OK this was my second London Marathon, the first being in 2015 for charity so I had some unfinished business with this event.
I live in Wales (Caerphilly, Hengoed) but decided to drive down and back home in the same day on the Thursday before the race to register and collect my number, loads of people said I was mad for doing this but having had previous experience with the expo on a Saturday, I knew it would be super busy and that I wouldn’t get to enjoy the Expo (Running Show), I am glad I did it was electric!! I had loads of time with minimal crowds to look around the show and talk with the organisers, event stall holders and soak in the atmosphere, although it was a long arse day, it was worth it.
Race day I planned ahead analysing the route I would take from the hotel to the start line several times, meeting my brother on route to get to the blue start pen, it was well sign posted and easy to get to, the train was a bit like squeezing my fat arse into shorts 2 sizes too small but you get in eventually.
Toilets were in abundance, changing areas, refreshments and large screens to keep everyone motivated and to watch the elites start off, loads of announcements over the tanoy informing everyone to get their drop bags on the transport and as to when the start zones were opening and closing.
So we herded into the pens like cattle to get to the start line, but it couldn’t happen any other way with the volume of runners, the buzz around the start pens was magical.
So off we went getting encouragement from the spectators and marshals, this did not stop until I crossed the finished line many hours later, simply fantastic support.
I was in the Blue start where we merged with green around one mile in and the red pens at around 3 miles in for a mass participation to the end.
Water stations were in abundance, around every mile or so after mile 3, loads of Lucozade stands and gels later in the race.
I set myself land mark goals to help break down the distance the first being get to the 3 mile merge point, then Cutty Sark, which was amazing but a little pinched, I stayed to the outside because I knew it was tight, the next was Tower Bridge (Simply Brilliant), then Canary Wharf, then a long stretch down to Big Ben which was sadly cladded in scaffold for some repair work, then the finish, I found this made it easier to break it into bite sizes.
The end as you come past Queenies House (Buckingham Palace), is breath taking with a see of supporters around the finish line, screaming you all the way in.
I managed a PB this time round, putting my demons to bed, so I have decided to not enter this race again and let others that haven’t done it have a chance, I will now go back to my Trail Running events, I cannot recommend this event enough to everyone and anyone who has a desire to try it, its just AWESOME!!!!
The organisation that goes into this event is massive and should not be under estimated, the VLM Staff and all the sponsors have worked tirelessly to make this happen for everyone to have an experience of a life time, yes your legs will hurt and you will feel broken, but when this passes I defy you not to sign up in that Ballot for another one, I did for 6 years now I’m resting my road trainers for a while.
Good luck to everyone entering next year.
lastly if you were a Marshal at the event or involved with the organising, your deserve a massive drink, medal and bleeding holiday - Very Well Done