London 2012 blog

When I was a sprinter I hated long runs in training (and by ‘long runs’ I mean anything over 20 minutes) but I’d always secretly quite fancied having a go at the marathon. It’s quite an achievement and something to tick off the list of ‘Things to do before I die,’ obviously hoping that it wasn’t the running of the marathon that caused my untimely passing! 

So this was the year...I almost followed a training regime. My old coach claims I trained harder for this than I ever did in my professional career.  I think/hope he was joking...

So with the words of my former training partner ringing in my ears, "Remember, if you find yourself at the front you've probably gone off too fast," I joined the tens of thousands of people on Blackheath at 9 o’clock on Sunday morning ready to try something incredibly brave or incredibly stupid (depending on your point of view). 

From watching previous year's events on television, it hadn’t crossed my mind what massive organisational feat it is. Transport for London provided extra trains and free transport for all competitors. There were three separate starting points for runners (which converged a mile or so into the course) and each starting point was equipped with bathroom facilities and drinks stations – the essential pre-race requirements. Kitbags were labelled with your vest number and loaded onto baggage lorries which would deliver them to the finish for collection many hours later.

At 9:45am we started in beautiful sunshine. I was behind Paddington Bear and a man-sized bottle of well-known ale. The first part of the course was downhill and I was enjoying it! The crowds were out from the very beginning. There were posters in windows wishing us luck and people waving and cheering on the pavements. The temperamental British weather had taken hold by the time I reached the 11 mile mark and I’m sure it was hailing as I crossed Tower Bridge. It didn’t dampen spirits though. The pavements were full of sodden spectators cheering for complete strangers who had their names written on their vests. The bridge is an iconic sight of London Town and I now have a memory that will stay with me forever.

From the old to the new, Canary Wharf was buzzing (despite the weather). Bands were playing and spectators were handing out orange segments and jelly sweets to aid flagging runners. This was about the point that I first got cramp. As I stopped by the side of the road to stretch I was offered assistance and advice by complete strangers. I was pointed in the direction of the nearest St John's Ambulance. The crews were doing a sterling job, dealing with a range of ailments from asthma to blisters and providing plasters and anti-chaffing cream. I’m pleased to say I needed none of their support (except for their clapping) but am glad they were there just in case.

Along the Victoria Embankment was where the crowds really played a huge part. The last few miles were really tough. I started to doubt how accurately the mile markers were measured as they seemed a lot further apart than earlier in the race. (In retrospect I accept they were probably right!) As I passed the London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament I tried to imagine what London will look like in 2012 when our Marathon covers the 26.2 miles through the city and millions line the streets to see the best athletes in the world achieve their lifetime goals. 

I achieved my goal. I finished! As far as I’m concerned it really was a once in a lifetime experience made all the more memorable by the people on the route: my fellow runners, the volunteers who worked along the course and my friends who lined the streets, many of whom I’d never met before or will ever meet again but for that moment in time were my best mates in the world.