Category: London Marathon

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Gemma’s London Marathon

My London Marathon Report….

Well, The London Marathon! Where do I begin! It all started back in August when I was picked out the hat to represent Runners-next-the-Sea! I was sooo happy & proud to be running for our club! Little old me running the London Marathon! I had a smile on my face all the way home!

The excitement begins the moment you step on that train!

The first stop the day before the Marathon is when you go to the Excel Center to collect your race bib, which is a big moment! When you get that bib in your hand it all becomes very real!

There is a lot to look at in the Excel Center.  In fact anything & everything to do with running!

Then to the wall of names to find your name on the wall amongst 1000’s of others!  Another Big Moment!

The morning of the big day I think I was probably feeling a mixture of every emotion but mostly excited to start!

The trains to the start areas (which there are several start points) where packed with runners!  And it was buzzing!

Once off the train I followed the crowds of other runners!  I was heading to the red start area, wave 5 at Greenwich Park.

Once through security & into the start area it was a hive of activity with everyone changing into there kit & handing their bags in to put on the big lorries.

Then it was waiting for my wave to be called to start!

I can’t explain the feeling once at the start line, standing there amongst 1000’s of runners!  It was incredible!

As soon as you crossed that start line the crowds where there, shouting your name & cheering everyone on!  It really was amazing & so loud!  There was music, DJs, noise makers.  It was basically like a big party all the way around with some running thrown in! I loved it!

All the sights were amazing.  The Cutty Sark & my favourite was Tower Bridge.  It bought a tear to my eye!

Unfortunately my run didn’t go to plan. All was going well until around mile 8 then I started with cramp in my calves that got so bad I had to walk.  I was right behind the 4hr pacer & all was on track but sadly I had to watch her run into the distance.  It was very deflating for me. I cried with frustration then I walked until I could run again.  I managed to run again at a slower pace until mile 15 where I got the most awful cramps in all of my leg muscles, I’ve never had anything like it!  I couldn’t physically run so I ran when I could & walked when I had to for the last 11 miles but I was determined to cross the finish line & get that medal!  Even if I had to crawl it!

I was very disappointed with how that run went however I still loved it & smiled most of the way around!  The atmosphere, the crowds, the whole experience was just incredible!  A moment I will never, ever forget!

I feel I have unfinished business with that Marathon & I would definitely like to do it again one day if I ever get the chance again!

London Marathon you were amazing!

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The TCS London Marathon

Many thanks to David C for his report from taking part in the London Marathon:
I was so pleased to get my name pulled out of the hat for the club place and to run the marathon that I have wanted to run for so long and felt honoured to be running for the club. I got a training plan in place and had some great training runs with club members, who I am very grateful to, a special mention to Kev who gave up time to run many of those training runs with me.
Going to the Expo and picking up the race number was a great experience and made it all seem very real, with lots of stands selling merchandise and AI running experiences. I stayed in a hotel near to the start to make the marathon morning easier as I was starting early. I knew it was going to be a warm one so really had to think about my hydration before and during the run. This was not to be a problem as there were so many water stations along the course.
I got to the red start pen in good time and got myself sorted to be ready to start, chatting to other runners. I could see the elite runners begin on the TV screen. Soon we were ushered into my wave start and off we went to the start line. There were so many people and it was already getting warm, but I couldn’t wait to start. The race began and off I went. It was hard to get into a rhythm with so many people, weaving in and out due to all the different start times, but the atmosphere was amazing. It was great seeing Ana at mile 2 looking comfortable with her run.
The support along the way was so good, with family and friends shouting their support and so much encouragement from others along the course which all helps to carry you along.
Ticking the landmarks off along the way, I got to mile 17 and the struggle began, my legs felt heavy and it was getting hotter, I had a bit of a wobble and gave myself a bit of a talking to. I saw so many casualties along the way, so was very grateful that I felt good and knew I could get to the finish.
A highlight was at mile 22, seeing the legend John Barnes giving out lucozade drinks, those that know me well know that I am a big Liverpool fan!
With only 4 miles to go I kept pushing and using the crowds to get me to the finish. It was amazing running past Buckingham Palace and seeing the finish line come into sight.
What an experience and honour and one that I will never forget. I am so grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to finally get to run London Marathon.
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London Marathon 2024

Here is Stuart’s full race report:

‘Where do I start what a weekend and such an amazing event.

Thank you RntS for having this opportunity.

The dream marathon for me after being rejected for 5 years. This bucket list race has always inspired me to run to the best of my abilities.

Training never went as smoothly as I had hoped, some missed speed work and long runs, due to a calf twinge but it was too good a race to miss. So stepped back the training to recover and then get back to it.

I decided to follow the Hanson marathon method that had served me so well for Brighton 2022, and I ideally wanted a time between 3:30 and 3;45 to get a new PB as Brighton was 3:49. But under 4 hours was good enough in my mind.

Friday 19th was race pack pick up day, I took my eldest daughter with me on the train for the day and headed to the excel arena.

A really slick operation for bib collection I was dreading massive queues but it wasn’t bad at all. They now print your bib when you arrive and then send you into the expo to collect the finisher shirt before you race.

We headed back to London for the weekend on the Saturday and did the touristy sight seeing walking around 10 miles to keep the legs loose and nervous energy at bay.

Race day Sunday 21st…

Usual morning routine with the added tube and train journey. All public transport on race day is free to participants making everything super smooth and easy to get to the start pens.

I had a 10:10 green wave 4 start time and had to be at the start by 9:22 for security checks and the obligatory endurance events of queuing to use the portaloos or urinals.

We could watch the start of the elite and wheelchair races on the big screen and the atmosphere was electric, everyone was wishing each other luck and conversations flowed around trainer choices etc (as they do at every race we attend 😂)

Going into my own wave, my actual start time 10:16 and we were off, from the first second the crowds were absolutely amazing offers of jelly babies, oranges bananas and Haribo every few meters.

The first 3km I felt amazing and then the urge to pee kicked in so the next block of toilets was my destination, luckily in the marathon they make sure there are many at regular intervals.

Back to running and again the crowds were epic, live bands, DJs and local community groups entertaining as we ran (no need for headphones, not that you would hear your own music if you decide to use them).

The first big milestone for me was the Cutty Sark and it never disappointed, it was incredible sweeping round the bend past this beautiful piece of history,

Around the 12 mile mark I turned the corner and there she was Tower Bridge ,just wow!

A real pick me up at this point and one of the most incredible experiences of my life running across this true icon of Britain this made the running experience.

It started to get really tough around the 17 mile marker and I had my nutrition and hydration on point a gel every 4 to 4.5 miles and always taking on some water at every station, little and often for the whole race.

My Polar GPS was going crazy at times with the high rise building and the few under passes we utilised.

The crowds continued to be totally amazing.

The last few miles were tough and it became a mental challenge as much as physical. The last straight approached and then it happened my biggest and most needed pick me up – my cheer squad were there and grabbed my attention turned the corner saw the Buckingham palace and then the finish line.

A new marathon PB of 3:39:29 and I couldn’t be happier. ‘

💪