What can I say? It did not go as planned, it did not go as I hoped, it was not pretty, it was not fun and it certainly was not fast. Not really sure what wrong other than my stomach was sore, from about mile 7, not in the ‘where are the portoloos’ kind of way just sore.
Maybe the events of last week caught up with me. Friday saw me at the dentist for an emergency appointment having had two days and nights of discomfort. I was told the tooth was dying, I could either have it removed or have the filling removed, canals cleaned out and dressing applied. I chose option B as running with open wound in my mouth did not appeal and probably not advisable. I was also given a course of antibiotics. Carb loading was hard (which is a shame as this is my favourite part) as felt sick most of the time and could only eat on one side of my mouth.
This of course could be just an excuse for a poor performance and even without this I would not have managed what I wanted, we will never know.
I had wanted to stick with the 4:30 pacers I managed this for the first 13 miles everything felt fine but not the tummy. By the half way mark the pacers had a huge posse and sticking close to them was hard due to the masses more than anything else. I watched them edge slowly away from me and decided to continue as best I could and NOT walk. At about 14 miles I saw big madam and handed over her birthday hat. Great to see her then and again at 20 miles. I missed everyone else!!
This marathon I found more congested, more bumping, knocking, tripping, pushing, this made for a more grumpy Shaz. I saw way more casualties too and took comfort from their misery at least I would finish, at least I would finish without stopping, at least I was not having cramp. Least I was still upright I told myself. (Nice aren’t I?!)
At the ‘600 metres to go’ mark I clocked the time and realised I needed to get a move on to finish in under 5 hours. I touched a runners back who was walking and suggested a sprint finish, he did not take me up on it and for me the word sprint should be interpreted loosely!
I was done. A call to my mum and she was able to tell me my time and that I had finished in under 5 hours. The baggage man was trying to get us all to smile, I suggested he run 26.2 miles and see how happy he would be! Grump, grump, grumpy that was me.
I was meant to meet madam under W but seeing how far away it was I called and asked she come to N! There I was in horse guards parade stripping off, once I had my finishers shirt on, then came the hard part of wrestling out of the sports bra, (easier said than done) trying not to flash those unlucky enough to be with in viewing distance. With the assistance of my assistant I managed to prise my capris off (safe in knowledge that when I am older she is now qualified to help me dress) and in to my joggers, bliss.
It was quite a day even if I am still stroppy about the time!
The crowd of course were amazing. Nothing can prepare you for the noise all along the embankment. To the fireman standing on the path with his hose spraying out water, thank you, to the guys sat on their sofa drinking beer thanks for the offer of a seat-maybe next year, to the guard on Waterloo East station threatening to come after us if we stepped over the yellow line, thanks for releasing the pre run tension, to the lady on the tube on the way home thanks for not taking offence when I threatened to punch you if you stood on my toes.
Apologies for whingeing, moaning, bleating…….
On a positive side
- I beat Katherine Jenkins (but not in the glamour stakes)
- I beat Ed Balls but hope I had him licked in the glamour stakes
- I beat Amy Childs but in the boob department she has me licked
- I did not walk (I know Dad how can I run and still be slower than you? Short legs thats why)
- I have been lucky enough to run 3 London Marathons
- My PB is still not a bad one for an old bird
- I beat my Milton Keynes time
- I relocated to the other side of the country and still managed to get the training in despite the hills in Devon
- I have done again what a majority of people would never dream of doing
- I am able to run and I can run marathons
shazruns 
26.2 miles is 26.2 miles, any way you look at it! You should be super proud of yourself. Great job on the London Marry! -iamlyons.com
Loved this blog! It was fun reading the build up too 🙂
Jealous that you’ve run London three times!
I`m jealous too. Three times means you aced it. Delighted for you!
Ha ha I vaguely remember that hat in pen 8 blue start ?
We must have been running shoulder to shoulder for a good while. It was crushed in the city so unusual as normally one man and his dog there !
Whilst you ran and I ran I between social and beer stops we still came into the finish about the same time 🙂 must check our photos could be in each others !
I actually loved the race as I viewed it as my last London marathon.
You reminded me of the guys on the sofa – made me smile.
Well done, cheer up be proud 🙂
Zoe
How funny that we ran together and did not know! I had hat on toll mile 14 then had pink baseball hat on. You finished before me well done
I’m impressed–no walking!
you did really well! and I am sure the tooth and antibiotics did not help 😦
come join us next year for Brighton, you can stay over at my place the night before..
You r a glutton for punishment.
Sent from my iPhone
Well done! It’s a great achievement. Completing a marathon is something I can only vaguely comprehend from the comfort of my sofa. Well done for getting out there and doing it and inspiring those of us sat watching it on the telly. If I could go even half that distance I would be very happy.
Your last line says it all.
Thank you
Congratulations, you did it and with a sore tooth and upset stomach. Amazing job 🙂
Woooo…all done and dusted? Totally Amazing and major grumping is ALLOWED!!
There would have been tears and tantys from me:) and many many threats of punching and the rest…We are not as refined down here in the colonies:)
Well done you, hope you are having a well deserved feet up and relax:)…
Then you can plan your next cunning run:) maybe Auckland?
Omg I would so love to come to Auckland. The marathon is great in the respect u can always beat some celeb! I take great comfort from that as after all they get so much help (and I do it solo!)
p.s….That is what worries me….What If a duh brain like Amy childs can run a marathon (regardless of time and breasts) and I can’t???
Well done, what an achievement! 🙂
Amazing feat, Sharon. 3 times!!! Good on you, all your “Canadian family” are mighty proud of you!!! I’m sure Grama Shirley is still watching you and saying “are you mad, Sharon????” Congrats!!!! xoxoxo
Actually you don’t sound moany, you sound, despite having a major tooth issue and a sore belly, like you had a really fun day and met loads of lovely people! Totally impressed you beat all those famous people! You are a runner through and through Sharon you have amazing endurance, I’ll never forget running 17 miles with you and thinking I was going to die! I was a mess but you were in the zone no problem! You totally inspired me to go that much further and try a marathon. I’ve learnt so much from you (and still am learning!) and am extremely proud that my running mentor refused to let anything beat her, carried on running and even put a spurt on to get inside 5 hours! well done Sharon 🙂 xxx
Well done – a fab achievement even if it wasn’t quite what you were hoping for. 🙂 I hope your mouth, tummy and legs are all feeling better now!
Congrats on the race. Those anibiotics probably caused your stomach problems. They tend to kill of the bacteria in your gut that you need for digestion.
And you had the mental grit to complete it despite it not going to plan. Which counts for a lot in my book.
Thanks