Boxing Day

Tower Bridge photo courtesy of Alan Scholefield

London Marathon day is Christmas Day for distance runners. They collect, they swarm, they flock and mass, with huge red kitbags, cushioned shoes, nervous faces and clear bright eyes, to Greenwich and they join the 26.2 mile long, all-day festival which livens London and makes everyone involved proud and humble.

It's the day after. Legs of wood . Still a bit muted and stunned. Debriefs were had yesterday, at fever pitch,over lager and Lucozade and crisps and bagels. Cramps were considered, fuelling fails were found at fault and smiles were infectious. Bests, worsts, and celeb spots and sunburn.

I read Scott Overall's blog just now. It made my heart big and happy. He makes me proud to be a runner. None of your British Cycling pulling out cos the win was unachievable. "I didn’t want to DNF so I just got to the finish" You sir, get paid very little to be at the top end of your sport, yet your attitude is the same as every first-timer and club runner and veteran in the race. Hats off for being honest and real.

http://www.scottoverall.com/blog/london-marathon-2014/

I must get up now. Sitting down for more than ten minutes is far from comfortable.