2011 London Marathon

[EdO]

After all the talk and hype the day finally arrived. No more tapering just get out there and run for 26.2 miles.
Large dinner the night before so I skipped a decent breakfast and just went for a power bar and some fruit washed down with a lemon tea.
Had a bit of a cold but didn't seem serious enough to pull out.

Left the house at 7.30am to get to the start early and soak up some atmosphere. Up on Blackheath common there were floats hanging in the air and the place is brimming with people moving around.
[img]http://i52.tinypic.com/2s9shzr.jpg[/img]

Catch up with some runners I know to pass the time.
20mins remaining I drop my kit bag off slowly make my way to the start.
5 minutes left I squeeze into Zone 2.
My game plan was to run at 3.15 with a paceband.
[img]http://i56.tinypic.com/ff4thx.jpg[/img]

We're off! I approach the start line only 45 seconds elapsed on the clock so quite pleased with the zone I was in.
The first mile or so is crowded. Alot runners weaving in and trying to get ahead. I checked my garmin 6.30m/m pace so I eased a little and kept calm. I felt great.

Mile 1 in the bag @7.13. Just another 25 of those and you're done. I could feel things starting to warm up. Yep a hot one so glad I slapped on some factor 30. Mile 2 toilet stop after too much sports drink in the start pen. Get going again. My calves feel a little tight but choose to ignore it. Mile 2 done 7.01.
Mile 3 the red and blue starts funnel into one race. Nice and easy down the hill. 7.19 I'm up on schedule for sure but try not to think about it.
Left turn onto Woolwich Church Street. I've run this a times before only this time there's a huge crowd and unlike Jan it's hot.
There's so much going on it's hard to focus but I'm careful where I place my feet and get a gel in. Mile 4 @7.05 then Mile 5@7.19.

We go under the A2 and pass the drummers awesome. Karoke outside the pubs we start heading into Greenwich. Mile 6@7.23 easy, relaxed another gel and still ahead of schedule. I reach Greenwich town centre and the crowd is huge. A wall of sound. Feel a slight twinge on my right calve but it goes away as the crowd thins out moving towards Deptford over the bridge. Mile 7 @7.19. Mile 8@7.17 past Canada water and Decathlon. One more gel. Mile 9@7.20. I hit mile 10 @7.22. Not sure if it's a good thing but I can see Docklands looming in the distance.
Up to this point I've been drinking at every stop. Mile 11@7.43 with a much needed toilet stop. Cheersleaders at Rotherhithe roundabout lifts the spirits then onto
Jamaica road. I move to the lefthand side where I high five the wife and kids.
[img]http://i55.tinypic.com/2z7ka55.jpg[/img]

I'm buzzing after that but runners are starting to pull up already. In these conditions it can happen at any point.

Feels good to go over Tower Bridge and get the south side done and liking the middle order miles. Miles 12, 13, 14 avg 7.20 heading into Docklands all pass quickly.
Large shout from Beckenham RC at mile 14. It's getting really hot now so I look for any shade in the road. I get a bit distracted as we go through an underpass and lose signal on my garmin then run 7.10 then 6.49@mile 16. I get it back on pace at mile 17 @7.26 and take in a much needed shower.
We snake through Docklands and oh boy I'm starting to suffer but get a buzz from the crowd. Mile 18@7.22
I leave Docklands wishing the sun would go in for a bit. Mile 19@8.12. the pace is dropping so step up again.
Mile 20@7.07

Mile 21 @7.35 this is really hurting. Mentally I'm ok but my legs are starting to seize up.
I stop. I need water on board and fast. More and more runners are also pulling up but for the first time the floodgates are starting to open for me and I'm also being passed. I'm not gonna make 3.15 so I have to change plan. Just get round. I know I can beat my last time 3.43 but I really need to go under 3.30 - maybe quicker.
Mile 22@9.15. Finally get some water. Look at my watch and try to run at 9m/m pace. I'm getting shouts of encouragement from the crowd who can see I'm hurting but everyone else is. Mile 23 @9.09 the same running badly, stopping but trying to get the pace back. Mile 24 @7.30
I get some shouts of encouragement and start running again. I pass Blackfriars and I can see Big Ben.
My legs are still bad but I'm able to run more than walk. Really want it over now. Mile 25 again slow but there's only over a mile left.
Get to Big Ben and a major landmark done. Parliament SQ. the noise is crazy and for the first time in a while I know I'll actually make it.
Horse guards parade done and hit the 800 to go. It's finally here. I cross the line 3.24.29 in relief but a little deflated having not hit 3.15.
After a post race medal photo I get a goody bag and some more drinks then make my way home.
My stomach is turning but there's no way I'm as a bad as 2009.

Fellow runner Michael Williams (occasional TG rider) had a blinder but for me it wasn't to be my day.
I won't be too disappointed it was still a great day. I trained harder than 2009 and knocked over 19minutes off that time but still came up short in the last few miles.
I'll have a week or two off then get back to some cycling. Definately not finished with running though.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/79734096

Cheers

Ed

[Toks]

Great Marathon report Ed, once again well done

[Sylv]

Well done Ed for the race and report, blimey trim or what I don't recognise you on that photo! Love the arm gel band