Aches, pains, tears and...fridges!

This post was always going to be difficult as it signals the end of the journey (it sounds a bit like the X Factor now!) it's hard to put into words the experience and for all those of you who watch the marathon and get a lump in your throat and for just a second you think I wonder what it would be like then I have one thing to say to you, JUST DO IT!!!!

My weekend did not go to plan, firstly my cold turned into the worst I've had for years, on Saturday I could barely speak and my throat was killing me, worst still hubby had a stomach bug which for awhile we thought would stop him from coming along to see any of it. Step in my wonderful best friend Dolores who dropped everything and drove up to London and was tested by my lack of preparation, turned out we couldn't park near the hotel as her car would have had to stay there until 7 Sunday evening, cue drive to London City airport to park the car and trip on the DLR. We were cooking pasta at 9:30 although I guess it stopped the nerves. Amazingly I managed to get off to sleep okay, then my throat woke up at 3 and I think I probably managed about one more hours of sleep.

The nerves started to kick in when trying to force down breakfast, I think I managed half a bowl of porridge and an english muffin, sadly this was probably undone by my nervy stomach. Heading out the hotel I was attacked by the tear monster, they came from nowhere and reappeared again when Dolores said goodbye to me at the start. As per the recommendation on the runners world site, after dropping off my kit bag I headed straight for the toilet queue which after walking to the far end of the start really wasn't too bad, once I'd been I got straight back in the queue again (I still had to squat in a bush though near mile 10 surrounded by other ladies bottoms - very weird!).

The start line was full of nervous chatter, lots of comments along the lines of "what have we done?!", it took nearly 25 minutes to cross the start but from then on I wasn't really held up, I kept to my target pace until about mile 10 however I knew it couldn't last. My cold was really zapping all my energy and it was at this point that I knew my dream of a sub 5hour marathon was over. My knees started to hurt near the half way point so I stopped and asked one of the lovely St Johns ambulance people for some cold spray, it helped and kept me going until mile 17 where I knew the Runners World supporters were set up and once there I just fell into the arms of this amazing lady and burst into tears. I stayed there for about 5 minutes calming myself down and munching on the banana bread I'd left with them at the expo.

Then it was all about seeing friends and family at mile 19, I think I probably looked quite manic heading down Canary Wharf as I was just desperate to see them all, again once found I just burst into tears and let out this almost asthmatic sounding noise trying to speak whilst crying. Mum brought me back down to earth though by saying "go on stop chatting to us and run". Must admit I just needed a slight rest but on mothers orders off I ran. Mile 20 was okay, mile 21 hard, 22 harder still. Mile 23 your head says just 2 more miles however my legs were screaming "no more!". I think they made a mistake with the signs at 25 as that was definitely longer than 1.2 miles to the end! When I saw the sign saying 800 metres left, all I could think was - that's twice round a running track, I can't do that! Sadly I passed all those amazing landmarks without even really noticing them, running down the mall I heard Heaths voice scream out, he had made it down there in time to see me finish. I think I know what it would be like to find an oasis in the desert when dying of thirst because seeing that finish line was just an unbelievable feeling, crossing it was even better, having the medal put over my head was (just like the advert says) priceless!

It was quite simply the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but having so many strangers shouting out my name, willing me on is an indescribable feeling. So many funny comments with reference to my outfit and a very sweet little girl telling me "come on Sally, I KNOW you can do it". People out on the streets handing out sweets, bands playing, stereos blasting out uplifting songs, steel drums playing the Chariots of Fire music, I passed a man with a fridge on his back, a rhino, a tiger, the angel of the north, a giraffe and an amputee who's support runner was carrying a spare leg in his rucksack. This is what is so unique about the London Marathon, it is why I'm writing this with a tear in my eye and is why I will get over the disappointment of 5 hours and 32 minutes.

This week is indeed very strange, it's all over and I'm a little bit lost, shattered and ache so much! The ballot for next year opens on May 4th, I'll be putting my name down - anyone going to join me?

Outfit sneak preview...

Well the top is still quite tight but hoping that I'll be able to stretch it out enough for Sunday. Feel you can tell how bad my cold is by looking at my eyes, my I look tired!!

Sniffles, last minute panics and outfit issues

It was always going to happen, on Sunday night it was the sore throat by Monday I was attacking the tissue box and now my head is full of cold but on the bright side I have 4 days to get over it. I've been busy googling all known speedy cures so am drinking loads, taking my vitamins and will be going to bed early tonight to try and sleep it off.

I did my last run last night, although dependent on how I feel on Saturday most training plans suggest jogging a couple of miles to loosen up the legs and presumably burn off a little nervous energy.

Despite the fact that I've had months to prepare, my habit of leaving everything to the last minute meant that on Monday I was panicking about the fact my only photo id (which I need for my race hip and number) was in my maiden name and of course my entry is in my married name. Prompt much deliberation over where the marriage certificate was, thankfully we found it so disaster averted!

Last night I excitedly picked up my race outfit from the printers, it looked fantastic however when I tried to put my top on I couldn't even get it over my head. Where the print has been put on the front and back it's tightened the fabric. Once I had managed to squeeze myself into the top I spent the evening stuffing extra padding inside trying to stretch it back out. Sadly it's not really helped, so on the advice of the printers it's in the washing machine trying to loosen up the print. Fingers crossed it will be okay, although looking at the weather forecast a long sleeve top and full length tights in temperatures of 22c is not ideal. Oh well, it's all part of the experience.

So, just 4 more sleeps.

In one weeks time...

I'll be feeling even more nervous than I do now. I'm up for my last long run before the marathon and have major butterflies, the nerves have seriously kicked in.

I'm trying to calm myself by watching the F1 coverage before I drive to Monmouth to meet my fellow VLM runner Clare.

We're doing a run along the river today although there has been much debate on the Runners World forum about the length of the run, I had planned for 10 miles but general consensus says a max of 70 minutes running. Hmm decisions, decisions.

It's looking like a lovely day again so might even be really daring and wear some shorts. Had a call from the printers yesterday and my outfit is ready to collect, can't wait to get it. Will update with photo as soon as I can.

This time next week I'll be packed and ready to go!

Had a really good run Tuesday night (thanks Trevor!) our fab Tuesday night coach never fails to come up with a new way of torturing us but it's always good, well it's good at the end anyway!

It made a change to be able to run by the river in the evening rather than having to stick to estates for good lighting, roll on the summer.

This sunny weather is definitely brightening everyone's spirits although I am a little concerned that marathon day will be too hot especially with the outfit I have planned. I was very late taking it to the printers, for some reason at the start of this week I thought I had loads of time to have it done, cam't wait to see the finished look, will take a photo and post it so you can see me whilst not looking green from nerves or white from exhaustion!

More running tonight but just doing an easy 3 - 4 miles, I'm tempted to wrap my legs in cotton wool, I couldn't bear for anything to happen now. Hope I haven't tempted fate by writing that!!

Can't believe that next thursday night I'll be driving over to my mum's for Marathon weekend, this really is a dream come true, I still have to pinch myself that it's happening and I won't just be watching it on the telly. I already have butterflies and keep getting shivers down my back with the anticipation and the best thing is next week is carb week! I know the nutritionists say it's only the 24 hours before the run that count but I figure the more carbs in my system the better and cakes are packed with carbs...I feel a weekend of baking is needed:-)

When 13 miles is short run...

Yes it's a taper time! I meant to do 14/15 today but didn't quite make it only did 13 due to poor planning, however more significantly it was all flat - yippee - and it was all at marathon pace.

I think it shows how far I've come when I can say that 13 miles is a short run:-)

Just think, this time in 2 weeks I will have my feet up on my mum's sofa with a medal round my neck (all being well!) it's just so exciting, although my mind is constantly fighting my positive thinking by saying how are you going to manage those extra 6 miles that you've never experienced before. I know everyone says adrenaline and the crowd will pull you through but unless one of them physically gives me their legs I'm not so sure about that!

Must not give in to this negativity!

One thing I'm sure of is that I'm going to keep the Sunday runs going of 10-15 miles so I can keep that base for the next time and yes, despite the killer hills, tears, muscle aches and general tiredness I know I'm going to do this all over again.

Was lovely to have good weather this weekend, actually sat on in the garden with my book for the first time this year, just one thing though...please don't be that hot in 2 weeks otherwise the vision of sitting on mum's sofa may turn into lying in a St John's ambulance!

Sorry - positive thinking only.

The hills are alive with the sound of screaming legs!

Apparently the hills didn't think I was paying them enough respect and so decided to murder my legs! The first 5 miles were fine, I kept to a 11 min mile pace and then met up with Fiona to do 10 miles of torture, I had no idea the hills were going to be that bad and I've run them before just not all linked up like that.

After 17 miles I was dying and landed up having to call hubby to walk with me for the last half mile just to get me back. The planned 21 turned into 20 although the flat equivalent was 21.5 with 1309 feet of climb, it took me 4hrs and 13 mins! My cold bath today was a joy although was accompanied by tears (and a cup of tea and custard creams), I really was shattered and hurting.

I know my legs are going to kill tomorrow so relieved that there's the extra day to recover.

Also glad that this is the last long run before the taper, definitely doing a lovely flat riverside run next Sunday with a max of 14 miles.

The lamb in the fridge is now being roasted tomorrow so for now it's onto the second chocolate bunny:-)

Last long run...

Tomorrow morning I have 21 hilly miles planned, I'm meeing Fiona for 10 of them which will be a good boost to the middle section but then on my own for the last 6 so will have to have the willpower to keep running (no walking!!) which will be good training. Afterall it's all about the mental battle:-)

I've eaten my pasta, drinking plenty and will be getting an early night, fingers crossed for a confidence building run.