Horrible

Well, that was horrible.

Five weeks ago, euphoria. Cheered on live by a crowd of thousands, a surprising opportunity late in life to fulfil an ambition. And now? Just an overweight curly-haired bloke doing the same thing, somehow the novelty had worn off. Sweat dripping within the first minute under the intense heat and personal pressure, just a short performance and then relief at being home on the sofa with the cat.

But enough about Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent yesterday, how was my run? Well, it was horrible ... oh you get the picture. The London Marathon seems a long time ago now. I've blogged pretty much every run, and have only missed one since my last blog entry, which means I've just run once (May 20th) until this morning.

The facts and figures are that I ran for half an hour this morning in seering heat (making excuses already I know, but it was much hotter than Marathon day). In fact for the first time I wore my Garmin heart monitor/GPS watch thingy, so it told me I ran exactly 2.9 miles in 29 and a bit minutes. So my pace was good but I have no idea how on earth I used to run miles and miles ... though I could probably have gone a little further.

It feels I'm doing *just* enough to tell people that I haven't stopped completely, but not enough to keep up any standard for long. But as we move into June I'll pick up the training again. I have to. I've got a lot of biscuits, bhajis and Bournville to run off!

From London to the City of Dreams

Well my last post this time last week was celebrating 20 minutes on the treadmill, but that remained all I have done since London. 16 days seems like such a long time, and the question posed last week - "what next?" still remains.

I was wondering at the time whether to enter the Blenheim 7K race last Sunday. As it happens, a cold put paid to that (described variously as everything from sniffles, through swine 'flu, to fullblown man-'flu ... note order of increasing seriousness). So my newfound online running friends Simon, Tash and Cristin, who were all there and had a great day, I'm sure our paths will cross another time.

Today I planned a 3.5 mile run, but was realistic enough to know it may not happen. My marathon running habits have stopped already. Yes, today I went for pasta salad at lunch, bought myself an extra 5pm sandwich, and prepared to leave work on the dot ready for my run. But when I was a marathon runner I wouldn't have had the extra 2 shortbread biscuits, slice of cake and five strong black coffees.

The run was hard work - I feel I need to learn how to run again, but reminded myself that the first mile was always the hardest. My last run on the street was down Pall Mall in front of thousands of people alongside Spongebob Squarepants. Today was Bicester ring road in front of four cows and a dead badger. In the end I decided there was no need to do the full 3.5 miles I intended, this run is just to blow away the cobwebs. So I ran for 10 minutes, turned round and ran back. Irritatingly it took 11 minutes to run back, but I'll put that down to the wind ...

Apart from getting back into running I don't have an aim now. So that's about to change - I've put in for a half marathon at the end of July in the self-styled City of Dreams. Er, Milton Keynes.

So what now?

One week and two days later, and the post-marathon glow though still with me will eventually fizzle out. The question is, what next? First of all has been the enjoyable process of indulging in all the things I put to one side during marathon training. Coffee, check. Chocolate, check. Wine, beer, check, check. Takeaways - Indian, Chinese, Burger King, all check. Pizza, che... oh hang on, I snuck a couple of those in pre-marathon so they don't count.

But that can't continue indefinitely. I started this training unfit, unable to run, and 15 stone something. I am now relatively fit, able to run in excess of 20 miles, and 12 stone something. I looked at all my marathon photos and couldn't find any of my other chins, something I am simply not used to.

I have, like most, but not all, runners I know, applied for next year's ballot. The 20% chance of getting through for next year, without the pressure of fundraising a fixed amount in difficult times, is too good an opportunity to turn down for someone who had such a good experience. And if I don't run next year, well what instead? I never had a planned time to get round, and I have no regrets at my slow time. But I do have a nagging doubt that I can get fitter still and run a little faster.

I've been made aware of a 7K run around Blenheim Palace on Sunday. Should I run that race so soon after London? Is it amazing that as someone who still can't get used to the idea of all this running I've done that I'm even considering this?

I don't have to decide on this run for a few days, and the likelihood is that I won't, given it is so soon after London. But to even consider it means I ahve to start running again.

Which is exactly what I have just done. 20+ minutes, on the treadmill, nice and easy, no ill effects at all. I could have decided never again ... but I loved it, and I'm still going!

London Marathon photos and thank yous

So it's a few days after the marathon, how am I feeling? Physically absolutely fine. It doesn't seem fair, as friends are still only now starting to walk without hobbles or still nursing aches. Mentally ... still on a high. The reactions, the plaudits, the congratulations, I have loved it, and still do! The whole day was unforgettable. If there's a post-marathon blues, you'll have to wait till a later post as I haven't got there yet.

So instead, some photos from the day ...

Before the start, suncream glistening

At 19 miles

Just 800 yards to go ...

Tired and proud

So many people I would like to thank for getting me to the start line and beyond, to the finish line and to my ultimate achievement. Apologies in advance to anyone I've forgotten ...

First of all my family - hoping my wife Lorna wasn't too much of a running widow over the last several months, thank you for your support and for coming down on the day too! And my parents who also came to support me (at Silverstone too), and my aunt and uncle Brian and Margaret for putting up me up for the weekend and coping with a 5:30am start. And not family, but was really chuffed to see my great friends Phil and Louise travel all the way from home to London just for a few glimpses, that meant a lot too.

Then there are those who offered mutual support, encouragement and friendship as we all entered into this marathon together. e-Marathoners Phil, Ulen, Sam, Dan, James, Becca, Si, Julia, and many others. Particular mention to Phil who maintained all of this support despite dropping out himself through injury - good luck in 2010 Phil, rooting for you already!

The Save the Rhino team offered great support up to and on the day, no other runners got free bagels, Tusker beer and a massage as their reward for completion! Thanks to Laurence and the team, and the runners I knew best and supported me most in the lead up to the event: Stephanie, Jane and Emma.

Thanks to my co-runner Becki who could have got a mention in either of the above paragraphs but deserves one to herself. For her company for 13 miles of Silverstone and 13 miles of London, at my pace that's 5 hours of putting up with me and making long runs much easier - your journey has been as immense as mine in different ways, you are a good friend now, thank you!

Thanks to an offer of help that goes way way above and beyond ... to Sally who took pity on my ineptitude and became a personal trainer par excellence, knowing exactly what was needed each day to get me into shape, always so good-humoured and always there for speedy help at the end of an e-mail or tweet, she made me realise how unfocused my training was and turned me round in no time!

And thank you to my credit-crunch-busting sponsors (some who have already been mentioned) who took me to £50 a mile and beyond, I couldn't believe how many there were till counting them just now. Here goes ... Roo, Alan, Gillian, Lisa, Ann, James, Ray, Julie, Jennifer, Marie, David, Steve, Alicia, Chris, Janice, Martin, Rosy, Garj, Caroline, Joanna, David, Mike, Beatrice, Lynn, Pete, Nicola, Arpi, Sara, Sarah, Michelle, Pauline, Steve, Phil, Sue, Paul, Trev, Janet, Fi, Becki, Julia, Louise, David, Mario, Margaret, Brian, Sarah, Emma, Caroline, Janet, Leigh, Anne, Mary, Simon, David, Arjay, Kathryn, Matt, Pat, Graham, Andrew, Katie, Tash, Simon, Ben, Paul, Sally, Win, Jean, Beris, Mike, David, Sue, Steve, PH, Stuart, Cat, Annelise, Siobhan, Tanya, Gillian (again), Judy, Lynn (again), Phil, Jane, Rich, Zoe, Oli, Phil, Caroline, Anne, Louise, Lara, Mary, Hugh, Jean, Rachel, Babs, Jane, Cecile, Shirley, Jeff, Rob. Add to this the profits of a Coventry pub quiz and a Leamington Grand National sweepstakes!

And many more beyond this list have offered encouragement and good luck in messages of support. If this was the Oscars they'd be fading me out by now, so it's time to sign off and tuck into a Tusker beer courtesy of Save the Rhino!