My Marathon Story
LONDON MARATHON 2019

In 2017 I went to watch Beckie run London Marathon – it was a really humbling experience and for the first time ever I thought “I’d like to do this”.

A few days later after the emotions had worn off and reality kicked in, I decided no way! Then a few months later I joined MRC….many of you make it seem so normal to run a marathon so into the ballot I went for London 2019 – Beckie and I had a pact that if one of us got in, the other would get a charity place and we would fundraise together.

October came and, as for many of us, I received the email telling me I didn’t get a place. Slightly sad but I think it was mostly relief! Amy Archard had got in and was in complete shock…especially as she was getting married a month after the marathon!

So I thought that my London 2019 dream was over…but there was still the club ballot to give me a chance. After the AGM on 20 November 2018, the ballot was drawn. When my name was read out I felt in complete shock and think I mouthed a very naughty word! Sorry! It was also a shocker for Beckie as it meant she had to try to secure a charity place! The first person I messaged was Amy – my message read “I only got the bloody place”! I couldn’t stop saying “I can’t believe it” for days!

Beckie managed to get a place with the charity Sense, so at the beginning of January we began our training – following a plan from Alan (thank you Alan!). Quite a few of us were doing London or other spring marathons so we had a group chat and started our regular weekend running group! Luckily the winter was kind to us and we had very little bad weather to contend with. I remember our first 18 miler (furthest I and a few others had ever run) was tough – we ran from the end of the cycle track up through Hilton to Hatton (Nestle factory) and back. Great flat route – but those last few miles up the track were gruelling. You know that Amy, Beckie and I are finding it tough if we stop talking! We were quiet those last 2-3 miles!

Training as part of a group really was fab – it made it pleasurable! Some weeks there were up to 12 of us out together. Thanks to everyone who joined for any of the runs – Vicky, Shelly, Clive, Michael, Paul, Dougal, Ray, John, Callum, Sarah, Marc, Richard, Alan (sorry if I’ve forgotten anyway!)

The last long run (21 miles) for Beckie, Amy and I had to be done on a Friday evening straight after work – again it was a tough run but we had some giggles (all three of us having a wee on the cycle track…we didn’t get spotted!)

As the day approached nerves kicked in…but by the time we went to London on the Saturday I felt mostly excited! We went to the Excel to collect our numbers and bumped into quite a few of the Mickleover crew!

The day came and Beckie and I left our hotel at 7am ready to make our journey to separate start lines. I met Amy at Charing Cross and we made our way to Blue start together. After a few queues for the toilets, it was time to make our way to the start! We didn’t start until about 10.50 and were cold and ready to get warmed up! I was so excited to cross the start line that I forgot to start my Strava! I didn’t stop smiling for the first few miles – loved it! Beckie had started in the red start but we had a masterplan to meet up at mile 4 marker on the left. A few phone calls before the start line and some delaying tactics from Beckie (she was in an early start zone) meant that it worked perfectly – she waited about a minute for us at the mile 4 marker. I was so happy to see her and that the three of us were together again. We stayed together for the whole race and really helped each other round.

We saw some of our friends/families at mile 6, then again at 11 miles. Mile 16 and the next few miles were tough for me, I got a pain in my foot which I’d been suffering with for a few weeks. Was a good boost to see Emma Cull at mile 22 ish! Then at mile 23 we saw our friends/families again – I was so pleased to see Paul and Millie etc – I felt so emotional and had a few tears! But it really gave me a boost as after that I felt great and loved the last 3 miles. To hear strangers shouting “come on Nic you’ve got this” is just so humbling and made me feel amazing! Running up the Mall was just surreal! It felt great to be with Beckie and Amy – we started our training together in January and crossed that finish line hand in hand! It was such a great experience – I loved it! Running a marathon really is like childbirth – painful at the time, but at the end you have something amazing and forget the pain!

I am a week on writing this and I’m still on a high and thinking I want to do it again! I’ve entered the ballot so we’ll see if I’m lucky!

I was apprehensive about the training required – but training as part of a group really was a great experience, I am even going to miss our long Saturday morning runs!

Thanks to everyone for your support and advice – and thanks so much for helping Beckie and I reach a whopping £3500 for Sense!