Alastair Mavor

Hi everyone,

I can’t believe it was a week ago I finished the marathon now - it’s gone scarily quickly! I think apart from obviously finishing, the thing I’m most proud about is that I’m now able to walk up and down stairs again. My family have been treated to some amusing scenes of my varying attempts to get down stairs over the last week - ranging from crawling like a baby, a crab-like walk and bumping down on my bottom like a baby! I thought I’d give you a bit of an outline as to what my day was like last Sunday.

6.20 am. Alarm goes off. Switch on “snooze” and spend the next 10 minutes thinking about the massive challenge ahead of me.

6.45 am. After a quick shower, I eat a large bowl of home-made muesli and an energy bar. Put my kit on, cake my body in sun-cream (it reaches 18 degrees later in the day) and anti-chaffing cream.

7.20 am. Leave the flat we’re staying at in South Kensington and get a cab to Charring Cross. Train to Greenwich and walk 15 minutes to the red start.

9.15 am. After fueling up with lucozade and dumping my kit bag on the lorry which takes it to the finish, I make my way to my starting pen on Blackheath.

9.45 am. Mile 0. I cross the start line, set my watch and slowly but surely make my way to the first mile marker.

Mile 3. First water station and after a few doubts at the start line I have settled into a rhythm by now and am enjoying the atmosphere and high fives of enthusiastic children at the side of the road.

Mile 6. I run under the approach to the Blackwall tunnel. A loud speaker is playing Tracey Chapman (a big favorite of mine) and I suddenly feel happier than I have done for a very long time. I look up at the blue sky above and am thankful for being healthy enough and have the chance to run this amazing race.

Mile 7. After the Cutty Sark, I run past my family for the first time. It’s a great feeling and I’m already grateful for their support.

Mile 12. As I run through Bermondsey, I make a quick loo stop and take on more water and energy gels (stored in the back pocket of my running shorts which makes me look like I have some abnormal growth coming out of the back of me)! 

Mile 13. After crossing Tower Bridge, I head towards the Isle of Dogs and pass the leading men running past in the other direction - they are almost sprinting and Sammy Wanjiru has opened up a lead of 5 seconds or so. I wonder where last year’s winner Martin Lel is, only to find out later that he never made the start-line. I cross the half-way mark in 1 hour 49.

Mile 15. Run past my family, aunt, uncle and cousins Christopher, Alexandra and little goddaughter Marina. Feeling much better than at this stage last year and am buoyed by the fact that I’ll be heading back towards the finish shortly.

Mile 18. Pass the family again. Still feel strong as I pass the crowds around Canary Wharf. It’s a strange area to run actually as much of the 15-20 mile period is very quiet, but there are pockets where the noise erupts. Becoming a little bit conscious of a blister forming on the inside of my left foot.

Mile 20. My dodgy left ankle starting to become very painful all of a sudden and I make a decision to stop and sort out my blister. A St. John’s Ambulance medic straps me up and I’m going again, albeit at a slightly slower pace.

Mile 21. Hurting now. And a giant banana overtakes me; I blink a couple of times - a GIANT BANANA!!

Mile 22. Agony now. The legs just don’t want to work. I am still on course for a 3 hour 40 time, but know that my legs have nothing left and my calves are starting to cramp like crazy. The support is incredible and there are crowds 10 people deep on either side of the road.

Mile 23. I start marching towards the finish with a man who is also struggling. His inspiring words get me going again and we walk quickly together talking to take our mind off the pain. 

Mile 25. Just 1 mile to go. I know I’m going to get to the finish but my hopes of a sub 4 hour time are over. Feeling a touch disappointed but whenever I break into a run I feel like my calves will snap in half. 

800 m to go. I start jogging again, very slowly and turn the corner in front of Buckingham Palace. The crowd are amazing and I catch sight of Dad and Frances as I turn into the Mall and have just 200 m to go. I cross the line and throw my hands in the air. I’m exhausted, feel very wobbly but relieved it’s all over. I try to say thank you to all the people who kindly volunteered to help make it such a memorable event on my way to meet my family at the end. I wear my medal proudly and am reunited with a very happy looking Mum, Dad and supportive sister Frances. Spend most of the rest of the day (and week) hobbling around! Promise not to do it again, but who knows.

I suspect this will be my last blog for a bit of time, so I’d just like to thank everyone for their hugely generous support. We’ve managed to raise over £6000 for the CF Trust so far, which puts the total close to £20,000 over the last 2 years. I’m utterly amazed and really am incredibly grateful. I’d also like to say a massive thank you to Kay Hill who has given many hours of her precious time sorting my sore muscles out and getting me to the start line in such good shape. I couldn’t have done it without you. Also to Catherine Clair, Nick Webborn and all his team at Sportswise. Here is a link to a Courier article written on my this week - http://www.thisissussex.co.uk/news/Cystic-Fibrosis-sufferer-completes-London-Marathon/article-946437-detail/article.html

Alastair