Flora London Marathon 2005...Header Log

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View Current Sponsors. .Surrey Herald Article ...Informer Article

The Shooting Stars Children's Hospice ....About the Hospice

Milo's Pictures....Milo's Story ....What your sponsorship money will buy

Gary's Training Schedule.... London Marathon Map ....gritech (AKA Gary Rudley)

Map with Garys and Elite expected times

Many thanks to those leaving comments.....its a big boost!

Here's some pictures of Marathon day. I'll update some of them with better quality ones as soon as I get the proper images.

Support Team.JPG
Feeling good on Tower Bridge.jpg
17 miles - Water stop.jpg
Struggling.jpg
Walking at the Tower.jpg
Finish Line 1.jpg
Finish Line 2.jpg
Finish Lline 3.jpg
Got the Medal.jpg
Yup my head hurts as well.JPG
No really just leave me here.JPG
All part of the fun 1.JPG
All part of the fun 2.JPG
I cant believe I just did that.JPG

Marathon Day

Just putting a quick summary here and then I'll update it as I go

Crossed the start line at about 1005 a bit later than anticipated, Started struggling at 14 miles as it was so hot and could feel a blister on my left foot. Some of the water stations had run out of water and people were starting to panic, you just cant run in that heat without water.
Managed to run to 21 miles, was fighting the pain which was everywhere, feet, legs, back was locked up and a thumping headache.
Was trying to convince myself there was only 5 miles to go and then everything went black for a split second and then reality came back and I was still running. Having seen two other runners collapsed by the side of the road I decided to give up my goal of running all the way and went into survival mode. Walked then next 4.5miles, tried running a couple of times when I felt a bit better but there was nothing there, just couldn't get going again. Last half mile I managed to run and walk and managed to run the last .2 and cross the line.

Getting the blister treated at the 1st aid station I started shivering uncontrollably and then later at home so I think I had sun stroke and that along with the dehydration probably caused the blackout. I think if it hadn't been so hot then I maybe would have made the run all the way. Ah well I'll never know now!

And the big question everyone is asking "Would I do it again" well I'm afraid I have to say Yes. The reason for that is I put a years worth of training in and managed to run to within 5 miles of the finish, so with another years training I should be able to crack it. Before you all start calling me mad (and you dont know how much it hurt!) consider this.
If you tried to go on holiday to Jamaica (Somewhere you had always wanted to go) but only made it to Miami due to bad weather, you'd probably go back and try to get to Jamaica another time...wouldnt you? Oh well its the best explanation I can come up with ;o)

Here's my official times

Results for: GARY. RUDLEY
Marathon Runner No.: 46332
Nationality: GBR
Position (Overall): 31926
Position (Gender): 23163
Position (Age group): 6588
Splits
KM10: 1:07:49
KM20: 2:20:09
HALF: 2:28:12
KM30: 3:43:30
KM40: 5:27:10
FINISH: 5:47:27

Heres the timings from my GPS watch
Summary
26.87 miles, 5h 51m, Ave HR 160, Ave Pace 12:57.

Detail
1st mile 12:23 4.8mph Pace 12:20 HR143
2nd mile 10:46 5.5mph Pace 10:46 HR162
3rd mile 10:31 5.6mph Pace 10:33 HR161
4th mile 10:21 5.8mph Pace 10:19 HR166
5th mile 10:53 5.5mph Pace 10:53 HR166
6th mile 10:24 5.7mph Pace 10:27 HR165
Maize Hill -
7th mile 10:35 5.6mph Pace 10:33 HR167
8th mile 10:35 5.6mph Pace 10:36 HR167
9th mile 10:53 5.5mph Pace 10:52 HR169
10th mile 12:15 4.9mph Pace 12:08 HR171
11th mile 11:39 5.0mph Pace 11:46 HR170
Rotherhythe -
12th mile 12:08 4.9mph Pace 12:08 HR169
Bermondsey -
13th mile 11:25 5.2mph Pace 11:25 HR174
14th mile 12:04 4.9mph Pace 12:05 HR172
15th mile 12:11 4.9mph Pace 12:08 HR169
Westferry Circus -
16th mile 12:47 4.6mph Pace 12:50 HR169
17th mile 13:37 4.3mph Pace 13:38 HR164
Mudchute -
18th mile 14:45 4.0mph Pace 14:41 HR167
Heron Quay -
19th mile 12:19 4.8mph Pace 12:22 HR173
20th mile 15:38 3.8mph Pace 15:39 HR169
21st mile 14:48 4.0mph Pace 14:46 HR167
22nd mile 17:43 3.3mph Pace 17:46 HR150
23rd mile 16:57 3.5mph Pace 16:57 HR135
24th mile 18:33 3.2mph Pace 18:33 HR134
25th mile 16:25 3.6mph Pace 16:23 HR137
Embankment -
26th mile 14:56 4.0mph Pace 14:55 HR147
The last .2 mile 13:41 3.8mph Pace 15:38 HR154

Well thanks to you guys the £5000 target has been reached and I'll now be running for £200+ a mile.

So all I gotta do now is get there and run the bloody thing.

My running number is 46332

See you all after tomorrow

To help any spectators and also armchair viewers ...Have loaded a map with my expected times at each mile point, link is above in the header and also Here

Just looked at the satellite map of the marathon course in the marathon news....I shouldnt have done that...nervous again now...help!!!

Was going to run tonight but due to car breaking down and having to sort out collecting it, the run never happened. Might not run at all now prior to Sunday. Just rest, conserve energy and carb load.

Visited the Shooting Stars children's Hospice today to view the building before its 1st visitors arrive May/June. Its a fantastic building and should help the families at a time when they are feeling...well ...I dont think I can even contemplate what they would be feeling.

Anyway the visit served to strengthen my resolve to achieve my personal sponsorship target and run this marathon.

I think the most poinent part of the visit for me was walking around this fantastic building with my son and daughter, my son, who had spotted the playstation in every room said " I wish I could stay here Dad" I had a bit of a lump in my throat as I replied quietly "I hope you never do Tom" ...nuff said..

Slow run from WOT tonight, just concentrating on running correctly and saving energy.

4.9 miles, 57m, Ave HR 147, Ave Pace 11:37.

1st mile 10:31 5.7mph Pace 10:29 HR143
2nd mile 11:46 5.0mph Pace 11:48 HR147
3rd mile 11:25 5.2mph Pace 11:24 HR146
4th mile 12:26 4.8mph Pace 12:26 HR149
5th mile 10:32 5.0mph Pace 11:57 HR149

Got to go to the expo next wednesday to pick up running number.

Anyone going to be at the Marathon let me know in the comments and I'll look out for you ;o)

Current long range weather forecast for 17th April - Sunny periods, Max 12C, Winds SE at 7mph, gusting 15mph, Amount of precipitation 0mm.

Happy birthday to me.....Happy birthday to me...tra la la

Just 3 miles tonight everything winding down now no more long runs before the big day.

3.1 miles, 30m 39s, Ave HR 150, Ave Pace 10:00

Just in case anyone is going to watch I'll be posting my expected times per mile a little nearer the day.

8.6 miles today felt pretty good, a bit warm tho and I forgot to take water with me so feeling a bit shrivelled at present. Hope its not this warm on the day or feet are gonna suffer...as well as the rest of me

8.6miles, 1h 32m, Ave HR 167, Ave Pace 10:49

Havnt posted or run for a while, pulled my Achilles tendon over last weekend chasing my son around a park. Not bad.... but enough for me to panic and not run for a while.
Ran for first time again tonight and felt full of energy so the break must have been good. Just going to take it slow now and try and avoid any injuries before the big day. Have to say I'm a bit nervous at present, probably because I know I'm behind in my schedule and there's no way to catch up. With my biggest run at 15 miles Ive got a twilight zone of 11 miles where Ive never been before and I know that's gonna hurt. I'm still aiming to run the distance and if at all possible I will. I wont be happy saying I've run a marathon if I have to walk part of it.
Anyway back to tonight....

4.8miles, 53m, Ave HR 155, Ave Pace 11:03

Having to back track here a bit hadnt realized that I hadnt posted for so long.

Did 5 miles tonight felt a bit tired after effects of 15miles I supose

4.9 miles, 53m, Ave HR 151, Ave Pace 10:40