04:07:28

Am I happy with how the marathon went?  No!  I'm thoroughly chuffed!  All the training must have been worth it, as I shaved 10 minutes off my personal best, and finished 35 minutes quicker than when I ran London 5 years ago.  So, here's how the day went: 

Sunshine!  Well, Saturday's weather would have been much more congenial for running, but it did make London look beautiful.  Of course, applying some sun tan lotion might have been a good idea, but it wasn't one that occurred to me...  I also allowed rather less time to get to the start than might have been ideal, so it was a bit of a rush getting my baggage onto the appropriate lorry and waiting in the exceedingly long queues for the portaloos.  But I made it to the start with 5 minutes to spare; long enough to re-tie my laces another 3 or 4 times! 

The hooter sounded, and, as expected, we went nowhere.  35,000 runners is an awful lot, even distributed between 3 different starts.  I finally got through at 10:12.  That was fine since, thanks to the clever chip system, your time only starts when you actually cross the start line.  Of course, the crowds of runners don't disappear at that moment.  Indeed, people going my sort of pace find themselves in a pack all the way round.  It certainly doesn't make running easy, as you try to judge the speed each person is going, consider the need to overtake and assess the safety of doing so, attempting to avoid at least major collisions, if not the occasional clashing of elbows. 

Spectators are there in even greater numbers, most cheering, some distributing jelly babies or orange segments, some with inexpertly painted boards declaring "touch here for power"!  And then there are the volunteers, uncountable, offering bottles of water and lucozade, vaseline, or medical attention.  What brilliant people.  But probably my main attention was on the runners.  It was astonishing and heartening to see the number of different charities being supported, and very moving to read the little personal messages on people's vests, usually along the lines of "Running for Mum", or "James: missing you".  There is a great sense of shared endeavour, as if the air has become impregnated with the hours and months of effort each person has put in to get to the big day. 

The sense of achievement just beyond the finish line is similarly palpable.  Yet more volunteers manage to retain sincerity  in their congratulations as they attend to a constant stream of runners, clipping off the timing chip from your trainer, putting a medal around your neck, giving you the famous goody bag, or returning your baggage.  Well-organised doesn't even begin to describe it. 

I had even more personal attention from Catholic Children's Society, waiting a short distance away (where the crowds were at least slightly thinner) to listen to the exploits of the four people running for them this year and to take photos.  I hope to be able to share a picture with you before too long.  Meanwhile, I can report that my total is up to £2,725, and remind you that my fundraising page is still open, if anyone feels like adding to that!