But have you ran London?!!!
If you run marathons, you must have heard this question once or twice before. The London Marathon is electric and really is a National Treasure. And yesterday I ran and finished it, achieving my First Star!
The day started with the weather forecast saying at least 60% of rain throughout the course of the race. And sure enough, it started drizzling when I got to Blackheath. I remembered to bring my foil blanket just in case. But for next time, a poncho would be good. There was some waiting but it wasn’t too bad, you get chatting with everyone next to you. And then it was Go time and off we went.
True to its nature, the London Marathon is all about the crowd! I am so glad I stuck my name on because I have never heard my name called out so many times in a day… all cheering me on, helping me pick up my feet and clearing any fog in my head.
Challenges included – 1) Rain the whole time, only stopped when I got to the Mall. Typical. 2) Very weird left foot cramps from about 10 miles on, my pace started to dwindle then. 3) The biggest one was having diarrhoea for 3 days from Tues-Thurs pre-race (Look out for the future post called The Banana Allergy incident).
Key moments included – 1) Running under the Tower Bridge was the most overwhelming moment, I couldn’t help but look up and at that very moment, London had swallowed me whole. 2) 2 miles left and I saw the Eye on my left and Big Ben across and thought “OMG I have to get there?!” It looked so far but a woman in the crowd said “Monica you got this, you are soooo there!” I will never forget her face. 3) A power up tap on my shoulder from another runner. 4) And my favourite, a man holding up a sign saying “Think of your Happy Place” I knew exactly where mine was… the 4 of us in bed, cuddling Maya and Xavier at bedtime. I almost broke down and cried.
But of course, I will never forget when the Eye to my left, across the river, Big Ben in front of me, then a glimpse of St. James’ Park, then a sign that said 800 metres (THE longest 800 metres ever…) then sharp turn on towards Buckingham Palace and into the Mall then 200 metres. Then the Finish Line!
What the London Marathon meant to me… I may be dramatic but it symbolises the end of an era. A few weeks after finishing medical school, I ran my first marathon (solo). Last week, I just completed Internal Medicine Training and I’ve ran London. Funnily, marathons almost seem like mile markers on my journey in Medicine.
The London Marathon is also a beginning of an era. I have started working in the medical specialty that I have chosen. I officially also now have 1 out of the 6 stars I am trying to reach. And I am actually so happy that I achieved this star on home soil. To top it off, when I rang home, the kids said “Mummy, we saw you on TV, you were running!” They saw me cross the finish line.
I am also very grateful for the incredible support I have – David who never doubts me or so he says (it was our anniversary on marathon day), my mom who flew in from NY to support but ended up supporting David and the kids instead at the last minute, one of my forever friends Doreen who came and supported me, and many others who had given me great advices and love and support.
I do regret that I didn’t do very well with fundraising. I think with everything else that was going on, this had taken the back seat. Not having social media was also a challenge. No matter, I will re-strategise and do better.
This past week has truly been the Best Week Ever! A week to rest then restart training. Next up – Berlin in exactly 5 months.
Reach for the Seven Stars 