The Last Word

GLUTTON FOR PUNISHMENT

Back on 2 October I finally ran The London Marathon, although, as I will come on to later, ‘ran’ is a loose term!! This was the eighth time I had applied and so felt very fortunate to be accepted and to be able to join around 50,000 other runners in what turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life.

It did not all go completely to plan leading up to the big day. I had started training about three months earlier... 26 miles is a long way so best be prepared... and things were going well until I had an old calf niggle rear its ugly head exactly three weeks before the actual day. This meant I couldn’t run at all for

the last three weeks - save for a slow 5km a few days before to test the calf and see whether or not I was going to be able to run at all. That went well so I was able to take my place on the start line; sadly the same injury cropped up just 3 miles in but I thought it might be my only chance at doing the race so I carried on. I then managed to run (granted a bit slower than planned) until 21 miles when my thighs started to cramp and what ensued I can only describe as the most painful thing I have ever experienced. Unbelievable but I continued on and managed, just, to cross the line in 5hrs 24mins.

One paragraph about how I completed the London Marathon doesn’t really seem enough does it? There were so many other parts of the day though which deserve a mention. The crowds lining pretty much the whole route were amazing, the encouragement - and sweeties - helped me get through some really tough moments. I run for Avon Valley Runners, a running club in Trowbridge, and seeing fellow AVR peeps spectating was wonderful. I also had a random lady shout to me at mile 18 “Avon Valley Runners!!! I’m from Trowbridge too”, which was unexpected but lovely. There was also a man competing

who had a nasty fall from his wheelchair and we had to help him back in but he didn’t bat an eyelid he just loved the fact that he was doing The London Marathon.

One of the unexpected pluses of my slight injury was that I slowed down. Because of this my training partner, Helen, who had started a bit after me in a different starting point, was able to catch me up and we were able to cross the finish line together which we never thought would happen. It was truly a magical moment although I was in so much pain I’m not sure I conveyed that too well! Helen was very chipper and the fact that she waited for me and encouraged me to finish is the mark of a true, true friend and for that I will be eternally grateful, even though as we crossed the line it looked as though she was taking an octogenarian relative out for his daily walk. Thank you Helen.

A last and final and most important mention must go to my beautiful family who made the trip up to The Big Smoke to stand very near the end, in the shadow of Big Ben, to cheer me on to the finish. It truly was a sight for sore eyes(and legs!!!). Thank you Lisa, Georgia and Dougie and my lovely sister in law Kate for supporting me when I needed it the most... I love you all.

Would I ever do it again? Well we will see as I have entered the ballot for 2023 and will find out at the end of this month whether I am in or not!!!

“The crowds lining pretty much the whole route were amazing, the encouragement - and sweeties - helped me get through some really tough moments. ”

Phil Rockliffe