I’m not one for writing any race reports which you will be able to
tell from reading this. I usually leave this to the more creative
McKernan. However, as he decided to sit this one out I thought for once
it would be nice to have the truth. I also felt it would be a grave
injustice to my London Marathon experience and to the people who helped
me get there if I didn’t pen a few words on how good London Marathon
really is.
When I got over the line last September in Berlin
Marathon I said to myself that’s it – never again!!!. Well that lasted a
few months until I got a call from Lewy at the end of November asking
would I be interested in doing London as Sports Travel were about to
release places. At first it was “definitely not” and then it went to
“not this year” to a “maybe” and finally “go for it”. Unfortunately, by
the time I had made my mind up the places had gone. However, with Lewy
on the case and with the dogged determination that he displayed in both
getting us into the race as he did in successfully getting around the
marathon itself it was no sooner said than done. As well as the two of
us Sabrina Keogh with already 4 majors under her marathon belt had also
secured a place to make London major number 5.
So with places
secured we needed a plan… We called on the experience of club veteran
Alan McKernan. Yes he’s older than me and yes I like to rub it in J Alan
loves nothing better than colour coded excel spreadsheets and with his
years and years of experience he was the man for the job. Lewy and I had
both run sub 3 hour marathons thanks to a previous Alan McKernan plan
so we decided to set the stalls out to break 2.55 and asked him to
create a plan to provide those times. Sabrina with a previous best of
3:20, was looking to go under that.
The plan was worked around a mix
of club sessions, tempos and long runs, peaking at 75-ish miles in week
15 and long tempo runs up to 13 miles. Alan likes to make us work for
our PB’s.
We did a few miles over the Christmas break and decided to
get stuck in from January with the first test at the Trim 10 mile race.
With Sabrina taking Meath Championship Gold and good runs from both
myself and Lewy, we knew we were off to a good start. Next milestone was
Bohermeen Half-Marathon at the end of March. Unfortunately in the week
leading up to Bohermeen Lewy picked up an injury that would eventually
put an end to him racing London and postponing his sub 2.55 attempt for
another few months. Again, a strong run and podium finish for Sabrina
and a decent pace run from myself put us in good shape with 7 weeks to
go. I used this race as a marathon paced tempo run as per the plan. This
is very hard to do alone or on the roads but within a race scenario it
makes it mentally easier.
With the tough training completed and a
few last-minute physio sessions from Rory O’Neill and Donal Cashin along
with cryo cold baths which Alan kindly introduced me too L – we were
ready to go. Lewy decided on the Monday, six days before the event, that
he was not going to do the marathon as he did not want to risk the body
but alas a few days later he realised that the Queen needed to look
through her venetian blinds to see the mad fella storm to the finish.
Although Lewy had very limited training he decided he was not giving up
the opportunity to jog around the streets of London and get a
well-deserved medal to add to his collection. Lewy was in!!!
Sabrina
set out for London on Friday morning, which worked out well for all as
she kindly collected our numbers saving us the headache of the Expo when
we landed on Saturday 2 hours delayed. This was a Godsend. The plan was
to get to the hotel and put the feet up for the afternoon and then it
was dinner in the hotel and an early night. The gear was laid out for
the following morning, numbers attached to bibs and chips attached to
runners incorrectly… Please read instruction provided!!
My normal
pre-marathon bed time story usually comes from Alan followed up by a few
lullabies from Donal in a foreign language (Kanturk Kark) so it was now
time for Lewy to step up to the plate, he didn’t disappoint. His
rendition of 3 bears was exquisite. I really felt he brought Goldie to a
new level. I never realised the intimate relation they all shared until
Lewy told me his version.
With the busses leaving at 7am we set the
alarm for 6 to get some breakfast. It was sleep time – well it was for
Mr. Relaxed Snoring McCann. Some others tossed and turned and went
through the 500 different versions of how the race would pan out but not
Lewy. He was asleep as quick as Sarah Meegan offers you a scone and
takes it back again. I decided instead of counting sheep to count Lewy’s
snores. I never realised how far I could count to J
It was race day
and conditions looked ideal. Some early breakfast and a few extra
layers of clothing and we were onto the bus at 7am for the 40-minute
journey to the Blue start line in Blackheath. With the race not starting
until 10.10 we had some time to kill so myself and Lewy along with
Brendan Pollard, who we met on the bus, set up camp sheltered from the
breeze. Even with the large crowds of over 40,000+ runners it all seemed
to be under control. Free tea and coffee station were available and
easy to access toilets with only 5 or 6 deep queuing and the guys at bag
drop waiting for you. They even did a quick spot check before they took
away the bag. Have you your number on? Chip on your runner? Gels?
Everything you need before we take it?? It was almost like they knew me.
With no Alan to mind me I needed this.
Having looked at London so
many times on the BBC it all became so real that we were about to be
part of this epic marathon. We tried to do a warm up but with the crowds
now gathered is was not possible, so we were limited to stretching and a
few short strides.
We all got a Zone 1 start with the masses
behind the elite runners. Lewy decided that he would start around 3.45
pace and see how he gets on. We wished each other luck and I headed to
get as far up the start line as possible. To my surprise I got up as far
as the barrier and with about 15 minutes to race start I had all the
elite field warming up in front of me. Kipchoge only feet from me
looking ready for a Sunday stroll.
The buzz at this stage was
incredible, the race stewards’ arm in arm walking us slowly behind the
field of elite runners and UK club championship runners that had already
gathered. With the countdown starting it was time to offload the
additional layers and wait for Andy Murray to press the start hooter. It
only took me just over a minute to get over the start line and I was
off.
The plan was 6.35 to 6.40 per mile. With the first few miles
relatively easy it was a nice way to start a race. Having watched this
marathon many times on TV you know the crowds and support look good, but
nothing can prepare you for the actual event. Every few miles you meet
the next wave of deafening support with music at every corner. Also
water stations providing bottled water, gel stations, Lucozade and
toilets are in abundance along the route.
First 10k done and past
the Cutty Sark Ship with not much trouble and on track timewise. It was
onto Tower Bridge which felt like a stage of the Tour de France with the
support pushing you along. Swing right out onto the highway and past
halfway in 1.26.57 feeling good and on target.
Miles passed, and the
support was only getting louder. Passing halfway I felt maybe a
negative split was on the cards but heading into Canary Warf around mile
18 the idea was quickly deleted and holding pace was the only focus. It
was now mile 22 and heading back up the opposite side of the highway
and taking some relief that the runners on the other side of the road
were only passing halfway.
It was now digging in time and trying to
remember all those miles around Dunboyne and not letting them go to
waste. I was praying all my marathon paced miles on tired legs would pay
off. At mile 24 they add in a nice underpass with a climb out the far
side to give your legs one final test. At this point I knew my pace was
dropping but I didn’t focus on the watch but more putting one leg in
front of the other. With the London eye across the Thames and under
construction Big Ben in my sights – I was getting close. Around
Westminster corner and up towards Buckingham Palace passing 800m to go,
only 2 laps of the track!! With the final bend and 396 yards to go as it
says on the sign I had a quick look at the watch and realised I had to
put the foot down to get in under 2.55. I was hoping to come around onto
the Mall with time to spare and enjoy the last 396 yards but not to be.
With a bit of a dive at the end and my usual end of race antics (you
don’t need to know but needless to say I was glad the cameras were on
Sabrina and not me) it was time to get to my phone and confirm with
Jennifer if I made it as I wasn’t sure with the slight theatrics at the
line.
It was incredible to walk down the Mall towards my bag drop
truck with all the race volunteers congratulating and clapping you all
the way. Bag collected and call made to a very excited Jennifer having
had the hard bit of tracker watch to confirm a 2.54:56 was achieved.
Some say luck some say great pacing. A few words with the kids and
making me feel very proud it was time to ring my other wife Alan. He was
also very excited although did say he expected a 2:54:55 J. To my great
surprise he was watching the marathon and not his beloved Leeds
although we are not allowed mention Leeds at the moment. Alan very
excitedly confirmed that Sabrina had just finished and what a time too.
With the great form shown in the build-up I knew Sabrina would not be
far behind and shortly after she appeared at the bag drop with a
fantastic new PB of 3.11 – some run and as all could see when she
appeared on the TV crossing the line it was all very easy. Great
advertisement for Dunboyne AC.
Lewy aka ‘The Bodyguard’ passed
through halfway in 1.40 and injury getting the better of him in the 2nd
half he incredibly managed to get over the line in 3.53. Some
achievement as he only decided to collect his number on the Wednesday
before the race. He also helped a fellow runner over the final few
hundred metres. Dom Wilde of Edmonton RC left a message on the club page
to thank Lewy as without him he would never have finished. It
transpires Dom’s wife is from only up the road in Batterstown. It truly
is a small world. Rumours that it was me that knocked him over on my way
to the finish are not true.
It was a quick taxi back to the hotel
with Sabrina and her partner Richie who supported her throughout the
route with some underground logistics mastered.
I’m not one to
normally have a beer but I felt it was well deserved and the race
synopsis started. All agreeing it was a fantastic day. One or two more
refreshments and it was off for some healthy food in Five Guys and some
dancing in the West End. Alan has the video and has promised never ever
to share it – like never.
Overall London was a fantastic marathon.
If you get the chance grab it with both hands. Sometimes events you
watch on TV over the years don’t live up to what you expect; London
exceeded even my already high aspirations for it.
What next? –
Sabrina will go on to do major number 6 in Tokyo and hopefully continue
to smash PB’s. Lewy will get back to running and get his 2.54.57. As for
me “never again”.
Thank you, Lewy, for pushing me to enter and Alan
for the plan, compression boots and running company. Also, to physio’s
Rory and Donal and the club for all the training sessions and to Tony
for allowing me take up a lane occasionally as my session overlapped
with the clubs. And finally, to my very understanding wife and children
having to deal with marathon Kevin who they tell me is different to
normal Kevin?? Don’t know what they are talking about.
Roll on Dublin…
