Andrea Hendy writes:
After months of not much training, and basically not really having a plan……in more ways than one 😊 I finally lined up on a rather dark and weatherwise dodgy looking Sunday morning on Blackheath, ready to run the London Marathon.
Eagle buddy Claudia was with me at the Blue Start. Weather was looking a bit gloomy, and we kept our fingers crossed that the rain forecast, wasn’t going to arrive.
Also, at the Blue Start area were fellow Eagles Heidi and Ed, volunteering at one of the water stations, handing out Buxton’s finest still water.
Time went by surprisingly quickly and before I knew, it was time for that last wee, and drop off my bag.
Once through the start line the weather seemed to brighten up and I slowly got into my stride.
Due to lack of training and mojo I had decided not to aim for a particular finish time. Instead, I was aiming to enjoy the journey, appreciate the opportunity, and to soak up the atmosphere of this fantastic event. Seeing the many people who had come out to cheer, listening to the endless number of bands playing and the many choirs singing their hearts out, was fantastic. Not to mention running past some of London’s most iconic sites.
I thought of it as a nice Sunday long run with rather a large group of people.
I was keeping to a run/walk strategy. Basically, walk when eating, and at any other time I fancied, not to mention walking any of the hills……hehe.
Some considerable miles into the race I needed a wee and queued up patiently at one of the many portaloos along the way. I was trying not to cramp up or lose balance whilst hovering over a rather unappealing looking loo seat. Not that loo seats ever look appealing, but you get the point I am trying to make. The aim was – other than the middle of the toilet bowl – to hold my pants and knickers as far away as possible from that dreaded looking loo seat and not to touch it. With all that going on and concentrating so much on the, aforementioned, I of course ended up pissing all down my leg.
But fear not my fellow Eagles. I was still able to exit the portaloo with dignity intact. In true German style I had of course come prepared for all eventualities such as this. Apart from carrying half a pound of potatoes and a Strawberry jam sandwich I had packed antiseptic wipes, for just those occasions. 😊
Quick wipe down……happy days! I was ready to resume my Sunday long run.
To see so many of you cheer me on and support along the route was absolutely amazing. At mile 10 there was Lisa and Mark and again at mile 22. Surprised and delighted to see Heidi and Ed, who had made a mad dash to mile 7.5, after finishing their volunteering duties at the start. Also saw Pammy, Nigel, Simon and Andy around mile 8 I think. My lovely family came out too, which was of course very special to me.
Then there was mile 23. A place I wanted to experience from the other side for a long time, and today was finally my turn to do just that. I was supper excited, and it was an absolute fantastic experiencing seeing so many Eagles there, still patiently waiting for me. THANK YOU TO ALL THAT CAME OUT. I think my face says it all.
Other highlights of the day were running across Tower Bridge. The crowds on the bridge were amazing. It was absolutely packed out with people on both sides. The sun had come out by then too, and London looked at its best.
Coming through the finish line on The Mall was surely a memorable feeling and a great relief at the same time. Afterall, 26.2 miles is a bloody long way.
Was it worth the wait? Absolutely!
After all the running setbacks of the past couple of years and not being race ready I had come close to abandoning the idea, but I am so glad I didn’t.
I ran this race how I wanted to ……..in my own time.
This race reminded me of why I love running and what I enjoy most.
Chasing a time is great and gives you a high and all that, but what I need most and what I love more than a great finish time is to feel DELIRIOUSLY HAPPY.
