Running for Off The Fence Trust Limited

PO Box 2206 Hove. BN3 8LY Tel: 01273 733 732

Email: robert.lines@offthefence.org.uk

30 October 2006 - Two days later..

Well, the marathon was two days ago and I'm starting to get a bit more perspective on what happened. At the time it felt awful, but perhaps just finishing it was an achievement. In the end I got to the finish line in 5 hours 27.

Over the first 7 miles I was doing OK and managing a comfortable 9 minute/mile pace. But the swollen ankle was hurting and by 10 miles I had taken 100 minutes. Part of the problem is the amount of time that you have to think about things. At about 15 miles I realised that I couldn't remember being in such pain for such a long period since I was 6, and had broken my leg. At 20 miles I felt so fed up that I decided just to have a rest and lie on the grass. But that was impossible because every passing runner wanted to check that I was OK. So of course I had to get up and start running again. By this stage my right ankle wouldn't bend forwards or backwards, so I couldn't run up hill or down hill. Unfortunately most of the last 6 miles over the seven sister hills was either up or down, so there wasn't a great deal of running!

The final couple of miles was OK though. I found other runners to chat to, and an old friend jumped out of his car at beachy head when he saw me passing and ran alongside for 400m or so. That was a real boost especially as the end was in sight.

The whole thing has felt like a bit of a disaster if I'm honest. Two months before I had had a comfortable 15 mile run over similar terrain in 2 hours 19. Even a fortnight before the marathon the running was feeling really good.

Two days later and I'm feeling better about the whole thing I think. I saw the doctor this morning and she wasn't sure whether the swelling is an allergic reaction or an injury. I've been banned from running for a fortnight - which is great, except we are booked into races in Oxford and the New Forest this coming weekend. May be the shorter race will be OK.

Finally, thanks so much to everyone who sponsored me. With the gift aid tax refund the total amount is almost double what I had hoped for, which is fantastic.

During the race I swore several times that I would never ever take part again in another marathon whatever the circumstances. However, I'm feeling no ill effects from the experience and it is hard to imagine that in 12 months time I won't be tempted to try again and better this year's effort!

Thanks again for all your support,

Rob.