I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did it - I ran my first marathon. *g*

I finished the 26.2 mile course of the Shakespeare Marathon in 4 hours 49 minutes.
I ran all the way with no stops/walking breaks at all.
It was a really fantastic experience. I was pretty nervous beforehand but it was great. The weather was a bit on the warm & sunny side but there was a nice breeze so it wasn't sticky. The course was a two lap one, as there was also a half marathon (running just the one lap). There were 3,500 people signed up to start & most seemed to be doing the half - there were about 1100 marathon starters (I heard) & so the second lap did thin out considerably. There was a really good atmosphere though - especially in & near the town (Stratford-upon-Avon) where there were big crowds cheering. The course started in the town centre, doing a short 1 mile lap round & back along the start line (by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre) & then off into the countryside. It was glorious - running through pretty little villages with thatched cottages & out past fields. I wore my iPod but never even turned it on. I could hear the animals in the fields & bird song - even a cuckoo! (Was it saying something about me, maybe? *g*) I had so many people shout my name in encouragment - it was brilliant (having your name on your vest is such a great idea!) I saw this one particular group of people 4 times around the course & I kept thanking them & when I saw them the 4th time, they shouted 'see you at the finish' & I did! They cheered me along! LOL
Mr B was there to cheer me on too, of course, but his Mom & Dad, sisters & our nephew J all arrived. I didn't know they were coming & so it was such a surprise to see them at the 12 mile mark! I actually filled up a bit, in fact I got a bit full a few times - thinking about Dad & just how great everyone has been supporting me. I think running a marathon must be a very emotional experience - well, it was for me!

I only started to feel it at about 21 miles - my legs began to tire & I did drop off my pace a little bit. But I averaged 11 minute miles & I'm really happy with that.
It was so great to get to the finish line & have everyone cheering & to get my medal! :-)

Thank you all so much for your encouragement & support, & sponsorship too. I've raised nearly £500 for Cancer Research, in memory of my Dad, & am just so very, very grateful!
*hugs*

Here's the obligatory pic of Rascal modelling my race medal!

( Beautiful boy... )

Details of my fundraising page are here, if anyone would like to take a look.

I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did it - I ran my first marathon. *g*

I finished the 26.2 mile course of the Shakespeare Marathon in 4 hours 49 minutes.
I ran all the way with no stops/walking breaks at all.
It was a really fantastic experience. I was pretty nervous beforehand but it was great. The weather was a bit on the warm & sunny side but there was a nice breeze so it wasn't sticky. The course was a two lap one, as there was also a half marathon (running just the one lap). There were 3,500 people signed up to start & most seemed to be doing the half - there were about 1100 marathon starters (I heard) & so the second lap did thin out considerably. There was a really good atmosphere though - especially in & near the town (Stratford-upon-Avon) where there were big crowds cheering. The course started in the town centre, doing a short 1 mile lap round & back along the start line (by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre) & then off into the countryside. It was glorious - running through pretty little villages with thatched cottages & out past fields. I wore my iPod but never even turned it on. I could hear the animals in the fields & bird song - even a cuckoo! (Was it saying something about me, maybe? *g*) I had so many people shout my name in encouragment - it was brilliant (having your name on your vest is such a great idea!) I saw this one particular group of people 4 times around the course & I kept thanking them & when I saw them the 4th time, they shouted 'see you at the finish' & I did! They cheered me along! LOL
Mr B was there to cheer me on too, of course, but his Mom & Dad, sisters & our nephew J all arrived. I didn't know they were coming & so it was such a surprise to see them at the 12 mile mark! I actually filled up a bit, in fact I got a bit full a few times - thinking about Dad & just how great everyone has been supporting me. I think running a marathon must be a very emotional experience - well, it was for me!

I only started to feel it at about 21 miles - my legs began to tire & I did drop off my pace a little bit. But I averaged 11 minute miles & I'm really happy with that.
It was so great to get to the finish line & have everyone cheering & to get my medal! :-)

Thank you all so much for your encouragement & support, & sponsorship too. I've raised nearly £500 for Cancer Research, in memory of my Dad, & am just so very, very grateful!
*hugs*

Here's the obligatory pic of Rascal modelling my race medal!

( Beautiful boy... )

Details of my fundraising page are here, if anyone would like to take a look.