Don't stop me now.....'cause I'm having a good time!!

Oh my good God. That was the most amazing experience ever!!

I can't believe I've run the London Marathon!! Official time 5 hours, 1 minute and 46 seconds. I knew I was having a good run and was on for about 5 hours so I pushed as hard as I could over the last 10k for a sub five hour finish, but it wasn't to be. If only I hadn't stopped for a wee......!!

It's true what they say about the supporters too- them 'Cock-en-eys' really are fantastic. There wasn't a point on the course where there wasn't supporters shouting my name- especially over the last couple of miles it was awesome!!! Got to see Floela Benjamin too, overtook her on Tower bridge!- life doesn't get any more exiting than that I can tell you. Masai warriors were great too.

See you all next year!!!! Thinking about running it in fancy dress. If only I had the thighs for a wonder woman outfit....Wonder if Mrs Shaunie is up for that?!!!!

The final countdown.....

Well that's it. I've got my last long run under my belt, I'm as fit now as I'm ever going to be so bring it on!!! Karen and I had a good run on Monday, despite a couple of unscheduled stops(!) and being attacked by the biggest fucking Swan you've ever seen that had decided to build it's nest on the canal towpath. Ok so we weren't attacked exactly, but we could have been- it looked the sort that would go for you, and a Swan can break a mans arm you know....

I can't believe that's my longest training run before the big day!! It was hard work mind, although I have to say that my legs felt remarkably OK today considering how much they hurt during the run!! Even felt happy enough to go for a short run at half seven this morning! I guess Roy Castle was right all along- dedication's what you need. Or was it medication's all you need?.....

Windy Wendy...

Nope, I haven't been up to my old farting tricks again(despite what Andy might say!)!! The 'windy' really does refer to the weather!!! My God it was blustery this morning!!

Karen and I went for a run along the Canal- ended up doing 16 miles because it was just so windy and cold. Felt good though and 16 miles was pretty comfortable, which is just as well as I'll have to add on another 10 on the day. Mrs Shaunie did very well as this was by far her longest run for a while- it's her jet-set lifestyle you know!! She has agreed to come with me on my last long run before the big day which will be on Monday 31st.

Christ- it's all beginning to sink in!! Let's just hope I don't over- indulge with the Easter Egg and Hot Cross buns otherwise I'll be waddling the 26.2 miles around our nations great Capital!!! Shame.... I like over- indulging....I'm good at it!...

Easy rider.....

Have taken it fairly easy this week after The Grizzly last Sunday. My legs seemed to have taken all this time to recover! Did 10 miles today which felt really hard, but that might have been because I ran with the club and the pace was a bit faster than I'm used to.

I hope I'm not tempting fate by saying this, but I'm quite pleased that I don't seem to have picked up any significant niggles or pain- just need to do my last couple of long runs and stay injury free!!

Never again.......

I will never ever run that fu**ing race again as long as I live. EVER. Jesus Christ yesterday was hard, and not helped by  odd rain and hail showers ( the hail came when I was on the top of a hill of course and had nowhere to shelter).

Felt utterly miserable for the last third, and even had a little cry on the Beach at Branscome because I knew what was still to come!! I have never really considered giving up in a race before, but I did yesterday- I didn't think I'd make it to the end.

Time wise, I think I was around 15 minutes faster than last year, so that's something I suppose.

If I ever even consider doing this again next year, for Gods Sake KICK ME!

 

                               

Just so you know, this picture was taken at the start which is why I am smiling. Apparently I didn't look too happy on the way back! but then I didn't feel too fu**ing happy!

No contest.....

So Paula Radcliff has pulled out of the London Marathon. She says it's because of an injury to her toe. Bollocks!, she obviously heard how well my training is going and just doesn't think she'll stand a chance!!

What goes around comes around....

I think I've just had my strongest run EVER!! Martin and I were dropped off at Wiliton and run back to Taunton through the Quantocks. We reckon it must have been around the twenty mile mark and we ran it in 3 hours and 10 minutes which is fu**ing quick by anyone's standards!! I'm unbelievably chuffed as it felt pretty comfortable and not all that fast. Just to put it in perspective, had I ran a Marathon at that pace I would have finished in four and a quarter hours (disclaimer: This is never likely to happen!).

 

Unfortunately though a couple of miles into this morning's run, the bladder in my camelback burst and I got a litre and a half of freezing cold water down my back. Not only did this mean that I had to finish the run without my water, but I also had a very wet and uncomfortable arse!! Unfortunately for me, I had blown any chances of sympathy from Martin last week when the same thing happened to him and I'd had a good laugh! He did let me share his water though (and gave me sweets), so he's been a great running partner today. All this and he's not even training for an event. Thanks Mr Shaunie.

 

My legs are very stiff now and I suspect they will protest even more tomorrow. I think I've gone a bit mad though and am having a deep heat and Ibuprofen induced high!!!...Woo Hoo!!!