Giraffe in portaloo....

Well what can I say...but I DID IT! The official results say 7 hours 24 minutes and 6 seconds. You can see my official times at http://results.london-marathon.co.uk/2005/detail.php?_id=1093126

Sponsorship site www.justgiving.com/lizimarathon

Now for the blow by blow account.

Last night coughed for 2 hours before getting off to sleep what I realised I needed to do was to take more of the cough mixture! doh! It's getting pretty fruity now, although I didn't cough too much on the course.

Started off strong, possibly too strong, where the miles were flying by. Mind you since I wasn't in the main pack, when people egged me on they could spend a lot of time on me and I had the chance to thank them and wave. Also lots of high-fiving with children.

The irritating thing was that after about 2 miles, they started to clean the blue line off the road, which mean I had to dodge big cleaning trucks...also they put out a lot of fumes - can hardly call this a very "healthy" activity.

A troupe of marching RAF soldiers caught up with me and were a complete pain in the bum because they took up so much of the road, so when they passed me I had to slow down. They had to visit the toilet a few times, so we had this little dance go on for a bit. Then I had to laugh as some of the assisting soldiers (not marching) were scrabbling on the floor because they had accidentally spilt their money on the floor.

For a while I followed a very fat fairy, he was a laugh. Shame i didn't catch his race number I don't know if he finished.

Got a funny picture of a giraffe in a portaloo - will share when i get the chance.

I passed some walkers a few times, and I noticed something that I didn't think I would feel. I started to resent them because they seemed to be just drifting along chatting and laughing without much effort - probably very fit though. I now understand why runners are so upset about people who walk marathons which are not supposed to be walked. Here I was running behind them, expending loads of energy, no time to chit chat or laugh. But they got their come uppance - I noticed very few people cheered them on - and in fact most people turned their attention to me because I think they perceived that even though I was going at a snail's pace I was doing what people should be doing at the London - running. And when Kathy (see below) and I walked we were walking with effort, not just as though we were going for a Sunday stroll. Now, Kathy was unable to run because of her back and it was not for want of trying. And the "bra-girls" who walk they also walk with gusto. So now I understand why you run a marathon, unless it specifically caters for walkers (in which case the support staff on the drinks stations take shifts).


Then I was beginning to falter at 17 miles, went to the loo, then disaster struck - both side of knees seized up. Don't panic I thought. I sat down for 10 mins to have a rest (which was my strategy should this happen), then got up to walk a bit and encountered Kathy, someone who was walking all the way - but at a pace. I figured...I am not going to be able to run much more, so I decided to keep her company - anyway her walking was only about 30 seconds slower than my running (on fresh legs).

So from mile 18 to 25, we walked together. Just as well, as the course was beginning to be shut down so we kept each other company. We had to walk on the pavement when we hit the Embankment. It was also pretty quiet, everyone had left by then, but we did pass a few rowdy pubs.

Now perhaps some of you know how angry I get about competing on pavements with people sauntering around, pushing prams etc. Imagine the situation - we're 5 miles from the finish line and I have to keep weaving around people, plus trying to say Excuse me - with no voice.

With 3 miles to go I was a woman obsessed and started to up the walking pace, but Kathy was struggling to keep up. She faltered and I went back to help her, she said she felt a bit sick and she got a sudden pain in her leg, so we took it easy until she was back up to pace. I realised a few mins off my time won't mean much if I just left her there to be hurting on her own. Doing the London Marathon is not all about the time, it's about being there and helping others to achieve their goals too - I pushed my competitive streak aside and said, I would walk with her until we turned the corner at Westminster.

We got to Westminster and the refuse trucks were cleaning up the mess, and in fact obscuring the blue line so I really didn't know where to go, some civvie - I'll explain later - told me it was straight up. Kathy slowed down a little again, so she asked me to go on, I gave her a big hug and congratulated her, and shot off like a bullet!

I thought I'd seen the finish line but I knew it was around a corner, and when I turnedthe next corner and it wasn't there, I slowed down to a quick walk to prepare myself for the final sprint. Round the corner, I saw the finish clock, I picked up the pace and ran as fast as I could (in good form of course) to the finish...and the Action Photographers got two great photos of me - smiling and running past the line! YIPPEEEE!

Staggered to the championchip removal platforms....called Curtis who said congratulations and that Sari had seen me haring down to the finish line so quickly that she couldnt' take the pciture fast enough - well that's the camera's fault - it is not one for spontaneity.

Called Sari and saw she was to my right, then staggered to the baggage reclaim. As I was walking there I heard someone shout from behind me - it was Kathy and her husband. We hugged and congratulated each other and took pictures. I'm so glad I hooked up with her, because it makes the day all that much more meaningful when you've walked with someone for over 7 miles and kept each other going.

Then I met Astrid, Cara, Ella, Curtis and Sari in Horse guards parade. Staggered to a bench to put some more clothes on. Then we went had had a meal at Pizza Express - i could only get through half of it. I decided to take it away and they returned with a very interesting bag which people were admiring...

All in all, SO hard, but an absolutely extraordinary day which I will never forget. The spectators were SO supportive, so kind and made you feel that you were coming first! Everyone got involved and the music was great too.

Got very emotional at Mile 18 when a large crowd of people were cheering Kathy and me on - I ran with tears running down my face for a few minutes. I can remember it so clearly.

Ok, so the big question is....would I do it again....? you bet, but perhaps not next year, perhaps in 2007 - a marathon run is something that everyone should experience if you can stomach it.

Oh the civvie - well at around Mile 22, there appeared a man hovering around a competitor who was walking, he proceeded to keep her company for the rest of the time - but that I bet was SO irritating, she didn't look very happy. Imagine, some creep prancing next to you who hasn't done 22 miles and sort of stops and start for you catch you up - Sari said she saw a bloke who saw his wife/partner and wanted to run with her - she just said P*** OFF! in a loud voice. Nothing is more irritating that someone who thinks that after 22 miles you might need some company that hasn't done the race. Anyway, he was the one who directed me to the finish so I give him some brownie points for that....

Anyway, day off, but exam tomorrow night. I'm off to have a long bath now. Thanks for reading and supporting, thanks for your sponsorship. Now I'll have to think of some other topic to write about! Adieu.