A HUGE Thank you to everybody who has sponsored me and supported me!
UPDATE: The day after!
Well, apart from the fact that every movement hurts and it takes me half an hour to climb the stairs and bending over is an impossibility, I feel great!
Yesterday will stick in my memory forever - what a great day. I like a good day out and that is exactly what I had!
The crowds were great. As i had my name on my vest lots of people shouted encouragement - this was particularly helpful towards the end.
I am pleased with my time - i had worked out that it would take over 6 hours if i went at my training pace so i had to up the speed - i did just that and came in at 5 hrs and 58 minutes ( and 19 seconds!). Twenty minutes of that time was spent queing for the loo at mile 4!
Hit 'the wall' at the 17 mile mark - not quite sure what kept me going but I did. The kids at school asked today if i would do it again - the sad thing is i didn't say no. I would recommend this to you all - get your trainers out!
I am not a sportswoman by any means but I found hidden determination and i am looking forward to my next challenge - i just don't know what it is yet. Any ideas? And if you feel like joining me - let me know!
A huge thanks for your support. My official running times below and check out the london marathon website in a few days and you should see photographs from around the course.
Runner No.: 35205 Nationality: GBR Club:
Position (Overall):
31257
Position (Gender):
9117
Position (Age group):
3417
Splits
KM10:
KM20:
2:43:56
HALF:
2:52:43
KM30:
4:10:28
KM40:
5:39:30
FINISH:
5:58:19
UPDATE! 19th April 2006.
It is getting near and I have to admit that I am following all of the advice that cites slowing down training as a good pre-marathon option. Big concern though as I'm not quite sure I really speeded up all that much in the first place!
The marathon magazine lists all of the pubs en route (for supporters) - I think next year that is a much more realistic marathon target and, let's face it, I have been in training for a 26.2 mile drinkathon for years!
Anyway, a huge thanks to all of you who have sponsored me and for those of you who haven't, it certainly isn't too late. you can even log on after the event to donate (especially for those of you who don't have confidence I'll finish it!)
Turning 30 made me want to do something crazy. But, when I looked back on my twenties I realised I'd pretty much covered most of the crazy stuff so I had a rethink; time to be sensible! What do sensible people do? Get fit and try to live a little longer and a little healthier.
So, with that aim, I started training for the 2006 Marathon. Well, It hasn't been easy and it hasn't all been fun. I'm disappointed too that the pounds I thought would drop off haven't. The main goal now is to complete it (hopefully before the trains stop running and with enough energy to make it to work on the Monday!)
Big thanks to Mo for making Sunday walks more interesting and to Mark for confistcating the car keys so biking into work was the only option! George and Tommy have played their role too; whizzing by on their scooters shouting encouragement (well at least that's what I think they were shouting!)
The British Lung foundation was an easy choice of charity; my Bronchiectasis hasn't stopped me from doing anything in life but there are others who don't have it easy due to their lung condition. The British Lung Foundation works hard to make life easier for people with lung diseases.
I'm looking forward to one of those 'once in a lifetime' experiences. Watch out for me on telly!
Thanks for sponsoring me and please email my link to your friends and family.
I hope turning forty in ten years time is less exhausting!
Nicky xxx
