My Manchester Marathon
My decision to enter the Manchester
Marathon was very hastily made in December after several drinks too
many. I've not entered a full marathon since 1985, and always said
I'd never do another one....I'm really glad I did it though! I
enjoyed the training. It was great to work to a structured programme
and to see the mileage building up over the weeks. It gave me a real
focus and a great sense of achievement as I stuck the training
schedule to the fridge door and ticked off each week. Even so, I was
really nervous as Sunday approached. I had over £2,000 in
sponsorship at stake for my youth band's trip to Germany in the
summer - the marathon was the 12th race out of 12 in my 10 month long
Sportathon, and I'd completed the other 11........
Sunday dawned and I got dropped off at
Longford Park. The rain was lashing down, and turning to sleet.
People were wearing bin liners and my trainers were soaked through
before we'd even started. There was a massive queue at the baggage
tent - I didn't use it thankfully - I heard there were many
problems.....soon the race was underway. I loved every minute of the
first 16 or 17 miles, despite the weather. People were lining the
streets and cheering us in Stretford, Sale, Timperley, Altrincham and
once the half way mark was past I felt settled and really
comfortable. After Dunham it got very messy; we had to plough our way
through mud and puddles on a trail section, then we seemed to go for
miles in open countryside. Around miles 18-19 I started to feel
really cold and kept going dizzy. I hit the 20 mile marker at
03:56:27, then I tried to get a protein bar out of my water belt but
my fingers were so cold I couldn't grip it. In the end I had to stop
to try and tear it open with my teeth, then I walked for a couple of
minutes while I ate it, and there was my downfall. I started
shivering from head to foot and my legs locked up. For the next 6
miles I had to alternate between running and power walking and kept
feeling like I was going to pass out, but nothing was going to stop
me getting to that finish line. As I reached Stretford, the crowds
kept cheering all the runners on; every time someone said "well
done love" I felt like crying. I had about a mile to go when I
suddenly heard my running buddy Fiona shout me - I was dazed by then!
The next thing I knew she was running alongside me in her full length
boots, cheering me on for that last long stretch. When we passed the
A&T water station I couldn't believe the cheers and encouragement
- I was completely overwhelmed! What an amazing team support!!! When
I finally made it to the finish line at 05:37:34 there was my
daughter with a warm coat and a hug!!! It took me 5 hours to stop
shaking from the cold. Even after a hot bath I was still shivering.
Last night I felt terrible, but today I registered for the ballot for
place in next year's London Marathon. It seems I will never
learn.....thanks to everyone who has supported me and all the other
A&T members yesterday and in the last few months as we have
prepared for the marathon.
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