London Marathon Report - G.R.

I woke on Sunday to a slightly overcast and cool morning - ideal Marathon running weather (I thought).
David Wardrope managed to meet me at my hotel in Greenwich and we were able to walk the mile-or-so through Greenwich park to the Blue Start on Blackheath. This gave us a chance to soak up the atmosphere of the event and help to keep the butterflies at bay.

Once on the heath we disposed of our bags and before long we we ready to take to our pens (both of us in pen 3)
(Disaster for me was narrowly averted the day before when David noticed I had been assigned Pen 9 (for runners expecting to finish in up to 7hrs 30min!).
A bit of polite pleading at the help-desk saw me changed to pen 3.
It appears my predicted time of 3:30 had been keyed in as 5:30. If anyone is applying next year watch your handwriting!!!!!

A few minutes before the start the pens began to move forward and once in position we were lucky to find ourselves just a hundred metres or so off the start-line.
I just had time to wish David good luck before the horn blew and we were off.... then we stopped... then we were off again... and so on.
The first mile was, not surprisingly, very congested but I think I only lost a couple of minutes at the most off my time here.

The next 6 miles went by really quickly and I was enjoying the atmosphere of the event - the support from the crowds was fantastic and the noise was overwhelming.
Around the 7 mile mark the weather was starting to heat up. After my previous experience in the Edinburgh Marathon the last thing I wanted was another hot one.
I tried not to let the increasing heat bother me too much and was careful to take water on at every second water station - I ran with the bottle taking small sips as I went.

Tower Bridge then appeared and I was able to run over it when it was not too crowded so I could really enjoy this part of the course.
The halfway point was soon after and I was delighted to still be on pace and not feeling too bad.

Around about the 14 mile mark I was lucky enough to see the Elite Men pass on my left before I headed into the Isle of Dogs for the last 10 miles.
I was starting too feel the effort now but I tried to stay focused. The heat was getting quite intense and already many runners were walking and I saw quite a few people receiving medical attention by the side of the road.
Memories of the Edinburgh Marathon last year flooded back and for a second I felt like walking but managed to re-focus and set my sights on Canary Wharf towering in the distance.

I thought I'd enjoy Canary Wharf but I found it claustrophobic and annoying the way you have to weave in and out of the buildings - perhaps it took my mind of the pain though!

Once out of the Wharf the 20 mile marker appeared - my Garmin was playing up a bit, but after a bit of quick arithmetic, I realised I was still running as planned. Only 6 more miles - easy!?!
Everyone says the last six miles of a marathon are the hardest and this was to be no exception - I remember little of the route as I concentrated on my running. I took the last of my gels and dug in.

Onto the embankment and I knew I was nearly there - I had put my name on my vest and this really paid off here. People shouting my name really helped keep me going.
Finally Birdcage walk and 800 metres to go! The sound was deafening and I managed to take in the view of Buckingham Palace on my left as I turned the corner onto the Mall.
I had no sprint finish in me today but I knew I'd be under my target time of 3:30 so coasted over the line and was delighted with my time of 3hrs 27minutes and 59seconds.

I loved the whole experience of the London Marathon - yes, it's too busy but the atmosphere is out of this world.
This was my first time in London too and what a way to see the sights!

I'd love to run London again but before I do I think I'll try a smaller (COOLER) one - hopefully I still have a faster Marathon to come. 


Graham Ramage