DIARY OF EVENTS LEADING UP TO AND
INCLUDING RUNNING THE 2011
April 2010
I didn’t get into the London Marathon so
decided to go and watch instead at the 24 mile mark. Spoke to members of running club from Blackburn on the train down and a
member of a
Entered ballot for 2011 race. Never usually lucky with ballots.
May 2010
Started running
with WRR on Mondays. Very friendly club. Not running very well. Felt tired, was
it old age?
October 2010
I was lucky with
ballot! Still not running well. Hit the big
60.....must be age.
November 2010
Had blood test.
Apparently am anaemic with virtually no store of iron. Put on three month
course of iron tablets.
December 2011
Running much better. Increasing mileage.
Trying to avoid injury.
February 2011
Blood test. Iron back to normal. Running
well and still trying to avoid injury.
March 2011
Injured! Strained right knee. Rested for a week. Got a
neoprene support and had to do short runs.
April 2011
Two weeks to go, knee sort of OK with support. Out on 10K run when get sharp pain in left
calf. Decided to rest last week or so until race and see what happens on the
day.
16 April 2011
Train down to
Calf seems OK but knee hurts again. Register then meet Helen and Laura (my
daughters) who have come down from
Difficult to sleep as person in next room
decided to have loud phone conversations until
17 April 2011
Up at
On train from
Nice cup of tea at Costa at Blackheath.
Many more people queuing for Costa’s
toilet facilities than buying coffee! Enter the blue holding pen. No going back
now.
Find I have been put in last section at
start with all the slowcoaches and fancy dress people. Had interesting
conversation with Elvis and a giant
banana. Won’t know how calf and knee will feel till we start.
Gun goes off and we slowcoaches and
weirdoes still chat amiably. Eventually start to move then run. Took only 10
mins to get to start...much better than GNR.
Lots off shouted ‘good lucks’ and then down to business.
Spotted Runners World pacemaker with 4 hours 45 mins pole so tucked in
behind him. Both legs feel fine...amazing
what adrenaline and endorphins can do!
4 miles in when I get stabbing pain in left
calf again. Wasn’t healed after all. Have to walk for a bit. Still 22 miles to
go so decided to jog slowly. Laura
and Helen waiting at 8 miles. Left
leg in pain but try to ignore it. Meeting girls cheers me up; they tell me I
must get to the wonderfully named Mudchute
on Isle of Dogs at 17 miles where
they will see me again. They seem more optimistic than me.
Ought to mention the spectators at this
point. They are surely the best spectators of any sporting event held anyway in
12 miles and I meet supporters of my
charity, Bob Wilson’s Willow Foundation. Then it’s
Tower
Bridge and back to civilisation, (I am a north Londoner!), and then the halfway point.
14 miles missed Lucozade station and feel lacking in energy. Two men by side of
road in smart suits, one using loud hailer and other holding two large plates
of biscuit assortments. Grabbed a couple of custard creams which tasted wonderful
and gave me energy boost.
Needed the loo as was being very good about
keeping hydrated. Had to queue for over 10 mins. Is this what it’s like for you
poor ladies?
Mudchute...hooray! The girls then say its ONLY 9 miles to go and they will see me
outside Buck House.
Slowing down all the time as 20 miles comes
and goes. 22 miles and men with biscuits
have crossed over from 14 mile mark with new and full dishes...absolute
heroes...choc chip this time! Reach the embankment and realise it’s nearly over.
Pain in calf gets worse...is it just psychological?
In Birdcage
Walk now and get overtaken by the Rhino
and my old friend Elvis. Banana way ahead at this stage. Meet
girls again and see 385 yards to go sign. Put in a spurt....you know the kind
of spurt that a granny does when running for a bus! Manage to smile as I
crossed the line.
Final meeting with girls at Horseguards Parade and then off to
hotel near National Gallery where Willow Foundation have hired a couple
of rooms. Shower, cup of tea, sandwich and leg massage. Had to bite pillow when
left calf was massaged but felt better to walk on afterwards.
Train very quiet on way home. Lots of tired
marathoners and sad Bolton Wanderers
fans on.
Finally
Despite the injuries I had a brilliant
weekend. One of the good things about getting old is that you don’t have to
worry about fast times any more....you can run and enjoy it. Also I was able to
raise£1000 for the
Written by Graham
Jones
Submitted: 8th
May 2011
Edited by: Brenda J
Earnshaw WRR Editor