|
Many
thanks for supporting my London Marathon 2011 fundraising efforts for |
||||||||||||||||
I would just like to say a Huge, Huge Thanks to all you wonderful people for supporting my London Marathon 2011 fundraising efforts. Race Report: My official finishing time was 6.04.02, my slowest ever by a long way. My goal was sub 5 so I certainly missed that by a mile! The run started off remarkably well and I was managing a steady pace until just after the 14 mile mark, coming into the Isle of Dogs, when the wheels quite literally came off. Without much warning, my right calf muscle suddenly seized up forcing me to a complete halt. I could hardly move and hobbled across to a St John Ambulance helper who gave a quick massage and sent me on my way. I tried running but the pain got worse so another stop for a massage was required. And so my journey continued, for the next 12 miles, with me hobbling along, making frequent St Johns Ambulance stops. I know what had happened, in training I simply had not put in the required mileage. I had a niggling hamstring injury from wiping out on my ski in the Red Sea late December, and as a result had limited my running during the past three months or so and biked instead to build up my fitness, but my legs had quite simply not done the hard running prep work. That said, and despite the pain, and being disappointed with my slow time, I have to admit that it was once again a fantastic and memorable event. And once again I met some very interesting characters along the way. Hats off to the large group of South African runners from a running club in Polekwane who had run the Paris Marathon the previous Sunday and were running London to get race fit for the Comrades at the end of May. They crowds were once again out in force and the good weather meant the streets were packed. I wore my name on my vest again this year, and what a difference it makes, as hearing your name shouted out, particularly when you are flagging, is very encouraging indeed. A big thanks to friends and family I met on the way, which made it all the less painful: Heather, Cathryn and Liz at mile 6 (and two bananas); Trevor quite unexpectedly at mile 17, waiting to see his daughter, great on her Trev at 18 running her first marathon; Tom and his mates Mike and Jack at mile 23 (I believe they are all entering for next year), Heather, Mattia, Saul and Meena also at mile 23; and the whole happy crowd again meeting me at the finish. Also got to see my old colleagues Jim O'Donovan and Paul Teece from GS working hard at the goody bag station (brings back happy memories). All in all it was really great to see everyone. However, I really missed my darling Sarah but I know she was supporting me all the way from her temporary abode on a nice little paradise island in the Great Barrier Reef. I have a number of big thanks to say to people along the way. Firstly a special thanks to the lady in the Surrey Quays area for letting me use some of her sun block as it was really starting to roast at that stage, and being somewhat challenged in the follicle department, I could see trouble ahead. And thanks to a fellow Leonard Cheshire runner, John, for walking alongside me and his continued encouragement when the going got tough. And a very big thanks to the spectator at about mile 16 who very kindly allowed me to use his mobile to call ahead to Heather to let her know that I would be very late at the mile 23 mark. And a very huge thanks to all the St Johns Ambulance volunteers for the countless massages to keep me going. They do an absolutely fantastic job and I am quite sure that without them, many many runners will not get to the finishing line. It is the first year I have made use of their services on route, and I cannot thank them enough. And then of course a huge thanks to all the Leonard Cheshire supporters for their encouragement throughout the course. The fantastic Leonard Cheshire Disability team had supporters out on the route at the Lord Hood pub in Greenwich (mile 7), Mudchute Park (mile 17) or Upper Thames Street near the Monument (mile 24). It was awesome seeing the LCD supporter groups with all their banners and their shouting and cheering was greatly encouraging. And then finally a very big thanks to all the people that lined the streets on Sunday, and particularly the bands that made some wonderful noise. All that goes towards making the whole event so enjoyable and memorable. After the
finish, the Leonard
Cheshire Disability recovery station was at the Royal College of
Pathologists, Carlton House Terrace, just off the Mall. It was great
to stop over there after the race. There was lots
to eat and drink and off course the great massage which made all the
difference. Thank you to Vicky Wray and all the rest of the events team at
Leonard Cheshire Disability, and all the other volunteers on the day. You looked after
us very well and made the runners feel quite special. A few days later my legs are absolutely fine, I have been for a short bike ride and will try to get out for a few runs later this week. I registered this morning for next year's London (Tom & Sarah, I have entered you as well, and Heather entered as well), and I have an entry for the Great North Run (Half Marathon) in September (will be my 11th in 12 years) and have also registered for the New York Marathon for November, and am considering registering for the Loch Ness Marathon in October. And maybe even Comrades 2012, who knows.... Many thanks once again to all those wonderful people who sponsored me and sent in good wishes; thanks for your fantastic support and generosity in helping raise funds for a very worthy cause indeed. Thank you and best wishes
Allan Boardman
|
||||||||||||||||
