This is a bit of a different blog this week as I didn’t write it. My end of season round up to come but I wanted to share this with you, guest written by my good friend and training buddy “the Legend in Lycra”. Hits the nail in the head for me on the mixed emotions that can go through a runner’s head.

“Missed 5/6 weeks running on the lead up to Berlin due to hip/groin pain. Managed to run 2 miles the Tuesday before I flew out so made to do the Breakfast Run on the Saturday morning. Not fast (10:30 mile pace) but perfect for the missus who was running the following day and I did get to run into the Olympic Stadium for a lap of the track which gave me a great buzz.

I already knew I wasn’t going to attempt the marathon in 2017 so I picked up my race pack at the expo on the Friday so I could accompany the missus down to the starting pens on the Sunday morning. Did all the usual stuff the night before, pinning the number to the vest, timing chip on the shoe, so I could convince myself I was getting part of the marathon experience.

At breakfast the following morning, I had a look at the race map & decided I was going to start. Even if I only got to run 2k, at least I was getting something from the weekend. 

Great atmosphere at the start. Busy as you’d expect, but about 15 mins after the elites went, I’m over the start line. We get down to the roundabout where the Victory Column is, and the biggest cheer I’ve heard goes up. I’ve got the goofiest smile on my face and I can feel myself welling up. This is magic and I’m gutted I won’t be finishing this race. Strangely, the legs feel fine & I wonder how far I can go. I decide to do the sensible thing at 8K. I’m dropping out at 10K so I can make my way back to the start, pick up my kitbag, & wait for Tracey to finish. 

I go through 10K in just over 51 mins and step off the road. People are looking at me wondering what’s up as I’m not breathing heavily & I’m not showing any obvious signs of injury. 

As I’m walking back towards the Brandenburg Gate, a Dutch woman urges me to run with her as she’s really slow! I fake a smile and say I can’t & wish her luck for the rest off the race.

I spend the next hour or so watching thousands of delighted runners run through the Brandenburg Gate towards the finish. I’m delighted for every single one of them but I hate them all!

I’ve finally made my peace with it. I thought I had beforehand but attending the expo was tough going. Bizarrely, seeing the medal was hard. Strange coming from someone who just throws his in a box after a race. I am planning on framing my London 2015 one with my bib though. Having missed Berlin, I take a lot more pride in finishing London now. Even if I did crawl the last few miles!”

Thanks to the Legend.