Can't believe that I actually did it - ran the London Marathon all 26.2 miles of it...
It was such an amazing day which started really early at 5am. I'd stayed at Mum and Dad's with Michael, so we were all up early to get the 7am train. We saw loads of other runners on the train all with their big red kit bags. Once we were at Greenwich we just followed all the other mad people into the park. Dad took a last photo of me and then we said goodbye as they weren't allowed any further - just runners. Tried not to burst into tears as I was feeling very emotional.
So now I'm on my own - trip to the loo 1st to calm the nerves especially as there was no queue. Then I sat on the grass people watching - there was so much going on. At about 8.30 I put my kit bag on the lorry to meet me at the finish line. Then another trip to the loo - had to queue for 10 mins this time. I had read somewhere that you should join the loo queue again as you're bound to want go again by the time you get to the front - they were right, 30 mins this time.
And then it started to rain ! It poured. The only place to shelter was under the trees but it rained so hard it was coming through. I made my way into Pen 9 where I was to start from and tried to shelter at the side under a tree. 15 mins to go and it was getting quite crowded and it stopped raining. 10 mins to go and there was a great cheer, they were letting us slowly move forward. I didn't hear the race actually start, we just started to move slowly to the park gates and round the corner to the start line. About 20 yards from the start we were off running.
I just kept running - I didn't stop for ages. I saw Mum, Dad and Michael by the Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Didn't find out until afterwards that Penny and Andy were further down the road and I'd looked straight at Andy but didn't see them.
Before I knew it I turned a corner and was crossing over Tower Bridge - half way. The next few miles I spent looking for the loos - my tummy was churning from all those sickly gels, not a good feeling. Eventually found them and joined the end of the queue - 15 mins later I was off again.
The next point to look forward to was Canary Wharf where the Blue Cross would be and hopefully I'd be able to spot the family in the crowd. It was so noisy but as I turned a corner I could hear screaming SARAH, SARAH it was the Blue Cross so I stopped and waved. Then not more than 100 yards later was Mum, Dad, Michael, Penny and Andy. I dumped my bum bag that was digging in my tummy, gave Michael a kiss then off I went.
Coming up to 19 miles and it's feeling really hot and my tummy is still churning. I know I need to drink loads but it just makes me feel so ill. I'm starting to flag a bit by mile 20 and starting to walk more often. I couldn't see Peter and the girls near London Bridge but I was now running behind time so maybe they thought they'd missed me. I've got a new plan - run for 5 min walk for 1 min, that worked for a while until we got into the tunnel. Everyone just walked through. It was if there were no supporters so no-one could see we were all walking and it was nice and cool.
Out of the tunnel and I can see Charing Cross Station so only a few miles to go. Then soon I can see Big Ben - nearly there. I try to run as much as possible if only my legs would co-operate. The crowd are excellent - "come on Sarah, nearly there, not far to go now". Then I round the corner at Big Ben and can see the park. I must keep going. The trees help as it's a bit shady.
Then suddenly "Mummy, Mummy, MUMMY" there's the girls and Peter and I stop for a kiss and cuddly. "Go" said Peter "you've nearly finished". The sign says 600 metres to go, then 400 metres then I turned the corned onto The Mall - 385 yards to go. I can see the finish then amazingly it's all over - I've done it. Everyone is so nice "Well done Sarah" said the marshalls and the lady who cuts the chip off my shoe, and the lady who takes my photo, the man at the baggage reclaim, and another photo man.....so glad I had my name on my T-shirt.
So, it's all over. What an amazing experience and I still can't believe I actually did it. I would never have been able to do it without the help and support of everyone. Especially Peter and the kids who were bored stiff of the Marathon after a year of me talking about it. They were brilliant while I've spent most Sundays running for the past 4 months. Also Dad for being my personal trainer and who kept me going when I'd had enough. Or when he made me feel guilty for not going training - so I'd put the phone down, get changed and go running and be glad I went. Then thanks to everyone else for being interested in what I was doing and wishing me good luck and sponsoring me.
Thank you all xxxxx
It was such an amazing day which started really early at 5am. I'd stayed at Mum and Dad's with Michael, so we were all up early to get the 7am train. We saw loads of other runners on the train all with their big red kit bags. Once we were at Greenwich we just followed all the other mad people into the park. Dad took a last photo of me and then we said goodbye as they weren't allowed any further - just runners. Tried not to burst into tears as I was feeling very emotional.
So now I'm on my own - trip to the loo 1st to calm the nerves especially as there was no queue. Then I sat on the grass people watching - there was so much going on. At about 8.30 I put my kit bag on the lorry to meet me at the finish line. Then another trip to the loo - had to queue for 10 mins this time. I had read somewhere that you should join the loo queue again as you're bound to want go again by the time you get to the front - they were right, 30 mins this time.
And then it started to rain ! It poured. The only place to shelter was under the trees but it rained so hard it was coming through. I made my way into Pen 9 where I was to start from and tried to shelter at the side under a tree. 15 mins to go and it was getting quite crowded and it stopped raining. 10 mins to go and there was a great cheer, they were letting us slowly move forward. I didn't hear the race actually start, we just started to move slowly to the park gates and round the corner to the start line. About 20 yards from the start we were off running.
I just kept running - I didn't stop for ages. I saw Mum, Dad and Michael by the Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Didn't find out until afterwards that Penny and Andy were further down the road and I'd looked straight at Andy but didn't see them.
Before I knew it I turned a corner and was crossing over Tower Bridge - half way. The next few miles I spent looking for the loos - my tummy was churning from all those sickly gels, not a good feeling. Eventually found them and joined the end of the queue - 15 mins later I was off again.
The next point to look forward to was Canary Wharf where the Blue Cross would be and hopefully I'd be able to spot the family in the crowd. It was so noisy but as I turned a corner I could hear screaming SARAH, SARAH it was the Blue Cross so I stopped and waved. Then not more than 100 yards later was Mum, Dad, Michael, Penny and Andy. I dumped my bum bag that was digging in my tummy, gave Michael a kiss then off I went.
Coming up to 19 miles and it's feeling really hot and my tummy is still churning. I know I need to drink loads but it just makes me feel so ill. I'm starting to flag a bit by mile 20 and starting to walk more often. I couldn't see Peter and the girls near London Bridge but I was now running behind time so maybe they thought they'd missed me. I've got a new plan - run for 5 min walk for 1 min, that worked for a while until we got into the tunnel. Everyone just walked through. It was if there were no supporters so no-one could see we were all walking and it was nice and cool.
Out of the tunnel and I can see Charing Cross Station so only a few miles to go. Then soon I can see Big Ben - nearly there. I try to run as much as possible if only my legs would co-operate. The crowd are excellent - "come on Sarah, nearly there, not far to go now". Then I round the corner at Big Ben and can see the park. I must keep going. The trees help as it's a bit shady.
Then suddenly "Mummy, Mummy, MUMMY" there's the girls and Peter and I stop for a kiss and cuddly. "Go" said Peter "you've nearly finished". The sign says 600 metres to go, then 400 metres then I turned the corned onto The Mall - 385 yards to go. I can see the finish then amazingly it's all over - I've done it. Everyone is so nice "Well done Sarah" said the marshalls and the lady who cuts the chip off my shoe, and the lady who takes my photo, the man at the baggage reclaim, and another photo man.....so glad I had my name on my T-shirt.
So, it's all over. What an amazing experience and I still can't believe I actually did it. I would never have been able to do it without the help and support of everyone. Especially Peter and the kids who were bored stiff of the Marathon after a year of me talking about it. They were brilliant while I've spent most Sundays running for the past 4 months. Also Dad for being my personal trainer and who kept me going when I'd had enough. Or when he made me feel guilty for not going training - so I'd put the phone down, get changed and go running and be glad I went. Then thanks to everyone else for being interested in what I was doing and wishing me good luck and sponsoring me.
Thank you all xxxxx
