How does it FEEL to run a marathon? (part two)

2018 has proved to be our best ever London Marathon. Thank you to all the 45 runners, who raised over £70,000 for Crimestoppers. In the hottest-ever London Marathon, the runners took to the London streets, and with sheer determination and endurance gave it their absolute all.

As a two-part special Marathon update, we’ve caught up with some of our London Marathon runners. Last week in Part One, we spoke to Claire Hammond, Carwyn Evans, and Mark (Wolf) Williams.

In Part Two, we’ve caught up with our London Marathon runners Justine Gould, Claire Broom and Crimestoppers CEO Mark Hallas, to find out how it was for them.

They candidly spoke to us about their personal highlights, top tips, no-nonsense training advice and thoughts on what it feels like to run a marathon.

You've completed the marathon. How was it for you?

Justine: The marathon for me was exhausting and painful, but also a magnificent experience – getting to see all the different landmarks and the crowds and atmosphere really spurred me on when I thought I couldn’t keep going.

Claire: I have to say that running (and at times walking) my first marathon was one of the most fantastic, amazing experiences of my life. I felt privileged to run in London, one of the most prestigious marathons in the world. It was at times hard, but totally and utterly worth putting in the time and dedication to train. The post-marathon high you experience is unlike any other.

Mark Hallas, CEO Crimestoppers

Mark: I know it sounds a little daft stating the obvious, but the marathon was very tough. The weather was ridiculously hot from start to finish and that affected almost everybody – and certainly me. That said, there was a brilliant atmosphere throughout the day. The crowd were brilliant throughout; encouraging, cheering, cajoling you onwards.

What were the key highlights and challenges?

Justine: The key highlight for me was running past the Cutty Sark and being able to run over Tower Bridge. The challenges were the heat and lack of water supply. The last six miles were the toughest because you were so close to the finish, but it felt so far away.

Claire: The highlights for me were how amazing the crowds were and how much support you had all the way round the marathon course. Every mile was populated with happy, encouraging people willing you on and offering sweets and jelly babies! The cheer point at mile 18 was a high for me, as I got to hug my partner and say hi to all the Crimestoppers supporters, but all I pretty much managed to do was cry as the emotion got to me.

Claire Broom and her husband

I cried like a baby over the last two miles of the marathon; the official photos taken really sum up my experience (wiping the tears away, barely holding it together). It was such an emotional experience. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life but I am very proud of myself for finishing. At the end of the race I said ‘never again’ and a day after I was saying ‘I want to do it again!’

The challenge for me was reaching the half-marathon point and thinking ‘oh my gosh, I’ve got to run all this way again’. I had also heard about the ‘wall’, and I can confirm it does it exist and it hurts mentally. I hit the wall at mile 21, but through chatting to other runners and encouragement from the crowd I managed to run through it successfully.

Mark: The highlight for me was finishing! No, seriously, it was the tremendous support we all got from the thousands of people that lined the route. I am thankful to the wonderful folks that dished out jelly babies to grateful runners to keep their blood sugar levels up. I must have eaten at least 30!

As to the challenges: the heat and my straining my calf, hamstring, and back at various points along the route proved tough!

What advice you would give to someone considering running the London Marathon in 2019?

Justine:
1. Constantly train for six months.
2. Mental preparation is just as important as the physical preparation.
3. Really understand what you’re undertaking before committing to run.

Claire:
1. Choose a realistic training plan and stick to it as much as you can.
2. Don’t underestimate how the weather on the day of the marathon can affect your run. It was mega-hot this year and I wasn’t used it to. Apply lots of sun cream, take on water regularly and try and smile!
3. Take the day after the marathon off work and wear flip flops afterwards. I did and I was so thankful!

Mark:
1. Put the miles in training; there's no substitute for preparing properly. 26.2 miles is a long way – there's no getting around it.
2. Invest in the best trainers you can that are perfectly suited to your style of running and body-type.
3. Expect the unexpected. All my long runs at 6 degrees counted for nothing as the temperature hit 26 degrees on the day!

What would you say was the best part about running for Crimestoppers?

Justine Gould

Justine: The best part about running for Crimestoppers was being able to run and raise money for a charity close to my heart and knowing that the money raised will help the charity out massively!

Claire: Running for Crimestoppers was a privilege. It’s a fantastic, worthy charity that does so much in communities. I felt very supported before, during and after the marathon.

I can only say thank you for all the support that I received. I felt like a valued member of the Crimestoppers London Marathon team. The Events Team were in contact regularly and would answer any queries or questions quickly and effectively. They also put us in contact with other Crimestoppers runners, which was a great encouragement.

Mark: Being part of one team gave me a real sense of camaraderie. The support from the Events Team was superb throughout and particularly so on the day. I can’t recommend the post-marathon sports massage enough!

If you are interested in joining Team Crimestoppers and supporting us in the 2019 London Marathon – get in touch now.