Its a long, long way...

Ah the entry I've been waiting for... I am now officially post-marathon. Am a "finisher". Have a medal and everything.

I think I spent much of the last 20 k thinking in my head what I could write on my blog, so that I could stop thinking about how bloody difficult it was to keep putting one foot ahead of the other. Naturally I didn't come up with anything all that exciting, my brain power seemed to be absent by that point.

At least anxiety dreams were not predictive. I did not either lose my trainers or run alone at the back of the pack, although it was clear at the start that Berlin is a race for serious athlete types. Not a fattie or oldie in sight. and very disappointing lack of fancy dress. Still at least that way I didn't get overtaken by a womble, which would always have been disheartening.

Its kind of hard to say what a 42K race is like. Really very nice to have Alan with me for the first half, but I lost him somewhere after 23k and had to carry on alone. I think this was possibly a good thing as I was in a somewhat delirious state for much of the second half. There was definately whimpering at points. And counting footsteps. Seemed to keep me going.

Had an absolute highlight from Bryan Adams at one point, and quite enjoyed John Denver. German crowds were quite peculiar. A lot of noise makers (literally people who had come out with a saucepan and a spoon and just banged it as you went past!). But I was very unimpressed with the bugle player who gave me the Last Post at about 10ks. Seriously I had a long way to go at that point, it seemed really quite out of place. Bastard.

Anyway, made it over the finish line, which was bloody amazing. Spectators stands on both sides and music all the way down from Brandenburg gate. Felt like a hero... but afterwards I was so tired I had to get someone else to get my timing chip off my shoe as I couldn't bend down. Absolutely amazing crew in the form of Pete, Jo, Coralie, Nigel and Sally who are all friends and running as well. Despite their own tired legs seemed to be able to pick me up and take me for beer. To be fair I lasted about an hour in the pub before I was half asleep on the table.

Still, one race down, and now a break from training for a little while. I got a text message from Alan in the middle of the night last night and I think its fair to say he has fallen back off the wagon.

Now I wonder how long it will be before I can walk down stairs...