A Different Kind of Marathon
I’ve run just over a mile, I’m already soaked through and my arms are cold. Steph, her mum and Poppy have just gone past in the warm comfort of a car and it’s dawning on me that its going to be a long and very wet morning of running. So much for that Indian summer!
This is how my virtual London Marathon began. We all know that Covid 19 wiped out most sporting events this year and quite rightly, mass participation events such as London Marathon were among them. As I was doing London for charity, when they announced they were doing a virtual event I decided to sign up.
The plan was 4 x 6.5(ish) mile loops of my home which truly presented a different kind of marathon. I didn’t anticipate the weather being a factor until I woke up at 2 am and all I could hear was the wind and rain. Sleep didn’t come easy after that and I tossed and turned until my alarm went off which was promptly changed for half an hour later.
No crowd, no problem
Unfortunately Isabelle had spent the night at her cousins and was out for the morning doing Clip and Climb so my support crew/cheer squad was one down from the start. I did however know I had Steph, her mum Christine and Poppy cheering me on at various stages of the route.
I didn’t expect too much more support given the conditions and questioned whether I’d have many people run with me. So I set off just after 9am as planned with cheers from my little family as I went.
It was at this point I realised just how bad the weather was. Just over a mile in I was pleasantly surprised to see a fellow Burnham Harrier in Ieuan who was stood in the rain to cheer me on.
The first loop flew by but I had to stop and faff about with putting my phone in a sandwich bag as my phone belt was already soaked through. Once that was done I was off again. I soon saw my friend and hairdresser Darren and his daughter Macy waiting for me. They set off once they saw me but at a pace that meant it took me nearly a mile to catch up with them!
It was great to have someone else to run with. To be honest, given the weather, I was unsure how many people, if any, would be willing to brave it. Once on the seafront and being battered by the wind for the second time, my mate Sonny joined us. Shortly after Harriers chairman Matt joined us with a promise from another fellow Harrier to join a bit later on.
Running with others was a game changer
Having others to run with really was a game changer for me on the day. As someone who primarily trains alone, I knew at some point I’d need someone to help get through it.
After a quick wee stop we smashed out the second loop. The company and subsequent chat and banter made the miles tick by effortlessly. The weather remained constant but wasn’t dampening our spirits.
Darren and Macy departed at the start of the third loop and Matt did the same half way round. As Matt left us he was replaced by Phil and the three of us kept up a steady pace. It was at the start of the third loop that the weather was starting to take effect. When attempting to open a gel I found that my hands were going numb and I only had about half of my usual range of movement. Thankfully Sonny was on hand to do it for me.
The other negative effect of the weather was on my bladder. I rarely need a wee on runs but as it was so cold and wet, I wasn’t sweating as much as usual so needed another wee stop on the third loop. While catching up with the others I saw another fellow Harrier in David. This was a surprise as he had already gone out and run his marathon super early that morning. What a hero!
Bringing it home
Loop 3 was soon over and after getting Steph to open my final gel, my hands were pretty much useless at this point, we set off on the fourth and final loop.
About a mile in I realised the three of us had gone quiet. I commented then that when the talking stops you know things are getting real and starting to hurt! Other than my legs feeling a little heavy, I was feeling ok but the weather was starting to get to me. I could feel the cold in my bones and I was tired of being soaking wet. I’d long since given up trying to avoid the massive puddles and just ran straight through them.
We were soon given a boost by my friend Trish who was in her car shouting encouragement out the window. It was like a shot of adrenaline straight into my veins! She was going to join us on the seafront for the final miles.
Not long after, Sonny peeled off and headed home and ended up running 14 miles in total. This was more than twice the distance he’d planned to run with me. Phil and I weren’t alone for long though as we picked up Trish on the seafront.
I was delighted to be running along there for the final time as I was done with being battered by the wind and rain. I think the weather quickly robbed Trish of some of her enthusiasm but with her family cheering us on she stuck at it and even bagged herself a 5k PB while running with us.
It wasn’t long until we were near the end. The competitor in me would have loved nothing more than to make a strong finish. To be honest though, the day wasn’t about that and I was content with just getting it done. All I could think about was a nice hot bath!
Before I knew it I’d reached the “finish line” and my second 26.2 was done.
A big thank you
I am the first to admit that while I would have undoubtedly toughed it out on my own, the experience wouldn’t have been the same without the support I had on the day.
When I saw the weather I didn’t expect many people to be up for joining or supporting me. Thankfully so many did as having company while running made the miles fly by and the support from various people out on my route was massively appreciated.
The biggest thanks goes to Steph, Christine and Poppy who followed me round the whole morning. They always had what I needed when I needed it. A very close second is to everyone who has sponsored me. The charity I was running for is very close to home and all in I believe I have surpassed £1100 which is more than I first hoped to achieve. You can still sponsor me here if you wish to do so.
So that’s it, my first London Marathon done. No it wasn’t the full experience but its another successful completion of 26.2 miles. Now I can look forward to the full event in April 2022.
