Tobias Read
Running the marathon for Balham Blazers was a huge inspiration for me. As a relatively experienced runner I was far more daunted by reaching my target of £1,000 sponsorship than I was by completing the event itself.

By the time I set off on Sunday morning friends, family and supporters of Balham Blazers had collectively pledged £1,500 for the club so I set off relieved and looking forward to a great race. So once again, thank you to everybody for the sponsorship which I'm confident will help in a small way to build this great club.

My target was 2hrs 51 mins and 38 seconds. I had trained hard and put in many, many miles. I'd also run the route in parts on several occasions so I knew the route well which is always a real help however you are feeling.

The trip there was fine.I set off early packed like a sardine with thousands of other runners I arrived at Blackheath station in glorious sunshine.The predicted rain and cold weather had not materialised. Cool is better for the runners but the sun brings out the supporters and this is a race where the supporters are awesome and give all the runners an extra lift.

I felt fantastic. I'd eaten well, I'd taken it easy over the last few days and for the first time in a few months the constant ache in my legs had gone.  I was buzzing and itching to go.

This ended up being a race of 2 halves. The first was awesome. I was going really well. I felt fantastic. I was fast but not pushing it and I knew I had the energy and the stamina to go the full distance at that pace as only three weeks earlier I finished a hilly marathon in Taunton in 2.55. All the way to the half way point I was overtaking people. I was over the other side of Tower Bridge in 1.20 and I passed the half way point at 1.23.07. I was floating along with my own personal dreams of completing the race well within my personal best.

Then at 14 miles it all went wrong. I didn't hit the famed wall which happens when you run out of energy, but instead, my legs just started to hurt badly.I had been moving through the field, now the wave of people starting going ahead of me. I felt I was moving backwards. This sort of pain is not unusual, however it does not usually kick in till the last couple of miles.

Taunton. Although it was three weeks ago I had overdone it. In that race I pushed very hard. I thought I was ok but I had not fully recovered. From that point onwards it was unpleasant. I counted down the miles at a despairingly slow pace. The Isle of Dogs, Canary Warf, Poplar High Street, they now seemed longer. I have a background in fell running but any incline, however shallow, became unbearable.I inched forward along Commercial Road, past the Tower of London, along the Embankment counting down the miles. Big Ben, Birdcage Walk, 600 meters to go, 400 to go, 200 to go, 10 to go then finish.

I'd destroyed myself, but I had done it. I was overcome and ecstatic. I didn't care about the time, my PB or anything else. I'd done it and I'd raised £1,500 for the club. I don't usually care for the t-shirts and medals but I took the medal and wore it with pride.

Once again, thanks for the support!

Tobias