I really did jinx myself when I said that the first marathon was going to be the hardest one didn't I? Sunday 2nd March saw me complete my third marathon of 2014 and by many very sicky miles, it was the hardest one to date.
I spent the week before the race in Birmingham working on an exhibition stand. On the Tuesday morning, I started to feel unwell, by Wednesday afternoon I was shivering, sweating and could not stop sneezing. I sat in my lonely bed, 300 miles from home and cried. How could I disappoint everyone who believed in me because I've got a cold? How pathetic could I really be?
No matter what I did, the cold just would not shift, I sat on the train on Saturday morning, sniffing and sneezing, much to everyone around me's disgust. Arriving in Cambridge, I was looking forward to getting to the hotel, grabbing something to eat and catching a few more hours sleep before everyone else arrived - it was NEVER going to be that easy.
After a bit of confusion with the hotel I was staying in, I finally managed to sit down and rest for a few hours before Mum, Meg and Emily arrived. Self-doubt was screaming at me but I kept quiet, reassuring everyone that I was okay to run.
No matter what I did, the cold just would not shift, I sat on the train on Saturday morning, sniffing and sneezing, much to everyone around me's disgust. Arriving in Cambridge, I was looking forward to getting to the hotel, grabbing something to eat and catching a few more hours sleep before everyone else arrived - it was NEVER going to be that easy.
After a bit of confusion with the hotel I was staying in, I finally managed to sit down and rest for a few hours before Mum, Meg and Emily arrived. Self-doubt was screaming at me but I kept quiet, reassuring everyone that I was okay to run.
A marathon for real marathoners...
Mum, Meg, Emily and I arrived at the start line at about 10am. It quickly became very obvious that this was a marathon for REAL marathoners. Everywhere I looked people had '100 marathon club' vests on. The start line was busy in comparison to the other marathons I've completed this year, around 400 runners, roughly 3/4 of whom would be running a half. Without any real warning, I skipped over to the start line with a knot in my stomach and that little 'self-doub't devil in my ear, but I'd made it to the start line. Now only 26.2 miles were between me and success.
Around 3 miles in I turned around and saw only one person behind me. ONE PERSON. I'd started in the middle of the pack, how had that happened?! I slowed down to speak with her and she reassured me that dozens of other people were behind us. We chatted for a while, she was running the half-marathon but was great company up until mile 6 when I stopped to speak to Darren and Norton who were waiting for me with a pot full of hand-picked red jelly babies (thank you)!
After a brief chat I ran off through the fields, catching up with a man called DaveO who was planning to walk/run the marathon. Several other marathoners surrounded me and we stuck together, chatting about other races as we avoided huge areas of mud. As we crossed the 7 mile mark one runner declared 'ONLY 19 MILES TO GO GUYS', I wish I could have captured my look of disgust.
Around 3 miles in I turned around and saw only one person behind me. ONE PERSON. I'd started in the middle of the pack, how had that happened?! I slowed down to speak with her and she reassured me that dozens of other people were behind us. We chatted for a while, she was running the half-marathon but was great company up until mile 6 when I stopped to speak to Darren and Norton who were waiting for me with a pot full of hand-picked red jelly babies (thank you)!
After a brief chat I ran off through the fields, catching up with a man called DaveO who was planning to walk/run the marathon. Several other marathoners surrounded me and we stuck together, chatting about other races as we avoided huge areas of mud. As we crossed the 7 mile mark one runner declared 'ONLY 19 MILES TO GO GUYS', I wish I could have captured my look of disgust.
A Tsunami of Doubt But An Ocean of Determination
I was back on my own by mile 9, I spotted Hannah and Sean parked up on the side of the road. Hannah threw herself at me for a hug and stuffed a jelly baby in to my mouth before cheering me to keep going. Something was not feeling quite right so after turning the corner, I slowed down. And slowed down. And then stopped. Without any warning I was throwing up. "This is too early for this to be happening," I thought, "I'm never going to make it round if I can't keep food down." Tears welled in my eyes and a tsunami of doubt hit me. After several sips of lucozade sport (probably not the best fluid to be taking on with a dodgy stomach), I was back, running at a slow but steady 10min p/mile pace.
I caught up with a girl who seemed to be struggling some what, 'marathon or half?' I asked her, 'HALF AND NEVER AGAIN' she panted back at me. I offered her a jelly baby which she refused, looking like she might cry, 'you can do this' I told her, and pushed for a slightly faster pace. I really hope she made it to the finish line okay but at that stage I didn't need any more doubt than I already had with 14 miles ahead of me.
I caught up with a girl who seemed to be struggling some what, 'marathon or half?' I asked her, 'HALF AND NEVER AGAIN' she panted back at me. I offered her a jelly baby which she refused, looking like she might cry, 'you can do this' I told her, and pushed for a slightly faster pace. I really hope she made it to the finish line okay but at that stage I didn't need any more doubt than I already had with 14 miles ahead of me.
SOmetimes In Life We Have To Fail But Not Today
Crossing through an incredibly muddy field, I realised we were at the half way mark. Out of nowhere, everyone appeared, providing a much needed pit-stop. Mark told me to ease my pace slightly to help with the sickness, whilst Emily loaded my pockets up with more red jelly babies. If you watch the video montage (below) you can see how pale I am. The worry in my face is obvious. I was promised a visit at mile 18, and chased after the very few runners I could see continuing the full race.
Following arrows made of flour and water on the floor, I was directed in to a field. "OH BE JESUSSSS" I heard a man shout as he fell flat on his face. I couldn't help but laugh as he stood up covered head to toe in thick black mud, he wasn't quite so amused (I get my sense of humour from my mum - sick). I attempted to walk through it, the circumference of my trainers grew significantly with every step until I was basically wearing moon boots as I came out the other side.
I had to scrape my moon boots clean with my hands (pretty grim) and resisted the temptation to give myself some army style face paint before powering on. Mark, Allie and Beth drove past, beeping frantically at me, followed by Meg, Mum and Emily. That was a nice little boost so soon after having seen them.
Following arrows made of flour and water on the floor, I was directed in to a field. "OH BE JESUSSSS" I heard a man shout as he fell flat on his face. I couldn't help but laugh as he stood up covered head to toe in thick black mud, he wasn't quite so amused (I get my sense of humour from my mum - sick). I attempted to walk through it, the circumference of my trainers grew significantly with every step until I was basically wearing moon boots as I came out the other side.
I had to scrape my moon boots clean with my hands (pretty grim) and resisted the temptation to give myself some army style face paint before powering on. Mark, Allie and Beth drove past, beeping frantically at me, followed by Meg, Mum and Emily. That was a nice little boost so soon after having seen them.
Feet Fail Me Not, THis May Be THe Only Opportunity I've Got
As I ploughed on, suddenly glad I was wearing trail shoes, the miles seemed to be getting further and further apart. I was throwing up at very regular intervals now and struggling to take any fuel on. As always when I start to doubt myself, Eminem 'Lose Yourself' started playing in my ears, reminding me that not finishing wasn't an option. The 16 mile sign was a welcome relief, 2 miles until I could see everyone again and ONLY 10 more miles to go.
I spotted everyone standing on the side of the road at mile 18. They were all in hysterics over random marathoner's running styles - I think when the time comes we'll have assess the way they run!! I looked at Brian's garmin, trying to work out how far I had to go, 'This is bang on mile 18,' Mark told me, 'I've run 8 miles a million times' I replied before running off to catch up with the couple who I'd been pacing myself with.
I spotted everyone standing on the side of the road at mile 18. They were all in hysterics over random marathoner's running styles - I think when the time comes we'll have assess the way they run!! I looked at Brian's garmin, trying to work out how far I had to go, 'This is bang on mile 18,' Mark told me, 'I've run 8 miles a million times' I replied before running off to catch up with the couple who I'd been pacing myself with.
If you don't go home with a sore throat, as a spectator, then you're doing it wrong.
I spent the next four miles crossing random fields and woodland, singing Let if Go from Frozen at the top of my lungs to keep me moving and distracted from the overwhelming nausea. At mile 25 I managed to catch up with several other runners who'd been consistently ahead of me, one had slowed to walk and shouted 'FINISH STRONG' at me as I over took them. Navigating through small alleyways, a little crowd of people stood cheering. That is the greatest feeling I have ever experienced. If you have EVER stood on the side of a race, be it a 5km or a marathon, and cheered random strangers, you are a hero in your own right. It really does give us strength to keep going, especially in those final steps.
Never Give Up, Your Dreams Will Become Reality
I spotted the traffic lights and car show room I'd been longing to see for 17 long miles, signifying that the finish line was SO close to me. I then saw my Grandad waiting on the top of the road, having not seen him for 2 years I wanted to stop and hug him but he encouraged me to keep going, attempting to keep up with me. Back down the slope, another crowd of people cheered and then I heard the familiar cheers I'm so grateful for. I burst in to tears the second I crossed the finish line and fell in to a multitude of much needed cuddles. Throughout the entire race, I had honestly believed I would be crying tears of disappointment at the end of the day, instead I was overwhelmed by the relief and pride. Once again, I had somehow finished a 26.2 mile marathon.
Three marathons in five weeks was never going to be easy, but phase one is over. I'm 25% of the way through this challenge and now have 5 weeks until race number four: The Virgin London Marathon.
This hasn't been easy. I really did underestimate what running 12 marathons would involve but I'm so very grateful for the amazing opportunity and strength my family and friends give me to power on.
This hasn't been easy. I really did underestimate what running 12 marathons would involve but I'm so very grateful for the amazing opportunity and strength my family and friends give me to power on.
We have so far raised £6,541 (thank you all so much) and need your assistance to ensure we keep powering towards our £25,000 target. I know it is marathon/running season and everyone you know is doing something for an amazing cause, but even £1 will make a difference to our amazing charities.
Please click here and sponsor Team Run 12, working for Breast Cancer Care and Cancer Research UK. Thank you x
Please click here and sponsor Team Run 12, working for Breast Cancer Care and Cancer Research UK. Thank you x
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