Fast forward a few hours, and those runners will be in ice baths, hot baths, or maybe bars as they celebrate and begin recovery after what is sure to be a gruel 26.2 miles. The race can pass by in a blur with focus on getting the job done after weeks of training. I’ve completed the last two TCS London Marathons, and also ‘ran’ it in 2011.
I’m taking a much-needed year off this time but here are a few things to bear in mind during the mammoth effort. Come the day of the race, there is another 10km to do from that point. An hour to do 10km is decent, so that’s still an hour of running to go once you’ve already got 20 miles in the legs.
You’ll perhaps be in the best physical shape of your life, but the doubts will creep in to your mind. Do not let those intrusive thoughts win. Stick to what you know.
And definitely don’t try anything new when it comes to nutrition, otherwise you’ll be sprinting towards the toilets. Featuring interviews with current players, legends of the baize, pundits, TV presenters, World Snooker Tour management and other characters from behind the scenes, it really is the perfect addition to this year’s World Championship. But don’t let that get you down.
Just keep going and you’ll cross the finish line. The weather was horrendous at last year’s TCS London Marathon with persistent rain, but people were still sweating. You need to replace the lost fluids, and it’s best to drink little and often.
Remember all the weeks of training you’ve been through and run the pace you’re comfortable with. If you look at your watch and notice three miles in that you are 30 seconds per mile ahead of schedule, you need to rein it in. Make sure they’re taped up or protected in some way.
And get the Vaseline on anywhere that rubs… The start area at Greenwich Park is about a 15-20 minute walk from the closest train station, and you might not even get a seat on a train into southeast London. Be prepared to have already clocked up a few thousand steps before you get going.
My tactic was for my wife to message me saying she’s on my left or right in the next few minutes. I could see this on my watch and make sure I get over to that side.
