London Marathon 1994

lawner's memory of 17th April 1994

I completed the London Marathon and look back on it as one of the greatest achievements of my life. It was my first (and last) marathon!! It looks like I might be the first person to register a memory of the London Marathon on 'Memoryshare' - this event deserves huge recognition and I hope others will also share their memories too as I know some runners have done it year after year - I consider I'm a mere 'upstart' compared to them.

It wasn't just the day itself that is my mega memory - it was everything that led getting to that point, so here's a insight - apologies if it is a bit lengthy.

Having been a sprinter in my school-days, endurance running was really not my thing and I'm not a natural long-distance runner. But inspired by an enthusiastic group of work colleagues, including Joy who sadly died of cancer in her early 30s, I embarked on a 9 month training schedule. Another motivator was that my husband left me for another woman in January 1993 so I needed a big goal to see me through the emotional roller-coaster that ensued. Anyway, it wasn't all bad news, since, in August 1993 after I had already started my marathon training schedule, I met the man who I later married (the story of our meeting is a fantastical memory in its own right which I'll save for a later date!!).

My training was going well and I had loads of support from my friends, especially cranking up those long runs during the cold winter months. I'd incorporated a couple of road races into my training schedule and was feeling pretty good and confident of getting a time of about 4 hours for the marathon. Then, I had some set-backs - a dreadful cough that just wouldn't clear up even after 3 courses of anti-biotics. Fortunately, a short city break to the warmer climes of Barcelona in January was just what I needed to recover. Training re-commenced and I was doing OK again until near the end of 16 mile run about 3 weeks before the marathon. Something 'snapped' in my right hip - the doctor recommended rest and prescribed anti-inflammatories. It was touch-and-go whether I would be fit enough. I did a few very short runs and decided to go for it (after all I had been very lucky to get a place in the marathon and didn't want to give it up). I'd even meticulously sewn my name in large writing on the front of my vest because friends had said it would be a good idea.

On 16th April, me and my (now) husband travelled down to London and sorted the registration, soaked up the incredible atmosphere and pre-event excitement and went out for a pasta meal in the evening. We stayed at a nice hotel near the Dartford Bridge, but there was a hiccup when they didn't give us the wake-up call we'd asked for. In a massive panic we packed and dashed to the train station only to see our train leaving just as we arrived. With no train for another hour, the only thing to do was to get a taxi. As we approached Greenwich Park the roads were completely grid-locked. The driver got us as close as he could and then we ran the rest of the way. [NB the hotel was great and reimbursed us for the taxi fare and even let us go back to use their pool and leisure facilities after I'd done the marathon].

I had a crazy dash to deposit my belongings (spare clothes etc) in one the lorries the organisers arrange to take the stuff to the finish. Then there was the huge queue for the portaloo!! It just wasn't how I wanted it to be, but once I found a spot to start from (aiming for about a 4 hour finish time), had done a few stretching exercises and chatted to the other runners near me, I started to relax a bit, but my stomach was still full of butterflies. Music was playing over the loudspeakers and it was a real party atmosphere with a buzz of anticipation. The sheer number of people lining up to start the race was mind-blowing.

It was a chilly, windy day, but it was dry. I had an old sweatshirt and a black bin bag on which I intended to discard when I was warm enough. I gave my husband a kiss and then we were off. Hardly walking at first as hundreds of people ahead squeezed through the gates at the start line. It took me about 8 minutes to get to the start line. 2 of my friends - Julie and Sandra (both having previously done the marathon) - had come down to support all the runners and amazingly I spotted them in the crowd. They gave me a balloon which, when I now re-run the video TV coverage, distinguishes me from the crowd - otherwise you would never be able to spot me.

The first part of the route is fairly gently downhill and, concscious of my injury, I thought it best to take it steady. I settled in well and had lots of chats with other runners especially as there were quite a few running for the same charity as me. Everyone was so encouraging. In the meantime, my husband had set off to find various places where he could catch up with me. My nerves had gotten to me and I had to take advantage of a toilet stop at about 4 miles (inevitably there was a queue!!). How come on training runs you never need to stop for the toilet??? Due to the toilet stop delay, my husband was becoming worried about me as he was waiting near Cutty Sark. It was great to see him and have a little kiss on the way.

At about 9 miles, disaster struck and the ligaments in my hip snapped again. I couldn't help screaming with the pain. There was a group of about 6 firemen (all in their kit and helmets) running near me - they all asked if I was OK. I gritted my teeth and said I'd be alright, but in hindsight, I should have asked them for a fireman's lift!! It was incredibly hard but I carried on, sometimes having to walk for short distances, but I was determined to finish what I had started.

I saw my husband again in the grim docklands area - stopped for a quick cuddle and a kiss. My 2 friends also intercepted me again and they ran alongside me for a while to give me some encouragement. Because I was now well behind my original schedule, most of the drinks stations were completely empty. The hardest part was running along the Embankment as it seemed to go on forever, but the crowd was fantastic. They shouted out my name - how glad was I that I'd spent those hours sewing it on my vest - 'Come on girl' they'd say. Many were offering sweeties and other edibles - absolutely fantastic.

As I finally turned into Bird Cage Walk, my husband was at a set of traffic lights with Big Ben in the background, offering more encouragement and a quick kiss. I really felt the end was in sight, but my body was telling me it was desperate for something. My training had only ever taken me to about 21 miles, so anything after this was completely new territory. At the time, I didn't know what it was my body needed. I carried on 'running' but by now, I felt I was barely moving. The crowds were several people deep down Bird Cage Walk. I passed an elderly gentleman who was holding segments of peeled orange out to the runners in his hand. I went past him, but after a few paces, turned back - this was exactly the sugar boost my body needed. I'll be forever grateful to that kind man as he just gave me that little bit of something extra that I needed to get to the end.

Then I turned into the Mall - all I could focus on was the finish - paying absolutely no attention to the surroundings. Every pace getting me that little bit closer to the end. In the final few steps, I managed to have the presence of mind to think about what I would look like when they photographed me crossing the line (not so much vanity, but this would be a lasting record of the day) so, gathering all of my last grains of energy I raised up my arms whilst simultaneously smiling (or sort of!!). Forgot to say my finish time was 5 hours and 3 minutes (although, technically it was less than 5 hours as it took 8 minutes to cross the start line) - not bad considering the injury.

My legs were completely jelly and surprisingly brown (I assume due to wind burn as there was no sun). I accepted all offers of drinks and sugar boosts from the officials and collected my bag containing my personal belongings as well as some goodies, like a reflective cloak to keep me warm. I managed to get to the area they had arranged for runners to meet up with their family and friends. This was trees, each marked with a letter of the alphabet. I went to the appropriate one for my surname. By this time there weren't loads of people around as the main peak of runners had already finished and dispersed. I could barely stand, let alone manage to get my warm clothes on. I saw my husband standing nearby but had no energy to shout him or to even walk those few steps over to him. Eventually we were reunited. We had a bit of pampering back at the hotel and he drove us home. I sure did sleep well that night.

I raised hundreds of pounds for 2 charities and I have absolutely no regrets about running the marathon (but I know my body is just not built for that kind of exercise so I won't be doing another one). We now have a little boy who I hope, when he is a little bit older, will be inspired (more likely amazed) that his mum managed to run 26.2 miles. I hope that anyone who reads this memory will also be inspired and feel that obstacles in their life can be overcome. I've just been watching the 2008 London Marathon - even hearing the music brings back the emotion of 1994 and a little tear to my eyes. Unfortunately, I watched on TV this time, but I will be making the trip to London when our boy is a bit older so we can offer our support to all of the courageous runners who are achieving massive personal goals and raising much needed funds for charities.

And when we go, we will be taking plenty of oranges to offer to the runners!!

More memories from lawner

This memory was added 13th April 2008

Keywords: London marathon 1994 BBC London

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