Thanks to everyone who's sponsored me!
Plans thrown a bit off from our original plan on realising that there's no train before 8am into London.
So had to drive in.(Cara's just read this and pointed out that I was chauffered in!)
Slight drizzle at the start despite the forecast, but it didn't last.
Never having run this sort of distance before had a rough race plan, but was going to play it by ear. Plan was to aim for about the 8 minute/mile mark.
Lined up with the appropriate coloured group and shuffled up to the start line, and off. As usual with this sort of race a crowded start and lots of weaving through to get upto speed.
First mile past and watch showing 7.30ish, so pace pretty good and seemed a nice steady rate. Decided to keep that as my new pace rather than ease up to 8minutes. Still well under the 8 minute pace at the four mile mark and feeling ok.
Tried to take a drink at about 5 miles, but really struggled and decided drinking more would give me indigestion. Must practice drinking and running if I run again, odd since I have no problems drinking on the bike.
Bit of cramp in right calf at about 6 miles in, but didn't get any worse.
Hit the half way point, and did a bit of quick mental arithmetic seeing the clock. Annoyed to see pace had dropped. Checked watch and realised of course the clock was showing the race time, not my time! So all still on track.
Forgot to mention the course - very nice! Loads of spectators cheering on and lots of nice wide closed roads!
This would make a cracking TT course! Just need to persuade them to close London for a few hours for us!
Ok on with the show - last half of the course took part entirely within hyde park snaking back and forth. You could see the front runners passing back the other way. Really bad cramp came on at the 11 mile mark, think it was related to trying to drink some lucozade sport from the last feed station. Never mind, only a few more miles, and it'll be over.
Last two miles much longer that the previous miles - very strange.
But can see the finish line up ahead.
and its over.
Final time: 1h37m. 7:24 pace. Very pleased with that result.... and off to the tents for some sugary foods.
Not sure I fancy trying a marathon though. 13 miles seemed enough.
Pictures taken by Cara who was cycling around with the camera.... and got told off my a "grumpy" Met policeman for riding in the park!
Before the start
[img]http://lh6.ggpht.com/_MlVw1hr3FnA/StIU6iZRffI/AAAAAAAAAS8/owzeLKUZPWA/s800/P1010251.JPG[/img]
At about the 9 mile mark look at that form.
[img]http://lh3.ggpht.com/_MlVw1hr3FnA/StIU71GZGOI/AAAAAAAAATE/TtP7oR5Y-Yo/s800/P1010262.JPG[/img]
