New York Marathon

Just thought i'd update my blog, as i promised Kay at Lucozade that i would and i keep forgetting. Sorry Kay.
After the great north run, i struggled for a week or two to stick to my training schedule, but i managed to get a couple of 16 milers in before i flew to New York, to do the Marathon.
A couple of days before i left, i ran a 9 miler and felt great. I went into the house and told my wife that i felt fitter than i had at years. I went upstairs and had a bath, pleased with my fitness levels. While lying in the bath, i started stretching my calves, and then suddenly, i felt a twang in my left shin and i thought....oh oh (or words to that effect). Over then next couple of days i was in a lot of pain, and i wasnt sure if i would be able to make it. I was high on painkillers, ibuprofen tablets and gel, with my shin strapped up when i got onto the plane at heathrow, and i really thought i wouldnt be able to start. Over the next couple of days i just kept on treating the injury with ice, painkillers and ibuprofen. By Sunday morning it had eased off a bit but was still sore. I decided that I'd come this far so i had to give it a go, and if i had to hobble round then i would. A lot of people had sponsored me for Get Kids Going, so i had to at least try.
It was an early start, and a bit of hanging around prior to the start on Statten Island. I loaded myself up with painkillers and got going.
Surprisingly it wasnt really my shin that was the problem as i ran round. I started off quite well and it the half way mark in about 2 hrs. Well on track for my 4hrs 30min target. I plodded along quite nicely and managed to block out the pain in my shin and my usual pains in my knees. At about 16miles things started getting worse, but it was my knees that went really bad. I started suffering a lot, and ended up walking and running. The support from the crowds was great and people at the sides kept shouting words of encouragement to all of the runners as we passed by. Once i realised that i wouldnt hit my target, it was just a case of finishing. I kept on walking and running for little bits at a time, and eventually managed to finish in 4hrs and 54 mins.
The feeling of achievement was fantastic, and i was so relieved to have made it round. It felt like another marathon though just trying to get to the baggage trucks to get my bag. There were people being given 1st aid by the sides of the road after collapsing in the huge queue for the bags. I eventually got my bag and managed to hobble back to my hotel, via McDonalds...the best big mac i have ever tasted. A couple of buds later on put the colour back in my cheeks, and it all seemed like a distant memory.
Unfortunately since the Marathon i havent been able to do much running, as my knees keep screeming at me to stop. I decided to give them a rest, so i havent run for over a month. Its now after Christmas so i am starting to train again this week. Hopefully the rest will allow me to start training again for a couple of events later in the year.
Although it caused me lot of pain and i havent been able to do much lately, i am really pleased i managed to finish the Marathon....although i dont think i'll be doing another one. Its quite long :-) and it hurts...lol. I think i enjoyed the half marathon a bit more, so i'll do a few more of those.
Not too soon though :-)