Adam (marathon runner lol)

When did you decide to run and the London Marathon and why?

Always wanted to run marathon but I needed the right time.  My granddad passed away a year and a half ago through complications of Parkinson’s; and my uncle passed away in January this year, and felt like I should do something to celebrate the fact that I’m fit and healthy!! I think it was around New Year that I emailed a few different charities about places (the ballot was closed ages ago, but was emailing to see if they had any cancellations etc.).  My new year’s resolution was to get fit and raise money for charity, so it was good to combine the two and do something like a marathon.  The charities I emailed were British Red Cross, British Heart foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support, Bowell Cancer UK and Parkinson’s association I think.  British Red cross got back to me and said they had someone drop out, so I went for an interview and Passed!! Yeah!!

I remember you were posting your training distances of facebook to keep your supporters and sponsors up to date. When you were completing these distances, could you believe you were going to run the whole 26miles?

I did most of my training at night as I was in uni 9 to 5 pretty much every day.  Every weekend I had my long run (I can give you exact distances from a table I have).  I knew I could run the 26.2 miles, having ran close to that in training, but I knew it would be very hard indeed and I would need the adrenaline of the big day and the crowd to push me.  Injuries were the biggest problem as I only had 2.5months to go from being able to run to the bus stop to being able to run a marathon.

What was going through your head while running? Did you have any peculiar thoughts, daydreams or realizations?

I’m not exactly sure what I was thinking about during the run.  I was constantly looking out for friends and family in the crows but didn’t get to see them!!!  I was trying to take in the scenery and take in the occasion more than anything (with it being my first time to London). I kept thinking about the feeling of crossing the finish line and what I would do once I would cross it - that was a massive drive!! The biggest drive for me was people shouting my name as I went around...that was such a good feeling.  At mile 25 the British Red Cross team had a group of supporters cheering everyone on, when they cheered it actually sent a shiver down my spine (never really felt that properly before) it was amazing.  I was also worried that I’d started too quickly and wouldn’t make it.  I ran past people that looked so fit that had to stop to rest, and people in ambulances getting oxygen which worried me slightly!

Did you ever hit the wall? - if so what was going through your head?

I had hit the wall in training and it is a very real thing! It’s like you’re running in syrup, and just can’t seem to move your body.  It’s awful.  Thankfully in the marathon, I had lots of lucozade provided and many glucose gels in my bumbag that helped me keep my glucose and glycogen levels high, and with the crowd behind me, the wall didn’t really hit me as hard as I imagined.  It still hit me though – mile 18…I will always remember it!!

I had a Red bull energy shot given to me before the race which I kept in my hand throughout the whole marathon, I wanted to use it when I really needed it, as a last minute energy boost. I drank it at about mile 23, and it helped hugely, although it made me feel a bit sick.

After the race, you told me this was the best thing you have ever done. - A week on, do you still have this opinion?

It was honestly the biggest sense of achievement I have ever felt.  I loved every second of it.  I would have done it again the day after if my body would have let me!  It’s definitely on a par with getting those A-level results, although made slightly better by the fact that it was a personal achievement that I had proved to myself that I could do it.  Yes, it was the best thing I have ever done!!

As a spectator, I thought the crowd support was brilliant. Do you agree? 

I don’t think I would have completed it without the crowd. As I said, the crowd carries you around the course. Having my name printed on my vest helped hugely!! The people shouting my name in those last few miles really made the difference.

Now that you have done it, would you do it again? - Or encourage others to do it?

I would encourage every person to do exactly what I did...it was perfect!! Couldn’t have been better!! The weather helped too! I am now well and truly hooked on running and would love to run it again sometime, (in a better time hopefully). My friend has just signed up for the Leeds half marathon, after I raved about the London marathon. Good for him!!

Adam (marathon runner lol) xx

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/ll--u1p6ksY