Well I did it! It wasn't easy but then neither was it particularily hard - its just a case of plodding on actually trying not to go too fast. The biggest problem that I have is that I haven't run these kind of distances before and so I have no idea how my body is going to react - you read so much about runners crashing and burning in the last few miles of a mara that it scares the willies out of you - if nothing else just think how embarassing it would be to be staggering around the streets of London at 24 miles.
I am still convinced that much of it is just mind over matter - I know I can run the distance now and even though it is going to hurt I just need to keep plodding along and see what the day brings. I have a secret hope of getting in under 4 hours (not so secret now although I think only my mum reads this - hello mum!) but am torn between going for that and taking the chance of hitting the wall or just enjoying my first mara and going more slowly. I expect that the competative instinct will step in and make that decision for me on the day.
So a windy and cold run - I found it easier in that I have run 20 miles before so pretty confident on the mileage but the conditions were much much harder - changed me route halfway through as the wind was so strong and cold by Virginia Water lake that I couldn't face running round it twice.
Taper starts now and I am looking forward to shorter runs (although when exactly 12 miles became a short run in my twisted little mind I am not sure) and relaxing!
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