John Ward writes...

Vanity and Mathematics cannot be the substitutes for the loss of three weeks long run training and six weeks speed work when undertaking running a marathon. I have quoted the American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson previously: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us”. To me, ‘what lies within us’ is belief, usually within oneself. Mathematics allows you to play with times and splits and if you use the word ‘vanity’ instead of belief, you believe the mathematics and hope that you will have a lucky day on 23.4.06.

This ploy worked well, very well indeed, until somewhere between Millwall Fire Station (17+) and the turn for home just before the 20 mile point. It was here that I too became a philosopher: “Look for and follow the Blue Line, and the ‘tiny matter (six miles) of what lies before me’ will not be that bad. My spirit was lifted greatly at mile 22, when across the other side of the road (14 miles); it seemed 10000 runners still had a long way to go. Where has the Blue Line gone? I think I lost it in the tunnel.

Then into daylight and the return of Emerson and ‘belief’, sufficient belief to increase my shuffle along the Mall and even speed enough up to ensure a PW of 3:29:54. I would say, that had this been any other domestic marathon, I would not be anywhere near the start. I had not done the miles in training due to colds/flu and whilst I did finish, I was in a poor state and I am supposed to be sensible given my age etc.

Congratulations to all of our runners, and thank you to all of our supporters, whether I heard you or not, I Believed you were there. 

John P Ward.

Paul Foot writes...

The word that now springs to mind when thinking about the FLM is 'logistics'.  Not just the work the organisers put in to ensure that nearly 40,000 runners get to the start, can spend a penny when they get there and on the way round, are watered, Lucozaded, massaged, vaselined, guided, photographed and timed throughout 26.2 miles and are reunited with their kit at the end.  Also the planning that goes into preparing for and getting to the race by the runners, and into getting round the course as a supporter to see your chosen runner in as many spots as possible and find them again at the end.

Is it all worth it, or should we all make life a bit easier and go and do the Outer Hebrides marathon instead?

Simple answer: it is worth it.

I must admit having been a bit of a sceptic before the race.  I thought that I should do it as some sort of runner's rite of passage, but that once I'd done it, maybe I'd choose lower-key marathons in future and avoid all the hassle. 

Now I'm not so sure.  I've just never run a race like it - a race that is an event not just for the runners, but also for the hundreds of thousands lining the streets and the millions watching at home.  It is a race that non-runners can relate to (even though they still think you're a nutter).  It is a race that evidently brings out great performances in the competitors, whilst enabling them to complete a sight-seeing tour of a world class city in three or four hours (even though the spirits are usually flagging a little by the time Buck Palace comes around).

I suspect many Harriers share those feelings.  Why else would we put up with the various tortuous and costly routes for getting a coveted place, the trip to the back end of Docklands the day before to pick up a number and a plastic bag, and the extortionate hotel rooms?  Why would so many do it over and over again?  Most worryingly, why am I now wondering whether I could break 3 hours if I enter it next year?

Cake rating 1/5 - a Wagon Wheel and some dodgy dried fruit & yoghurt concoction in the goody bag

Paul F

Click here for full results and here for photos.  Compare our times with the celebs here (Jade Goody was a dnf - apparently four half-hour runs is not adequate preparation for a marathon).