Five days to go!

In many ways I really can't believe I'm properly into the final stages of marathon preparation. Months ago when I got the phone call and swiftly accepted the place, late April seemed like an absolute age away. Even at Christmas it still seemed a long way off, yet all too quickly it's days away and I've somehow got to run a bloody marathon in just five days (and one of them is almost over!)

I wanted to sit and get this blog out before I go into full marathon prep panic mode because I want to do it well, it's a post I've been making mental notes and planning ever since that day back in October. It's my thank you post.

First and foremost, I need to thank Girlguding for giving me the opportunity to run the London Marathon, something thousands of people each year dream of doing. But not just that, and perhaps more importantly I want to thank all the women I've met throughout my life as a "Girl Guide" many of whom have been fantastic influences on me. Regularly when the training has been tough I've thought about them and in particular how amazingly proud I know Nita would have been of me for taking on this challenge. Thinking fondly back on many of the memories - especially from the sunny August weeks spent in a tent at Walesby Forest - has also provided me with some good giggles to keep me going.

Next is anyone who has been to the fundraising events in the lead up to the big day. Everyone who braved the Baltic Yorkshire temperatures back in December at Bleak House Farm for the fabulous horse gala, it was a lovely day despite the chill and everyone was so wonderfully generous and kind. Then there was the hugely fun Race Night at the Venue where once again the pockets were deep and this time the beer flowed, thank you for coming along to support my cause - I hope you had as much fun as I did!

And speaking of The Venue, thank you to Sandra, Ness and Tony for letting me have the event and for your kind donation, I'll be wearing that logo with pride on Sunday and I can't wait to show off my medal next time I'm in! And thanks in general to all the "pub lot" for your continual support and encouragement.

Also on my vest on Sunday is WriteOn - thank you Jo and the rest of the team for your support, it truly means a lot!

Then there's Wastecycle. The logo is on my vest in anticipation of a donation once my finishing time has been confirmed - £5 for every minute sub 6hrs is a great motivator! And thank you to my fantastic colleagues who have brought cakes, books and taken part in the sweepstake, it's great to know you're behind me!

My fantastic running club has been invaluable during the training. Through their knowledge, advice and continual humour they've been an absolute God-send. I'd love to name you all but I know I'd forget someone so just know that I'm truly greatful to you all for everything you've done and said to help me - and the kind sponsors are a bonus! We are without a doubt the friendliest and best running club around!

Thank you to everyone who has read, liked, shared and commented on my blog and social media posts. In particular my wonderful and supportive bunch of Aunties, I'm so lucky to have you! No matter how much I post people have a positive reaction which has kept me reassured that I'm not being too much of a marathon spammer.

On the subject of marathon spamming, a special thank you has to go to the lovely Sarah Bryan, my work bestie who sits with me for 40 hours a week. I'm sure she must be sick to death of hearing about running but she does nothing except listen, smile and give me some of the best words of support I receive.

Huge huge thank you to everyone who has donated! I've absolutely smashed my target ad I couldn't have done that without each and every one of you, thank you!

And finally there's Mum, Dad, Des, Simon and Katie.

When I say I couldn't have done it without you lot I absolutely mean it. For everything you've all done and your continual support in every way there aren't words to thank you enough. I promise I'll try not to be too mardy or stroppy in the last few hours before the marathon. I can't promise I won't moan after though...

This is it then. My next post will be the race write up... here it goes!!

The Rob Lathall Field Mill to City Ground 18 Mile Run

It’s been no secret in my recent blogs that things haven’t exactly been going to plan. So with the London Marathon drawing ever nearer, a run I spotted via Facebook seemed perfect for getting things back on track – 18 miles from my home town of Mansfield essentially running back to West Bridgford and my beloved City Ground.

I already had in my head (and written on a loose plan) that Good Friday should involve somewhere around 18 miles so it was great coincidence that this run meant Des and I would both be able to run sort-of together but at our own paces in the company of other people – and there was the added bonus of it helping out a couple of charities too.

Good Friday soon came around and the long-run prep took place as usual, this time with the addition of a hydration backpack which is something I’d never used before therefore adding another thing to worry about! (I needn’t have, it turned out to be just fine once I’d got used to the sloshing!)

We arrived at Field Mill greeted by a handful of other runners and founding members of my Fan Club – Mum and Dad – who’d came out into the cold to wave us off. After a bit of nervous standing round and an obligatory pre-run photo shoot it was suddenly time for the off before I’d even got my GPS watch going!

I headed out on the route with a group of women and as we began up the first hill toward Sutton we had some little bits of chatter, the standard “How far have you ran before” “Are you training for anything at the moment” type comments all runners use to strike up conversations with each other.

Those first few miles were more hilly than I’d anticipated having spent some time studying the route map beforehand. It was tricky but not entirely unpleasant and I was kept company by a really pleasant chap who was making sure I didn’t fall too far behind the pack.

As we reached the first main check point of the Badger Box a friendly group of ladies said they’d make sure I kept with them and wait for me when I needed it – I was greatful of that and didn’t realise at that point just quite how much waiting I’d be making them do!

The first six miles ticked away fairly steadily, but as we ran on I could feel that niggly ankle reminding me it still wasn’t right and by mile seven I was having to walk a fair bit, wincing now and then as I got a pain here and there when my foot landed. I pushed on encouraged by the ladies whose names I was slowly picking up as we headed through Hucknall and toward Bulwell.

No sooner had my ankle eased off though did the bloody blisters start. I really don’t know what’s happened over the last month but for some reason my feet just seem to have turned against me and became ridiculously delicate! I could feel the familiar burning sensation in the arch of my foot and spreading but determined to get this run done I pushed on, albeit walking much much more than I’d have liked and running very slowly otherwise.

But true to their word my new friends didn’t leave me! No matter how much I insisted I’d be OK and knew where I was going, every couple of hundred meters I was greeted with smiling faces and words of encouragement.

The miles still melted away, albeit slower than in the first section. In my head I had that I needed to get to 12 miles… once I was there I was two thirds through and could muster through the final section.

12 miles came and went and turned into a half marathon – I was now officially running further than I ever had before! Still with that burning feeling in my feet all too soon I was at the foot of “prison hill”, a part of the route I’d been dreading since before I set out on the Nottinghamshire trek. Anyone familiar with Nottingham will know what I mean by prison hill – it’s a sharp, steep incline just off the ring-road heading toward Basford. It’s hard work getting up it in my little Peugeot 107 so heaving myself up it 14 miles in was just as tricky as I’d anticipated.

Needless to say, when I finally reached the top I was not alone! By this point I really don’t know how I’d have kept going without the support of my fellow runners, the were bloody fab!

Another hill up and down and before I knew it we were on Mansfield Road and finally properly on the way back! Properly on familiar territory now on pavements I’ve pounded loads of times training for various races. At this point I think the mixture of steady down hills, knowing I was nearly back and the ever-present encouragement meant my pace picked up slightly and it wasn’t too long before we turned on to London Road ready for the home straight.

As we gathered ourselves for a final team-talk where the ladies assured my we’d do the final bit together, I couldn’t help but have a little cry. Overcome with relief at being nearly done, pride at what I’d already achieved and gratitude for the ladies who’d got me through it.. it was nearly all over!

I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to Trent Bridge! As we veered onto Trentside, my home turf which holds so many memories (both running and otherwise) the five of us linked hands to melt away those final few meters to re-join the rest of the pack who it felt like a lifetime since we’d seen back in Mansfield.

Seeing Des’s face beaming at me (he’d put extra miles in to round it up to 20.. and finished an hour earlier than I got back) and being handed a medal and goody bag was such a fantastic feeling.. I’m genuinely surprised at how I managed not to cry again!

Rounding it all off the only way we know how – with a well-earned pint in The Southbank – really put the icing on the cake of a great morning (I’m definitely looking at it with rose tinted glasses now that a few weeks have passed!)

All in all it was a great experience, regardless of how many days it took me to be able to walk properly! Both organised and taken part in my some wonderfully friendly people… I truly think there is something special about the running community.

So now I’m into the final countdown for London, with less than two weeks until the big day! I don’t think I’ll ever fell completely ready but I don’t feel half as out of depth as I did do!

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The start, smiles all around!

The route, never realised North Notts was so 'undulating'

The SBRC contingent at the end, still managing a smile in front of the world famous City Ground!