The Forum of Benfleet Running Club

mArKw · #2 Joined: 15 May 2006 Posts: 291 Location: Benfleet

OK, One for the London Veterans.

Let's have five memories from your running of the London Marathon over the years. Any memories will do even if they are from the same year.

Mark
_________________
The hills are alive........

mArKw · #2 Joined: 15 May 2006 Posts: 291 Location: Benfleet

Here's my five.....

1) 1999, first London Marathon. My calves locked up at 16 miles and on the turn into the Dogs two gorgeous, angelic (lady) physios work on both my legs as the same time. For some reason, I shouted at them "I don't care how much it hurts, just go as deep as you can!!!!"

2) 2000. Took Nigel Kimpton's place with three days notice and no long distance training at all. Calves seized up and felt as if I walked to the finish from 14 miles.......

3) 2004. First proper attempt at sub 3:30. Ran out of energy at 22 miles but found a lady with a massive box of jelly babies at 23 miles and nearly ate the whole box!!! I have two pictures of myself that year. First one at 24 miles (Embankment), I look like a sack of wet spuds. The second, I'm going past Westminster at full chat, striding out, about 6 feet up in the air!!!!

4) 2005. 3:25, PB, sub 3:30. Ran bang on 7:30 pace all the way until 20 miles when my calves seized (notice a pattern here??) and then pulled my hamstring. Remember thinking to myself that running the 6.2 miles to the finish in under an hour was easy!!!!

5) 2007. Last one. Possible ever. Was running the 3 Peaks race the week later, so just trotted around soaked in the atmosphere and just enjoyed it. Fantastic.

Mark
_________________
The hills are alive........