Virgin Lindon Marathon 2012

I think it's only right that I share my VLM2012 experience with everyone! Plus it's not like I can move much today, so staying in bed sounds like a good option to me! Yesterday was definitely an experience one very different to vlm2011. Over the last few months many of you were aware that I was training for a sub 4 hour time for Sunday's London Marathon, a huge target for me as it would be trying to knock off a whole 22 mins from my previous year. I'm extremely proud of all the hard work and training I had put in, training wise there is nothing different or more I could of done and i knew that. I guess that's the reason I was so nervous about race day, I knew I would be close to my 4hr target, and I was scared about race day going wrong! The start was amazing, what an atmosphere as you waited at your start area's. I was at the blue start with the Dashers. Then 9.45am came, and the start gun went.... After a few minutes of shuffling we were off... And then stop... There was so many people you couldn't actually move, I panicked for a second but saw a dasher just in front of me and that calmed me down! The marathon really didn't get going until mile 1 and a couple of miles into to it, I was gaining pace and trying to hold back and enjoying myself.  The problems kicked in earlier on at mile 5, the plantar fasciitis that I suffered with last year also kicked in, whereas last year I had it treated throughout the training, this year I hadn't suffered any problems until a few weeks ago at the Reading half. The pain every time I put my foot down was incredible, that moment onwards the marathon was a different experience! It was not the marathon I had ran and smiled through the year before, now I was struggling and hurting and I was disappointed that this is what marathon day had become.  I managed to get to mile 9 knowing my hubby to be and mothers would be there, seeing them gave me the boost I needed, next mile marker was 19! As i got to half way point, i was in pain and pretty bad shape, I just wanted to throw my gels down and give up, all my hard work for this! It some what didn't feel fair, but I couldn't give up yet!  When I got closer to mile 19 I was upset, I felt I had let my other half down, I wanted to tell him how much pain I was in, but seeing them made me cheer and scream and again gave me that lil push I needed to the next mile. It was mile 21 where I really struggled and thought about stopping, but with so many people in the crowds I couldn't bear the thought of stopping in front of them, this kept me going! I'm surprised I was still within in my target of 4hours up to mile 21, after this mile it slowly slipped away, and I stopped looking at my watch, I was not going to use not hitting my 4hr time as a reason to give up or stop. At this point all I could focus on was getting to the mile 23 Lucazade stand, knowing the Dashers would be there and so would the 2.5miles to banner. I was so glad I had kept running, because as I got to the Dashers the uplift they gave was unforgettable and one of the most memorable experiences of the Marathon! I was so proud to be a Dasher! As I ran through the tunnel and underneath the 24 mile marker, all I thought about was mile 25, my legs were seizing up and all I told them was just a few more steps, I saw people stopping all around me, that wasn't going to me, I was running this whole race, I didn't train and get to the start to let myself down!  I think I must of cracked a smile at mile 25 but I was pretty focused, so I was told by my sister in law who saw me on TV! As others waved at the camera as they ran to the finish, I apparently  didn't and looked fixated on the finish... The 800m were amazing, I had to block out the crowds at this point and dig deep and find every little bit of strength I had to get me to finish! As a result I missed my friends who were cheering for me! As I crossed the finish, I have never felt so much pain in my life! I just wanted it to stop and go away! And I told myself never again, but now I look back and look at my achievements I would do it all over again in a heart beat! I rather have the story to tell, be it a painful one, to have no story! The marathon and the gruelling 26.2miles it brings is no joke!  Well done to everyone who got to the start, ran it and got themselves to the finish! Enjoy the glory, we deserve it!  One thing I did learn yesterday is, it's not the marathon I love and enjoy, it's the London Marathon I love and enjoy! There is no other experience quiet like it. Thank you to all the spectators, and the organisers, you all made the day memorable!  so same time next year!?  I completed the 2012 Marathon in 4hours and 2 mins a whole 20 mins faster than last year! :)