London 2012 blog

I always knew I'd end up doing a marathon...mainly because it "runs" in the family. But I got pretty good at making up excuses; dodgy knee/ankle, no time to train, too close to my birthday...washing my hair that day.

Then I turned 30 and decided it had to be done. I managed to persuade a few others to join me, although admittedly the wine held more sway than my feeble powers of persuasion which did little to hide my ignorance of training schedules and going for runs on cold, dark winter nights.

But it seemed like a good idea and we even chose extremely worthwhile charities to run for. I desperately wanted to run for a cancer charity as I lost my mum to cancer some years ago... Plus I wanted to wear a massive foam daffodil around my neck on the big day. So kidding!

Then the day came. I thought it never would! Woke up pretty scared (not to mention tired as it was 6am and those that know me will tell you that I'm no morning person!).  Got to the start line and that's when the enormity of it dawned on me. But the volunteers were just AMAZING. If our volunteers in 2012 are half as good, our Games will be out of this world.

And we were off. I started beside Bananaman, Paddington Bear and 'Tough Old Bird' and soon got into the swing of things. The miles raced by and before long I realised that I was ahead of schedule...The farther we ran the bigger the crowds, the louder the party. I've never loved London and Londoners so much!

I'd love to say that it was enjoyable from start to finish, but by mile 16 my legs were hurting, my trainers were water logged, I knew I had blisters but didn't want to stop and inspect them, and Westminster seemed like half a world away. I caught myself wondering why I was putting myself through this. Why not do a sponsored abseil or sit in a bath of beans for a week? And to the person that told me I'd be planning my next marathon within hours of finishing, well, whatever!

Crossing the line, I heard someone behind me saying "why do we keep doing this?!?!" An ironic smile crossed my face. Then I heard someone say "your mum must be so proud" Tears filled my eyes. Then I read the back of someone's t-shirt 'Is this not the beer festival?' And that made me laugh!

I know it sounds corny, but I think it was somewhere between the laughter and the tears that I decided this wouldn't be my last marathon.