London Marathon 2018

London Marathon 2018 is complete! Oh what an epic, inspiring, incredible day to be a part of. The 24.2C record heat wasn’t at all welcome, it made the battle even tougher and asked more of me than I thought I had. So here’s a lil story all about how London Marathon flipped me upside

Worked my way to the start line through a crowded London Bridge, a half mile walk up the hill at Greenwich (not a welcome warm up), smooth bag drop cheeky toilet queue and bam- ready to run!

The claxon went for the elite men and we set off in the 3&4 wave about 12mins after. The first 6 miles are kind of a blur, a few rolling hills getting out of Greenwich which I wasn’t expecting, but plenty of awesome local supporters made the time fly by. We reached Curry Sark and I was very aware I was already aggressively sweating. Since Brighton Marathon last year, where I got heatstroke and thought I was gonna die, I knew I needed to try replace these salts and had 3 electrolyte tabs in my pocket. I was super grateful to over prepared Emma at that moment

At mile 8 I was melting. I ripped off my time band on my wrist which said 4:10 as finish time. I knew that was mythical in this heat! The crowds were relentless which was awesome and at mile 10 I was genuinely thinking if I could quit. I wasn’t even half way but it felt like I’d run 20 miles physically- Emma and heat? No bueno. There was a point the man crying the washing machine past me while I was walking…time to try and run faster I said to myself.

By 12 miles the awesome Buxton water station party has given me renewed life and I knew round the corner was THAT moment. The one everyone says is so special-Tower Bridge! I soaked in every second with photos, videos and a little walking to breathe in the whole atmosphere. It was unreal. Then we traverse off the bridge and I was like “THAT WAS AWESOME” however it dawned on my I still had  at half left to run.

And the struggle fest began. Pretty much every mile from 15-24 I walked for 2 minutes ran the rest of the mile. Mostly walked when I reached water stations and kept moving through it. Water was aplenty for myself and I did drink at every station. I won’t lie I did think it could cause me issues drinking so much, but it didn’t and it was SOO needed! Emotions were so high at mile 22 coming out the tunnel I began crying, the realisation hit me that I’d actually finish it!

Mile 24 was special, I remember thinking “Emma it’s 20minutes of running left-don’t stop just keep moving forwards.'“ The course took a right onto the penultimate stretch to the Mall. Here I saw my amazing friends with an epic banner and knew home was less than 1km away.

Just keep moving legs you can do this. 400m to go. The pain isn’t there Emma just keep running, so closeeee! 385yards to go I slightly slowed down and took in my entire surrounds. I waved to Paula Radcliffe who waved back, I threw my fist in the air with happiness and clapped the crowd. Threw my arms out as I crossed the finish-I’D BLOODY DONE IT!!

Honestly not matter the time (4:56) that race taught me how strong I really am. I kept moving forwards always. My hip carried me when I thought the labral tear would flare up it didn’t and I’m so grateful of that would I do London again? YES.

Huge congratulations to EVERYONE who ran , you were unbelievably epic!