The Big One 2010

Wow! What a day. I woke at 6am on Sunday before getting ready for the Marathon. The run that I had been preparing for, for the last 6 months. I left the house at around 0645 and made my way to Blackheath, where my run started. When I arrived, I packed up my stuff and handed my bag over, which was to be taken to the finish line to (hopefully) be reunited with me again. I had no doubts that the bag would make it there...maybe a few that I might not!!

After forecasts of a heatwave, I was shocked to be freezing cold and soaking wet from a downpour before the start of the run. There were thousands of people around me, each with their own little race routines and rituals. Some just relaxing, others running, warming up and stretching. I just waited. Taking everything in.

0945 and it was time to run. I took a deep breath and shuffled my way to the start, bumping shoulders with other runners on the way. 6 minutes after the race had started and I had finally reached the start line - my Marathon had begun.

The atmosphere was amazing. Unbelievable. The crowd and supporters were in a carnival mood and that alone made the first 7 miles feel easy. I kept looking out for my Wife and Parents as they were going to be there to support me but as I reached 18 miles I was yet to find them. By this point it had warmed up significantly, my feet were sore and my legs were hurting. The thought of stopping crossed my mind. I was a tough point in the race. Maybe it was the 'wall' that people talk about, where the only thing that will send you crashing through that wall is a strong mind. It was at that point I heard my dad's voice shout 'There he is' and I looked up to see my folks and Tracey in the crowd. The feeling was indescribable. I gave them a clenched fist and shouted back 'I'm still going!' I got a massive lump in my throat and I could quite easily have burst in to tears at the moment. I was at breaking point but seeing them gave me the lift I needed to dig deep and push on. I told myself that I hadn't trained 6 months to quit now.

I was taking on water at every mile. Little sips. I made sure I went under every one of the 6 showers around the course, like car washes but for people, cooling me as I went through. I reached the 20 mile mark. 6 and a bit to go. From here on, psychologically I could start counting down. I pictured where I would be on my training run with 6 miles to go which made it easier for me to picture finishing. 21 miles. 22 miles. I kept chipping away and keeping one eye on my time. Before the run I wanted to complete it between 4:30 - 5:00hrs and if I kept digging deep I could still do it.

I saw the 25 mile mark. I was so close. I felt my phone vibrate and it was my brother "are you still running?" he asked to which I said "Yes...I'm dying!! I'm in the last mile and this is the hardest thing I have ever done". "Keep going" he said, " I'm watching it on the T.V"

I put the phone back in my arm pouch and pushed on. I crossed the line at the same time as Richard Branson! My official time was 4:59:05...I did it with 55 seconds to spare. The emotion I felt was unbelievable. I felt like crying at first, but then I took a moment to realise that I had completed my goal. My finishers medal was placed over my head.

I did it. I completed the BIG ONE!

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