The video from Dan

Has anyone seen my horse?

That's how my legs feel today. It was another hot marathon and again I saw lots of people at the side stretching out their legs or being tended by St Johns Ambulance, even saw the St Johns Ambulance guy running down the pavement with a runner over is shoulder. I don't know what happened to him but I do hope he was OK. St Johns take care of you on the marathon. They stand at the side with their hand held out covered in Vaseline, as you run past you swipe hands and rub the Vaseline in where it's needed. When I realized it was going to be hot I knew I would be pouring water on my head later on, so I swiped some Vaseline for my nipples! Made me feel good anyway! Then I started to feel chafing in my shorts! Swipe, another hand full of Vaseline and before I knew where I was I had my hand down my shorts as I ran along rubbing Vaseline around the seam of my shorts. Not a pretty sight for the spectators!

For me, my race was a bit disappointing but considering how I have not run since Cranleigh and not done the midweek runs as I should have been doing, then my result is as expected, there is always next year.

At the start I spotted the 8min/mile pace runner and wanted to stick close to him. By the time I got over the start line I had lost sight of him and never saw him again. I never really got onto a decent pace, I kept finding myself blocked by other runners coming across me and others I would have to dodge around and I am sure I was doing the same to lots of runners behind me.

I had none of the doubting and thinking of excuses to drop out this time, I think because I had sponsors that I needed to run for! I owed it to them whilst they sat on the couch. What I did not know was that there was real-time tracking available on-line, otherwise I would have mentioned it. But you all (you'll) got me around. Give yourself a pat on the back and thank you to you.

Sarah, Dan and Sophie said they would try to see me at the 13 mile mark and at the end as well, so as I came to the 13 mile mark I was looking out, but they were not there. Unexpectedly at 22miles I saw them, well I heard them first. Sarah shouted 'Curtis', as if I had done something wrong! I doubled back to give them all a big hug. It's a very emotional thing running a marathon and hearing people call out at you is enough to bring a tear or two.

I suffered from the heat as well. I think from about 13 miles it felt as if my calf muscles were about to cramp. They never actually did cramp but there was 1 or 2 moments in the final 5 miles when I thought it was about to happen and I would need to pull over. I resorted to the advice I got 2 years ago and started to pour water down the backs of my legs and in the back of my shorts. This helps but then means your trainers get heavy with water and it looks like you have had a horrible accident which is not the best look around.

Cancer Research took good care of me at the end. As I walked down the Mall they were there, took my bags from me and showed me the way to go. I got a massage on my calves, I could feel a knot in my left calf muscle and can still feel it today as I walk around as if I have just climbed off a horse.

And next year? Well my on-line ballot entry is already in!

Flora London Marathon 2009 Results

runner details

PERSON		view pace graph
Name	CURTIS, ANDY B (GBR)	Club	DMVAC
Runner No.	11911	Age group	M45

 

TIMES
5 km	0:26:12	25 km	2:13:08
10 km	0:52:00	30 km	2:41:47
15 km	1:18:28	35 km	3:11:27
20 km	1:45:44	40 km	3:41:00
half	1:51:39	finish	3:53:41

 

TOTAL
Position (overall)	8640	Position (age group)	1008
Position (gender)	7213	Finish time	3:53:41

 

Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me

I'm back. Been in Florida for the last couple of weeks on holiday. Running training? No, did some endurance training in the Disney theme parks for a week though. There before the gates open in the morning and leaving when the carpark was empty in the evening, so we could find the car again! Must be some kind of endurance training. We then went to the coast and I did some cycling, all in about 30 degrees and 90% humidity, it must have been some benefit! I hope so because Sunday is the day.

26.2 miles here we come, no excuses, no wimping out, no looking back, just me and getting to the finish line. Whilst I do this I will have an image of all my sponsors sitting back on their couches. I know it's a tough job and someone has to do it, so take some time to make sure your comfortable and leave all the sweat, pain and chafing to me.