Run > Race

Manchester Marathon. Great first 14 miles, well on track for 4:30 finish. Started to get twinges in both calves so eased back on pace. Got over taken by 4:30 pace team. Cramped up completely at 16 miles. Tried stretching and drinking and everything I could, but no matter what I did I couldn't run without massive spasms and complete agony. Had to walk. Massive frustration and anger. All those weeks of training, all the good work of the first half, all gone. Round Carrington was awful, middle of nowhere, no suport, raining. Would have quit if I'd ben given the option. At around 21 miles came into Flixton, crowd were amazing. Saw several runners down and unable to continue, spoke to a few others who were struggling, decided to keep going and get over the line. Once I'd decided to carry on, tried running - no way! Managed about 50 yards each time before cramp struck. rain got worse but crowd got better, if I had a £ for each time my name got shouted I would have been able to afford a stretch limo round the course. Tried running again in last 2 miles, painful but just bearable. hobbled to final corner where support was out of this world. 100's if not 1000's of people cheering and shouting my name, bought tears to my eyes. Spurred on I raised a bit of a sprint to the line (almost certainly looked like I'd shit myself) regained a bit of pride. Great course, awesome crowd, disappointing result.