So, yeah, it’s finally here. PARP! I’ve trained for just over 5 months for this specific marathon and been running in total for just over two years now, building up to this. You can track my progress on the day by sticking my marathon number: 33464 into the London Marathon website on the day.
Today I’m writing for your help to get me round the bloody thing. For those who have been following my progress you’ll know I’ve been blighted by a couple of overuse leg injuries, the pain is mostly from lower hamstring tendonitis and ITBS both affecting my right leg knee area, but after about 15km it radiates out throughout my whole leg. YAY, go me. The treatment for both these is rest, physio, and then rehabilitation. But you know, it happened just before the hardest, longest run block of training about 8 weeks ago – so I’ve been running through it.. Ouchie. But I’ve managed! Training hasn’t gone great, but it’s not been terrible either: I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, and I know I can do a marathon distance.
So yeah, putting it bluntly: getting round a marathon is going to hurt most people anyway, but for me from 5kms in I will be in quite a large amount of pain in my right leg which will build as the marathon goes. Making it round in any time specifically went out the window a couple of months ago, instead I’m focussing on getting round at all to complete my life goal, and enjoy the moment. I’ll do a “proper” sub 5hr marathon in a year or two when I’m recovered.
I could use your help. When things get tough I’m going to be checking in on Periscope – username ThayerP, and I’d love to have you all there sending messages of support and making those little heart things happen. If you can download and install it on your phone, and follow me I’d really appreciate it. You’ll get a little BEEP when I’m broadcasting, and although I can’t type back I can talk back and messages of encouragement and all those cute little hearts that happen when you tap on the video would be great to see. Plus, you’ll get to see what it’s like to be in the thick of the London Marathon, which will be pretty cool I’d imagine. I’ll do some start line footage, some mid race, and a small no doubt crying my eyes out bit after I finish. SNOT BUBBLES FTW!
If you’d like to support in person, the best way is to go to one of my charity, Barnardos Cheer Stations – I will specifically running up to those to see my husband, Dad, and any of you that let me know you’re there (Guiness welcome! haha):
MILE 17 – MUDCHUTE: with the Docklands and Canary Wharf now in sight, we are just over a small hill, past a water station just as you come into Mudchute. All the information about our exact location, what benefits your friends and family can get as well as who to contact on the day can be found here.
MILE 24.5 – EMBANKMENT: The finish line’s in sight and we are there to get you through your final couple of miles. Just outside Walkabout Bar before you go under Waterloo bridge, we are on both sides of the road and cheering louder than any other charity. Again, all the information about our exact location etc can be found here. We have Pandemonium Drummers joining us making loads of noise too, they have been cheering on #TeamBarnardos for 3 years and were the official drummers at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
If you’re going to do that, and I’d love to see you there if you do! You just need to email me your name and I’ll add you to the people they can expect. If you’re cheering me on from anywhere else on the course there’s a high chance I won’t see you I’m afraid (though I’d be supremely flattered!) – just due to the nature of everyone shouting, my focus will be on moving forwards instead of scanning the crowd every time I hear something that sounds like Thayer, TAYER, Thigh-er, etc 😉 – as I will have my name on my shirt.
A huge thank you to everyone for your support so far – the messages on Twitter, Facebook, the emails, the incredibly kind words, the sponsorship. You’ve all kept me going. Seriously.
Right then, big breath. Next update I will be a marathon runner, and writing about how incredibly well it all went..
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