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Sub 3.30 Tim: #asics262
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Didnt quite get 3;30- some seconds over but delighted with a BQ and 9 min marathon pb- I. The pub now
Will check in later.
I did 3:24:45. Pleased with that, will report back later.
Really happy with 3:31:40 considering I ran Brighton 2 weeks 5 mins slower.
Great run Merilyn - I checked you out on the London Marathon app and thought you'd be pleased.
Well done to all for some fantastic performances!
A few seconds over 3:45 for me, big improvement on last year, no cramp, no knee, no gels or lucozade, very pleased.
full of curry and beer now so goodnight everyone
So I arrived at the start nice and prompt today, as our mini-bus had a good clear run up the A2.
highlight of the day for me, was finally meeting Malcs at the infamous bench
Then after a quick chat and photo, it was time to go off to our respective starts.
I found it really cold before the start of the race and kept an extra T-shirt on for the first few miles. It only took me 1 minute to cross the start line and I found that after the first busy mile (7:57), I could pretty much run at my own pace.
First 10 miles went by with no major incidents, although I did have to stop for a quick wee break just before 10 miles. Then saw Malcs at 10 miles, quick hello and high 5 (sorry Malcs I really should have washed my hands after that quick pit stop
)
Carried on at a good pace, after half-way started to get a little sore in my right thigh, but nothing major. Was still feeling fairly good and ran mile 20 in 7:38.
Then started to tire with a few miles to go, but the crowds were great and kept me plotting on - slowest mile was the 26th at 8:24. Went through the finish in 3:24:45. Pleased with that and not sure I could go much faster at the mo. But would love to go sub3:15 and get a good for age.
Well done to everyone else on the Forum who ran sone great times. Plus special mention to Jill C from Deal Tri, who I travelled on the minibus with and ran an incredible 2:59:59!!!
Not long got home. What a totally awesome day!
Met Angela at Lewisham but took longer than expected to get to the bench. Thankfully the Puffsta and Sean were still there (great to finally meet you Sean - relieved to see the mankini stayed at home). Also saw Angela's mentee Hellsbells as well as Reg who was in the voting the year before last with myself and Shady Ady.
Sorry we missed the rest of you
I then made my way to mile 10 and on arrival had the pleasure of running into sense who was brilliant company and stayed for the duration.
Didn't manage to see everyone but I think our hit rate was pretty decent. Bagged the crucial one, Superman Tim Jones who was looking ridiculously speedy! Thanks everyone for seeking out the Swiss flag, it was almost impossible to spot you all so we needed you to help us out, much appreciated!
Myself and sense are also now adopted Swiss citizens after attracting the attention of a raft of la Suisse runners
By the time most of you had gone through it didn't leave much time to get to mile 15 so I parted company with sense and headed for the finish.
I waited for quite a while but didn't see anyone. Just as Inwas about to give up I spotted BRB and got to congratulate her on her immense achievement.
Next stop was the pub where I met up with Angela, Sarah A, Shady Ady, Minni, Brolish and several others. The odd shandy or two rounded off a great day nicely.
Well done everyone who ran today. Some immense performances. Anyone who runs and completes a marathon is a superstar!
I'm delighted to have squeezed in a cheeky sub 4 - 3:59:25 - after waking with a screaming achilles this morning, is all the more pleasing. My knee was sore on and off but the heel/achilles didn't really return [after a scary 1st mile of shooting pains through that foot] until 21.5.
My left calf tugged from around 6 miles too, all probably linked, but I think I discovered that the physio exercises worked well as it wasn't really hard work, just a rollercoaster of fear at emerging threats.
Still, dodging the bottles, the elbows, and the delerious was rivetting fun as always, and I had the special treat of dragging Super back to run with me right near the start.
Have just seen Bramster at the club after party, being a party animal am now at home watching the recordings of the day.
Oh! Missed the bench, we came at it from a totally different side from usual and were all turned around and needing to focus on the immediate requirements.
Hadn't seen Malcs' post about positioning - bummer.
reiki - congratulations! Sorry we missed you, we were looking!
Freemers - so, so pleased for you! That is awesome! You did look great when we saw you.
Morning all. Wow, where do I start???
Freemers *****SUB 3.14 Alert WOW!!!!******** Congtratulations with that time, no wonder you were grinning down the Mall, a tremendous achievement and I am really made up for you. Given how packed the roads were (on and off) running quickly was more of a challenge yesterday I felt. That is brilliant, hope you enjoyed the food and vino.
Angela *****BOSTON QUALIFIER PB Smasher**** Brilliant achievement and the next road of your journey starts. Well done, shame not to have seen you but you were way too speedy!! Awesome, cant wait for the report.
Slowkoala ******SUB 3.15 ALERT WOW!! ****** Yay brilliant, absolutely brilliant, well done, hope the tendon was okay for you. Very impressive, another report I cant wait to read. Made up for you with that time.
Sean ****3.24 and got to meet Malcs
***** Great run Sean, shame I didnt get to see you at the bench, but you got to meet the future Swiss PM and the legend that is Malcs. Crowds were excellent, more than ever before I thought and they totally helped those tired legs. Well done again buddy.
Buxton Running Bunny ****36 min PB - Sub 4hr*******That certainly is not too shabby, its bloody well deserved. No wonder you are over the moon. Cant wait to read all about it! Well done.
Fairyclogs *****Speedster improves on Brighton Time***** Brilliant achievement FC, especially with Brighton in your legs. The run that is. Unless you still had sand in your shoes. Well done!!.
Reikirabbit *****Sub 4hrs with an injury - awesome ****** Well done you, and thank you so much for calling me back as I went past. It was great to see you. And well done on running through the pain barrier. What a time considering. Awesome.
Christian *****17 min PB Alert****** Well done buddy, considering the injuries, a brilliant achievement. Great to see you out on the road and you did well to keep the pace up when you were tiring. Really made up for you.
Puffsta *****SMASHES AN IMPROVEMENT IN TIME FOR CURRY AND BEER****** Gutted i didnt get to see you at the bench, I did wonder if you had got a special invite into the green start to meet your new running buddies? Well done on your time, great running.
Sense Sorry I didnt say hi, it was only after I ran off did it twig what Malcs had said. Next time I will be more sociable.
Malcs Legendary spectating buddy!
And I hear you are a cult hero in Switzerland now?
So pleased for so many excellent performances by everyone yesterday, made up for you all. I ran what can only be described as a positive split, in what can only be described as a suit not made to breath but it was one hell of an enjoyable run. The streets of London were rocking, thanks to an awesome elite race and the queen herself, Paula. Well done all of you, hope the stairs are not too horrid today.
Well done everyone! Fantastic results. I got 3.35 so am very happy, all I wanted was a PB which I got by 3 mins. Was a great run and although I was quite tired halfway I managed to find some energy near the end and did every mile at the same pace except the last 2 which were a little faster so a very small negative split.
Tim - was good to chat to you briefly, I know you probably met many people but we had a brief chat about mile 7. I hope you managed to avoid the loo stop in your suit?! Well done for doing it in the suit and 2 weeks after Paris!
Morning All!
I have to echo Tim in congratulating everyone on a stonking run yesterday! I got to the bench but there was no one there so I pushed on to the start.
At the beginning I had absolutely no race strategy but ran the first 11 miles with a lovely guy called Rod at around 9mm pace and as I felt pretty fresh I pushed on. It was only in the last 5k that I realised had I pushed on a bit more I could have got a PB but I finished in 3:55. Given the lack of training (longest run was 18.5 in early Feb), I can only be pleased that I not only made it round but felt pretty good. Nice to know I've got a quicker time in me.
That said, I think had the crowds not been as amazing as they were, I might have allowed the lack of training to scare me. As it was, could barely hear myself think It really is a truely special race.
Great to see Malcs at mile 10 as promised and even betted to see Tim at the finish for an emotional post marathon hug!
The one downside to the lack of training is that my legs are in bits today...but it was worth it!
Amazing, super well done all on all your fabulous results today, I'm mightily impressed I hope you are all walking (or hobbling!) around today with huge grins on your faces!!!
Hi all, still buzzing after yesterday I hope you all are, some great times to read just blown away by them.
Like I said before I was a bit late to the bench so only had chance to say a quick hello then into the area, was great for relaxing as I managed to catch up with a guy I used to work with who by bizarre coincidence I'd met on the DLR to the expo and didn't realise was running. Got into pen 4 and felt good, bit nervous but I'd decided I was going to run close to 8 m/mile and see how I felt later so felt good. Had a quick last minute wee stop which put me back a pen so not ideal but felt better before than during.
First 2 miles were pretty frustrating but lesson learnt from last year and did minimal weaving just tried to stay steady and they were both close to 8.30 but told myself just speed up gradually. Got stuck behind a cactus and then a phone box at one point but kept trying to run easy, the watch was perfect as my main battle was staying nr 7.50 and not going too fast.
Sorry Malcs I did think to lok out for you at 10 but so much is going on next thing I knew we were passing Tower Bridge, went through halfway in 1.46 and instantly though back to last year when I did the same. So I can be honest now I've had a fair few negative thoughts on this campaign plenty of injuries more then previous, and not many decent races or long runs kept me thnking I'm not in shape and was tempted to take it easier and not chase 3.30. However last weeks Manchester inspired me to at least have a go, go hard or go home as Andi Jones says!!
The other negative was I felt great last year but blew up about 15/16 and couldn't really work out why so that was in my head. It actually helped me though as when I passed that point and still felt strong it convinced me I was going well and could do it. Next big highlight was catching up with Tim, I;d seen a few Supermen pretenders on course but was pretty certain even from behind it was Tim so managed to have a quick chat around 16.5 and he gave me some good encouragement and told me to stay positive.
Got into Canary Wharf and again remembered how much I suffered last year but actually was starting to speed up and trying not to get too fast but was getting into the 7.30s and for the first time started thinking maybe just maybe. Around 19.5 their is a tight turn and I was so close to the 3.30 pacers I could almost touch them, again tried to stay easy and not push too quick. Went through 20 and for the first time started thinking of what I needed and rough calculations said I needed a 50 min 10k so certainly possible, however legs were now starting to complain and tighten.
Next 2 miles were tough but managed to stay under 8m/m helped knowing my family were at about 23 so was determined to keep going till then and kept my mind off the pain until then. Saw the family at 23, had a hug and that boosted me again but as close as I knew I was every part of my legs was just saying no more. Was a bit frustrated with myself at having a few little walk breaks but was just ruined, and to be honest my pace didn;t suffer too much and gave me a little boost.
Crowds were amazing the last 2 miles, I was determined not to stop again once I saw the 800m mark and was chuffed I didn;t and even manaeged a resonable effort on the Mall, certainly better than last year. Nearly fell over when I crossed but was so chuffed at a massive 17 min pb, it was only later I though about those 3 and a half mins and where I could have got more.
If I'm honest it went miles better than I dreamed, so I think I'm going to be grateful for yesterday and am much more confident 3.30 is doable for me.&nbs
Well done everyone and a great summing up by Superman.
I am pretty stoked with a 3:31:40. If I'm cheeky like Tony I can claim that my watch clocked 26.5 miles and 8 min miles so technically a sub 3:30 marathon. Tee Hee!!
I was at the bench at 8.23am and waited a while but nobody else came. I doubted I was in the right place so headed off to the Green start to join the loo queues. Sorry I missed you. I didn't see anyone at the start either as it was so cold we were all wrapped up in sacrificial jumpers and space blankets.
My plan to run with the pacer was hindered by celeb dodging in the first mile. For the sake of TV coverage they start at the front of the green start.and At the downhill stretch at mile 4 I somehow got ahead of the group and then couldn't slow enough to drop back. Miles 4 to 6 were run too fast but then I settled into a good pace and was really enjoying the amazing atmosphere. The pace group caught me up at 14 miles and I stayed with them until 24 miles when my legs started to complain. I was still on track at this point but dropped to 8.30 min miles.Maybe if I'd stayed with them in the early miles I would have just scraped the 3:30? Really not disappointed though as it was a fabulous day. We even got a lovely tech t-shirt in the right size instead of the usual cotton XL that fits no one.
Special thanks to Superman, the asics team and all the other forum buddies for great support and advice throughout our marathon journey. Happy running. xx
Freemers - lovely to see you at the end, you looked very strong but still very dazed! What a great race you had. See you at the championship start next year?
BRB - you made smashing sub 4 sound easy and RR - an inspirational performance given how recently you had your op.
Fairclogs - I can't comprehend running so fast in two marathons so close together!
Angela - the BQ was your target and you smashed it. If you'd gone any faster chasing 3:20 you might have risked the BQ, so well done on a big PB. Sub 3:30 will be easy next time. What pen were you in at green?
Great races too from Christian, Ruffles, KTKT, Sean, Puffsta and of course from our very own super hero, Superman!! No way could I run that fast in that outfit, you are awesome!
What a day, I just love the London marathon, it always feels like it brings all the nice people into town! Race report in next post...
My mantra that I used all the way around was 'Strong and light, upright' (as at times I can slouch a bit). But near the end I kept saying 'uptight' instead of 'upright'! And then down the mall I just chanted 'don't be shit, don't be shit'! <img src='https://us.v-cdn.net/6027274/uploads/forum/smilies/smile_smiley.gif
Cracking write up Slowkoala
Well done everyone - some really great results, and deserved reward for the slog of training through the winter.
As malcs said, I ended up watching with him in a decent, relatively quiet spot by 10m marker, rather than with the crowds nearer Deptford. Brilliant to watch. complete nightmare trying to spot people you've never met or seen but we tried our best and malcs did a very good (if ambitious) job of trying to introduce me to a few of you as you ran past! We were probably more successful at supporting our swiss brothers and sisters who were definitely impressed by the flag.
I've never run at London and it did look like an amazing experience, hopefully one day. hope you all enjoy a bit of rest and a lot of satisfaction at a job well done
Love your write up SK... Mines blogged... http://longroadtoboston2016.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/london-marathon-2015-did-she-get-bq.html
i was in pen 3 and started toward the back of pen 3
well done on an even split!
Think I need to try and get a sub 3:15Hrs to qualify as a good for age.
Sense - Enter the ballot in May, I was lucky enough to get an entry this year.
Unsurprisingly my night sleep was, shall we say restless and I was up long before the alarm went off. With my mind on other things, I then forgot to switch the alarm off and I was mid teeth clean when I could hear it blaring out waking up my wife, who unsurprisingly was less than chuffed. I picked up my brother and friend and we headed off for the train station.
Excited chitter chatter and breakfast eating were the order of the train journey as we played spot the marathon runners and their red bags on the platforms as we sped through. Whilst the decision to wear my superman outfit was an easy one to make, and one I do not regret, the logistics of transporting it, was not as easy as you might think and was not the last schoolboy errors I would make in marathon running in fancy dress. It would not fit in the red bag and the only way to get it to the start undamaged was in a suit carrier. Who goes to the start of a marathon with a suit carrier??
Arriving at Charing Cross to get the train to Blackheath we saw some late night revellers crashed out in the corner of the station, waiting for their first train home. They looked at us with bewilderment as within minutes hundreds of people carrying red bags descended on what would normally be, a deserted train station where they recover from their London late nights before heading home. We left the revellers and headed to the platform for the train to Blackheath. We arrived at 7.50 and the rain was steadily falling. I headed to the famous bench and planned to wait for the gang. Sadly, like at Paris, the results of the carb loading meant I was caught short, badly short, as short as I am and I headed off to the red start in order I could be comfortably near a toilet until the start.
When I arrived at the red start, the rain had stopped teaming down and was now spitting and after my toilet stop I headed into one of the tents which had been erected. I decided to put on the supersuit and get as ready as I could in order to join the toilet queue again so I could practice going to the toilet. Schoolboy error number 2. You pretty much have to take the suit off to go! I started to panic at this point and decided to drink less before the start in order to limit how many times I would need to go. Schoolboy error number 3. Who on earth would deliberately drink less than they needed to before a marathon.
It is amazing how many people speak to you when you are in fancy dress. I must have heard 'you arent allowed to fly round you know' about a thousand times during the day but such was the camaraderie of other runners it was just brilliant. As I dropped my bag on the lorry I bumped into Charles Henderson from bootcamp and the forum. Its very random when you bump into someone you know in amongst all those people but it was great to see a friendly smiling face. We had a nice catch up before I headed off to the start. I wanted to get onto the start line and savour the build up from within the famous Greenwich park gates.
The roar which greeted Paula's introduction over the loudspeaker was tumultuous, showed just how the crowd were going to be throughout the course. As the gun went off we shuffled forward and before too long had crossed the start line and started to run.
After a mile I heard a voice cry out, Superman, its Reiki and I turned round to see the wonderful smiling face of reikirabbit. She said i overtook her, I would suggest she was catching me with her sub4 ability!! We ran for a while and it certainly lifted my spirits seeing her. After half a mile or we then parted as I settled into my steady 8+ min mile pace.I was not prepared for just how many people would cheer for Superman. Every child I saw wanted to high 5 and for every child who failed to see me, there was a parent saying, look, its Superman. And it was not just the children, the adults were equally buoyant and cheered to see a friendly superhero running down the street.
After 3 or so miles I started to notice just how hot I was becoming. I had chosen to wear a longsleeve, very effective baselayer and cycling shorts under the suit, which I had failed to realise had now, how can I say it, breathability, wicking, I think the technical apparel description is. Schoolboy error 4. Consider how hot you might be. Around mile 5 another friendly voice said hello and ktkt introduced herself to me. I must admit, it is lovely meeting the forumites in person. We stayed in the same rhythm for about half a mile before ktkt wished me well and said my pace was a tad fast.
I have to say, I have run London 13 times and the crowds this year were louder than ever and it was definitely far far busier than ever. In fact it was quite claustrophobic in places. Normally around mile 8 or so through to 11, there are places where you have a few gaps by the side of the road, not this year!! And at mile 10, I saw it. In the distance. The swiss flag of Malcs. He didnt see me until I was grabbing his hand and saying hi. He was being mobbed by lots of Swiss fans!!! In amongst the brief hello, I missed him telling me it was Sense standing with him. Apologies again Sense.
At mile 11 I saw my mum who I stopped and grabbed a cuddle from. As I ran off, the lady next to her asked how she got a cuddle of Superman? Classic one liner from Mum in reply, "simple, be his mum!!' The crowds became more deafening as I approached tower bridge and as I went over it I loved seeing Denise Lewis shout "go superman' I was now starting to notice not just how hot I was but how drenched in sweat the suit was and how heavy it was becoming. I had happily ran 8+ min miles in the first half but I knew if I carried this pace on, I would really struggle due to the heat and weight of the suit so I slowed up.
I looked around for Minni at this point hoping to see her smiling cheering face but I missed her heading to the Isle of Dogs. Still the crowd were roaring on Superman, I have to say, fancy dress is the way forward to be lifted around this magnificent marathon. Towards mile 15 I think, Christian came up behind me and we ran together for a while. You could see he was doing well had some doubts creeping in. Nothing like a friendly chat to take your mind off them and I have to say he positively strode away from me which was brilliant to see. I had a quick race with batman and robin up the narrow, was quite pleased to leave them behind before superwoman caught me up. A pleasant mile ensured with the crowd loving us before she showed me how it was done and sped off.
Around mile 17 I could feel the suit was now filling with water, without being too graphic the sweat had nowhere to go so was forming a puddle within the cardboard frontage. A few comical moments emptying it brought on some very strange looks from the crowd. If I am honest the last 8 miles were tough, more due to the weight of the suit and my back was starting to tire as the cape was very heavy pulling me. I saw my sister in law and partner again at mile 20, they are now fast becoming marathon cheering legends having been out in Paris. I had a walk to get some water on board around mile 21/22, the failure to drink more before was starting to get me and I saw Minni cheering me loudly which was a massive massive boost.
Over the next few miles I saw some twitter friends who stopped to say hello and just past the tower of london Craig from bootcamp sprang out from the crowd for a high 5. From this point to the finish, the crowd wanted interaction and it was mix of high 5's ridiculous pretend flying but it made the last 3 miles go in a flash. As I turned into Westminster, the noise was immense, everyone cheering and waving and I did feel like i was flying. Down birdcage walk and in the distance I could see my mum again, so I stopped again for cuddle number 2, who doesn't love a cuddle with their mum?
And then the final few hundred yards. The crowd were awesome, their support deafening and I turned next to Buckingham Palace, feeling as fresh as a daisy, jogging happily down the mall, stopping for a quick piccie near the finish before crossing the line. My first Superhero marathon finished in 3hrs 55. I had always said it wasnt about the time but I was so immensely proud to have run that quick in that suit, which by now was wringing wet and heavy as anything. And to cap off what had been a brilliant run, who should come up behind me but Ruffles. Finish line smiles were all around an obligatory finish line photo of us both! Randomly I was then asked to do an interview with BBC World Service which was quite enjoyable. I am not one for the media am I.