Had a great day today supporting everyone, but particularly my bro Kigelia. Well done!!! Shouted to a bloke with a Charlton flag "Top of the League" :-)
Just got in. Firstly thanks to each and every one of you that came out to support today. This was my fifth London and you lot today were something else...Olympic fever maybe?
Finised in 4:20 in the end and well pleased with that considering my training this year and was comfortable all the way around.
Plenty of Addicks around the course giving me strange looks with my "One Chrissy Powell" shout!
Managed a couple of "up the addicks" or "championeeeeees" at mile 4 when it was all so easy. Then at tower bridge I struggled and by mle 15 my knees were in bits. I turned the volume up and gritted my teeth. It was the hardest last 8 miles ever, but all done and dusted.
Saw Mr Slater outside Westferry hollered "Come on Demelza" at him and punched the air as he ran past, turning his head still trying to figure out who the nutcase was!
I did a similar thing outside Buckingham Palace, shouted 'Come on Slater, Champions!' punching the air and he turned round a bit startled.
I see Nell McAndrew went round in 2hrs 54 - less than ½ hour behind fastest British woman and quickest celeb man or woman. I would do a "Would Ya" but can't imagine any dissenters!
Just read that there was a fatality yesterday sadly. Did seem to me that there was a higher than normal amount of people receiving treatment than I would expect for the conditions.
Whether that's because I was a bit further down the field than normal (not that much though) or for another reason I don't know, but I do worry that the prevelance of charity runners is leading to more and more people doing it who are not fully prepared for what's involved.
I did it in 5 hours 27 mins,not even close to the times mentioned so far!Really struggled between 15-20 miles but picked up at the end due to the fantastic support on the streets.Spent last night in bed shivering and with a high temperature,thankfully it's just aches and pains today and fantastic memories.I was dressed as Elvis but had a couple cheers saying go on Evil Knieval!!! I was in a red and white jumpsuit with red cape!it could only be them colours for the CHAMPIONS! Well done to all of you that run yesterday and really sad news about the young lady who died.
BA, I ran past this poor girl with 200 metres to go, it's totally shocked me this morning and makes the time I ran irrelevant.
I ran it in 2010 and I agree, it seemed much worse this year, I saw 5 people in quite a bad way, one person in Blackfriars underpass was in the middle of the road in the recovery position.
It was hotter than forecast, I ran with a hat which definitely helped.
Just read that there was a fatality yesterday sadly. Did seem to me that there was a higher than normal amount of people receiving treatment than I would expect for the conditions.
Whether that's because I was a bit further down the field than normal (not that much though) or for another reason I don't know, but I do worry that the prevelance of charity runners is leading to more and more people doing it who are not fully prepared for what's involved.
BRISK walking pace is defined as 4 MPH which equates to a shade under 6 hours 35 minutes.
By definition anyone completing the marathon faster than that is either walking considerably quicker than brisk or running which requires a modicum of fitness as any unfit person running for a bus or train can tell you.
Was it just "charity runners" needing treatment or so called "proper runners" who'd overstretched themselves?
I speak as someone who ran it with an ambition of breaking 4 hours but wasn't good enough to do so (6' 1" and 14 stone ex rugby players as I was then are not built for marathons) and thus made a conscious choice around the 20 mile mark to slow it up to ensure finishing. My official time was 4:18 actual (as it took 5 minutes just to reach the start line) 4:13.
I saw something similar happen right in front of me at Boston two years ago near Kenmore Square (c. 1 mile to go). A runner collapsed and was immediately swarmed with medical assistance. As I passed, I had no doubt that I had just seen a fatality, based upon the condition that I saw him to be in, and the urgency with which he was being worked on. Ran with chills for the final mile and a half and really felt as though I was in danger of going into shock.
That said, it ended happily, as it was reported on the TV news that night, and they got him to hospital, and he survived a cardiac event, but the whole thing did and continues to really affect me.
A marathon is a very serious undertaking, no matter your fitness level.
The death of this girl is tragic, but I suspect if you took any group of around 35000 people the odds of one of them dropping dead at some point that day are probably quite high. In fact I suspect that the fact that only ten runners have died in the history of the race is testament to how well prepared most runners are.
Yes quite unbelievable isn't it. Can't quite imagine what the poor family are going through.
I ran for CRY - Cardiac Risk in the Young and I just wonder if tests are going to show this poor girl had an undiagnosed heart condition??
I said I wouldn't do another marathon but I must admit I might have a year off and run in 2014 with the CRY fancy dress costume and keep raising money, think it's the least I can do.
Comments
Finised in 4:20 in the end and well pleased with that considering my training this year and was comfortable all the way around.
Plenty of Addicks around the course giving me strange looks with my "One Chrissy Powell" shout!
Managed a couple of "up the addicks" or "championeeeeees" at mile 4 when it was all so easy. Then at tower bridge I struggled and by mle 15 my knees were in bits. I turned the volume up and gritted my teeth. It was the hardest last 8 miles ever, but all done and dusted.
The end!!!
Loved doing the "Champions" chant and them having the energy to join in!
Well done all.
I'm in for the Dublin marathon this year, anyone else?
Whether that's because I was a bit further down the field than normal (not that much though) or for another reason I don't know, but I do worry that the prevelance of charity runners is leading to more and more people doing it who are not fully prepared for what's involved.
I ran it in 2010 and I agree, it seemed much worse this year, I saw 5 people in quite a bad way, one person in Blackfriars underpass was in the middle of the road in the recovery position.
It was hotter than forecast, I ran with a hat which definitely helped.
Great stuff, but obviously sad news.
By definition anyone completing the marathon faster than that is either walking considerably quicker than brisk or running which requires a modicum of fitness as any unfit person running for a bus or train can tell you.
Was it just "charity runners" needing treatment or so called "proper runners" who'd overstretched themselves?
I speak as someone who ran it with an ambition of breaking 4 hours but wasn't good enough to do so (6' 1" and 14 stone ex rugby players as I was then are not built for marathons) and thus made a conscious choice around the 20 mile mark to slow it up to ensure finishing. My official time was 4:18 actual (as it took 5 minutes just to reach the start line) 4:13.
The whole day was an amazing experience organised superbly. The crowds are incredible but......
NEVER AGAIN!!!!
she was raising £500 for Samaritans....Her total is now over £18,000
That said, it ended happily, as it was reported on the TV news that night, and they got him to hospital, and he survived a cardiac event, but the whole thing did and continues to really affect me.
A marathon is a very serious undertaking, no matter your fitness level.
http://www.justgiving.com/Claire-Squires2
What a wonderful tribute by ordinary people who are clearly saddened and touched by this tragic even. RIP Claire.
I ran for CRY - Cardiac Risk in the Young and I just wonder if tests are going to show this poor girl had an undiagnosed heart condition??
I said I wouldn't do another marathon but I must admit I might have a year off and run in 2014 with the CRY fancy dress costume and keep raising money, think it's the least I can do.