So its done and was quite an experience.
What can I say beyond it is a most wonderful occasion. The people and communities that you run with and by and with. The sights, the thoughts, the land-marks, the mile-stones, the pleasure and eventually the pain.
The first 3 hours were generally a delight. The heat was a bit oppressive and draining but the atmosphere, training and buzz kept the legs moving nicely. From the 18 mile mark the legs do start to tire, but I tell you when I crossed 24 miles coming into the home straight I felt pretty good. Then....suddenly.....and out of left field to mind the Americanism.... my back went. I am still not sure what it was - probably chronic dehydration, but my back spasmed into acute pain. I tried to keep running - in fact a friend noticed me running past bent-double. I think I ran out for a good few hundred metres and then collapsed. It is all a bit fuzzy but I think someone helped me to the side of the road where the over-worked ambulance staff took-over (6,000 people had to be treated on what was the hottest London Marathon on record touching 24 degrees C in April). With a number of other people down along the road and me being compus mentus if in quite alot of agony the paramedics correctly dealt with those who were out of it first. A wonderful young medic sat with me while pretty much every muscle spasmed including my grimace. It is fascinating to see a part off your thigh the size of a mars bar bulge out and in of the leg in motion with our heart-beat - and a bit wrong!
I had fallen at 24.2 miles after approx 3 hours 30 mins. After another 40 minutes I tried to stand - I was convinced I had to finish - and failed by a way. Stupid idea. A short time after they very knidly got a wheelchair for me to take me to a treatment centre. On being hoisted up 10 minutes later to be put in the chair the bloody-mindedness had one more bloody go and to my surprise the legs just about stayed upright - if wobbling profusely. A minute like that, a signed disclaimer, a very helpful few arms and a push on to the course, a very very slow hobble entouraged by constant grimace and 40 minutes later the rest is history to me. I did try to break into a hobble-jog on the final straight but the legs gave in. I was happy to cross that beatuiful line.
So the long and the short of it. I loved it. Yup, I should not have run after having stomach problems before the race (a real real recommendation not to give it a go in such circumstances - learning by ones mistakes and all that - though how can you collect money for something you have not done), I should have gone for a slower time in the added heat and should have been even more careful about hydration. Lessons learned and Marathon run.
It has been a pleasure to train in such a beautiful city - with such great people and take part in such a humbling event. Amongst many memories running under Tower Bridge with thousands of others and droves of awesome support goes down as one of the memories of a life time - such a wonderful privelege and thanks to all who made it so!
Recommended to just about all - even to myself given 5 more years!!
AND...... THE MOST IMPORTANT PART:
US$ 3200 raised for the WONDERFUL PARIKRMA at latest count. Thanks to all and please anyone whoever reads this just check out the website (www.www.parikrmafoundation.org/) and if you are so compelled do what ever you can to help these great people do great things!!!
520km run
