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Goats on the run
Goats on the run (7): London Marathon special
02
May
May
Goats on the run is where we highlight some of the achievements of our amazing Lonely Goat Running Club members. Usually, there’ll be results from a range of events, plus personal milestones that may have been achieved. This week, however, is a little different, as it is a London Marathon special edition.
The London Marathon is arguably the most important running event in the UK, if not the world. Whether running or watching, it is hard not to be inspired by the scale of the event, the stories of the runners, and the incredible crowd support. One of the magical things about the London Marathon – and all running events – is that thousands of strangers come together with the common goal of getting to the finish line – regardless of their personal stories and circumstances.
A number of Lonely Goat members summarised their experiences of the London Marathon 2019 in their posts on the Lonely Goat Running Club Facebook Chat Group.
Anna Cooper’s marathon
“I got up early and in the lift in the hotel met an inspirational lady who had lost an eye last year and was riddled with arthritis. She was running the marathon with her husband as her guide. She had only taken up running after she was registered blind. Just wow.
The first 10 miles went smoothly but miles 10-19 were killers. I also missed seeing my two best friends on Tower Bridge as they were on the opposite side of the road. I had cramp on and off for most of those miles. I met a wonderful bloke who walked/ran with me (and gave me some paracetamol). He told me he was running for his son who died age 4 of leukaemia and would have been 18 this year. He was running for the children’s hospice who looked after him.
Miles 20-26.2 (or more like 27) were a bit of a blur. Got a second wind for a while: managed to see my buddies for a hug at 23 miles and I managed to drag myself, somehow, to the end. I beat last year’s time by just 7 minutes and although I still felt a bit deflated, I have to remind myself that to finish a marathon is still pretty epic and for some people (like the ones I met today) it’s so much more than a run.
It’s proving something to yourself or maybe even to others.
It’s finding something good can come out of the darkness.
I know that’s all a bit airy fairy and philosophical. But that’s how I’m feeling right now, pretty humbled.”
Martin Bowman
“My personal view of the London Marathon – it’s all about the people. The complete strangers cheering the entire route and shouting your name. The lovely comments and people actually thanking you for taking part. It’s not a running event, it’s an experience and I am humbled to have been part of it. I cant put into words the emotions. It was a day that will stay with me forever. Do it!”
Steve Collins’ marathon
“I had a great day out (& all weekend) at The Virgin Money London Marathon 2019. I aimed to qualify for the elite championship by punting for a sub-2:45 marathon. I ended up at 2:41’10, knocking over 11 minutes off my PB. That of course I am over the moon with!
What is equally as good (if not more!) is the amount of support all the Lonely Goats and the spectators there on the day have done! With the kind messages of support, help and kindness from everyone as a team. We all have each other’s back and that for me is why I joined this club. A massive thank you for making it a day to remember and I’m proud to be part of this herd.
Thanks Andy Leggott and team for allowing me the opportunity (winning my place through a random Facebook live raffle) to run in such an awesome race. And a special thanks to the London group chat for putting up with me and the rocky roads. You are invaluable and without the friendships created I don’t think I get no where near my goal!
Here’s to many more memories and races with the best running club about!”
Russ Lee’s marathon
“Here’s my take on what’s been an epic weekend in London, (bear in mind these thoughts are straight out of my head & no one else is to blame….)
Both me and my daughter Beccy Lee entered the ballot and were unsuccessful, we did however secure charity places running for Hospice UK.
January 1st and we started our “training plan”, an official, all singing all dancing kind of affair, for probably the first 5 or 6 weeks I stuck to it religiously, then for reason or another I went off track. I was putting the miles in but really struggled with some aspects of the plan – 20ER 10x30secFR 10SR 20MP 10ER !! I mean come on, I’m not particularly thick but trying to get my head around what to run and when pretty much did my head in, so I went with what I know best and did the distance or time at my pace.
Throughout the last 4 months I’ve been plagued with numerous injuries, my left knee particularly, I’ve had arthroscopys done on both knees and the left has always been particularly dodgy, I kept at it and ran as often and for as long as I could.
My longest training run was 20 miles, with a couple of 19 & 18 milers in the mix, I probably did around 300 miles in the run up to race day, I didn’t run at all in the week leading up to the Marathon because the knee was giving me real jip.
On to race day.
I was very fortunate in that Beccy lives near Maze Hill so base camp was set up literally a 10 minute walk from the Red Zone, we got there around 9.30 and the buzz was palpable.
We set off at 10:54, these are a few bullet points of the race itself;
- The crowds lining the streets are incredible, there’s nothing like running past a pub with a group of pissed up cockney lads shouting “Come on Russ you can f—–g nail this” – epic !
- High fiving the kids is fabulous, it gives you such a lift.
- Having friends and family at certain pre-arranged points around the course is amazing, seeing a loved one in the crowd is incredible and I’m not afraid to say that I had tears in my eyes numerous times.
- Trying to gauge if the next set of toilets will have queues shorter than the ones you’ve just ran past….hmmmm.
- When you feel like you can’t continue, dig deep and read some of the amazing funny signs that people are holding up.
- Realise that when you’re into the last couple of miles, race marshalls will tell fibs (only 1km to go) – bollocks….?
- And finally, experiencing this with my daughter, from the very start to the end of 26.2 miles, holding her hand as we crossed the finishing line is one of the best memories I could ever hope for.
I’m now one of 1% !”
Kerrie Aldridge’s marathon
At Lonely Goat Running Club, we celebrate personal achievement, regardless of time or distance or speed or medals won. Our values are to support and inspire others and to achieve personal goals. Everyone is welcome, and everyone is supported.
With this in mind, it’s worth reading all of Kerrie’s post. It is a first-hand account of the situation that has been described in the news recently – where runners towards the back of the pack had to contend with road closures, unmanned water stations, and a different kind of crowd interaction to those nearer the front.
We’ve included the opening few paragraphs below, to give you a taster, but make sure you head over to the Chat Group to get the full story. It’s well worth a read.
“So I ran London, I have my medal and I can say I’m a marathoner… but it wasn’t easy… it was no victory lap after the miles and miles of training… but I bloody did it and I did it my way!
I am a short arse plus size Mummy with little legs, who is bloody stubborn and that along with my family, the fact I chose a charity so close to my heart, my angel babies and that people had trusted me with their loved ones memories for my memory miles is ultimately what got me through.
I also have to say the power of FB and the amazing running community; RMR, London Landmarks and eyond group, girls that JEFF and all my friends willing me on means the world to me right now. Words are not enough, but you guys are all amazing and your love and support got me across that line.
So let me start by addressing two related points, but if you like, elephants in the room.
I am slow …. my time: 9 hours 11 minutes – but boy did I work hard. I did not stop moving (well, apart from 4 loo stops).
Now the controversial question: did I deserve to be in the marathon? I know opinionated people will have their views about cut off times and slow runners. I did not set out for a plus 9 hour marathon. I wanted to be within the cut off time. I believed in myself, I trained just as hard as the next guy – so hell yeah I deserved to be on that start line. But my marathon became more of an assault course with no aid stations and no signage or directions.”
Read on, here.
Other Goats
Agata Wightman may have been “s——g herself” beforehand, but at least her nails looked good.
Nicola Morter ran through stomach pain, only to discover afterwards that she had a suspected burst abscess!
Sarah Charlton described it as “the fourth proudest moment of my life! After my 3 “cherubs” of course!” and declared “Thank you London, you’ve been emotional! Xx”
And Ainsley Shadwick said it was her “first and most definitely last marathon.”
You are all amazing
Congratulations to all the runners mentioned, plus any we missed. The London Marathon is a very special event and we are so proud of you all. As Anna said above, “It’s so much more than a run.”
Normal goats on the run service will resume next week. As always, if you’ve achieved something in your running that you’re particularly proud of – completing an event or otherwise – feel free to let us know about it in the Facebook Chat Group or use the #lonelygoatrc and #lonelygoatrunningclub hashtags on Instagram.
Lonely Goat Running Club London Marathoners 2019
Here are the Goats we spotted who ran the 2019 London Marathon:
Neil Addison, Kerrie Aldridge, Victoria Allison, George Antikatzidis, Hannah Bawdon, Clare Black, Martin Bowman, Rick Broadbent, Seb Brummell, Simon Butler, Steve Butrym, Jilly Carrell, Sarah Charlton, Paul Christian, Lou Clark, Lewis Clarke, Steven Collins, Anna Cooper, Lee Cooper, Katrina Dell, Annalea Dominguez, Clara Dorrington, Jules Dorrington, Rebecca Edwards, Sean Furlonger, Shaun Furzer, Kerry Gallagher, Llinos Garrod Draper, Clare Green, Rachel Griffiths, Shelley Hall, Sarah Harris, Elly Haylock, Carole Horne, Emlyn Hughes, Dave Joyce, Paul Kelly (pictured at the top of the page), Lisa King, Lisa Leak, Russ Lee, Donna Lowery, Samantha Macaulay, John Macpherson, Kirsty Malone, Karen Martin, Rachael Mason, Fiona Matthews, Victoria Molnar Brown, Joel Moody, Nicola Morter, Siobhan O’Grady, Scott O’Rourke, Julie Ockwell, Dip Patel, Steven Payne, Kate Poole, Gavin Pritchard, Paul Provins, Lucy Raggett, Kelly Reeves, Paul Richards, Sally Richards, Sharon Robinson, Marie Sampson, Rachel Schofield, Ainsley Shadwick, Kerry Shevlan, Karen Sinclair, Melissa Smith, Neil Stone, Jill Sutton, Christine Thomas, Nicola Thomas, Hanna Thorpe, Sean Trussell, Jon Turner, Danielle Vipond, Marc Webb, Matt Wells, Jeremy Westhead, Joanne Weston, Billy Wheeler, Chelle White, and Lucy Wickens.
(Sorry if we missed anyone)
The three lucky winners of the LGRC London Marathon ballot were Steve, Mel Smith, and Sam MacAulay. They are in the photo at the top of this page, with Elly Haylock and Sebastian Brummell.