Carole is an avid tennis player at Legends and has and continues to enjoy the many things that tennis has to offer her. She came to me last year with the idea of celebrating her up and coming 50th Birthday by completing the London Marathon 2011.

After investigating Carole’s running experiences, life commitments and what her personal aspirations were it was apparent that if we were to assist Carole in completing the marathon she would need a tailored programme to ensure that she would give herself every chance of getting to the start line injury free. I sought the knowledge and experiences of DR Andrew Mitchell and together we put together and worked with Carole ensuring her programme was covering all the essential details required in order for her to reach her goal.

I asked Carole to put down in words her journey and have taken key milestones in her journey…

The Beginning…

On sunday, 17th April 2011 I ran the London Marathon. I did manage to run all the way round the 26.2 miles and it has to have been one of the hardest things I have ever done. It all seemed like a good idea a year ago when I was wondering what to do to “celebrate” my 50th birthday the following year. Having only every run 1 mile once, and that being 30 years ago, running, 26 seemed the obvious choice! I raised my idea with Nicole one day in March 2010, half expecting and half hoping that she would tell me not to be so daft but instead I heard “leave it to me” and within a couple of weeks I was starting a training programme under the guidance of Nicole and Mitch…

Learning to Run again…

I wasn’t totally unfit, i played tennis and swam occasionally, but I just didn’t run. So i set off on the first of many training runs, or in the first instance “run 30 seconds, walk 30 seconds”. By May I had managed to run 5 miles albeit quite slowly and it became apparent to my mentors that I needed to learn a new way to run – my “sprint style”, bouncing on toes just would not do for such a long distance. So i began the new “heel-toe” method and I was back at the beginning again. I couldn’t do it. it was exhausting and I felt like a flat footed penguin but gradually I became used to it and some 6 weeks later it was beginning to make sense. I was also managing to go further each week and by mid July had got back to running 4 miles in my new style.

Strength and Conditioning Programme

Alongside my running programme (3 times per week) I also did an hour cardio hitting session with Sheila Langley on court and an hour with Nicole maintaining core strength and physical conditioning each week. I didn’t know I had a core until then! It wasn’t part of the sports training when I was at school! I also had a home training programme to complete.

My Figure

As the summer progressed a few, very nice, side affects began to appear – better toning, weight reduction and clothes that had been tight now were rather baggy…

Achieving Key Targets along the way…

September 2010 – I was running 6 miles or 10Km – who would have thought!

October 2010 – Confident to take part in the Harpenden 10km – Done!

December 2010 – my first Half Marathon in Bedford just before the snow arrived

Under the Weather….

Christmas came about of which I come down with a nasty bug so training was out for some 5 weeks.

Approaching the Marathon…

March 2011 – Berkhamstead Half Marathon – I was relatively confidence I could do 13 miles but forgotten how hill the area was and it was a challenge.

After this I was running the back fields of Benington again building up the distances to 20 miles in the last week of March 2011. This was the toughest period not only physically but also trying to keep the keep the house and family running and fed as each training session was taking up to 3 hours from my day at this point and I was predominantly tired.

At this point i was running over 30 miles per week. 16 miles was OK but when the challenge of 20 was scheduled I was forced to stop and walk back at the 16.5 mile mark. My body had simply enough fuel to carry me only that distance. After discussing what I had actually eaten the previous day, it simply wasn’t enough for over 16 miles, I believed I had actually eaten a lot.

I was to make sure my pasta intake was maintained even when i felt OK and this served me very well. I attempted the 20 miles the following week and albeit tough I managed it.

The last 3 weeks seemed very odd as my training “tapered” down in advance of the big day. It seemed to me that I had slowed up so much that I would not be able to get even one mile down the road let alone 26 but apparently that is normal!

Day of the Marathon

Finally on Sunday 17th April 2011 the day of the London Marathon itself arrived. The events of the day went like this….

6.30am – breakfast (mandatory porridge) and my husband Andy and daughter Helena set off for London

I made my way around to Blackheath with thousands of other runners with our kits. We all watch the elite runner take off on the big screens whilst listening to the charity interviews take place. Many of the stories were heartbreaking, one man was running just 2 days after he lost his daughter to cancer. Many of the runners had photo’s of the loved ones they had lost on their backs but the overwhelming atmosphere was supportive, generous and uplifting. The fancy dress runners assembled their outfits whilst the rest of us wondered how they could even contemplate the run in fancy dress. Soon it was the begin…

The streets were lined continuously with people offering support  and cheering the who way around. It seemed every roundabout had a band on it, every pud had a sound system and party going on and most welcomed, given the heat, every fire station had their hoses on the runners as they went past! On the north side of the river we could see the runners who were actually 7 miles ahead coming down the other way on their way to the finish.

OMG! For my part going round the Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharfe was by for the hardest part. The buildings seemed to radiate heat back and there was no movement in the air so it seemed like we were running in an oven. There were several parts of the race I cant remember but I clearly recall a conversation with myself around the 18 mile mark when it was really hard going.

Part of me was saying that it was impossible, it was just too hot and I was about to keel over with exhaustion so I should stop, and maybe try to walk the last 8 miles. There were many other runners who had already made this decision around me which allowed me to start thinking it was OK. The other part of me, which eventually did win the battle, made a very good point that if i did give in and walk then I would regret it later on and would have to do another marathon to prove i could do it. This conversation went on sufficiently long enough to get me through the next couple of miles, thankfully and I found my third wind.

Turning for Home…

Eventually we turned for home and it was our turn to see the slower runners back over the river as we passed the 20 mile mark. I am sure the last 3 or 4 miles were set out with elasticated tape measure as each one seemed to get longer.

The crowds all along the embankment were cheering runners by our names with particularly loud cheers if anyone was walking. As the Houses of Parliment came into view and the course turned into Birdcage Walk there was a sign saying “800m to go” and for the first time you believe you can actually do this. A bit later and you round the corner in front of the Palace and turn into the Mall and just ahead is the finish.

The Finish!

As I crossed the line and had my medal hung around my neck i have to admit to bursting into tears and I was not alone as that exhaustion and elation both took their toll. I had done it and run it in 4 hours 42 minutes and 28 seconds.

My Family – Andy and Helena who raced around London on the day to ensure that I received at the preagreed spots my supplies of carbs gels. They were very positive and I felt supported and encouraged in every way. Looking forward to the next “meet” was a great incentive and a huge boost not to be underestimated.

Finally, having come from 100m to 26.2 miles in just under 12 months i am very, very pleased with my result. in training I ran 500 miles, roughly the distance from London to Geneva or the south of France and I have acheived somthing that I never thought I would do.

In addition, through the generosity of friends and family we have raised a large sum of money for a fantastic cause. It was incredible and unforgettable experience but despite that i don’t thing that i will ever do it again – well at least until next year!