I did it in 4hrs 12mins and it was ace!
Saturday
We travelled down on the Saturday and was really giddy - first time we'd left both children and were going for a weekend away together in over a year. Tom had planned all the travel so I didn't need to worry about that at all - he even walked me right to my starting area on the day!
That evening I was really jumpy, I got upset when someone admiringly joked about me being 'stupid' for running tomorrow and when I put my running vest on I got upset that my tummy protruded more than it had done pre-children. Lukily I had a good talking to from a dear friend and my husband and realised I was worried about tomorrow and not to read into it. I didn't feel worried as in a visceral feeling - more like I read negatively into what was going on at the time.
Sunday
Up bright and early - it was warm and stuffy already. I put on my (temporary) Mermaid tattoos, plaited my hair & put a thick layer of sun cream on. We got a bit of breakfast before heading out 6.30am. I was starting to feel nervous now. My mind jumped around from feeling excited to worried & nervous - "had I trained enough?", "had I stretched enough?", "this is going to be AMAZING!!", "There are so many people on this train doing the same thing as me", "What is that guy wearing (cave man suit)?!". I thanked mum & dad for having the kids - knowing they were safe & loved was a weight off my mind.
Tom was my travel guide and did a tremendous job. Not only getting us to where we needed to be on time but helping quell my nerves with singing, dancing and jokes.I got to the start area with an hour to go and chatted to Strider friends while I waited to be set off. The queues for the loos were 100s of meters long!
So the Queen set us off and we heard the elite runners go, then it was our turn. As I crossed the start line my watch went blank and my gel belt fell off. I rescued the belt and reset the watch but realised it was set to kilometers (I tend to judge pace in miles) - no worries...I'm here!
So, first cry - in the first mile. I remembered my (adjusted) goal was to get to the start line and I'd done it. Go Hol!!!
Second cry - I saw the blue line. This is the line my Dad talked about running on back before I was born and I have watched the best runners in the world follow over the last 30 years. I felt humbled to be following the same line and knew we (me and the elites) were all running the same route, in the same event - incredible.
I liked the arc of balloons at each mile marker and even more the water stations at every mile too - they offset the heat, which I heard got up to 28 degrees C. I felt really privileged to be doing something I love with thousands of like minded people and to top it off I was being cheered on! The sights were a fab distraction from the physicality of running when tired & warm.
The 1st 10 miles went quickly, I was running between the 3.30 and 3.45 pacer and felt comfortable. After that I started to get tired and knew my prep had been less than I needed to feel good over 26.2 miles. Never the less, I had signed up for it and knew what I'd let myself in for so my decision about how I wanted to do it - not if I was going to do it.
By 15 miles my pace had slowed and my knee was really sore. I took some paracetamol and was mindful to keep my hips level & back up straight (slumping would have only put more pressure on my pelvis and lower legs). I started to get tummy ache and was worried I needed the loo so added some salts to my water and that seemed to help. I had 5 gels over the event and they really helped too.
I was so happy to see Tom 4 times - at one point I even had chance to give him a huge cuddle & that lifted me for ages. I saw some Striders on the way and a friend from Uni - to see someone I knew was fantastic, I knew they were shouting just for me and it motivated me to keep going.
I can't remember seeing mile markers between 15 and 20 but that's when my 3rd cry came! I had promised myself I could walk from 8 miles to go so was relieved I'd run further than that. I still carried on be it at a slow shuffle. By 23 the pain in my knee had gone to my hip and ankle so had to walk. Even then I decided that a race walk (relaxed shoulders, bent arms and a bum wiggle!) would help hold myself more upright so get me round faster. This was a winning decision - I felt athletic and the response from the crowd was so supportive. One person assumed I'd race walked the whole distance, I felt like a pro!By the last mile I was sobbing with joy continuously and waving sporadically. When I saw the "365 yards to go" sign I shed a sigh of relief and managed a painful jog over the line. I was overcome with relief and pride. I'd done it! Not only getting to the start but getting to the finish.
Monday came and I was in pain - my back hurt when I shifted in bed, I think the twisting from race walking was to blame. I also had 2 plump blisters, bruised toe nails and sore legs. Anyone would think I'd run a marathon!
Blummin' awesome - thanks to everyone who's read my bogs, shared kind words when things got tough and supported with fund raising. To date, I have raised £400, which is well towards putting on a Mermaid programme for 10 girls. I'm dead happy about that. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
