London Marathon

Race Weekend:

The weekend started at 6am. Excited and nervous we packed up Bostin and sent him on his holidays – London is no fun for a very inquisitive Labrador. We made our way into Hednesford, where team Hibbsy were tucking into a hearty breakfast at the local cafe, while we’d eaten porridge. The train arrived and off we set with more bags than anyone would have expected for a short weekend break. A true sign Viki was travelling in the party.

Butterfly headbands donned by Carol, Moira and Viki, and Lupus awareness t-shirts worn by all, we embarked upon the train. A nervous silence hung in the air as we considered the challenge that lay ahead. Little did we know that in seconds the train would be halting at Walsall due to a power failure at Birmingham forcing us all to find an alternative method of transport.

Immediately, John grabbed his beloved iPhone and was onto the concierge service that he talks endlessly about to sort out our predicament. In the meantime, we grabbed the nearest taxi who quoted us a reasonable price. Now the humour. We tried all ways each of us moving our heads to the left and to the right to perceive a possible method of squeezing 7 adults, 6 suitcases, a very large banner, 3 bags of food and a couple of newspapers – plus the driver – into a 5 seater taxi. As you can imagine, it took some time for it to become clear that it wasn’t going to work. Steve, quite sensibly, took the decision to catch a bus.

Hammering down the M6 with the boot of the black cab left open to fit in the numerous cases and Bill sitting in the front with his legs elevated above his case, we further considered our options. What time did the expo close? How long had we got to spare? When would we catch up with Steve – would he go home and avoid the embarrassment completely?

Without fail the concierge, now heroic in John’s mind, called to say that they could arrange for a mini bus to get us to the expo for £240 -OMG were the first thoughts that sprung to mind for Kate. Thankfully, we arrived into Birmingham to find that some trains, although in the pitch black, were running. Loaded again with luggage we located the correct platform and waited anxiously for the 10.10 to arrive. Where was Steve – would he make it? Had he gone home to travel later at his leisure in luxury without the Gommos. 10.19 arrived and the train pulled in – now for the fun. As we moved towards the carriage that we believed to be ours, other sly looking train seat hoggers edged ever nearer too. As the open sign illuminated, Steve raced onto the platform. Seeing the train moving, he believed his epic journey across Walsall and into Birmingham to have been in vein. But as we all turned around and in chorus echoed his name, Stttteeeeevvvvve’ he knew he was stuck with us for the ride into the smoke.

When we eventually got onto the train, there were many people scrambling to get to ‘their’ seat. We were safe in the knowledge that we had reserved our seats so we would be fine but what do you know – someone was already in them. After a few sharp words and an ejection or two we were down and on our way. We pulled into the station and immediately made our way to the YHA. A fab place, centrally located and with great en-suite facilities.

After dropping off our bags, without Team Hibbsy, who on the whole fear the underground, we made our way to the expo. Given that there are thousands of people who run the marathon and the fact that London transport decides to close certain key stations en-route you can imagine the crush. After four switches we arrived at Docklands and joined the lengthy trail of fellow runners making their way into the centre.

We registered with photographic ID to confirm that we were indeed mad enough to run 26.2 miles in what promised to be the hottest day of the year so far. We collected our tags that would record our times and check we actually completed the race and then we entered the exhibition. Immediately drawn to the Adidas stand, we brought some official merchandise, grabbed some hats for race day and perused the hundreds of stands. There were puppies in the Guide Dogs stand, half naked men in the massage stand, odd shoes with what seemed like no soles but promised a comfortable walk as you danced across a bed of nails, hundreds of carb stands for that bit of energy around the course and thousands of pieces of running kit.

We found the Lupus UK stand to confirm we were there, collected our goody bags and had our photos taken in our Lupus t-shirts. By now we were starving and a little lethargic so we made our way to the Pasta Party where hundreds of runners were tucking into their pasta dinner whilst listening to hints and tips from experts and comedians.

It is important to remember that Team Hibbsy were also keen to see the expo but had decided to use an alternative method of transport. Two hours after we had arrived Team Hibbsy made it!!! Their journey had included at least four bus hops, two crossings of the river Thames, a stop off in the pub and few hearty laughs. But they were there.

It was time for us to rest so we set about the challenge of remembering the route back to St Pancras. We grabbed some dinner and settled down for the night. Race day was drawing nearer.

Race Day:

After a light sleep, we were both awake at 2.30am but managed to settle back down and arose at 5.30am. Anxious for the alarm to sound, we felt the nerves drawing in upon us. Sun lotion on, glide stick in key spots, nip guards in place and porridge consumed we were set. We jumped into the taxi and drove through London. It was a pretty quiet ride, as we contemplated the miles we would have to run in order to return. Road closures covered the city right out to Greenwich suggesting how important this day was to London.

There were inflated hot air balloons, the sound of the race day commentator echoing around Greenwich park and thousands of people that made their way to their relevant starting point. Jonathan Edwards stood aloft the crowd of runners and spectators grabbing people for TV interviews.

We found our entry point for the race and made our way in after a fews hugs of good luck from Team Hibbsy.

Inside our gate there were still thousands limbering up, grabbing the chance to use the loo before the start, eating a banana. Many were silent including us as the nerves took hold.

Whilst waiting for the time to tick, the rain decided to show an appearance. The trees, still only sprouting leaves, offered little shelter and we were soon very damp. We loaded our bags into the lorry and took our position on the start line albeit at the very end point of the Greenwich path- but we were ready.

The Start:

At 9.45 the race began for those at the very front. You can imagine with the number of people who take part in this great event that it took some time to eventually get to the start line but with the good humour of the crowd we edged nearer. We saw people who have been tweeting in the lead up to the event, which was a great surprise and confirmed that the message about Lupus was spreading. Darth Vader stood alongside us, as did a few of the Mr Men characters as well as donkeys from Spain and Thomas the Tank Engine. We were part of a fantastic throng of people who were about to raise many hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity – how proud we felt!

Team Hibbsy cheered us on, sounding the air horn and lightening the mood. Eventually at 10.15 we passed the start line and our race began. For some, not us, the race soon stopped as within minutes the nerves took hold and a quick diversion into the bushes allowed for some quick relief before staring up again.

The Race:

Every minute was enjoyable. Right from the very start there were well wishers cheering us on. Shouting words of support, playing music, clapping and honking. Their spirit drove us on. Team Hibbsy had taken position at 5 miles and as we saw them cheering we knew that we could do this. We settled into a steady pace and used the strategy that we had rehearsed time and again in training. We were comfortable and enjoying the journey.

The water and lucozade stations were a welcome relief as the sun shone down.

As 15 miles approached, we were entering the unknown. 15 miles was our longest distance to date but it came and went – we were still feeling comfortable and we were half way around the course.

Gels and carb sweets were in constant supply to keep our energy levels high. We danced around some runners and at points others over took us but were never apart and together we made every step towards the finishing line.

Moments of pure inspiration took hold of our emotions. One woman standing head down crying was consoled by a member of the public who took hold of her and urged her to continue. Pictures and words of tribute were in plenty on the t-shirts and vests of runners celebrating lives of those that they ran for. Even a lady distributing water looked one woman in the eye and explained that she was her hero. It was at times like these that every bit of aching training became worthwhile.

John’s attention was particularly consumed by the Daily Star ‘ladies’ that had joined the crowds to cheer the runners – what a surprise!

A low point may have been when the track begins to return upon itself at around 14 miles. We had been running for at least three hours by now but to see the runners ahead of us sprinting past made our steady pace seem a little snail like. Undeterred, we continued.

We ran alongside people who had endured adversity. It was some time last year that we had watched a programme that followed the amazing journey of soldiers injured in battle who had lost limbs but still challenged themselves with new physical feats. Two of of these gentlemen were in the race too. We were both humbled as we ran alongside them. Our attempts to achieve this goal seemed minimal in comparison to theirs.

The Finish:

The crowd seemed even deeper and louder as the last three miles lay ahead.  We drove forward and kept up the pace with the finish line as our spur.

When we ran alongside the embankment we knew that there wasn’t much longer to go.  Big Ben loomed large above us and as we approached the Mall we were so proud of our achievements.  Holding the tears back, we held hands and ran the last 800 metres.

We had made it.  Elated and sporting our medals with posed for an official shot!

Team Hibbsy were of course waiting for us and we relished in our fan’s attention.  John, possibly the best husband and brother in the world, took off his medal and placed it around Viki’s neck to show that he had done it all to support her as she had faced the burdens that Lupus had imposed upon her.

Mr & Mrs Hibbsy – Marathon Runners

Photos