Marathon Mum

‘Just One More Mile‘ is about everyday, ‘normal’ folk who like to run and do something to help other people.  It’s not really about being the fastest thing on two legs it’s more about the extraordinary physical and mental challenges that runners, in particular marathon runners, endure to reach their goal.  It’s about people with ‘day jobs’, with responsibilities, coping with the ups and downs of life who want to make a difference and help someone else.  Some have been running since childhood, some have taken up running in later life but all are magnificent because they’re out there in all weathers, doing their best, raising money for their charities and they never give up.

Jemima and I have never met (..we have got to remedy this Jem!) but she has been tremendously supportive of my own marathon training and particularly helpful whilst I’ve been bemoaning my latest set of injuries.  Very sadly and not long ago, Jemima lost her Mum to Pancreatic Cancer. Her Mum clearly brought her up to be kind and caring, quick to smile and always able to go just one more mile to help others.  This is Jemima’s review of the Virgin London Marathon 2011 …

Jemima Gee

After running the London Marathon in 2010, I thought ‘run a marathon’ could be ticked off my ‘to do’ list. However, with a time of 5hrs and 44 annoying seconds, I had an urge to do it again to get rid of the seconds.

I applied through the public ballot and got rejected, so thought “Oh well, at least I tried” but was secretly quite relieved.  However, my triathlon group PACTRAC were given 2 places for the 2011 Virgin London Marathon and all our names were put into the hat for the lucky (?!) runners to be chosen.  My name was drawn out!

So, the 4 month training plan was printed off and being a stickler for following the rules, I ticked off all of my training runs up to week 14 of a 16 week plan.  Then the injury occurred.

It started as a dull ache in the top of my foot and then got worse as I carried on running (I know, I should have stopped).  Anyway, it soon came to light that the injury had probably occurred when I turned my ankle on a long run and carried on running.  After an X-ray to check it wasn’t fractured, a visit to a sports injury clinic and a sports massage therapist and endless Google searches ‘Can I run a marathon with a sprained ankle after not running for 2 weeks?’ I decided I could.  Well, no professional I saw actually said I couldn’t!

Virgin London Marathon weekend is a very nerve wracking but exciting time. I am obsessive about lists and organisation, so I had checklists for various things: what to take to London, what I would be wearing and carrying throughout the race, a timings plan for race morning, etc. etc.  I even had all my kit laid out in the hotel room the previous evening in a slightly OCD manner.

Race morning came and I had my porridge, although it was rather forced down through nerves.  I went to the toilet, went to the toilet again and then just once more to be sure.  Bags packed and ready to go and run the marathon, my husband Max and I went to leave the hotel foyer to go to catch the tube to the start of the race.  My plans were slightly thrown when a very friendly Australian lady offered us a lift in the cab she had hailed.  On the way to the start amongst all the bodies moving towards the marathon starts, I spotted quite a sad sight of a man staggering through the streets of London, obviously inebriated, with blood dripping down his head.  It was quite a contrast.

The Tube was jam packed with excited, nervous folk, some silently contemplating what was ahead, whilst some were chattering nervously to fellow passengers.

I was heading for the Blue start. Last year I went from the Red start.  There was a really different feel to the start this year.  The Blue start is a lot less busy and is mainly for the club runners. Although I was officially a club runner, I did feel slightly intimidated to be amongst what I saw as professionals.  It was a less busy and calmer start, although in hindsight I would have preferred to be amongst the mass of fun runners, carrying fridges, dressed as superman, or the guys in the camel suit. I get back to the camel later!

The weather was slightly overcast at the start but almost as soon as the start gun went off, the sun decided to shine down on us.  The first 3 miles of the run were great. I felt good, my splits were good and a PB looked likely.  However, the first 3 miles are downhill!  I carried on at an OK pace until I realised at about 9 miles that the toilet beckoned.  Luckily I spotted a loo with just one person in the queue.  Result!  After my brief break, I realised that I was now behind time which wasn’t good for morale.  The sun was beating down and I was already starting to feel weary.  I was taking lots of fluids on board and devouring any sustenance I could get hold of.  Thank you so much to the lady who handed me the banana!

Tower Bridge was a highlight, as was seeing my husband Max at 2 cheering points (mile 8 & mile 16).  I even stopped to give him a quick peck.  He rather rudely asked me, at mile 16, whether I had walked most of it so far (I hadn’t)!

The crowds were just amazing, cheering us all on. The camaraderie amongst the runners was great. People were asking each other if they were ok and offering words of encouragement.

The second half of the marathon was tough.  Lots of people were walking and I had to takewalk breaks to cool down and rest my weary legs.  I also had to stop another time to put some blister plasters on.  I was so pleased to get to the last few miles, seeing the London Eye, knowing I was nearly home.

The camel overtook me again this year.  I will beat him one day.

Seeing the finishing line was so amazing.  It felt like I sprinted at the end.  It probably didn’t look like that at all.  I crossed the finish line in 5.37.  Not a PB but I finished. After injury, blisters and heat I was pleased. I also raised £2000 in the process for Pancreatic Cancer UK.  Running the marathon was worth it.

I ate and drank and made my way home after the London Marathon.  Only realising later that I had been on my feet a full 12 hours before I sat down on the train home. The next couple of days were bad – stomach upsets, extremely aching limbs, blisters and missing toenails to contend with.
“Never again!” I repeated to everyone who asked me about the London Marathon.

Nearly a week has gone by and I can now say I’ve completed 2 London Marathons.  To me, running the London Marathon is like giving birth and I have 3 children… so perhaps there is another marathon in me yet

Jemima Gee – 36 year old Marathon Mum to 3!