Page 7

THE RACE

I can't believe how many people are in front and behind us.  It is awesome!  There are people in fancy dress, old, young, fat, slim, tall, short, every group is represented.  Everyone is wishing each other luck.  We all hug and cry, then the gun goes and we wait to start moving.  We cross the line after 8.40 mins and finally start to jog.  Already there are lines of guys peeing against the walls.  Spectators are out in their gardens in force, some drinking tea, some already on wine and beer!.  There's lots of banter going on and we are all smiling.

Angela and I run with Chris for a while, but she wants to drop back so we run on.  Mile markers seem to come up quickly, but the pace is slow.  It is impossible to get past people, so we decide to forget the time and relax a bit.  We are running near four musketeers and hear lots of shouts of 'all for one and one for all', we've got to drop them!  Overtake a rhino.  We drink lots of water and fill up on Liquid Power.  Soon thinking about stopping for the loo.  Have to queue, but it’s got to be done!  Start running again.  Overtake the rhino again!  Loads of people are running with mobile phones, arranging spots to see loved ones etc., the ringing is deafening.  Someone shouts out 'mines a pizza' and everyone is laughing. It is very loud in general, the sounds of feet and the cheering spectators. They call out to everyone and really encourage you along.  There are always bright sparks with witty comments.  Someone says that it's now a triathlon.  Tower Bridge is up and we have to swim across, and everyone is laughing again.  Running round Cutty Sark is amazing, we've seen it on TV so many times.  Try to take it in and remember to smile for TV cameras!!!   We are soon in double figures and counting down the miles.  Nearly lose Angela at a water station, we both start to panic, we have pledged to finish together!

Coming onto tower Bridge is amazing and I start to cry.  The sun is shining and the crowds are brilliant.  I feel really emotional.  I spot Angela's husband and we shout and wave.  Onto the dual carriageway between 12 and 13 miles and the fast runners are on the other side of the road, between 22 and 23 miles.  We look out for Wendy.  All of a sudden I hear my name and there she is.  We wave and cheer excitedly.  I check my watch and realize that Wendy is on target, we are so pleased for her.  We are looking forward to being on the other side of the road!  We see the halfway marker and know that our time will be irrelevant.

See a friend at 14 miles.  It is so great to see a friendly face.  It's hard running round the Isle of Dogs, it seems to go on forever.  We stop for the loo again.  Overtake the rhino again!  Angela asks me how I am feeling.  I reply 'oh my god' as it seems to sum it up! A guy running next to me tells us we will be OK, and that we will make it.  Bless him.

 There are street parties going on at the sides of the roads, barbecues, discos, drinks, everyone really enters into the spirit.  All the pubs are open, with discos and DJs cheering us all along.  Some of the big office blocks are open too, and you can smell food, alcohol and coffee.  You definitely need a strong stomach!

18 miles and we're running on determination only.  I feel strange, and know that I dare not stop.  My legs are on automatic, there are NO messages going to or from my brain!  It feels really hard, but the thought of seeing supporters on the embankment spurs us on.

Don't see a mile marker for a while and then suddenly we are at 21 miles.  Boy, that's a welcome sight!  I know that we will soon be along the embankment, but we have the cobbles to contend with first!  The Tower looks fantastic in the sunshine.  You can hear the sound of feet on the carpet, and feel the uneven surface underneath.  My feet are hurting, but then so is everything else!.  We know we are both in pain because we are not talking!  We go under a tunnel and hear that Steve Redgrave is in front of us.  He is a giant of a man, with enormous feet!  It feels good to move past him.  Out of the tunnel and the noise is incredible.  We know that we will see loved ones soon!  The runners scan the crowd and the crowd scan the runners.  I see a lady from class, I feel lifted.  Then I spot my family.  It makes me cry, and we cheer at each other.  What a feeling.  We can see the London Eye and Big Ben and know that we are nearly there.  The sun is shining and London looks wonderful.  The crowds are even louder in the Mall.  We see 800m to go marker and start to cry again.  When we turn the corner and see the finish line I can't breathe, I feel so emotional.

Angela and I hold hands, and punch the air as we cross the line. 4hrs 51mins

The staff are wonderful and congratulate everyone, they excitedly put a medal around your neck.  Then you get your photo taken, get a space blanket, goody bag, pick up your kit and try to walk!                                             

It was a fantastic experience and we did enjoy it, but we both agree that we will NEVER do it again!

The T-shirt is right, marathon runners have one less thing to do in life.  A runner was wearing a T-shirt that said 'Pain is temporary, Pride is forever'         

Power to marathon runners, we are all heroes.

Janice Tweed