London Marathon 2011 report
Article date : 18th April 2011
Being my first and probably only marathon, I was extremely nervous all week, but once there, it was just an amazing day.
Started right at the back of pen 9 with all the costume runners !! So it took 25 minutes of walking just to reach the start line but after a lot of nifty overtaking I did move up the field and did the first 13 miles in a pretty steady 2:20.
At halfway point of Tower Bridge I was disappointed as had hoped to see Mandy, Sam and mother-in-law Chris for support, but because we got estimated timings wrong they weren't there :-( Loads of people were walking by this point and I got frustrated dodging and barging in and out of people in the narrow section, at one point, fuelled by jelly beans, I dipped under the wires and ran behind the crowd just to keep moving.
Miles 18-26 were very tough but I didn't hit the wall thankfully. The crowd are fantastic at that stage (in fact all the way round), I didn't realise but Mandy, Sam and Chris did see me at mile 22 ... amazingly I was still running but they said I was looking rather tired! That is an understatement! At mile 23 I took headphones off as the crowd was so loud I couldnt hear my iPod. Kasabian, Oasis, Blondie, Beatles and AC/DC had done their job by that point. And yes, I mostly live in a musical time warp.
It got harder and harder but I found just enough energy to sprint (in my mind) past Buckingham Palace and down the Mall at the finish, overtaking quite a few walkers. It did help that I had a 4:45 target to beat, thanks Ant :-). 2nd half took 2:22 so managed to keep a very consistent and manageable pace throughout.
It's a very surreal experience, such a long way to run and its all a bit of a blur. Watching it on TV last night it sort of sunk in what a massive day and achievement it was.
I'm aching today, getting worse by the hour, I suspect tomorrow will be worse. The knees being strapped on Saturday seemed to help - they did hurt in mile 2 (that was a bit of a worry!) but I popped an Ibuprufen and it relieved the pain, didn't feel the heat that everyone was saying was affecting them, it was a wise move to wear a cap I think.
Glad it is over now, that was a long 6 months of training in a pretty grim winter, with blisters and 3 knee injuries, but it was all worth it in the end.
Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who has sponsored me! I will exceed the target set by St Luke's which is all thanks to your generosity!
If you sent a pledge then I'll be in touch for collection - a cheque made out to St Luke's Hospice, or direct payment via www.justgiving.com/keithfullick are the best methods please.
A few pictures from the day ...
St Luke's runners before the start
In the queue at the start ... took 25 minutes to reach the start line
Tower Bridge is halfway point and a big milestone to reach ... still felt good at this point ... this photo was taken on the run so it's a bit wonky!
Carl Watson and myself with our medals ... finally ...
Official statistics from Virgin
My GPS map ... my watch clocked it at over 27 miles, maybe I didn't take the racing line all way round ...
