Story
Well, I did it!
I ran all of the 26.2 miles although I was rather hot and sunburnt by the end of it. I was quite worried at the start because I don't cope well with hot weather, let alone having to run in the heat. I had wanted to complete the course in under 5 hours and I managed it in 4:56:45 so I was very pleased. I still couldn't get past Nick who was wearing a rhino costume and stayed just ahead of me all the way round. It made me feel humble that someone had done what I had done but with all that extra baggage and watching him plod along helped me get through the tough bits. It was a very emotional day for everyone as each person taking part had their own reason for doing it.
The crowd support was amazing. A big thank you too all my friends from Runner's World who lifted my spirits at mile 17. Thanks for the hugs and cheers but I'm glad I declined John's offer of steak and chips to keep me going (especially as I'm a vegetarian!). Thank you also to the support crew from the Alzheimer's Research Trust who gave me a hero's welcome from both sides of the road at mile 18. Last, but by no means least, a huge thank you to my lovely husband, Mike, who helped me stick to my training schedule and made me go and run even when I didn't want to. He also put up with months of nothing but marathon talk from me and being disturbed when I got up for my sunday runs at 4:30 am!
Let's hope that our efforts can make a difference to future generations.
That was for you, mum. Mum passed away at 9:50pm on 24th March, 2005, the day after her 89th birthday. She is at peace now.
Many thanks for your support.
I ran all of the 26.2 miles although I was rather hot and sunburnt by the end of it. I was quite worried at the start because I don't cope well with hot weather, let alone having to run in the heat. I had wanted to complete the course in under 5 hours and I managed it in 4:56:45 so I was very pleased. I still couldn't get past Nick who was wearing a rhino costume and stayed just ahead of me all the way round. It made me feel humble that someone had done what I had done but with all that extra baggage and watching him plod along helped me get through the tough bits. It was a very emotional day for everyone as each person taking part had their own reason for doing it.
The crowd support was amazing. A big thank you too all my friends from Runner's World who lifted my spirits at mile 17. Thanks for the hugs and cheers but I'm glad I declined John's offer of steak and chips to keep me going (especially as I'm a vegetarian!). Thank you also to the support crew from the Alzheimer's Research Trust who gave me a hero's welcome from both sides of the road at mile 18. Last, but by no means least, a huge thank you to my lovely husband, Mike, who helped me stick to my training schedule and made me go and run even when I didn't want to. He also put up with months of nothing but marathon talk from me and being disturbed when I got up for my sunday runs at 4:30 am!
Let's hope that our efforts can make a difference to future generations.
That was for you, mum. Mum passed away at 9:50pm on 24th March, 2005, the day after her 89th birthday. She is at peace now.
Many thanks for your support.