While Paddy flew home to relax with home comforts I still had one challenge left to do. Well actually a few, the first being to try in my horrid horrid horrid hung-over state to get on a plane from Istanbul to New York without re decorating the taxi or giving British Airways a new paint job. Then there was the 26.2 miles that i had to run, without any training (well running anyway).
The marathon itself was fantastic fun and a brilliant atmosphere. I started very well and although stiff from a week off walking in Istanbul I was feeling confident about making it around the streets of New York.
The first 12 miles went very well and I kept up with the 3 hour 15 minute pace group and although there was no hope of keeping up the pace the whole way I was sure to get a good time. Then I felt a horrific pain spread up my leg and I literally collapsed on the side of the road. The long and the short of it was that I think I have re-fractured my leg from my previous injury in France. I did however manage to hobble around the remaining 14 miles and reach the finish line in 5 hours 12 minutes. Certainly no record but it was one of the most painful and hardest things I have had to do and it made walking to Asia look and feel like a Sunday afternoon stroll!
Just like to say a massive thank you to my supporters along the way, Ems, Charlie, Davina, Willem, Kate and the Red Cross/Realbuzz team, I am almost certain I wouldn’t have finished without your encouragement! This the last marathon i am doing without any training, i think i have learnt my lesson....
