Congratulations to everyone who completed the virtual London Marathon or any other distance today. You are all amazing 🙂

I attempted to complete my own virtual London Marathon but failed.

I had what I thought was a cunning plan; I was going to walk throughout the night and early morning. I was going to capture the 26.2 miles in selfies; at the end of each mile, I’d take a selfie as a way of documenting my marathon walk. I’d walked a lot of miles, had tapered and had carb-loaded (eaten a few too many chips). I’d visualized this medal arriving in the post.

I also had visions of finishing the 26.2 miles and getting home in time to watch the elite London Marathon races. I’d mapped myself out a route, dug out several sets of running clothes, and trainers and was good to go. The only not so positive was the weather. It rained all day in Four Oaks yesterday and is still raining now. For once, the BBC Weather forecast was pretty much spot on.

Tonight: Very wet across southern Britain with a risk of local flooding. The rain will become more widespread across England & Wales during the early hours and will develop across eastern Scotland too. Windy across S Wales & SW Eng. A mild night away from W Scotland & N Ireland. pic.twitter.com/JwcBdsAAQd

— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) October 3, 2020

I prepared myself mentally for a wet, windy, and chilly walk around Four Oaks. I smothered myself in BodyGlide and wore running clothes I knew from experience were less likely to chafe. I checked my phone was charged, my Garmin was charged and I set out the door at midnight and headed out into the torrential rain.

The route I’d mapped out was a loop approximately 8 miles long. I figured that if I needed to I could stop after each loop to take on food, pop to the toilet, have a drink, change my trainers and socks, etc.

I felt great – well as great as I could do given the weather conditions – throughout the majority of the first loop. I ran the first 0.25 miles of each mile and then walked the rest. I was soaked through to my skin within the first couple of miles but I felt warm. The wind was relentless but I refused to let the conditions frustrate me. It was very much a case of think positive thoughts and have fun. I felt so good at the end of the first loop, and I was worried that I wouldn’t want to leave my house if I stopped off so I decided to carry on.

It didn’t take me very long to regret this decision.

The second (and final) loop was a complete contrast to the first loop. The rain seemed to get worse, my trainers and socks were soaked through, and I could feel hotspots on the bottom of my feet. I couldn’t stop thinking about my spare pair of warm and dry socks and trainers. Looking back and isn’t hindsight wonderful, I should have gone home, charged my Garmin, and got changed into a set of dry clothes and trainers.

My marathon attempt ended just after 4am at 17 miles. A low battery warning appeared on the screen of my Garmin and when I checked, I discovered that although I’d only been using it for a smidge over four hours, the battery was down to 7%. I could feel the blisters on the soles of my feet getting worse, I was cold, I was drenched and I’d had enough. I’d failed to respect the marathon distance and had paid the price.

I got home, managed to remove my sodden running gear, stood in a red hot shower for several minutes, got changed into my warmest pyjamas, and headed to bed. I couldn’t sleep as I couldn’t stop shivering so I created this masterpiece.

I don’t think any of the selfies show just how wet and fed up I was after spending four hours outside in the wind and rain. At least messing around making this GIF helped me to sleep.

I managed to sleep through most of the elite women’s race but got to watch Brigid Kosgei win again and Sarah Hall pull off the most impressive sprint finish I think I’ve ever seen at the end of a marathon to take second place.

The moment Brigid Kosgei won her second consecutive Virgin Money London Marathon. 👏🔥#LondonMarathon #The40thRace pic.twitter.com/UErGQc88nG

— TCS London Marathon (@LondonMarathon) October 4, 2020

I’m a little ashamed to admit that I didn’t watch the elite men’s race as I headed back to bed for a couple of hours. I kind of assumed that Eliud Kipchoge would win, so I was amazed when I saw the result of the men’s race.

Just wow! 🤯

What a finish to the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon as Shura Kitata wins the sprint finish.#LondonMarathon #The40thRace pic.twitter.com/y1HsUBA4f3

— TCS London Marathon (@LondonMarathon) October 4, 2020

Shortly after, Kipchoge updated his supporters. A reminder that even the best marathon runner in history can have a bad day at the office.

After 25 kilometers my ear blocked and it couldn't open anymore. But this is how sport is, we should accept defeat and focus for the winning next time.

Thanks for the support. pic.twitter.com/No1Kcyizco

— Eliud Kipchoge – EGH🇰🇪 (@EliudKipchoge) October 4, 2020

I hope that the issue was caused by the weather conditions and that Kipchoge doesn’t have an injury. I’m sure that Kipchoge will be back doing what he does best soon; setting World Records and winning marathons.

I know for sure that I won’t be attempting to complete another marathon. My marathon days are definitely over. 26.2 miles is a long way! I think 13.1 miles is my absolute limit. Although I got nowhere near completing 26.2 miles, my early morning walk wasn’t completely in vain. I have no idea how, but I spotted and therefore rescued £22 while I was walking through the centre of Mere Green. This covered the cost of entering the virtual London Marathon.

I want to finish by saying please don’t let my experience and moans and groans put you off. If you do want to have a go at completing the London Marathon and you should do as the 2006 and 2008 London Marathons remain two of my best race experiences as a runner, the ballot for the 2021 event is now open.

The ballot will remain open for six days to give everyone who would like to enter the event a fair chance to do so. The 2021 ballot will close at 17:00 on Friday 9 October 2020.

The 2021 ballot results will be announced in early January 2021.

Good luck!

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