Hi all,
What an amazing day! A real carnival atmosphere.
The support was just incredible (I had my name printed on my running vest and the shouts of encouragement were so welcome and strangely quite moving.)
I completed the course in under 4 hours which was my target - 3 hrs 52 mins! I really slowed down in the last 6 miles - my body just had no more energy to draw on - but the crowd wouldn't let me stop! (I only walked in the 400m underpass where the crowds couldn't see me!) Jogging with the Massai warriors was an experience and privilege and I met up with them just before the Cutty Sark.
The rain looked refreshing but it was actually bitterly cold and my calf muscles started to cramp at about 16 miles but by running on my heels and keeping my toes pointed upwards I managed to avoid any spasms. However, on the run-in from Big Ben to the finish I suddenly pulled up clutching my hamstring, I thought it may have "twanged", a couple of runners came passed me and were really encouraging "come on, keep running! you can do it! come on!" and I stretched my leg and was glad that it was just a brief cramping in my thigh. After that I sprinted home as fast as a flat-footed, bandy-legged plate of jelly can. Being overtaken by Elvis and a Banana on the way, didn't bother me one jot by then, I was just so glad to finish!
My running number was 40855, and you can find the split times and its graph on the http://www.london-marathon.co.uk/. I should be able to get a photo of me finishing as well by searching on that number but they don't seem to have been uploaded yet.
Thanks a million for your sponsorship donations the money raised to date (with more coming form further pledges) will go a long way to improving the lives of many families.
Thanks again,
Hayden
