Virgin London Marathon 2015

In December last year I was fortunate enough to be given an entry through the club to the Virgin London Marathon. Although I’d considered London previously, the prospect of a ballot and potential disappointment at not getting in had put me off so I was delighted to get this opportunity with minimum fuss.

I arrived in London in the best condition of my life. Despite having had a calf strain during my 12 week schedule which made me miss 3 weeks training along with 2 half marathons I had recovered well and knew that I had a great chance to crack the elusive 3 hour barrier.

My biggest fear on the lead up to the big day was that it would be too hot and I would wilt in the southern sun but on Sunday morning in Greenwich the weather was more akin to a normal Kilmarnock day – cold, wet and grey.

As the race started I didn’t allow myself to get too wound up by the congestion as I had been warned about it in advance. But as the first mile passed and my watch beeped 7.52 I started to get a little concerned as it did not seem to be easing up and there was literally nowhere to break out. Finally half way through the second mile I spotted an opening and started to make a move, darting all over the road but picking up the pace and managing a 7.02 mile. From then it began to open up in front of me and I managed to get into my stride.

By mile 10 I was moving freely and my pace had me around the 3 hour mark and I felt strong, only for my stomach to give a little gurn that told me there was no way I was going another 16+ miles without a toilet stop. I quickly made the decision to stop at the next available portaloo, which I did. It cost me around a minute but it was early and I still felt strong so it was a far better decision than waiting till later in the race when I may have struggled to get going again or even worse, have an embarrassing on course accident!

The next 4 miles flew by. I went through the halfway point at 1.30.18 which is when I first realised that my earlier ducking and weaving had me running about 0.3miles over the distance. I was not too concerned as I felt I had it in me to make up the time over the next few miles but then just after the 14 mile marker I felt a twinge in my left calf which I knew instantly was the start of cramp. Cramp is something that I NEVER suffer from in training and have only had a problem with in 3 previous marathons. The night before the race our own elite marathon runner Scott Martin had called to give me a wee pep talk and told me to carry a couple of Ibrufen in case of emergencies, which I did, so I took them and hoped for the best knowing that I had to get through the next 20 – 30 mins before I’d get any benefit from them. I managed to keep on moving at sub 3 pace but as I made mile 20 mile the cramp was in both calves and although not crippling it did force me to adjust my stride which in turn slowed me down a little.

At mile 23 I did some sums in my head and thought that I could afford to keep a 6.55 – 7 min/mile pace and still make sub 3. WRONG! On the approach to the 25 mile marker I checked my overall time and realised I’d completely cocked up and was going to be just over 3 hours. Now, everything I have read about London talks about how special the finish is along St James Park, passing Buckingham Palace and up The Mall. To me I could have been running up Queens Drive because blind panic took over and when I kicked the finish line was the only thing I was looking for, much to my wife Amy’s annoyance who had had a great spot 300 yards out!

Crossing the line I stopped my Garmin and looked down. It read 3.00.00. No surely not?! I instantly knew I needed to get to my phone which was thankfully at the luggage collection point just past the finish line. I met James Murray of Ayr Seaforth who’d had a great run breaking 3 hours in 2.58, and James assured me that it would be fine but I was barely listening to him. I got my bag back, pulled out my phone and there on the screen was a Facebook notification from our woman’s captain Paula Wilson saying “Well done Mark, sub3…..” I jumped up in the air screaming “YAAAAASSSS” and hugging James. As I landed the cramp set into my left calf properly and I couldn’t move. I was stuck, unable to move and in agony, but I couldn’t care less I’d did it – sub 3!

My official finish time was 2.59.56.

Other Harriers times on the day were:

David Lowdon 3.44.16

Natalie and James Wales 3.52.11

Ken Wales 3.55.15

Gavin Thomson 3.58.25

I’d like to thank the club for giving me the opportunity to represent them at what was easily the greatest running event I have ever been a part of. The sheer volume of noise and support every inch of the way was incredible and I would urge anyone with a notion of running a marathon to try London at least once. I will definitely be exercising my right to Good For Age entry in 2016.