london marathon, april 17th 2011

the sat before

after months and months of training the marathon finally arrived, we arrived in the capital on Saturday morning, checked into our apartments. then did a bit of site seeing, mainly in pubs, but i stuck to water, went back for a chill out and pasta, i was quite excited about the race now,

race day

the morning of the marathon, i felt fine, no nerves just wanted to get to the start and get running, me and burf set off before the crew to catch a few tubes to get to the Greenwich park near Charlton to the start line, arrived with plenty of time, loads of people walking around waiting to start, we drank loads of free water and lucozade, mingled in and enjoyed the entertainment, we dropped off our bags and headed to the starting area, slightly the nerves tingled but more excited though,

we stood in bay 6 our zone and waited with the other 35, 000 people running, we heard the bang and we were off, but it took around 8 Min's to get to the official start line and a cheeky wee on the road just before, crossing the start line was amazing as we were finally running the London marathon, the 1st mile was simple and quick, the weather was perfect, no wind and cool, we took out times and enjoyed the small crowds,

both of us felt great and the 1st 5 miles passed easily, the crowds were getting thicker all the time, calling out our names, things were going great, drinking the free water and energy drinks along the way

miles 5-10 were the same, every pub we passed the entertainment was amazing, all had DJs and MCs playing loud music

we hit mile 12 and the the tower bridge, this was amazing crossing the landmark, both me and burf had goose pimples, about another mile down the road at the half  way point we saw our crowd shout at us for across the road, gave them a cheeky wave and carried on, now when i did pass 13 miles it was now the longest run of my life, so every step for me was a step into the unknown

through miles 13 - 17 things were going great but it was red hot by now and we needed more water to drink and cool us down, i developed a method our chucking it all over myself to cool my body down, this work great but i was soaked, lol,

i started counting down in my head from here as it was only just over 10 miles to go, burf did say afterwards that this was his hardest few miles,

we got to 20 miles in the heat and we knew that we would see the girls and the gang again very soon, i think this helped us, we saw them at 23 miles and we were buzzing, yes the old legs were sore, but in my head i was talking it through, saying come on lee u can do it,

now things got hard for me from here, straight after seeing the girls, my legs was tight and cramped up a Little, but i made my stride shorter, burf was keeping me going, we were still pouring water all over us and use the free energy drinks and gels, these all help, we got through mile 24 and headed to big Ben, not long now, people were dropping every where the medical team were working over time,

we hit big Ben at just over 25 miles and we knew it was so so close, then before we knew it, there was a sign saying 800 metres to go, wow wow Wat a feeling 600 metres to go, 400 then the turn to the finish line and a big sign shouting 385 metres to go, with Buckingham palace behind us we made our way to the finish,

crossed the line at 4 hours 01 Min's and 53 seconds, i was one very happy man, gave burf a manly hug, our legs were very sore, we got our chips took off, got our goody bags and made our way to collect the bags, it was a massive walk but we probably needed it

we had done the London marathon, and had a great night with our great friends, i did feel fine about an hour after the race, especially with a beer in my hand and i felt fine the next day when we headed home

i want to say thanks to everyone that supported us and that have very kindly sponsored us, i would like to say a massive thanks to my wife, she is my rock and i love her to bits, along with my 2 little boys,

THANKS

last one, holy shit

our very last run before London, went with burf and Craig, very very easy run around the back of burfs, 3 miles,

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/31700386

3 days to go and now i cant wait, really looking forward to it

the nest time u read my next post, hopefully it will be of me bragging about running LONDON MARATHON, a dream come true

fingers crossed x

last but one run sob sob

6 days to go till London, and we completed out penultimate run, 6 miles around the borough of loughborough,

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/31495888

felt great even with the strongest head wind killing us,

also doing really well with the sponsorship money, its coming in thick and fast now,

nervous ratings are at 4/10 now,

come on, lets bring London on

river run back of hathern

8 days to go, ticking over nicely now, only 5.53 miles along the river, lovely views and red hot weather,
http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/31243218

2 runs to go, 1 on Monday then a stroll on Wednesday, no real distance though

10 days to go

With only 10 days to go till London, we have planned 4 more runs, 3 after this one, all the runs are little so we are in great condition to attack London,

we ran to barrow in the blazing hot sun, did some circuit work of the core then ran back, felt great and now i am looking forward to our massive challenge ahead of us, the knee was fine too

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/31139254

on a scale of 10, i am about 5 nervous at the min, I'm sure this will rise, lol,

peace xxx

hathern, donnington, kegworth, whatton loop

with 17 and a half days to go, and bloody man flu again, i needed to get out for a blow out, burf choose the route, roughly 12 miles around the villages and country side, some very steep hills, which drained me, man flu 1 - 0 lee

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/30633952

burf manged 16 miles, but i decided to turn in after 11 odd to make my way home,

getting very close now to London, and starting to think more and more about it,

peace out x

swithland ressie, brokeback run

after a nice 8 days rest, a foot injury and a sore throat, managed to get out with burf, we wanted something different, so i planned a well known route up to swithland reservoir, and back, this route is know as the brokeback run, nothing gay, just because the hills hurt Ur back, the run itself was across farmers fields and dirt tracks, plenty of climbs too, great views though

10.7 miles in 1 hour 18 Min's, probably will run slower in London, hope so, lol

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/30114362

ONLY 24 DAYS TO GO TILL LONDON WOW AND SHIT, LOL

sad 8 miles

Ive named this the sad 8 miles, because i heard today that mickey and sutty have both pulled out of London, leaving only me and burf to complete the 26.2 miles,

this was mine and burfs 1st run since silverstone, and after a decent rest we planned 8 ,miles around louughborough and quorn at a steady pace,

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/29710772

8 miles in 1 hour, but but but i have developed a pain in my right foot, a bit worrying with only 30 plus days left before London, going to get it looked at asap, should be fine though

peace

adidas silverstone half marathon

WOW, Wat a day, Wat a feeling,

my 1st real race with burf, with 10,000 people running and spectators galore, all around the world famous racing track of silverstone, 13.1 miles, running number 9382

it started as mare for me as i had forgotten my running shorts, so i had to wear just my tight leggings, very gay indeed, u live u learn

me and burf didn't know where to position ourselves at the start, but we opted for a 2 hour finish, ish, so was stuck in the middle of the crowds, when we finally got across the start line, it became clear we needed to push on and start overtaking a few people, as the pace was slowish, after 3-4 miles we had found our stride and both were feeling great, as each mile past with the crowd cheering us on, we felt stronger and stronger, half way through with a slight head wind we were still picking off people for fun, mainly following the ladies with tight shorts on, lol

After 9 miles i decided to motor on and leave burf, felt a bit guilty, but it needed doing, and i kept up a good pace, through 10 and 11 miles i was flying, hit 12 and could not believe this was coming to an end, started feeling it a bit, but when i saw the 13 mile mark and the finish line in the distance, my body went cold and i could not stop smiling, weirdo, lol,

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5929233

finished in a time of 1hour 36 minutes and 55 seconds, my personal best, but it was my 1st time, so it was always gonna be a PB, lol, i came 474 in all out of 10,000, so was chuffed to bits, burf got home in 1hr 39.17, so he done great too, i think his position was in the 600s somewhere, both of us were stiff at the end, and our arms were dead, lol,

headed back to the barn in barwell, for a few pints, and a maccies laters, i felt i had deserved it, 

defo doing this again xxx

ticking over

don't worry, i have not gave up with my running, on Sunday its the half marathon at silverstone, and this week i have scheduled only 2 runs of about 4 miles each, so i can be in tip top shape for silverstone,

i will probably do the same route on Friday

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/29037606

ta x