My London Marathon- Stephen Hanley
Stephen managed a wee radio appearance, a wee wave at Gaby as he reached the finish line on the telly and had a great day out to make all the training worthwhile.
What was the weather like on the day?
A lot has been said about the heat and blaring Sunshine. First time I have ever ran in a hat, which I soaked at the water showers and it cooled my head down briefly. A wee breeze would have been nice!
How was the course?
It’s a great course, it lives up to the hype. The turn onto Tower Bridge is incredible. My highlight was the stretch after this where you are at halfway and the runners on the other side of the road are at 22 miles I think. I saw Eilish McColgan on the horizon charging towards us. I used up some energy to give her a massive shout. Then it was Philly Bowden, huge shout too! Just before we split again, the elite men appeared and I just got a glimpse of Kipchoge before we turned down to Limehouse. What a moment. Couldn’t have timed it better.
How were the crowds?
Unbelievable. There really isn’t a quiet point. Even with the start being split, the early miles are still packed. The noise through Greenwich leading to Cutty Sark was deafening. Managed a high five from my wife at Canada Water. She said the crowds were so busy that everyone compares their tracker app and take turns at the edge of the pavement when their runner is coming!
Bling? Was the medal/ t-shirt worth it?
The medal is superb. Wore it all day Monday travelling home. Seemed like the done thing…. The T shirt was OK, bit weird getting it before the race! Preferred the ones I bought at the Expo!
How was your training block?
Given the time constraints with a 1 year old, limited myself to short lunch runs and one big run at weekends only. Never broke a 45 mile week. Got all the long runs in, but it never quite felt enough. Thought I had tapered well, and good physio in the last few weeks too. Learnt a few more lessons for the next one! First one is to grow some hamstrings….
How did your race go?
I breezed to halfway bang on target pace. I didn’t alter the pace plan based on the heat, just took on a lot more water….which may have caused toilet stop at mile 15! After that, the next gel didn’t go down at all, same issue I had at my only previous marathon. Stopped a few times to gag and couldn’t get going back on the pace. Both knees went simultaneously and my achilles flares up, all in the space of 3 miles! Really chuffed with digging in, run/walk for 10 miles. Was amazed to see 3.21 at the end, felt a lot slower. Only 4 mins slower than PB, but 10+ shy of my goal…. Don’t care! What an experience. Might even buy the photos for the first time ever.
What was your favourite part of your weekend?
Got to be the family experience. My wee boy Ben had an absolute ball. While I was running, he found a huge bit of empty grass outside Big Ben to chase pigeons. Getting the pram back on the tube after was like marathon number 2 though! Jennifer didn’t get her goal of seeing Harry Judd, but she did see Eddie Redmayne.
Also got to experience the whole thing with my pal David Murray of Newton Road Runners (former Inverkip punter) with his family in tow too. 2 faces for radio, as evidenced on BBC Radio London from the finish line!
Official Time – 3.21.24
