"Well, it’s over. The big day has come and gone and I’ve finally had the opportunity to complete the London Marathon again after a 12 year gap.
This time around was much more painful than I remember from before, although rose-tinted glasses maybe playing a part in my selective memory.
Yet, importantly, I have fulfilled my goal and achieved my Jenrick Experience!
I have to admit that crossing that finish line was an extremely emotional experience. You don’t realise how much mental energy it takes to complete the marathon until you’ve reached the end, especially as this time around it was not plain sailing by any stretch of the imagination!
Let me rewind a little and go back to the starting line . . .
There I was at the start coughing and spluttering with a stinking cold (which I had developed since Thursday), piling Fisherman’s Friends into my mouth just to try to breath - I am serious too!
Managed to then plod away for ten miles at 10 min mile pace, which was fine considering the cold . . . but then my knee started getting tender (an injury which occurred three weeks ago and nearly forced me to pull out completely).
Had to change my plan of attack from that point on just to make certain I could complete the marathon and only allow myself to run for 150 - 200 paces and then walk for 50 - 70 paces, and to also ensure I didn’t over stress it and cause any permanent damage.
Had to keep up that tidy routine for the next 13 miles – or to put it is real terms, about 3 hours!
Then in the last few miles I felt more confident that my knee was holding so I stepped up the pace a bit again.
Finished in a slow 5 hours 20 something, but I had no choice than to do it that way.
Crazy thing was, my legs still felt quite fresh at the end, so I am happy that the training I did was on the right lines.
What was particularly satisfying was that we raised over £2,500 for Children in Crisis, so much of which was due to the generous support of all those within the Simon Holdings Group, which I and eternally grateful for.
I definitely feel like I’ve got unfinished business here now, so watch this space again once my knee has had time to heal!
Thank you again and my Just Giving page is still live for anyone still wishing to make a donation - http://www.justgiving.com/kevinmatthews
Incidentally, this was final marathon which will be sponsored by Flora, so I was particularly pleased to have been part of it."