Didn't I say never again.......last year?

Those dots have a lot to answer for! As a runner I once again felt obliged to fill out the Marathon form. It took me 5 years to get in last year so it seemed like a shot in the dark. My luck (?) was in and so was I, in this years London Marathon once again.

Still with a foot problem, (see last year's story) I started my training, and yes it still played me up and yes it still hurt, but on I went regardless, glutton for punishment and obviously older but not wiser. When I realised that I couldn't actually manage to run 10 miles all the way in training I decided my next approach would be the run/walk method. Run for a mile, walk for a minute and so on. With this in play I managed to clock up a 15, 17, 18 and a 22 mile training session so was feeling ok about my decision to carry on. Once again I decided as I'd had so much fun in fancy dress last year I would do so again, as a Lady Bug. Dress, wings, antennae and wig.

With my travel sickness in mind I had managed to book a hotel for the weekend at Greenwich and so travelled to London on Saturday stopping at Excel on the way. On finding the hotel Joe and I reacted with glee when we saw a Kebab shop next door, a Chinese Takeaway across the road and a pub around the corner, Sorted! and only a 15 min walk to the start. So after finishing off a Pasta laden week with a Chicken kebab ( chicken, salad and pitta bread, very healthy! ) we went to bed, alarm set for 7am.

After being a good girl and having a bowl of porridge whilst Joe tucked into a Full English, we walked to the start where 2 Frenchmen? asked to have a pic taken with me. Fancy dress does it every time. I then left Joe after bumping into Anne and Richard and went into the Blue start enclosure where the 1st people I see are Stow Striders. Its a small world! After a required toilet stop and putting my bag on the lorry I went to my start pen where Joe was waiting although I was accosted on the way by another Frenchman? who proceeded to hoist me into his arms whilst his mate took a photo! Whilst waiting at the start I was then joined by some more Striders. The horn was blown and off we went. I stuck to my decision and forced myself to do my walking as trained to try and save my foot. Saw Joe just before Cutty Sark and at Cutty Sark I came across a man being interviewed by the BBC dressed in nothing but balloons so as I had a banner with me to wish my Daughter a Happy 16th Birthday I duly stood behind him and waved madly then carried on. Saw Joe again at 19 miles a tad wetter than I was last time due to the downpour that had started at mile 8. My foot injury started playing up at mile 6, earlier than usual so by mile 21 I'd had enough and was forced to walk more than run, not caring how I got to the finish as long as I did. Another rain and hail, ouch! downpour at mile 22/23 and onto the finish where in the last half mile I came across Robert Tomlinson so we ran together to the end.

My official time 4.44, MY time 4.36 as chatting to spectators doesn't count, and when I stop so does my watch! Once again a real joy to see that Finish Line. This year I actually managed to get to Horse Guards, get changed AND meet Joe before my body decided enough was enough and tried to get me to lay down on the spot! Joe managed to get me to Waterloo Station before I decided to re use the Flora London Marathon carrier bag as a sick bag! Sitting on the floor of the train we proceeded to get off at Greenwich where once devoid of spectators I could really be ill! Marathons really seem to deplete me totally to the point of collapse.

Its a wonderful achievement but NEVER AGAIN! 4 IS ENOUGH. By the way, watching the highlights it turns out the camera wasn't on when I waved madly behind the Balloon guy and I had been and gone by the time they interviewed him. Typical. Sitting at my PC now, not able to get up as my leg muscles won't let me I do have to say to everyone who finished, well done and to those who want to do London, DO IT. Its so worth it.

Lorraine Mills.