We made it!

Well I'm officially a 'MARATHON RUNNER' wayhey!!!!   3 months of hard physical & mental training was all worth it and I've lived to tell the tale, and what a tale. For anyone out there - if you enjoy running or fancy a challenge, try the London Marathon, it certainly won't disappoint!!. I did the Great North Run last year and that was an incredible experience but I have to say the London Marathon beats it hands down.
We set off at 7am Saturday morning from Preston train station, we got into London and went straight to pick our numbers up and register.  We then went to the marathon Pasta Party, which is held in the same exhibition center . From there we went to the Marriott Hotel in Regents Park. It was along way, about a 4 mile walk , as hubby got us off at the wrong station!!  my feet were killing me, I was starting to get very worried about running the marathon at this point. We've been so consumed with training and eating as healthy as we can over the last few months, that when the time comes you start to question yourself ,'are you fit enough'? - 'have you trained enough?' and it's all too late at this point.
Sunday 22nd April, got up at the crack of dawn and headed off for a very healthy breakfast of yogurt, fruit and a bowl of porridge & honey, super fuel food for the day ahead lol. After breakfast, we headed over to Greenwich for the start of the marathon. It's quite an incredible sight seeing all these people, running for all these fabulous charities, all dressed in their different charity vests congregating in their masses at the start. We took our places and chose to stand right at the back of the thousands of runners, well to be fair it wasn't my idea, it was my Hunk of Hoo's. All I could think was 'no way do I want to be at the back, the sweeper truck will come past me'. Then Hunk of Hoo explained that he thought it would be a great idea because - mentally it would be great for my confidence as we were sure to overtake loads of runners & walkers and secondly our kids might get to see us on telly as they were bound to show the people at the  back . Well he was right on both counts, as our children were made up they could see us as clear as day and yes I overtook   thousands by  the end!!! whoop whoop lol. Something I've obviously never done before and what a fantastic boost to my moral that was.
4 miles in I was finding it so easy, Hunk of Hoo even had to pull me back a few times as he thought I might start to burn out. 10 miles in I was still looking strong and it felt easy, the miles seemed to be getting very long though. The sun was out and it was getting quite hot too. The crowds were amazing and outside all the pubs along the route they played loud music and chanted your name as you passed, it really does help, everyone from the stewards to the crowds were amazing and made the day. 17 miles in I hit what I think was 'THE WALL' and that lasted till 22 miles, when I managed to get it back a bit. Hunk of Hoo wore a photograph of ickle Christopher, in ICU last summer when we nearly lost him ,on his back and from 17-22 miles I constantly needed to look at it to focus and remind me why I was doing this, as I so wanted to stop and walk at that stage. I know I wouldn't have been able to do any of this marathon without my Hunk of Hoo, he is always amazing and he encourages me so much by constantly telling me how amazing he thinks I am, he is the sweetest person alive, I swear and I know I'm a lucky lady to have him in my life (but don't tell him that lol). I don't think my Hunk of Hoo struggled at any point of the run, he was fab and talked to me all the way around. From 22 miles we were the only ones running around us, I started to enjoy it again and was whoop whooping the crowd as we ran passed them, shouted our names out, it's a fantastic feeling. I think that's why my shoulders are so sore though, all that arm thrusting in the air I was doing, I should know better at my age lol. At the start of the run it was such a lovely sunny day ,then for the last 4 miles it started to rain and chuck it down. Good job it was only for the last 4 miles as it would have made it so much harder trying to run 26.2 miles in a downpour. Anyways we did it - united as ever crossing the finishing line, hand in hand and collecting our medals together, what a feeling. It didn't quite end there for me though, as when I stopped at the finish my legs went and as well as nearly being sick I nearly fainted and had to be helped to the St John's tent to be checked over. I then proceeded to spend the next 45 minute stretchered up being seen to by 2 doctors, 2 nurses and 2 physio's. At one point it did cross our minds I might get sent to hospital. It was all so worth it in the end though, it's a bit like childbirth in that way - at the time you swear you'll never do it EVER again then an hour later you want to do it all over again. But lets face it I did go onto have 3 kiddies so the possibility of doing the London Marathon again is high lol.
So the roundup is - We both crossed the line in 5 hours 57 minutes. We did the whole 26.2 miles without stopping or walking once, we also have 3 very proud children (you don't get to say that very often lol), they were and always will be immense, they tracked us every inch of the route and the second we passed the finishing line they printed our certificates out, bless. But most importantly we raised £2556 for our charity Ronald McDonald House YAY! What an incredible feeling!
A MASSIVE thank you to everyone who either sponsored us, came to our charity night, supported us and believed in us or gave us advice or sent messages and cards, every single gesture is truly appreciated - And not forgetting a big thank you to our lovely friends Nigel & Mary for looking after our most precious possessions - our 3 children and taking care of them all weekend like they were their own.
THANK YOU EVERYONE xx