London 2009 - Reports
Jane Rymer
Woke up 5.50am and dressed for the occasion. This involved spraying hair red, putting it in pigtails and red ribbons and sun cream !!! Even at this time the sun had popped its head up to say hello. Headed down to breakfast, big bowl of porridge and then egg, bacon and beans. Headed for coach with all the other harriers. Coach driver dropped us off very close to start after a couple of enforced diversions. Then we seemed to all go our own way. I was running with Anne so we stayed together and bumped in to Jan, but didn’t see any of the others until later. Got in the toilet queue, went, and then joined queue again a few minutes later. Watched the elite woman start on the big screen then put bags on lorries and then down to start. It was getting quite warm by this time, so no standing in pen shivering. I had no idea what the time was as my Garmin wasn’t charged!!!! Runners started moving forward, I didn’t hear the start but could see that people were starting to run at the front. It took us about 10 minutes to get over the start line. Anne was watching our pace as she had charged her Garmin… Great crowd support all the way and the first 10 miles seemed to fly by. I saw my mum and sister at about 7 miles and stopped for a hug. At one point I heard this loud Scottish Man shouting. ” Jane,Watch out for the dogs”. It was Craig. He passed us but we kept him in our sights, until some stupid man weaved in front off Anne and tripped her up. We took a few minutes out to assess, Anne had a cut on her knee and it looked quite bruised, we had a drink and Anne said she was fine to carry on. At about mile 12 I started getting shooting pains from my knee up my thigh and down the back of it. It was quite painful and I knew then that I wasn’t going to get the time I wanted. At the next water station, I let Anne run on, I didn’t want her to stop for me,s o I didn’t tell her I was going to walk. The next 13 miles were spent walking and running. I was still enjoying it though as the crowd support was just amazing. I even had a proposal of marriage from another runner. I saw my sister and mum again at mile 19, more hugs, just what I needed. After this I started taking sweets from the crowd as I spent quite a lot of time walking. I put my hand in one bowl though and it was horrible and slimey, turned out to be melon. Left my hand very sticky. It was a very warm day and I did go through the showers a couple of times. They were freezing but very refreshing. As I approached the Mall I saw my mum and sister again. I walked a bit, but was determined to be sprinting over the finish line. So at about 80m out I went for it, passed loads of people but could really feel the pain in my knee. Had chip taken off, collected the medal. Didn’t want to wait in queue for finish photo, so just went and collected bag walked to meeting area and plonked myself on the ground and waited. Massaged knee, but it was very sore. All in all a great day. Fantastic crowd support and great music from various bands all the way. I am a bit disappointed that I had to walk as I had been doing well in training and was on target for 4.30-4.45, but, I am in the ballot for next year and who knows, I might be able to get sub 4.30 then.
Marathon Man Syd Wheeler
A record number 16 Chepstow Harriers completed London this year. Unfortunately Mike Smith got a late injury and had to cancel with a week to go. As usual the majority travelled up together by coach staying in the same hotel and enjoying our own pre race pasta party on Saturday evening - 22 in total with non running supporters.
Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the whole weekend experience. Everyone who ran will have their own experiences to relate. For my own it was my 22nd London - think I know the course by now! Unfortunately it was my slowest by nearly an hour but I was delighted to note that both Suzie and Anne Masters beat me home showing how much they have both improved over the years. Never thought a few years ago either of them would run faster than me on my favourite distance - well done to both of you.
We held the usual sweepstake trying to guesstimate the total finishing times for 14 Chepstow Harroers. Craig Dun was the winner just 4 minutes out from the total of 57hours 29min 19secs. Finally well done to Stuart Riggs the first Chepstow Harrier to compete in a wheelchair. His time of 2.31.04 is just 5 minutes faster than the official club record on foot!
John Wright
London was just amazing, the most emotionally draining thing I’ve ever done (believe me its right up there with seeing D&P being born). From arriving at the hotel, expo, start, en route, supporters, finish, the whole occasion from about a week before to now, I honestly cant describe!!
As for the race itself I ran 3:21:56. So very very happy with it considering I blistered AGAIN!! (See photo on the website) at mile 4, and by half way point I thought oh well at least the pain cant get any worst, my right quad packed in and by mile 17 it was game over regards any hopes of PB’ing. Every drink station from there on in I had to stop and pour water over my foot, then jog on to the next point. Bizarrely, any other race you would just pack in, but London will not let you, the crowd will not let you, and the thought of Gill, D&P waiting at the end wouldn’t let me. I also saw them at mile 13 and 22 which gave me such a lift.
As you may know I ran for PhabKids, and had my name on their vest. If one person shouted encouragement at me then I don’t exaggerate when I say 100,000 did too.
So, I did say this was my last regardless, but you guessed it, yes, I was online at 00:30 this morning applying for a ballot place…………….its just mad what it does to you!!
A very sore, aching, jubilant, overwhelmed…….John.
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