It's Thursday evening and I've checked my lists and laid out everything I need for the London Marathon. The question is will it all fit in my bag?
It's been a strange week waiting for Friday morning to set off. The only run I've done this week was a 3.5 mile jog on Tuesday evening. This was to satisfy my need to run and show myself I could actuallly still run. Strange though it sounds after four days without a run you don''t feel like a runner and all the doubts creep in about the prospect of maintaining the pace for 26.2 miles. Maybe it's because I grown so accustomed to the discipline of running most days it's difficult not to.
I had pasta for tea today and carbo protein milkshake to build up my reserves. I've checked my list, most importantly my running kit including my 'Action for Children' vest to wear. Equally important is my registration form and passport to present at the Excel Marathon Exhibition in docklands. I have to present both and sign there to receive my number, 33611. I hope this does not turn out to be my position!
I'll catch the train from Whitland tomorrow morning and then after arrival at the hotel head off to the Excel exhibition to register and visit the London Marathon Expo '09. It is a huge arena with a pasta party, stands with athletes and marathon running celebrities answering questions and meeting the victims, er runners. It's quite tiring wandering round and soaking up the increasingly excited atmosphere which is why I plan to do this tomorrow. I can then have a quiet Saturday around the Mall and Trafalgar Square before retiring early ready to be up at 6am on Sunday morning. Porridge, toast, banana and my milkshake before catching the tube to Blackheath.
The race for me starts at 9.45am. By this time I'll have vaseline smeared just about everywhere which should be an experience! Allowing for time to cross the Red start line I should hopefully finish around 1.50-2.00pm. If you have a red button you can watch the finish line and maybe see me stagger over and collapse in a heap! Oh the joys of technology!
I've just picked up the photos from the fun run with St Florence School so these are posted with this blog, memories of a great day- I'll be wearing my St Florence top to keep me warm. When it gets tough at 18 miles or so I'll draw upon help I've had from so many to raise over £2,500 for 'Action for Children' and the good wishes to motivate myself to push on towards the finish line.
So the culmination of six months and over 700 miles of training and fundraising is finally here. I look back on the balmy September evenings, the Dale and Cardiff Half Marathons, losing my way in Bridgend, the Santa run, New Year and snow, the long runs and then the return to warmer weather. It's been a long journey and next week I'll report on how it all turned out, I hope it's good news.
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