and I saw Cas jumping up and down cheering me on ...... shortly after I passed the 600m marker and I made my way around the corner with huge smile on my face as I knew I was going to run the whole thing. Thoughts of sudden cramp jumped into my head ... funny how you always look on the bright side Before I knew it was on the home straight and I could see the finish line. I desperately looked for the time and it said 3:57 so I knew my sub 4 was in the bag too Ran the last 200m with a big smile and trying to recall what the patronising RW article had said about approaching the finish line, putting up my thumbs and smiling at the photographer as I did so! FANTASTIC

Turns out it was 3:54:30 and I ran the second half only 18seconds slower than the first. WELL CHUFFED