I did it!!!

Oh my word, that was so hard! Hardest thing I have ever done. I finally passed the finish line at 5hrs 11 which is slightly disappointing for me as I really wanted to do it under 5 hrs, but it was just an achievement finishing as I thought it would never end!

Some of the miles flew by and up until about mile 14 I was running strong and on for well under 5 hours, but then I just started feeling sick and it got to the point where I had to stop running as I felt like would hurl. Unfortunately I felt like that for the next 6 miles so so couldn't take on energy gels or any jelly babies or sweets that people were handing out, and the smell of all the BBQs just seemed so strong and made me feel so nauseous it was awful! But I kept running and walking when I felt too sick to run for the whole of the second half of the run.

Annoyingly once you start walking that's when injuries and things kick in and my IT band on my right leg (never been a problem before) went. So I was limping the last 6 miles, with my achilles on the left killing me too, probably as my left leg was over compensating. Sometimes I was able to ignore the pain but not for long. But happily I was running everytime I saw someone supporting which is funny as I really was running half of it and walking half of it!

I'm not sure why I felt so unwell, whether it was having eaten a different breakfast to usual which included an apple and not a banana (perhaps that was too acidic to then have energy gels on top?) or whether it was the oily pasta the day before sitting in my belly, or whether it was just the heat? No idea. Although still not feeling right as since the marathon all I have managed to eat is a tuna roll and half a pizza, which is not a lot considering usually I need two BIG meals!

It was really amazing seeing all my family and friends around the course, it really does give you a lift. and when I realised at about mile 18 that I wouldn't be able to do it in under 5 I decided I would stop and talk to everyone if I could get to them, which I pretty much did! That made it better. Although I really wanted to see my Mum again so she could give me a hug as I felt so unwell, but I missed her.

It's an amazing event, so well organised and really good fun, I'm just a bit disappointed with my time as I have not stopped and walked on any long run since right at the beginning of my training when I was suffering with my left IT band, all my longer runs up to 22 miles I have not needed to walk and all of them would have had me finish sometime between 4hrs 30 and 5hrs so I know I can do it, which I suppose is why it's disappointing. Therefore I will go into the ballot and better my time, I'll try for next year and if not, maybe a different marathon.

Anyway all of us girls managed it in the end and all feel thoroughly proud of ourselves! I am a little bit achey today, but I can still walk which is a bonus!

4 more sleeps...

Oh my word, 4 more sleeps till the big day (or as I'm sure it'll turn out 3 more broken sleeps and one night of utter terror until the big day!)

I haven't updated the blog in a while, this is mainly due to bad internet service at home but also as I have had a few niggles of late so was feeling slightly worried about the whole thing!

Since I last wrote, after my 22 miler, I have completed one long run, a 13 miler (after suffering a touch of man flu) and then the weekend just gone was supposed to be a 10 miler but unfortunately my right knee was playing up throughout the 13 miler and took a good few days for the swelling to subside so I only went out for a 4 miler. Other than that I have been in the gym. Last night was my last run another 4 miler and that's it now.

It feels weird.

The other thing I have achieved since I last wrote on the blog was my fundraising target! Today it looks very likely that I'll hit the £2000 mark by the end of all this which is fantastic and has made this so worthwhile!

My task for the next few days is to rest my legs and eat carbs. Funnily enough I don't think I'll have a problem following this training plan!

Things to do before the big day... I have ironed my name onto my running vest, I have washed my running kit & I have written a list of things to pack for the day. I just need to get packing once my kit is dry! Me and Heather (who is running for the RSPCA) are staying at a hotel in London the night before. This is probably a bad thing as we are both nervous and sure to make each others nerves worse all night! We have decided that after registering for our running numbers on Saturday morning we are going to spend the afternoon in the cinema (stops us talking about the marathon and hopefully will take our minds off the mammoth task ahead!)

The final thing I need to do is (well run 26.2 miles) but also to enjoy the day. I still don't feel comfortable about this as I know I haven't actually enjoyed any organised run before but I need to keep a positive head and if possible just take it all in as I run along, the London Marathon is a great day out as a spectator, the atmosphere is immense so I'm hoping I will feel the same whilst being a runner!

I have run... far...

Seriously. 22 miles. Is far. Granted not quite as far as a marathon distance, but not that far off, another 4 miles in fact. Note, I am reluctant to use the word 'only' I don't want to say 'only another 4 miles' as let's be honest 22 miles it hurt. Wow it hurt. By the time I'd finished I was a shaky mess, so the thought of running for a further 45-50 mins is horrifying. But I think with some strategic eating and sleeping beforehand, I believe I can finish it now. Even if those final 4 miles are crawled!

From now on it's taking down the distances, so I'm kind of looking forward to the next two weeks training!