Our family are just back from a weekend in London having watched one of my sons (James) complete the London Marathon.
The London Marathon is a famous event - one of the earliest and biggest mass participation marathons - one of the most prestigious - and set in the heart of this incredible city with some of the world's most iconic landmarks and buildings. It is a hard marathon to even achieve entry in - such is the demand.
It was a truly wonderful weekend. The positivity, emotion and endeavor that surrounds all marathon runs is just amazing in London. It is the scale - the sense that this is the big one - this is the one to do. So many great people who have made such a fantastic commitment to be there. They have planned, dreamed of, now are doing this monumental marathon and it feels like the center of the world. It can hardly get better than that.There are so many spectators there to offer wonderful and heartfelt support to the thousands of runners and particularly their friends and family.
Like most marathon focused families we travelled to London early on Saturday. Runners have to collect their numbers from the huge Expo at the massive ExCel arena. The atmosphere builds. For us it was an extra special day as it was James's and his twin brother George's birthday. We had the good fortune to be staying overnight at the RORC headquarters in St James's Place, Mayfair. In the early evening we walked up to Leicester Square to enjoy the fantastic buzz. A few drinks - (James on water and orange juice) - and then a special birthday dinner (missed you Vic & Phil & the girls but know you were very much there in spirit) at Lobster & Burger - although James of course had to take it easy even on his birthday - such is the commitment of the marathon runner.
Next morning - and early rise. Focus totally on James. His preparation including breakfast has been well planned. George and I head off with him for the 10am start at Greenwich Park. It was a lovely fresh still morning. Very quiet. Tube was almost entirely made up of quiet focused runners and their support team and helpful animated marshalls. Greenwich Park is a superb place - serene and historic with the Observatory and the magnificent National Maritime Museum at the bottom of the hill - but the atmosphere builds. Excitement is in the air. So many cameras. So many athletes. This is the world renowned London Marathon start. Soon we have to leave James as he enters the runners pen. This is emotional. He is on his own now.
George and I walk down to Greenwich village through the park to get to the 6 mile point. There are masses of excited people lining the road on both sides as there are throughout the course - but it is never too much. We get a leisurely coffee and bacon roll and await the runners.
It is not long before the elite runners with their pacers come through. What a sight. How is it possible to run so fast for so long? Amazing. And then the main body starts to come through - an endless stream of fantastic hardworking earnest runners. Hearts go out to them. They are undertaking such a monumental journey and they still have so far to go.The crowd offer magnificent support punctuated by very specific encouragement when someone recognized comes through. Watching thousands of people coming through while trying to pick out just one special runner is mesmerizing and sometimes disorientating. We see James. He seems to be working too hard - not his usual big smile. As is so easy to do in the excitement and atmosphere he is probably going too fast. The London Marathon APP tracker says he is on 3.45 pace.
We then walk into Greenwich village and plan to move via the tube or DLR to try and see James further down the course. Of course this is a common plan. We plan to rendezvous with Rich and Laura. A tip. Plan your viewing intensions like a military operation. When - where - which tube - which stations etc. We didn't do a bad job but did it on the hoof - we could have done it better. (we know of a running coach who seen his runner - a 2 hour 16 minute man ! 6 times on the course).
It is easy to get emotional watching the marathon. Such a range of people. So many running styles. They are all trying so hard - putting so much in - and of course the effort begins to show in many faces. Eventually we see James at 16 miles. He is going ok but still a bit of concern - there is still a huge distance to go. The crowds really are fantastic. What a carnival atmosphere. Everyone is fortunate - the weather is so kind - warmish but not too warm - and no wind - and certainly no showers.
We have no choice. We plan to go to the finish area. The tube is busy but the atmosphere is great - it doesn't matter. We exit Westminster. What a great decision. Half a kilometer or so to go. We are close to BIG BEN -a constant tide of exhausted grim faced but elated runners. They are getting there. A few more yards and it is done. The crowds are so animated. Cheering. Woop Woop. Absolutely emotional wonderful positive atmosphere. Totally inspiring human effort. Great people really living their life - their dream. The hardest hearted would see this for what it is - a great human spirit on display. James comes through. He is looking great. He sees us. A magnificent beaming smile. Fighting back tears.
And then we make our way up Whitehall - past Downing Street to the meet and greet area. It is so busy. We have to find James. It is a bit disorientating even with a clear plan. The atmosphere is tremendous but the only priority is to find James and look after him. Eventually we do. He is wrapped in a foil blanket but he is good. He is quiet but he perks up. 4 hours 8 Minutes - a great effort indeed. We are so pleased for him - so proud of him.
James has run for Save the Children and they have a recovery facility. We are chaperoned there. Light refreshment - massage - photos and plaudits. Runners re tale their experiences. They all say - fantastic - the best thing they have ever done. They all say how magnificent the supporting crowds were. Tired. Emotional. Exhilarated. What a combination.
Eventually we get James back for a shower and eventually beer and dinner (at The Stage Door Inn - Waterloo). He wears his medal proudly - and so rightly so. A wonderful inspiring day capped by James making an impromptu thank you speech to brother George for masterminding and doing so much to encourage him through his marathon training program.
It was wonderful to see James battle through and finish so strongly. To see and feel the support and concern and expressed by the whole family including through What's App and the mob and BBC coverage. Facebook is buzzing. (Great stuff Vic, Phil & Mike)
And for me this time I could watch and enjoy the marathon without a monkey on my back. No guilt. No pressure. I have now run one too. My Paris 2017 effort two weeks earlier might have been in a chronically slow time but it means a lot to me. Now I can relax and I can appreciate with deep emotion and comradery the joy of being a marathon runner who completed the course - who wanted to be tested and came through it.
Any marathon is great. The London Marathon is the clearly a most special event. It would be a better world if everyone could have a go at it. It is so positive for the human spirit. What a weekend.
The London Marathon is a famous event - one of the earliest and biggest mass participation marathons - one of the most prestigious - and set in the heart of this incredible city with some of the world's most iconic landmarks and buildings. It is a hard marathon to even achieve entry in - such is the demand.
It was a truly wonderful weekend. The positivity, emotion and endeavor that surrounds all marathon runs is just amazing in London. It is the scale - the sense that this is the big one - this is the one to do. So many great people who have made such a fantastic commitment to be there. They have planned, dreamed of, now are doing this monumental marathon and it feels like the center of the world. It can hardly get better than that.There are so many spectators there to offer wonderful and heartfelt support to the thousands of runners and particularly their friends and family.
Like most marathon focused families we travelled to London early on Saturday. Runners have to collect their numbers from the huge Expo at the massive ExCel arena. The atmosphere builds. For us it was an extra special day as it was James's and his twin brother George's birthday. We had the good fortune to be staying overnight at the RORC headquarters in St James's Place, Mayfair. In the early evening we walked up to Leicester Square to enjoy the fantastic buzz. A few drinks - (James on water and orange juice) - and then a special birthday dinner (missed you Vic & Phil & the girls but know you were very much there in spirit) at Lobster & Burger - although James of course had to take it easy even on his birthday - such is the commitment of the marathon runner.
Next morning - and early rise. Focus totally on James. His preparation including breakfast has been well planned. George and I head off with him for the 10am start at Greenwich Park. It was a lovely fresh still morning. Very quiet. Tube was almost entirely made up of quiet focused runners and their support team and helpful animated marshalls. Greenwich Park is a superb place - serene and historic with the Observatory and the magnificent National Maritime Museum at the bottom of the hill - but the atmosphere builds. Excitement is in the air. So many cameras. So many athletes. This is the world renowned London Marathon start. Soon we have to leave James as he enters the runners pen. This is emotional. He is on his own now.
George and I walk down to Greenwich village through the park to get to the 6 mile point. There are masses of excited people lining the road on both sides as there are throughout the course - but it is never too much. We get a leisurely coffee and bacon roll and await the runners.
It is not long before the elite runners with their pacers come through. What a sight. How is it possible to run so fast for so long? Amazing. And then the main body starts to come through - an endless stream of fantastic hardworking earnest runners. Hearts go out to them. They are undertaking such a monumental journey and they still have so far to go.The crowd offer magnificent support punctuated by very specific encouragement when someone recognized comes through. Watching thousands of people coming through while trying to pick out just one special runner is mesmerizing and sometimes disorientating. We see James. He seems to be working too hard - not his usual big smile. As is so easy to do in the excitement and atmosphere he is probably going too fast. The London Marathon APP tracker says he is on 3.45 pace.
We then walk into Greenwich village and plan to move via the tube or DLR to try and see James further down the course. Of course this is a common plan. We plan to rendezvous with Rich and Laura. A tip. Plan your viewing intensions like a military operation. When - where - which tube - which stations etc. We didn't do a bad job but did it on the hoof - we could have done it better. (we know of a running coach who seen his runner - a 2 hour 16 minute man ! 6 times on the course).
It is easy to get emotional watching the marathon. Such a range of people. So many running styles. They are all trying so hard - putting so much in - and of course the effort begins to show in many faces. Eventually we see James at 16 miles. He is going ok but still a bit of concern - there is still a huge distance to go. The crowds really are fantastic. What a carnival atmosphere. Everyone is fortunate - the weather is so kind - warmish but not too warm - and no wind - and certainly no showers.
We have no choice. We plan to go to the finish area. The tube is busy but the atmosphere is great - it doesn't matter. We exit Westminster. What a great decision. Half a kilometer or so to go. We are close to BIG BEN -a constant tide of exhausted grim faced but elated runners. They are getting there. A few more yards and it is done. The crowds are so animated. Cheering. Woop Woop. Absolutely emotional wonderful positive atmosphere. Totally inspiring human effort. Great people really living their life - their dream. The hardest hearted would see this for what it is - a great human spirit on display. James comes through. He is looking great. He sees us. A magnificent beaming smile. Fighting back tears.
And then we make our way up Whitehall - past Downing Street to the meet and greet area. It is so busy. We have to find James. It is a bit disorientating even with a clear plan. The atmosphere is tremendous but the only priority is to find James and look after him. Eventually we do. He is wrapped in a foil blanket but he is good. He is quiet but he perks up. 4 hours 8 Minutes - a great effort indeed. We are so pleased for him - so proud of him.
James has run for Save the Children and they have a recovery facility. We are chaperoned there. Light refreshment - massage - photos and plaudits. Runners re tale their experiences. They all say - fantastic - the best thing they have ever done. They all say how magnificent the supporting crowds were. Tired. Emotional. Exhilarated. What a combination.
Eventually we get James back for a shower and eventually beer and dinner (at The Stage Door Inn - Waterloo). He wears his medal proudly - and so rightly so. A wonderful inspiring day capped by James making an impromptu thank you speech to brother George for masterminding and doing so much to encourage him through his marathon training program.
It was wonderful to see James battle through and finish so strongly. To see and feel the support and concern and expressed by the whole family including through What's App and the mob and BBC coverage. Facebook is buzzing. (Great stuff Vic, Phil & Mike)
And for me this time I could watch and enjoy the marathon without a monkey on my back. No guilt. No pressure. I have now run one too. My Paris 2017 effort two weeks earlier might have been in a chronically slow time but it means a lot to me. Now I can relax and I can appreciate with deep emotion and comradery the joy of being a marathon runner who completed the course - who wanted to be tested and came through it.
Any marathon is great. The London Marathon is the clearly a most special event. It would be a better world if everyone could have a go at it. It is so positive for the human spirit. What a weekend.
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| James getting his number at the expo |
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| RORC St Jame's Place |
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| Family birthday dinner for the twins. Lobster & Burger (re bibs) |
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| Early breakfast for James on the run morning. |
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| James ready to go. |
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Walking to the start at Greenwich Park
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A few hundred yards to go. The best vid ever. James being encouraged home by youngest son Richard.
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| A well earned beer and dinner to follow at The Stage Door Waterloo |
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James at the finish having raised money for Save the Children
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| The end of a magnificent day of achievement for James |
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