22nd April 2007

Race Reports:-

• Chundering Fairies by Lorraine Mills

If you have a race report, please e-mail your story to me at chris.gladwell1@btinternet.com

It was the biggest ever London Marathon and it was one of the hottest. What a great sense of achievement to complete a marathon in the conditions like the ones we had on Sunday. If you ran this year you can look back at finishing with a sense of pride. Well done to all the runners from Stowmarket Striders running club.  Roger Aldis ran the perfect race – constant 6:20 pace throughout and a negative split. I know he was aiming for 6.15 pace but we can forgive 5 seconds a mile in those conditions. Roger and Ian were the second and third Suffolk runners to finish. The second half of Ker’s run was only 2½ minutes slower than the first half. Lorraine ran a PB!Congratulations to all the first-timers – it’s not always such hard work – and I look forward to next year and seeing all those runners who said “never again” lining up on the start. Well done everyone.

Results

Race Reports

Chundering Fairies

Developing Morton’s Neuroma a couple of months before FLM had messed up my high mileage training somewhat, had even thought about pulling out a month before, but with help from some expensive insoles and a great Doctor I managed to get in a couple of  20 milers. Running a 4 miler 3 days before FLM and the foot pain, (which feels like running on broken toes by the way, ouch!) had started at 3 miles, I wasn't feeling very hopeful waiting for the big day to arrive.

On the Saturday I couldn’t believe it when trying to add more music to my Ipod ready for FLM I wiped it clean by mistake so then spent the next 7 hours trying to put it right, I hate technology!

But like everyone else who was going down to London on the coaches up I got up at 4.45am and proceeded to make my porridge and coffee for my flasks, bleary eyed and yawning. I didn’t feel very fairy-like as I donned my dress and wig that made up my fancy dress costume. Having collapsed on my last 2 FLM’s my thinking was that if I dressed up I would be mistaken for a fun runner and forgiven for walking but also that I might get dealt with a bit quicker if I went down!

Joe was up by this time too as he was coming to support me but being called by him to the PC twice whilst I was getting ready because he had an urgent need to look on EBay and my PC was playing up didn’t go down to well at 5.30am and the phrase ‘You’re having a laugh’ was used a couple of times as well as a couple of other well known phrases!

Arriving at the bus stop it was commented on that I looked like I had just arrived home from a hen night!

Arriving in London my stomach started to churn but I really started looking forward to the day ahead. Off the coach we got and made our way to the Blue start entrance which is where I realised that the same Ipod that I’d spent hours on the day before had been left on the coach! I didn’t realise that non-runners were not allowed in the preparation area and so had to say goodbye to Joe and the boys and was left on my own where I had a moment of panic over where to go and what to do next!

After disposing of my bag on the lorry I luckily bumped into fellow Strider, Abi, who pinned my wings on for me then proceeded to queue up for the loo. That done I started to make my way to pen 7 where I was starting, having to stop 3 times on the way by who I think were French runners wanting to take my photo. I think it was the pink wig that attracted them. I was very relieved to see Joe and the boys waiting for me on the other side of the barrier and so the wait began for the start.

Realised the race had begun when we all started to shuffle forward, a quick goodbye and off I went, over the line in 8 mins. After a short stop for us all again half a mile in, off we went.

The sun was shining, people were smiling and the mile markers seem to arrive so quickly even though due to the mass of people I was running a 9.40 pace.

The pain I expected in my foot started to niggle at 9 miles “here we go” I thought but astonishingly for the 1^st time it didn’t progress to anything worse.

Heading over Tower Bridge I nearly cried and seeing the Strider spectators cheering me on made my day. Managing to refill my drinks bottle when I needed to and taking my Gels when I’d planned to, on I continued until I reached 17 miles when my right thigh suddenly cramped up forcing me to briskly walk. Not something I’d suffered from before so assume it was the heat. From then on it was a case of run/walk due to the cramp and by 20 miles was thinking “I’m sure the mile markers have been moved”.

Had had a couple of mobile calls by this time by Joe who I had missed both times so far in his spectator spots but had been spotted by Peter Tricker and his posse en-route which greatly helped. Reaching the Embankment spurred me on and I hadn’t collapsed like in times past so was feeling very pleased with myself albeit hot, bothered and VERY tired.

Quick stop with Charmaine and the girls just before 25 miles and off I went knowing that a PB was within reach. Reaching the 600m to go sign I knew it was going to be the longest 600m ever. Taking off my sunglasses as I rounded the last corner ready for my photo shoot I could have cried once again but held it back. Puffy eyes DO NOT look good on camera!

Through the finish 4.38.36 mins, 52mins better than my best time. Fantastic. At last! Collected my medal, quick photo, climbed the mountain so my chip could be taken off then collected goody bag where I bumped into Frank. So pleased to see someone I knew. This was when I decided to feel really ill so we sat down and had an apple. Struggled to our feet, rounded the corner where I had to sit down again. Frank managed to get me to where I was meeting Joe where I sat down in my fairy costume on the gravel and proceeded to stay there for an hour whilst people tripped up around me! Joe managed to find me eventually but just to finish off I stood up and proceeded to dispose of the apple I’d eaten earlier. Trying to discreetly vomit in a very crowded place was bad enough but having Joe stand back and yell “CHUNDER” was mortifying. Thanks babe!

Seeing everyone else at Cleopatra’s needle was a welcome sight and after the best cup of tea in the world and another quick photo shoot we all gratefully got on the coaches.

I said never again but after watching it………..

Lorraine Mills, Marathon Runner. X