Reflections from Ickenham

From Rumon

As I look out into the Fowles’ bucolic backyard, it’s hard to imagine we’re just a one-hour tube ride from downtown London; like a colt that’s been too long in a stall (here the stall being the concrete confines of downtown London), I can’t wait to get out for a run through the pastures. A quick few updates before doing so:

• It’s incredibly sobering to hear about the death on Sunday of a 22-year-old London Marathoner, to say nothing of the 5000 other runners who had to receive St. John’s Ambulance treatment. There have been comments raised that the organizers should have provided more water, but given the thousands of extra bottles they put out upon hearing the weather forecast and the fact that aid stations were already placed at least every mile, it’s impossible to maintain a position that the race is entirely to blame. Should some of that blame rest with the earlier runners, runners like me who took water at nearly every aid station, but never the full bottle that was provided? Individual bottles were a wonderful luxury while you were drinking from them, but the waste of both plastics and water was manifest. Bottom line, it’s a horrible tragedy that a young man passed away in the midst of the pursuit of what was surely a lofty personal dream.
• The legs are feeling a little creaky this morning, but no worse than after a hard long run, which is what the marathon amounted to in the end. Not so good though that I could answer Michael’s question this morning, “Are you going to run the Garden City 10k [in 5-day's time]?” with anything other than, “Are you daft?!?” I may be keen to run already, but not a hard 10k. Give me another week, though, and perhaps you’ll see me at the adidas Vancouver International Half Marathon.
• For a great read and to find out what those much faster than Michael and I do after their (variously successful) marathons, check out Matt’s latest Daily Run over at Chasing KIMBIA – it’s fantastic.
• Michael left his camera lying around this morning, so I took the opportunity to sneakily upload some of his excellent pictures to our Flickr site. Now, at long last and after what was surely an unbearable amount of anticipation, you can see photodocumentation of the infamous double-decker/lorry crash. Also some great pics of the Fowles kids, the Ickenham environs from Michael’s earlier stay and more London pre-race.

You know, Michael and I have to be two of the luckiest guys on Earth…

First day of recovery

We had a great day today, playing tourist, eating the types of foods we’ve been foregoing the past while, rehydrating in a manner of speaking (it’s St. George’s Day – the English equivalent of Irish St. Patrick’s Day – here in London and the pints are flowing around the city, the red and white standards flapping in the breeze).  We cruised by Westminster Abbey, photodocumenting the spot where we met up yesterday, less than a mile from the finish; through St. James Park and its blossoms; by 10 Downing; into and around Soho, poking our heads in a few shops.  In the end, it was likely just what the doctor ordered, working the kinks out of the legs, but we were happy to put our feet up when we returned home.  Home tonight is Ickenham, with Michael’s uncle, aunt and wonderful, hilarious little cousins.  No plans yet for tomorrow, but there’s a good chance we’ll run.  The desire is already there and there are country fields just across the lane.  Enticement.

Notes:

• Thank you everyone for the supportive comments – there’s no better salve for tired legs and slightly hammered egos.
• I’ll try to get to Part II of the race tomorrow (my tomorrow, that is; it’s almost time for bed); for Michael’s pan-global cheering squad, he tells me he’s planning on putting together a similar play-by-play for the near future (and Michael and I would love to hear something similar from Jim as he finishes his prep for Victoria’s Times Colonist 10k, this Sunday).
• Looking forward to meeting with our man Ben Saunders on Wednesday – the stories he must have to tell.
• Michael and I just got off the phone with Kirstie Hudson from the CBC, taping an interview that I think she’s going to air during the afternoon.

Suddenly smashed – must sleep.  G’night all.

The Long Run – Part I

From Rumon

I’m using all my taste buds at the moment, tasting both ironically sweet satisfaction while a lingering bitterness remains. Due to the latter, I wasn’t certain of whether or what to write, but knowing that I’ll want to better remember it later, here’s the first installment from the day.

(Before going on, though, thank you once again for all the wonderful words of support. And please don’t take my comments about bitterness as any reflection that I feel anything less than blessed for the opportunity of the experience, how ever it ended. As I wrote yesterday, it’s not overstating it to describe this past while as a profound experience; best amongst that the support from my running mates and broader community. I look forward to what comes out of this, behind the finish line…)

Pre-Race

0545 Up and into the warm-ups and trainers, out the door. It’s already warm, but there’s a pleasant breeze blowing up the Thames as we head towards Tower Bridge. Lightly up the stairs and a left turn onto the bridge, navigating around the workers erecting the metal barriers that will line the bridge, holding back the massive crowds. Up and over the bridge, turning around at the south end. Accelerating into the first of a couple of light strides, wondering whether it’s the early hour, the setting, or some combination that’s making this all feel very surreal.

London: come on lovely

From Michael

I was born in August which makes me a Leo, although I find it hard to see the characteristics other may disagree. I was also raised with a lot of pets and noticed that, in general, a) when cats are sick, hurt or about to die they tend to take themselves off to be alone, b) when dogs don’t feel well, they seek company. Today, more then anything I was a cat, I really wanted the anonymity of a small race, allowing me to wallow in the pain and suffering of my marathon… alone. Unfortunately, due to the crowds here (which were out-of-this-world) I was pushed, again and again. For the first 24 miles the crowds were 3-4 deep with the odd wall of noise that was completely deafening. The last 2 miles were altogether different, 5-6 deep and fanatic with their encouragement. The first time I walked, and there were many, was after passing 21 miles in 1:18:27, from there on in I would get “come on 991, you can do it“, then someone else would join in, 3, 5, and before I’d taken 10 steps over 100 people would be encouraging me onward. Then, when I relented everyone would cheer, it was something I’ve never experienced before.

Wow. Ouch. And Damn.

Not necessarily in that order.

We’re back to the hotel following a very long run and what seemed like an even longer tube ride to get back here. Thank you to everyone for the very kind notes and especially to those who stayed up through the night to support us. We’re sorry we made you wait so long for us to finish.

We’re both a little stunned at the moment and need some time to clean up, get off our feet and recompose before posting more.

I’ll say this though: All three roads had their bumps along the way, some earlier, some later, but in a rare moment of cliche for this guy, I’ll say that the journey made the less-than-completely-satisfying destination more than worthwhile. As our times reflect, this adventure brought three friends closer together – Jim, you were with us at the line – and that’s a rare gift.

Finally, London is an amazing marathon. Everyone with a passion for running long should do it. It will blow your mind.

That’s it for now. Thank you, everyone.

-R

London Results

The results are up now on the London Marathon website. Rumon and Mike came in together at 3:14:11 on what seems to have been a challenging day for both of them. From their splits it appears as though they came together sometime shortly after the 40km marker, but I was only seeing updates every 10km for them. The reports had temperatures around 25 degrees by noon, but if we’re talking air temperature I am certain that it was a good bit warmer than that amongst the 45000 strong. Gebrselassie dropped out and most seemed well off what they were hoping for. No updates for either Steve Osdaduik or Jason Warick either, so I can only assume that they were forced to abandon the race. I’m off to bed, grabbing a couple of hours sleep so that I can get in my workout scheduled for later in the day. I’m proud of the boys and am looking forward to their updates and first hand accounts. A pint to them.

Updates (newer at top now)

Looks like Graeme Wilson was the top Canadian in 2:33. No word on Warick or Osaduik but it looks as though they may have dropped early.

Can’t find anything on Canadians. Nothing on Oz, Warick. Halfway splits only for Rumon and Mike.

Updates

We’re 10 minutes into the men’s race now – likely won’t see the local boys on the live feed here but I’m hoping I can find intermediate splits. 2:19:25 pace for the lead women through 15km.

Kathy Butler (Brit now, but raised in Ontario) is coming over Liz Yelling right now, around 20km in.

Men through 10km in 30:11. Ryan Hall is in the pack.

Women 1:09:58 through the half.

Osaduik 32:17 through 10km. 36:37 for Mike, 38:14 for Rumon through 10km. (2:33 and 2:41 paces for the b’hoys, 2:16:13 pace for OZ). 32:48 for Jason Warick (Saskatchewan).

5:20 last mile for the women, they’re just sub-2:20 pace nearing 30km. Pack of three: Kiplagat, Zhou and Wami have pulled away.
Men’s – 4:58 10th mile – not super fast but steady. Still a big pack – Limo, Gebr, Tergat, Meb, Gharib. Not seeing Baldini in the pack, nor Hall but there’s a close chase pack. Won’t be a world record unless they have one hell of a second half.

Yep, 2nd pack for both Baldini and Hall. Looking conservative but they’re not ripping the course up.

Race Morning

6:57

It’s real now.  Ten minutes ago, I was brushing my teeth, staring in the mirror.   I realized that no matter how far behind the leaders I’ll be, how deep I’ll be swimming in the masses, this is a race.  A race with tens of thousands of competitors, but only one that matters – me.  I’ve flirted with ideas of just jogging along, taking in the sights, but no longer.  I may be far from optimal fitness, but if there’s one thing I know when it comes to my place in sport it is that I’m a racer.  So now, I’m ready.  To suffer, to dig, to grimace.

I’m hungry.

It’s time to go.

London: T-3 hours

From Michael

Was up at 4:45, quick change and then I woke RC up, he had his ear plugs in and slept like a baby. We were out for a jog across Tower Bridge, to be repeated again in a few hours and then back for breakfast. You could not believe what they were serving (and I kid you not) baked beans, black pudding, bacon, fried mushrooms, hash-browns, wow! Needless to say I opted for the cereal and banana, plus a couple cups of coffee.

Just finished a light stretch (RC is doing some yoga) and then we’ll be downstairs waiting for the coach out to the start (police escort the entire way). Thanks again for all the comments, they mean a lot to the both of us. Alright then, until later…

Training: easy 10′ with 2x strides