The day started at 5.30am when I woke up and thought "shit I've got to run a marathon today". Debated getting up at that point but then dozed off again. Woke up at 6.30am and thought "yep definitely got to run a marathon today". Got up and went down the stairs to eat my marathon breakfast.
Then got my stuff together and checked in on Facebook and Fetch to say good luck to my fellow runners. Got a lovely message from Alastair Scott who told me to start slowly and enjoy myself. I had been fretting about my ankle which has been sore since it pinged a few weeks ago. But after a day of Ibuprofen and rest it was okay - but I did have a sore back (which I didn't mention as I hoped it would just go away). Despite having a great run up to the marathon in training I wasn't feeling at all confident. But I had come too far to not start. So off we went in the car.
At one point Alistair asked me if I was quiet because I was thinking "what am I doing?" or if I was just pre-race quiet. Probably both I think. We parked the car at Alistair's work and nipped into the City Chambers to go to the toilet - much nicer than the portaloos. We then wandered down the bridges to the start at Regent Road. It was really busy with runners everywhere and my nerves shot through the roof.
Alistair met someone he knew from work and they began to talk shop, which was good for me as I could just busy myself getting ready whilst listening to them chatter. Then it came time to part with my bag onto the baggage trucks. Once your bag is on that truck there is no turning back. Alistair left me at this point as he had to go back to work to check on the traffic arrangements for the marathon. I had taken with me one of the many silver blankets that I have gotten in my goodie bags over the years and wrapped it around me.
It was great as it kept me just warm enough not to start chittering. At this point I thought I might visit the toilet again (it is amazing how a marathon renders you incapable of lasting two minutes without heading to the queue again). I ended up in the longest toilet queue ever, texted Tracey to inform her of this fact (she probably didn't need to know this but I needed to make contact with someone outside this crazy madness). Eventually I got to the stinky portaloos (not that I can smell them but I was informed several times of this fact) did what I needed to do and then headed for the starting pen that I was in. Once in the pen I began to settle as everyone starts to talk to each other which is the really great bit about marathon running - loonies united!! I only parted with my foil blanket at the very last minute and had to be talked out of it by a nice lady who said she would take it from me at the last moment.
At last, the countdown began, 10, 9, 8........3,2,1 loud Rocky music signifying the start. Total anticlimax as it took us 20 mins after the countdown for us to start running.
Off we went. Down towards Meadowbank, round Lochend Road (didn't know at the time that there was a major crime incident at Jock's Lodge. We did wonder why there was a massive police presence at the front of Meadowbank). Then we headed down Lochend Road where I got a loud cheer from one of my colleagues and her husband. Round Leith Links and onto Seafield Road. By this point the clouds had parted and the sun came out. At this point I thought "here we go, hot like last year". I had practised this part of the route a few weeks ago so was quite happy toddling along towards Portobello.
Then we were onto the Prom. I love running a race here as you can see all the runners stretched out along the Prom - it is amazing to see. We got half way along and then we were greeted with a drumming band which really got the blood rushing.
This was also one of the great water stations (very much needed at this point). About half way along the Prom there were huge crowds and they were all cheering. The crowds were really close and it was like when the cyclists on the Tour de France have to cycle through them all - it was awesome. I then started to wonder if I would see my Mum and Dad as this was where they saw me last year. And, yep there they were - excellent. It really gees you on when you see someone you know. A quick chat and a high five and I was on my way. Next stop Musselburgh.
I knew that I had another supporter just before Musselburgh as another of my colleagues lives along there. Sure enough Kirsten was hanging over her wall and gave me a big cheer and yet another high five. Onto Musselburgh now. I was running really well and really enjoying myself at this point. No sign of the sore foot, not thinking about it though just in case it appears again.
As I ran onto the Musselburgh seafront I heard "Go JaneyM" it was Sandra (aka Santababy) giving me a huge cheer. And I knew I had more Fetchie love coming around the corner at 8.5 miles. As I turned the corner I could see the balloons but no Fetchies. "Blooming heck" I thought, "have I taken so long that they have all gone for coffee to Christina's?" then I saw them all on the other side of the road - Sai (aka McNewbie) and Christina (aka Spicedapple) spotted me as I ran towards them shouting "Oi Fetchies". Sai had an airhorn and the rest of the Fetchpoint gang all screamed and jumped up and down. I love them all so much. I told them to squidge up and I would take their picture.They all laughed and squidged together. Chris (aka The Rentboy) was larking around showing off his name on the back of his t-shirt. I grabbed some jelly babies and headed off totally high as a kite. I love being part of Fetch. Thanks guys for being there.
I was getting near the point where I had to run past the finish line. So I just got my head down and focussed on getting to Prestonpans. As we were running into Prestonpans the front runner passed us. There was a huge cheer and you could hear it rippling as he passed all the runners in the crowd. These guys are amazing. They are on their way back and we were only at the half way point. Still I was still going strong and trotting along quite happily with no aches and pains. Worked our way along the coast and I knew my next support would be at 15 miles with Tracey and her lovely cold water! It really helps knowing that there is someone there going to shout on you. I was still running strong and was eagerly looking out for her. And there she was standing with my cold bottle of water. I took a couple of mouthfuls and then tipped the rest into my bottle. I knew I would see her again at the same point (but then 19 miles). Tracey is a good friend, she said today it was really cold waiting and she had a bit of a cold today - that is above and beyond the call of duty - big big thanks Tracey.
This is the bit that I knew would be tough. You can see all the way along the coast at this point to the gatehouse at Gifford House. And it looks like it is miles away. It must only be about 2 miles but it looks like much more than that. We got to the Gifford House gatehouse and you had to run past it and do a stupid dog leg. It seemed to take ages to turn and annoyingly there was a sign saying "turning point ahead" which never seemed to come. There was a lot of swearing at that sign. Finally, we got to turn and head into the Gifford Estate. I was running along with this nice man and we both laughed as we turned at the same time and noticed the huge, beautiful building which we almost missed as we had our heads down. We both said at once "look at the nice house". Turning out of Gifford House Estate and I was on my way home. Well at least pointing in the right direction. I still had 8 miles to go at that point. In the grand scheme of things it was only 8 miles, but flipping heck it was still 8 miles. But I knew I'd see Tracey again at 19 so on I went. And there she was still waiting for me. Huge thanks Tracey, you have no idea how great it was to know you would be there. It really helps you along.
So 20 miles passed - just 10K to go now. I can do that easy I thought. At this point my love of Gels ran out. Yuk, yuk, yuk my stomach revolted and basically said "put one more of those things in me and I'll make you pay for it" so I got out my malt loaf. Aaaahhhh.... real food. It was delicious if a bit soggy, it had been in my back pocket for 20 miles.
I knew that I would see Alistair and Rhona at some point as they were bringing their bikes to come out and meet me. My guess was that I would see them at around 23 miles. And just before 23 miles at Cockenzie Power Station I could see the two of them pedalling towards me. I could have cried. It was so nice to see them, not only because I was getting tired but also because this meant I was nearly finished. They cheered me on and then pedalled past me a bit. I got into step with three runners from Liverpool who were talking themselves into the last three miles. They said it was just twice round their local park - I said yep just a parkrun. Alistair and Rhona then passed me again and shortly after that, just out of Prestonpans I had a bit of a wobble, I slowed and walked for a few steps. I looked at my watch and saw that it was only 4.30. Right get going if you can keep running for the last 3 miles you could pull out a time that is faster than the last 3 marathons you have run. So that is what I did, I kept going all the way to the finish.
It is quite a long run once you get back into Musselburgh but at the roundabout there was a huge crowd and everyone was shouting "go JaneyM". This one woman turned to me and said "you must be local everyone knows your name" I turned pointed to my name on my vest. She smiled and said that was a good idea. Not long to go now, although it did feel like an age. I knew it where the finish line was because I had practised it two weeks earlier so I could keep going.
Turned into the Pinkie playing fields onto the bouncy mats. I could see my watch was at 5:14:30 so I picked up my pace and sprinted to the line (sprint finish Tracey). Managed to land with a Fetchie wingwave (in Carolyn's honour aka Nywanda). 5:15:09. 15 mins faster than last year. Result!!!
All in all a good day out running.
don't worry, be happy :)
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