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London Marathon Report - Maxines race

19th May 2008

Mile 11

Ill try and be brief......

I was feeling a little numb about the FLM this year and this was all thanks to last years disaster. That experience left me doubting my ability, hating the flamboyance and sheer size of the race. I found the crowds distracting and the heat depleted my energy and spirits.

So it was no surprise that I was dragging my feet at entering this years race, consequently missing the deadline! I had in my mind approximately 10 months prior, that I was going to defer my London place for the more rural 3 Peaks race, but something was niggling at me, something to do with unfinished business in London and times of sub 3.15. After a few choice phone calls and re-mortgaging to fund express postal services, I got myself a place in London.

Training went well, my usual style of sporadic hit and miss sessions. Following no plan, just ear-wigging to what Flo and the others were up to. I have to admit I was feeling pretty excited about it, I felt quietly confident that I could pull it off this year. The Friday before the race and Flo text me 'are you nervous?' My response 'Im so excited and I can barely contain myself' and this was true, I just couldnt wait!

Race Day

Up at 6 am, after a breakfast of porridge and a ton of honey, we decided to catch the train to the start, our now X mate Cyril from Ackworth wanted to charge us a staggering £15 to get to the start on their coach No chance! We all got a bit comfy on the train, I noticed Andy G having moments of long blinks, unsure whether he was sleeping or meditating.

Queues for the loos, as ever, were astronomical so myself and Flo found a nice spot by a very small shrub thing, oblivious and not caring a dot about passers by. By 9.15 we were stood in our pen, a little early I thought, but that half hour went so quick. Five minutes before gun I turned to Flo and commented 'I dont think I can do this'! Her side glance said it all 'nutter'. I couldnt let my head go before wed even started, and when my head goes, the partys over.

9.45 and we set off in glorious sunshine.again. The first few miles were slow, I didnt worry, we had plenty of time to catch up but Flo had another game plan in mind.She was off, dodging and weaving through the crowds so I went with the 'Flo', thinking the pace was a bit brisk at this stage. We settled into a good rhythm, clawing back lost time until we were consistently a minute ahead of schedule per mile. It was at this point that Flo pointed out that we were working to a 3.10 pace, sure enough I was wearing the 3.10 pace band, not the 3.15 I thought Id put on the eyesight was a bit blurred at 6 am! It was good news though.

Flo pulled twice, by male runners questioning her ETA! I pulled too.. some drunk tramp type thing, with teeth resembling Sugar Puffs, leering over a barrier, a garbled message to the tune of go on sexy Im truly blessed!

Mile 25

It was great to see Paul, Flos hubby and my friend Andrea at mile 11 screaming so loud, I couldnt help but hear. Pity Flo wasnt paying attention. iPodder!

The sun was still shining, the feet were feeling hot and bothered, wheres the rain we were promised? Heading towards Tower Bridge and the black clouds were there in all their glory. The rain began steadily, until eventually it hit crescendo point the hands got cold and I could now barely rip the top off my gel, resorting to teeth instead.

We were keeping a good steady pace, my spirits were up and I was loving it!! Miles 13 to 17 felt almost like a doddle, I couldnt believe how quickly they seemed to roll by. I was Hi Fiveing the kids complete contrast to last year. And then we got to 18 miles . I checked my watch and I noticed 30 seconds had been lost on the previous mile Id been having too much fun, time to knuckle in a bit.

Myself and Flo agreed we would pace each other, however, if one felt the need to turn tricks and resort to their own game plan then so be it, and as Flo was no longer good company (still modelling the iPod!), I wanted to press on.

Approaching Canary Wharf and the crowds were in fighting form, it brought a massive lump to my throat, it echoed around the high rise buildings and made me feel great. Glancing back I could see Flo, I expected her to follow and be back at my side again, but this didnt happen.

Job Done

It was time to break the final 8 miles down into bite sized chunks. Initially, Id broken the race down into 4 10k's which worked completing one 10k, and then on to tackle another 10k but I needed something tighter.

I visualised a run which I know is a mile away from home, and at the start of each mile I was on this road heading home until I reached my front door, visualising the scenery which ticked the remaining mileage off nicely until I felt the desperate need to see mile 25. I knew once I got there, the final mile was a doddle, and thats how it happened.

I saw 800 metres to go (I stopped at this point last year!) then 385 yards to go and in full view of the glorious finish my god Id done it 3rd time lucky, the time was in the bag!

Russ sent me a great text just after 1pm he was on the ball. It really touched me and I took onboard one piece of sound advice he gave me 'now go get wasted', so that night I/we did!

After my disillusionment of last years race, I can now say FLM is back up there as a top class, inspirational race. Everything I despised about it last year, I loved this year roll on 2009.

Next stop London Triathlon.. that should be a laugh a minute!

Submitted by Maxine Worden

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