GFA Place at London – So much hype

I completed my first marathon in April 2016 in 3 hours 21 minutes – I was pretty amazed and super pleased to know I had qualified for a ‘Good for Age’ place at the Virgin London Marathon 2017. It was so exciting as quite a few girls from my running club – Poplar Running Club would be there too. My training was a bit last minute really as it crept up on me (as did a lot of extra weight) after travelling around New Zealand for 6 months but I was doing this so I got my ass in gear and felt pretty good. My Team GB triathlete friend offered me so much advice and encouragement from the other side of the world and I believed I could maybe get a 3 hour 15 marathon.

Unfortunately, London 2017 was put on hold as my partner had a job offer in New Zealand and his boss wouldn’t wait too long so I deferred my place for 2018. I did the Christchurch, NZ marathon instead (I’ll talk about that experience in another post!). So, after waiting another year I was getting very excited about travel back to the UK for London. I’d started a new job so I had to take unpaid leave and could only get leave to allow me 12 days in the UK However, it was better than nothing and I WAS GOING TO LONDON.

Obsessive Compulsive London Marathon Disorder

Seriously, I did not stop talking about London to anyone listening (or not listening). My Facebook and Instagram accounts were littered with training pictures, training highs and training lows. My physiotherapist, Hayley and the receptionist, Jacky must have wanted ear plugs as I didn’t shut up about London. Everyone in the whole world must have known I was doing London.

Not Meant to be

After taking Vitamin C and Echinacea for several weeks before travelling and taking everything to prevent jet lag I unfortunately developed a cold before the marathon. I arrived in the UK on the Tuesday before and felt quite rough. I also had some pretty horrendous ladies issues and felt quite drained when I got to London. I was also super stressed as the day of the marathon was set to be hot and humid despite all the ice cold temperatures before I arrived. I have asthma and hayfever so running in the heat doesn’t work for me. I’m a winter runner.

Dash for the Loo

It’s race morning and my throat is closed up, I’m weak and cannot stomach breakfast. I am super emotional and keep crying. Luckily I spent my final moments before the marathon with some calming influences so I did relax a little.

The Queen pushed the start button and as we were in Pen 1 we were on the start line within a minute or so. It was electric and I am getting shivers now remembering it. The crowd was insane – there was not a single quiet moment for the whole 26.2 miles and I will never forget all the people shouting my name. Simply incredible. I went out like rocket, despite knowing I can’t run in heat and for 4 miles I felt pretty good but by mile 6 I felt done – I really wanted to quit. By mile 10 my pace had taken another dip and I had gone from 7:57 pace to 8:24 pace and I was hanging on. Mile 19 was pretty fast as (can’t believe I am saying this) but I needed a poo! I kept thinking I could hold it but then I’d think about Paula Radcliffe and how she’s never heard the end of it. I was imagining the cameras on me having a poo, broadcast to the world. I wouldn’t be able to go back to work or face my family or friends again. No, I had to dash to a portaloo. I wasn’t even quick – it was a 10:49 minute mile. After that my legs seized up and my hips were locked. I was limping for the rest of it but the crowd kept me going. Seeing people collapsed around me was heartbreaking and I cried so many times.

When your legs don’t work, run with your heart

“Tracy, Tracy, Tracy…”

Thank you to all those incredible strangers shouting my name for the last 6 miles as you kept me going and got my over that line. Oh my word, seeing Buckingham Palace and The Mall was when I finally could smile and know I was actually getting my medal as I seriously believed I wouldn’t finish until then. The crowd got even louder and it was like entering an Olympic Stadium. I sobbed my little heart out when I crossed the line (and I’m crying now as I write this) and sobbed some more when the delightful lady gave me my medal. I had to walk some distance to collect my kit bag and it felt like another marathon. Everything hurt and I limped the whole way and cried like a baby. I saw my running buddies from Poplar Running Club – Nicola (a superstar runner) and Marie (who put in an awesome performance) and then everything felt OK. Usually I’d be disappointed in such a poor performance but I felt so proud of myself. I know this was the hardest race of my life and I had to use every bit of heart to complete it. 3 hours 46 minutes – I’ll take that as I finished.

London, I kinda hate you

The next day I went outside the hotel in my summer dress and it was bloody freezing. Can you believe it? Perfect marathon conditions! Typical.

For Matthew Campbell

Finally, I want to mention Matthew Campbell who sadly lost his life during the Virgin London Marathon. An experienced, sub-three hour marathon runner who collapsed with 3.7 miles to go and never made it home. I’m so proud of the running community as so many of us finished his race for him by running 3.7 miles and donating to his charity – the Brathay Trust – You can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mattcampbell-londonmarathon

It was such a tough day and to the Australian Journalists who reported sarcastically about the “scorching” 24 degrees heat – shame on you. It felt so much hotter due to the tarmac, the thousands of people and the humidity. Many Brits and other people from cooler climates are not used to the heat and a marathon is tough even in the most favourable conditions. We didn’t prepare for heat and humidity as it wasn’t expected.