Well I/We (my mate Alex) did it.
I am writing this from my bed as I cannot move, we finished in 6 hours and 13 minutes and it was the most amazing experience of my life (after kids and marriage)
We set off at 7 am this morning to Charing Cross and boarded a train to Maze Hill - don't ask I have no idea it even existed and shall never be going back there!
We laughed with fellow lunatics and were delighted to know that people had trained less than us!
On arrival at Greenwich along with 35,000 other runners, we me up with our charity - The children's Trust, had a photo call - and then I went to pieces as it hit me I was about to run 26.2 miles. Calming down was not an option at this point. So we queued for the beautiful porta loos, which was enough to bring me to my senses and then headed for the RED start enclosure, where we stood with 3 rhinoceros', a 12 foot high pink MacMillan nurse, a camel, couple of clowns and a girl dressed as the LA PD attached to a rubber tyre!
Once the start of the race is official, it takes 15 minutes to get to the start line, then you can start running - for your life.
We ran the first 10 miles, had a bit of a walk when we went up hill, ran into a pub at 8 miles to use the toilet (no more porta loos for us) - the cheering from all inside was amazing.
My admiration for the great British public is renewed, they came out in their thousands to cheer us on and it is unbelievable to hear your name (written on your vest so they know) shouted out to encourage you to go on.
At Mile 13 it is nothing more than depressing as on the opposite side of the road are the professionals who are on mile 22, it was for me not only depressing but bloody annoying, but on we went, through the Isle of Dogs - won't be going back there again! - under a tunnel where everyone walks as you can't be seen by the public and emerged to people sipping champagne and cheering us on.
At Mile 15 I lost my sense of humor but not the smile on my face that was permanently fixed from the start of the race and is still there as I type this email.
We kept pace with the Rhino's and 3 British Soldiers , who had full back pack gear strapped to them. Children hand out sweets along the way and with your name still being constantly called out, we were celebrities for those 26 miles.
Mile 18, felt good, into single digits home now, but feeling pretty awful! We swopped some drugs with a fellow runner, she wanted paracetamol and we wanted Ibuprofen!
We agreed we would run the last 5 miles so saved a bit of energy at this point.
Mile 22, I saw my family, that really helped and we all hugged kissed, I cried and went on our way.
The Rhino over took us but we gained speed and passed - hooray! We were now on that depressing bit that I mentioned earlier but its the home stretch, so we looked to see if there was anyone on the other side that was only 13 miles and sure enough there was a camel - well a man dressed as a camel, he should be just finishing now.
Mile 23 - my left knee gave in and Alex kept telling me we were going to do it, but it hurt and no drugs were going to make a difference.
When you see mile 25 you know you are nearly there- obviously - and then its 600 mtrs, 485 mtrs and as you come to the straight of the Mall, the emotion kicks in. We held hands and carried on to the finish line, where I burst into tears not believing that we had just run 26.2 miles and walked a bit, but we never crawled.
We collected our medals, had a photograph taken and then tried to sit down on the pavement, let me tell you, it is not possible to sit down in a normal fashion, one has to bend over and wait for the pain to lighten before bending the knees which for 6 hours have been locked. It then takes some time to rise again and not very elegant I may add.
So we did it, we stuck together, never lost each other and finished together, and I can honestly say I will never run again ever, not even for the bus!
I would like to thank my family, friends and clients for their support, the tips, the emails, the text over the last few days that meant so much. To my children who endured television on a Sunday morning for 3 hours whilst we trained, I know how hard it was for them, not ! and to my husband who still managed to remain in bed through out but kissed my fee last night and I know that got me through it.
To the office for putting up with me running in and sometimes not bothering to shower and for paying for the taxi that followed me every morning I ran to work with my computer and cloths in it (sorry boys but all in the name of charity)
For the IPod that was never fully charged ever!
My mother for constantly telling me I was crazy but I know how proud she is, love you mum.
My heart monitor which told me I burned 3043 calories, now that's impressive.
To my mate Alex, for organising our weekly runs, making me laugh, filling my bum bag with all the relevant things for the big day, for encouraging me. I would never have done it without you.
And finally for Justin, the little boy with so much courage who stole my heart and gave me the inspiration to do something meaningful with my life. - THANK YOU.
So that's it, its over, the running shoes will be hung up for ever, my medal will go on display until people get bored! I have had the most amazing day, I am very proud and I will remember this day for the rest of my life.
Thank you to everyone who sponsored me, and if you were concerned that I might not finish (pictures attached to prove it )and was waiting till I did and wants to sponsor me now, then here is the link!
Good night - Ruthie xxxxxxxx
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