Only writing this three months later, my apologies I have no idea where time has gone recently.
One thing I can say about the Leeds Marathon is that it did not disappoint. The atmosphere was amazing. I remember leaving Stu at the gates to the stadium as it was runners only to start with and making my way round to the starting Pen. Purple Pen the last to start, nothing unusual there for me. I remember doubting myself as I do most races, my training had not been as intense as I would have liked and I had even considered not doing it but I’m not one to not turn up to start lines if I can help it.
We seemed to be waiting ages before we were allowed to join the street to filter through to the start. As we passed through the start Rob and his family were all there High Fiveing runners as they went past which was quiet emotional.
I don’t remember every twist and turn of the course but I do remember at about mile 17 we hit the long incline, I believe it went on for three miles. The views were amazing as we all trundled up and at this point not one person was running it. The last few miles I started to Flagg a bit but kept going with the fact it was looking like I would be in in around 6 hours which I was amazed with. Then I hit a couple of miles before the end and both of my calf’s were hit with cramp, determined not to let in stop me I kept going one foot in front of the other till the cramp subsided and then there is was the path round the stadium, I picked it up a little then realised my ending peak had come too soon as there was still half of the track to run round.
I finished in 6.30.26 which I am fine with I have never been finishing times for me its always been finishing lines.
Would highly recommend Leeds to anyone that is thinking of doing it and so pleased I did.
