VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON 2012

It's that time of year again and with the weather having been rather random or late ,all bets were on London being a rather gloomy damp affair. Having wondered the streets of London on the Friday dodging showers of hail stones my confidence in the weather was not improved. It was then a very welcome suprise upon waking up on Sunday morning to find the sun shining. Getting to the start at around 8.15 I round the weather to be pleasant and not to warm. PERFECT! Having struggled with various injuries over the past couple of years and having been stuck at around 2.42 for at least 4 of those years. Having trained very hard since pretty much November time I was very eager to go any amount faster wether that be just under 2.42 or under the ever elusive 2.40. Being the 2012 year , the race had a record numbers of runners (37,000) and with that there would be plenty of people chasing fast times. I was very pleased with my initial pacing going through half way in a time that if I played my cards right should see me through into a sub 2.42 time. Around 16 miles I could feel my old hamstring injury coming out to play. Luckily with a slight knocking off of my pace and a slight stride adjustment it eased up. With the ever amazing London crowds I actually sped up in the last 2-3 miles and put on as much of a surge as I could in the last 800 metres. With the last 100 metres to go I could see I wasn't gonna get that sub 2.40 but the pb was in the bag. With my calf muscles set to explode I strode out to the best of my ability. As I crossed the finish line I threw two triumphant fists to the year , grimming ear to ear. Final result - 2.40.51 and placing my highest ever position, 188. As a marshall removes my chip he asks "good run?". I beleive my response spoke volumes...."time for a beer!". Same time next year....see you in 2013. Race from from Richard of U&R York.