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London Marathon 2018 Race Report

AHHH ITS MARATHON DAY It’s 5.40am, haven't slept, a thunder storm kindly ruined that.

A bagel with strawberry jam for breakfast.

Kit all ready from the night before.

I hug my Mum goodbye and try not to think about the next time I'll see her I'm running the marathon.

Check the weather a thousand times, yes still going to be 24.5 degrees the hottest on record.

Off I go from sunny Croydon.  Let's do this.

GETTING IN THE RED 'ZONE'

I followed the sea of trainers to Greenwich. I made my way up to the red starting zone - found my lorry to dump my bag in. And then queued for the loo's twice even though I didn't need to go - just a ritual really. My coach had told me to do a 15min warm up before going into the pens. I was looking around thinking where the hell am I going to do this as there were bodies of people everywhere. I felt pretty overwhelmed but knew I needed to make a plan. So I decided to do my stretches in the shade under a tree. 

WARMING UP (LITERALLY) Then I was like right where am I going to warm up these legs. I saw near to the fenced off start area 'more serious' looking runners wearing their club vests simply doing an up and down lap by some portaloo's - yessss on a boiling day, not an ideal location. I got myself in the mix, I did feel like a bit of a dick as I think I was the only girl doing it.  I did 5 mins and then thought its getting so hot I don't want to start the race a sweaty mess.

So off i went to find my start pen and my coach had also said if I couldn't do the warm up to do some squats while waiting. Again felt like an idiot. No one else was doing it but I thought what the heck I don't know anyone so just did it. In my head before the marathon I thought I would perhaps make friends with people in the start pen and it would be super chatty. However it really wasn't like that, people were either getting in the zone, or sat down under the trees to the side to save energy.  I surprised myself as it was quite an emotional moment when the queen started the marathon and the national anthem played. For a minute I felt like I was an olympian and I knew it was the start of a special day!  

As we made our way down I had two other groups start in from of me - the sub 3.45hour and the 4.15 hour crew behind. For a mass organised international race, almost 41,000 people I was hugely disappointed that there was no red zone sub 4 hour pacer. I hadn't planned on running with one but when I knew there wasn't one to help set the first few miles pace I was disappointed and I'm sure a lot of other people in my start group were feeling that too.

THE ROUTE This will sound weird but before the marathon every time I tried to look at the marathon route I felt sick to my stomach with nerves so would have to stop. A lot of the route for someone who's lived in London for 8 years it was still a magical mystery tour to even me.

LETS GO The first 3 miles, I felt good, it was a pinch myself moment reality check. I couldn't believe I was running the London Marathon something I had watched for years on TV growing up and it was really a dream to think it would ever been possible. The crowd support from the get go was in incredible and it's so wonderful to see how the city of London people will scream, shout and cheer for random strangers. I loved it! The signs were hilarious too and did make me smile inside even during some pain cave moments. I have so many favourite moments but early on when we merged with the other waves green and blue around 3 miles - I suddenly felt like this is it, this is really happening. this is the London Marathon 2018.

SEEING YOUR CHEER SQUAD Around mile 5 I could see Charlie AKA '@TheRunnerBeans' a little ahead, Charlie was pacing the green wave 4hour 45mins. This year was the first year the organisers to prevent congestion and to try to get people to start more quickly tried 3 different start areas - all to merge together at mile 3. This meant that even though I was trying to pace myself for sub 4 hours I would see the pacers for all different timings over the course. So when I saw Charlie ahead I wasn't panicked as I knew I was running the correct pace for when I had started the race. Anyway I shouted out to say hi, Charlie was running with someone dressed as an ice cream, incredible costume but such a tease as would of loved an ice cream. Charlie gave me a nice little motivational boast, to say "I better not see you again and off I went".

Around mile 10 I was happily surprised to see my triathlon partners in crime Hannah and Leigh and even with my headphones in managed to spin round to give them a wave. I hadn't realised they were coming to watch but gave me another big wave of motivation to keep on at it. I knew the next person I would see would be my Mum at the Guide Dogs UK cheer station. At this point was still holding onto the sub 4 hour pace.

11.5miles - There she is my Mummy waving away at the Guide Dogs UK stand, I remember seeing her first and shouting as I saw the Guide Dogs UK banners, I could tell she didn't know what to do when she saw me, if she should give me water, take a photo but she waved lots and shouted, which was perfect. 

HALF WAY My girlies Yiselle and Emily - I literally see them a mile off, they were on the other side of the returning runners, I weaved to the edge to shout across as they've got these brilliant bright hot pink banners with my name on. Again its funny because when you spot your friends first you startle them and they gave me the biggest cheer, which is just the best feeling to keep going. With a big smile on my face I keep chugging on.

15 miles - a dark cloud of pain comes over me. I hoped but knew it wouldn't be a race without pain. I'd been having physio for about 4 weeks before the marathon. My right knee which had been a little shit before when I did the Edinburgh Marathon in 2015 had been causing me a lot of discomfort on the long runs in training. It was a total repeat of Edinburgh, no knee pain (magic tape) but my hip went. It feels like your joint and bone are grinding down on each other. Its vile and deeply a lot of swear words unpleasant. I was armed with Ibuprofen and Paracetamol which I popped back (not easy when your mouth is as dry as a desert)

I had to have a strong word with myself here as It felt like I had gone from a good pace to a total shuffle. I knew I had to slow down or I'd do a lot more damage too early to be able to keep going to the end. I had been clinging onto the sub 4 hour pace and didn't have much buffer time to keep it. This was now fading... I couldn't get upset about it because there really wasn't much more I could have given at this stage 25km in. I had to carry on and do my best. It was a mental fight now not to stop, especially as so many people were walking around me. That's tough. (When you look back at the race times on average I slowed down 10 seconds per km. Thats really not much but at the time I felt like a total snail)

17/18miles (It's a blur) I see Mummy again and its a nice early surprise as thought she was going to be around 20/21 miles. It's a welcomed surprise because she hands me an extra gel and I take it then.

Somewhere around canary wharf I see another penis - Who would have thought! Or was I hallucinating.... okay it was inflatable. (this will make more sense if you keep reading)

Mile 19 I couldn't tell you in what order this happened as its really blurry as I’m drunk on running. I saw Yiselle and Emily again -those signs they made were so easy to spot. Loved it. Emily handed me a bottle of water which was really needed as was baking. I was struggling still but the girls said they couldn't tell (or they were just being polite)

A few moments later on the other side of the road I see Brendan and Christian. Brendan has been an absolute running rock during the training and came out with me in the beast from the east x2 totally voluntarily. I owe you a lot!!! I wasn't the most joyful runner on that training run - I shouted at him at one point in Victoria Park for 'running up a hill' it was pretty much flat but at the time in the cold, wet, wind and snow it felt like Everest. So cool to see them though.

Mile 20 ish A proposal!!! Not for me... I hear a big loud cheer echoing around (almost like a Mexican wave in a cheer form) a guy is on one knee proposing to his girlfriend in the crowd. I smile and keep running. God knows how he managed to get back up from being on one knee! But a special moment to see.

THE FINAL HOUR In my head when I was struggling I was like Abi all you have to do is get to mile 20, you know this part of London, you love running along the embankment and you've done this part a zillion times so it won't feel so hard. This was pretty much true when I got to it. Its strange because I've been running for 3 hours, seems like a long time right? But it went so fast. I was in a lot of pain, I took another round of painkillers for the final push.  I had really wanted to negative splits for the second half but it was frigging hot and tough. By this point I was happy to hold onto my current pace. I knew I was still not that far over 4 hours so was still on for a huge PB. In fact after I learnt I overtook almost 3275 people and only 163 people who took me on the second half.

Mile 24 Running in Blackfriars tunnel, its dark, shady and some relief from the sun, I let out a massive FU******K for some reason that made some of the pain disappear for a second.  Oh and my head phones die. PERFECT.

Mile 25 Who knew there's a bit of a incline of the embankment. Was glad to see the band at the top. The tarmac temperature is now 27 degrees. I'm really in a zone now of getting to the end. I see a lot of charities cheering, my Mum had told me where she was but I totally miss her and my other friends Lily, Lorna and Phil who were at Somerset House. I see the bend for Westminster, a lot of people are struggling now walking, some alone, some aided by the marshals.  I'm coming onto birdcage walk (another one I ran a lot in training, which is good as mentally I can work out how far I have to go)

600 metres to go I can do this, I smile at the camera, I've got this.

385 yards, that famous bend at Buckingham Palace. I can see it. I'm know the end is in sight. From here I pick up the pace, and find the strength to pump those arms to go for that sprint finish.

I can see the finish line, hang on a minute theres 3 different finish lines... which one to go for. I can see the middle is more crowded, I make a run for the left side. I cannot believe it I'm over the line. I've completed it. 26.2 miles. 4.09.53 (PB of 31mins 52secs)

Thank you to Guide Dogs UK for letting me be apart of their team, it was a proud moment. The biggest thank you to every single person who sponsored me, thats 99 of you! All brilliant people and very lucky to have you as friends.

If you want to read more about the high/low lights and just want more details keep reading on...

SEEING THE SIGHTS / THE HIGHLIGHTS Greenwich had a great vibe, it was packed with people and you feel incredible seeing them all cheering people on. This is where I saw my first penis (inflatable) but it got my attention!

First big wow wow moment was Cutty Sark, I saw less of the boat than I would of liked just remembering all the hoarding around it with advertising but the atmosphere was totally electric. LOVED IT. Felt like a running superstar at that moment.

Tower Bridge. Now theres a lot of hype about this bridge and it was pretty magical but for me it was a bit overwhelming. So many amazing charities and people cheering you just don't know where to look. 

Embankment Its wall to wall people and thats exactly what you need at this stage. Its perfect. I loved running along here normally but actually couldn't see the thames at all.

Big Ben Its super cool here, you know you're going to do it. MAGICAL feeling.

Keep reading now, its almost like you've finished a marathon reading thus far.

HYDRATION It was hot early on and even though I had my hydration vest on with electrolytes I was getting through it faster than usual. I avoided the first few water stations where it was like feeding time in a shark pool with people fighting to reach a hand to get water. After a while I knew I needed to bring my body temp down. I wore white to not reflect the sun but from then on I would take a sip of the water, tip the rest over my head, down my back, chest and wrists - basically everywhere. it wasn't a sexy wet competition vibe, defo would have lost if it was. (Disclaimer, I had a lot of body glide on so was protected fortunately from the chaffing)

I kept to the plan, after 30mins first gel and then every 50 mins and in between took a cliff shot blok - this seemed to work really well for me as officially I didn't hit the wall but hit something else later...

SHOWERS I've never been so happy in all my life to see the fireman, they're hoses were big and full of water... and it sprayed the whole road. Running through it felt like heaven. I wish there had been more. The London Marathon official showers were puny and again was a total stamped of chaos to get anywhere close.

MY OOTD I got a lot of stick from my friends for my outfit. However I know it wasn't particularly the most stylish look it kept me cool. (I would also of taken the mick out of me too)

2XU Visor (I felt like my Grandma, but she's cool so thats okay) Love the colour - first time wearing one in a race, and yes would wear again if sunny.

2XU Compression Shorts These were great, as didn't ride up or give me a wedge.

2XU Compression Socks These were good, no blisters, they are however pretty thick and found it hard at mile 20 bashing my feet in them when I had cramp. I think I might prefer a thinner sock. They slightly rolled down on my knee too but didn't cause much bother.

Nike Medium Support Bra Its a trusty bra, and only had a tiny tiny bit of chaffing. So pretty happy with that.

Nike Dri-FIT top I tested out my hydration pack in other runs and it rubbed with vest tops. I normally don't like wear tops with capped sleeves but to save the chaff it was fine. The fabric absorbed my sweat and water quickly which was just what I needed in the climate.

Saucony Guide ISO I've worn these since 2013 when I first had gait analysis done and they've been great. I was a bit unsure about the latest updated design - new fancy fabric but all good. No blisters and foot was well supported.

Sunwise Sunglasses Think I need to upgrade these are some point. I bought these from Runners Need in Brighton back in August when I was training for a half marathon. I look hideous in them but they didn't move or slip. They did the job they needed.

Nathan Hydration Pack I did a bit of research on these before I bought one, but saw a post Charlie (@The Runner Beans) had done on them and she had got on well with this one and its pink. Done deal  No chaffing.  Room for phone, gels and shot bloks with easy access at the front.

I'll be surprised if you read this far but this is the best bit...and I can write it because I don't anyone would read this far - this is basically an ultra marathon now in writing. 

PRE RACE FEARS My biggest fears before the marathon were:

1. Not being able to run the whole way.  2. Not being able to run and take the gels and...3. Shitting myself because of the gels. (We all know about Paula, its happens)

I'd struggled with all of these things over the training, doing your long runs is tough because your bound to come to traffic lights or reasons to stop so I had a real fear that I wasn't fit enough to run the whole way. I know its mental when I tell people because their like you trained so hard for this but I was still worried.

Gels, are my best friend and worst enemy. Without giving you TMI training had been a total mixed bag with these. One run totally fine, next run I'm SERIOUSLY panicking looking for a loo in a random cricket club, cafe or shopping centre. I can pretty much tell you were all the public loos are now in London. However for running that amount of time I needed those gels. I took an Imodium in the morning before I left and as soon as they were doing the countdown for the marathon to start I felt a nervous pang in my stomach and thought this is too risky and took another Imodium.

BIGGEST TIPS If you can avoid telling people what time you're aiming to do it in, it will save you some stress you don't need.  I really struggled with the pressure because I had been very open that I wanted to do it under 4 hours. I was always on the fence whether I could do it. And actually had there not been so much congestion around parts of the course/it was stand still at some water stations. I may of been a bit closer. Who knows on a less sunny day. Good job I've got New York when it certainly won't be hot in November.

Lastly smile and enjoy it, it goes in a flash and you'll want to remember as much as possible. I was on cloud 9 for days after - and just wanted to do it all over again. I really couldn't have had a better experience and really urge anyone to give it ago. You won't regret it!!! / You might hate me in January when you start training but when you've got the medal theres no better feeling. It's totally worth it.

Thank you for reading and if you enjoyed reading it let me know as maybe I'll keep doing it. And if you hated it let me know that to so I keep doing it :-)

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“The good the bad the ugly of weeks 4 and 5 Marathon Training”

THAT RUNNERS GUILT.. In the last few weeks I've had a few training sessions either not go quite to plan or in the order they were scheduled, this has give me a huge amount of guilt.

A few weeks ago I managed to keep to the plan while on holiday visiting a friend in New York, but flew the red eye back and went straight to walk, zombie style. The day felt like semi torture but I got through it, there was no energy left in my body to then run the interval session planned. (Also my most hated/dreaded session of the week)

The guilt I felt though for not doing it was probably so much worse than the feeling of doing it, the rest of the week I managed to get back on track but with some difficulty.

SATURDAY TEMPO I then had a logistics nightmare (left my garmin watch charger on the plane) trying to meet a friend who was over from Hong Kong to give her some goodies from my work, by the time it all worked out I was ready to do my tempo run to see it was raining cats and dogs in Hyde Park.

I was starting to feel under the weather so thought seeing, as I was next to my gym anyway I'd attempt it on the treadmill.

I was due to do about 13k (I've probably never ran longer than 5k on the dreadmill before this marathon training started) and after 9k my throat felt like razor blades and the sweat was ridic, I was wearing all my very warm sweaty betty thermal clothing as the run was meant to be outside. Anyway I rolled off the treadmill feeling like a bit of a failure but thought I'd give it one last go finishing off the run in the rain, ran for about 1min with my Hershal's rucksack, it was flapping all over the shop so had to decided to call it quits. I was so annoyed at myself for not finishing the task that I cancelled my friends dinner party. I was in such a bad mood about it all. I was then triple annoyed as I cancelled something I was looking forward to,which made me more frustrated with the running outcome.

SUNDAY 'RUNCH' The long run comes, with 2hour 05mins on the plan, and I can't get myself out of bed for 7am, NYC jet lag has hit me hard. I end up eating my porridge at home as I realise I can't actually eat at the brunch now as due to the timings I would get a stitch on the run. URRGH. I'm very lucky that my friends didn't say anything about me being a total weirdo just drinking tap water (cheap date) and I did have a nice time but while i'm there its at the back of my mind that I've got to get up and run 13/14miles after the brunch.

IT'S GETTING WEIRD Marathon training gets really warped at times as I know a few months ago, if I was going to run a half marathon theres no way I'd be chilling at a brunch just before and I for sure wouldn't be running 9k the day before and would have had a super early night etc. Carb loading etc etc.

I felt quite down after that weekend as I felt like the weekend revolved around only running and as much as I do love it, if you're not in the mood or its not going to plan it can make you feel really crap. I also don't want that to become the only thing I can manage to do on the weekends as can isolate you.

I then had a very bad reaction to a SIS energy gel on the run and was a very very close near miss - thankfully Battersea Park had some loo's not too far away.

Feeling sorry for myself I visited Runners Need on Northcote Road after to purchase what will be my marathon trainers for London.

Its funny because I keep staring at my new Saucony Guide ISO thinking you guys are going to run me a marathon! Can't quite believe that and also like a mega silly wally felt sad 'saying goodbye' to my Guide 10's (Runners Need offer a cool deal where they'll give you £20 off your new trainers for your old ones) my old Guide 10's had served me very well since June.

We ran together -

x1 sprint triathlon

x1 urban tri

x1 10km race

x2 half marathons

along with all the training....

These were the shoes that got me my running bug back again, weird how you become emotional to a pair of holey smelly trainers. Anyway they've either gone to Africa to be given to someone else or will be ground up to make that plastic playground material. So a good cause!

CUTTING OUT BOOZE So my final off plan wobble was this weekend as I had a really good friends hen party in the Cotswolds, I know it would have been beautiful to run around there but I was naughty and did none! Rebel.

I've been pretty good in terms of cutting back my alcohol in take during this training period, as you can see below my training plan isn't very forgiving in terms of nights off to have a few drinks, so I've mostly avoided drinking all together.

I was good on the friday only had a few drinks to get into the spirit and went to bed early ish, but then Saturday the plan had been to not drink at all and to do my long run via my family home in Bristol before heading back to London that Sunday evening (a lot of logistics).

Anyway what can I say those girls are a bad influence and/OR I have hardly any/NO will power. I'm all or nothing kind of girl and as we started early on the processo while making some delicious truffle chocolates, by dinner time I'd totally forgotten about my 2 hour 15 min run! Bad bad Abi and by 11pm I'm jumping in the outside not so heated swimming pool.

Naturally I woke up feeling absolutely horrendous, luckily one of the girls kindly gave me a lift back to London but I had to do all the deep breathing tricks to get through the car journey, had a terrible stomach too. I really cannot handle booze, and need to remember this!! Plus the hangover didn't go away really until Tuesday HELLO EARLY THIRTIES.

RUN THE COMMUTE So with no chance of doing my run on Sunday, although I couldn't enjoy this extra rest day, one I was so hungover but two I felt even more awful for having this impromptu rest day.

NEVER MISS A MONDAY... I don't know how I managed to do this but after being at work 9am - 5.30pm I put on my running gear to make the mighty run the commute from Marylebone to Croydon. Now I've really lost the plot. Who actually does this? I literally don't recognise the person I'm becoming.

I managed to get lost a few times, so was a bit of stop/starting looking at my google maps but I can proudly say I did it. 15.24miles on a frigging MONDAY night!

Apart from a pit stop wee in a random pub in Streatham I was pretty pleased to keep to an average 5.30km pace. Fingers crossed I can try to maintain this as the runs get longer for the marathon as this would help keep me on track for a sub 4 hour finish but at the moment I really have no idea.

ROUTE PLANNING I kept to all the main roads apart from running through Tooting Common however it seemed still pretty safe as lots of cyclists and other runners but has made me think should get some kind of reflectors for my clothes if I do that again.

Seeing the 'Welcome to Croydon' sign felt a little bit like I reached Everest for a small moment, but then I realised ugh you've got to run almost double this distance on the big day so don't get too excited. Having over shot the route a little meant had to run around in spaghetti hoops in Croydon, mentally its pretty tough as you can't place where the ending will be... but managed to finish the run in Lidl, and due to my hangover hadn't just missed my training run on Sunday but also my weekly food shop... Drinking shots of fake apple sourz does this to you!

In many ways I think I needed to let my hair down one last time before the marathon and this was the perfect weekend to do it with good friends so even though I might regret the banging headache, I don't regret the memories (made/lost) this weekend.

My current weekly plans is roughly set in a routine as below but has been re jiggled this week due to my Monday mishap!

Saturday - Tempo run

Sunday - Long run (all day pace)

Monday - REST DAY (HURRAY!)

Tuesday - Strength Intervals

Wednesday - Work Lunch Time Run Club and evening PT

Thursday - Endurance Intervals

Friday - REST DAY

Sleep Run Repeat!

Now need to get my head down and focus on the next training block....

Most importantly its all for the Guide Dogs UK to help support them with all the generous donations I have received.

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Runners World x ViFit #missionmarathon Selection Day

So fresh back from a long weekend with my Mum in Dubai celebrating her belated birthday (managed to do one sweaty run around the palm while I was there too)

I made the trek and it really was from Croydon all the way to Lee Valley Athletics Centre for the Runners World x ViFit Sport Selection Day with the hope of wining a place in the London Marathon 2018.

 I nervously walked into the huge sports centre to already see all kinds of camera/photo moments being set up. (That didn't help the nerves)

I had a feeling as it was for Runner World UK and they'd of course what content for their online/social channels along with their partner Vifit Sport so I put a full face of make up on at 5am, to make full use of my fresh tanned face. One lady in another group admired my blue mascara which was nice that she noticed! (I probably made more effort for this outfit than I do for work)

OOTD

Nike Black Vest (Swapped for Mission Marathon Long Sleeve top)

Sweaty Betty Blossom Print Zero Gravity Run Leggings

Nike Black socks 

Saucony Guide 10 trainers 

Nike Tom Tom watch

As we were waiting for everything to be set up and a few more arrivals we started chatting naturally I think everyone was a bit apprehensive of the unknown agenda for the day. We were told to bring our sports wear to be ready to run! There were 3 groups as mentioned in my other post:

Speed Demons, sub 3 hour

Breaking 4, sub 4 hour 

Finish liners, getting it done!

We were given name labels (felt like school again) with our groups on and then even more awkwardly everyone is then eyeing up each others chests to work out who our direct competition was!

Then after a little breakfast - I was too nervous to eat and worried I would get a stitch but they put on a good spread for us anyway, we rotated into our groups for the day.

RECOVER Ironically our first session was called 'Recovery', a super informative hour with Andy Vincent, Elite PT at Thirdspace Soho (which is actually my gym too although tend to use Marylebone more often)

Biggest lessons learnt is to stretch your big toes and when foam rolling BREATHE into it, takes the edge of ever so slightly, something I'm trying to do more of!

RUN We then went into the athletics 'Run' session with the Olympian Jane Vongvorachoti @janeruns4life, who for the lucky winners would be creating a 16 week bespoke training plan - pretty amazing! 

Jane, showed us some great warm up drills which I've used since too. We then did a 2 lap warm up of the track together and at this point I knew my group were going to be speedy, just had that feeling.

After the warm up it was time to get to it! A 2 mile run at our best form/speed which was 8 laps of the track. We were told by Jane and the lovely Joe Mackie from RW's that its not a race etc etc. However I felt like the group bolted off, I knew I was going to be the slowest and had to just get over that and do my best or i'd be walking by the end if I did there speeds.

First mile Jane informed me I was at 7.32min mile pace - which I think was a PB and considering I've never ran on a track before I was pretty chuffed, then comes the next lap where the stitch creeps in on me and I can feel everyone slipping further away. And then it happens I get lapped but it my head I figured if they want someone who is working towards a sub 4 hour marathon time, they would look at someone who needs to be coached etc and can improve etc. I think the other guys also ran PB's of 6.34 min miles which is incredible and something I can only work hard towards! AMAZING though.

REPEAT I was relived to have the track session done as it was pretty scary having your running form on display for Jane and Joe to make notes on.  Next up was the 'Repeat' session with the Runner's World team and Ben Green from Run Through events.

It was a little moment to test the protein bars and drinks from Vifit Sport and then we all sat down to discuss our previous race history, what distances we'd ran etc and how they went. This was a really informal chat but pretty interesting and was a confident boast too.

I came away from the day feeling super hyped and pumped for whatever the result was. It was so nice to meet the other participants who I'm all now following on Insta so its great to see their running journeys continue and hope to see some of them at races in the not so distance future.  

RESULTS It felt like a painfully long wait for the email to ping in, and was really quite funny in the 3 week lead up to Runners World UK announcing the three winners it seemed like the all of the other participants including myself where upping the anti on social with running. I remember one Sunday seeing that all my group had been for a run and I hadn't yet that weekend, I was home in Bristol for a friends birthday and then had to travel back up to London hungover, the last thing I wanted to do was to go for a run but the fact they all had and we still hadn't heard who had won I was like ohhh right better get out there, in case this was some kind of test. I mean theres worse conspiracy theories to think as it was improving my fitness!

I actually got a message first from one of the boys in the group on Insta to say had I received my email yet with the new. I hadn't actually seen it but had been obsessed with checking and refreshing it all the time - all my friends, work friends, family kept asking me have you heard yet, I'd really got everyone interested/think they just wanted me to stop talking about it.

So when I clicked onto gmail my heart was pumping so fast to see the news I hadn't won I was obviously gutted but what they had offered as a runners up (literally) prize was a place in the Manchester Marathon also in April which I accepted but did have some hesitation about.

When I ran my first and last marathon in Edinburgh Marathon 2015, mentally it was so much harder than expected, super unlucky that it was hail stones and 40mph head winds. Due to the bad weather the crowd support was low (I mean I wouldn't want to stand outside in that weather for 4/5hours but thank you to my friend Olivia who did for me) and the route doubles back on itself so was actually a little boring.

Manchester although a city that I love and have been to many times as my oldest school friends went to uni there and my great friend Jill from my ski season lived there for years, it wasn't a bucket list moment for me, and wasn't what I really wanted. If I was going to put the time and dedication over the freezing winter. I wanted it to be for London.

I had previously decided to run for St Peters hospice in Bristol in memory of a friend and everyone was so kind and supportive with their donations. I had reservations about being able to raise the high among of money you need to pledge for the London Marathon to be worthy of a place. Of course I've always entered the ballot and had no luck.

I looked up as it was late in the charity bond places which charities were still taking applications and have been kindly given a place by Guide Dogs UK - read here why I picked this charity to run my first London Marathon -

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/abi-ashman

Thank you to the Runners World X ViFit teams for a fantastic experience and to be apart of the #missionmarathon journey.

Best of luck to my breaking 4 crew and the other teams who are pretty much all doing Spring Marathons now accept for Nicole who's on another exciting journey of having a baby!

An extra special good luck to the winners, I know @Jo.runs.n.stuff is already smashing PB's just in training!! I know they will certainly smash their sub 4 goal, as for me now its all systems go with training and thinking of fun ways to FUNraise!

There’s some great training plans and a recap of the day is in the current issue of Runner’s World UK if you’d like to find out more. 

https://www.runnersworld.co.uk/training/your-missionmarathon-16-week-marathon-training-guides

You can keep track of my journey on Instagram @absweet and on Strava at Abigayle Ashman.

[absweet-blog]

The start of #missionmarathon Back in November 2017 I saw a post on super inspirational @becsgentry Instagram page (who I once ran with in a The Gentlewoman running club a few years ago) that she was to be one of the ambassadors for the first Runners World UK x Vifit Mission Marathon. The magazine were opening a competition on insta/twitter to win the chance of a spot in this years Virgin London Marathon with three different time categories, for three very lucky people. Finish Liners (first time marathoner), Speed Demons (Sub 3 marathon time) and Breaking 4 (Semi obvious with the aim to finish Sub 4 hours) I gave it a day or two to think about applying, there was no question that I didn't want to run the London Marathon (It had been a dream ever since I moved to London 8 years ago) it was more the personal message to accompany the post to say WHY I wanted to run the London Marathon. Until recently I kept my insta sharing messages to a minimal one line, usually trying to be funny so to suddenly share something I wanted badly on social media with the open rejection very likely was daunting. Nevertheless I thought come on Abi just do it. I had a sneaky look at the hashtag #MISSIONMARATHON to see what the competition were posting and thought its time to get creative with all my past achievements. Bring out the heart shaped bling! (See pic @absweet)  It’s actually a pretty cool feeling looking back at what I have achieved since first accidentally catching the running bug in 2013. I will admit I had a moment where I stopped for a short while after the Edinburgh Marathon in 2015, one reason I was seriously in pain anytime I ran further than 10km (Classic hip and IBT band injury) and the training had completely taken all the love for any enjoyment I once felt. Through testing the water again (literally The Thames) with an olympic and sprint triathlon in 2016 and this summer it gave me my mojo back and made me realise out of the three disciplines running was my love. This kick started me late this Summer to complete in a few half marathons and an urban tri! See Instagram for WHY I wanted to run the London Marathon and my next post will tell you about how I was selected to take part in the selection day and made some new friends along the way!