Another (gold) medal!

It's been a great sunny sunday, April 17th - my 1st Virgin London Marathon conquered! Its now early tuesday morning, and I'm still craving for more sleep, more water and avoiding all steps or walking if possible. I know if I don't post something now I will never get around to it, here's some pictures - some courtesy of my supporters along the route and postings on Facebook. Thanks to all of you who were there physically or in spirit... and if you want to organise a donation to my charity Deafness Resesarch UK, its not too late! Please go to http://www.justgiving.com/Bonnie-Wong

I will write more when I have the chance, for now, beauty sleep calls!

At the start at Blackheath, a quiet part of Greenwich!

we had no choice - not the greatest for females under stress!

Bin 8 - minutes before the gun went, the helicopters were circling...almost in tears?!?! Finally!

Nick and Nicola's - last year I was at the party, this year my name's on their balcony

!

Mile 11

My supporter's sign both sides of the road near Tower Hill!

Just off Tower Bridge..near the halfway mark!

At Mile 21 near Limehouse...after the Isle of Dogs, my last chance to smile?

More crazy supporters at Limehouse - finishers of Paris Marathon!

Finally, its all over, Medal in hand, at the meeting point!

All well dressed for the cameras near my training ground by the Thames!

Official Chip Time - certainly a Personal Best by approx 16 minutes!

 ...a more detailed account to follow!

Birdcage walk..

Birdcage walk - at Royal Parks

(Half)  it was the Start, 

but at VLM, 

it's the End, 

the birdcage released, 

and I'll be free..

restrained only

by a gold medal

around my neck

bubbling with glee

The times that this week I've walked across Victoria Embankment, and through St James's' park, the quick glance at Victoria's fountain in front of Buckingham palace and crossing the Mall. I know that on sunday, when I see these landmarks again, I'll be almost home. 

Visited runner's world mile-by-mile guide to the VLM at lunchtime, and various forums, I know its around the corner. Nervous? yes. Wish time would just fast forward to the weekend and I would get it over with? very much so, Yes.

I've had to try to keep my best in maintaining a healthy diet and sleeping well (just not getting enough time to!) this week. Consulted my Team Bonnie - massages, physios. No running, just stretching, icing, rubbing ibuprofen on my shins. Foam rollering, using tennis and golf balls to relieve tension. The Belly Bungy, the Night splint, the Frozen Bottle. Are there any more instruments of torture that havent been tried? I really dont want to know.

Trying very hard to control my emotions. There are a lot of people that I would like to Thank that got me on this journey, so far:

My hubby who is flying back from the States just to be a spectator to me in my BIG race (historical role reversal!) and to calm my nerves through east london as we make our way to the Expo and settle in for the night on saturday; 

My immediate family , who has been the greatest supporter always behind the scenes; 

Friends who got me to sign up for my first marathon, trained with me along the way, and urge me not to give up; 

Team Bonnie - the medical and running professionals who have provided advice, support and relief to get me to improve my biomechanics and to run better and on a road to injury free; 

All of you who sponsored my pledge to raise funds for Deafness Research; 

Those of you who said you will be there along the route physically or in spirit to cheer me on; 

My colleagues, who are understanding enough with my running commitments; 

The online running community through Marathon Talk, twitter friends and VLM bloggers; The Deafness Research running team - you all make me feel that I'm not alone in this VLM feat; 

Volunteers and staff that make all these road races possible!

My non-running friends who are either touched or happy to lend a sympathetic ear...the list goes on.

The training is long done. 268.56 recorded miles, calendar-year-to-date. Its indeed a long journey. I started the year with a cough that made 0.5 miles hard enough, to 22 miles in hilly terrain in more than 4 hours, and the half marathons through wind, rain and cold. Now the spring flowers are out and almost gone, the weather is warm (one day, and maybe cooler the next).  And now, only thing's left to do is to pack my bag, get my kit ready, collect, pin my bib on, get myself to the start line in Greenwich, and make it back to home. 26.2 miles in the heart of London, to celebrate 5 years of calling this my 3rd hometown so far...

On sunday, I will no longer be a virgin, of the Virgin London Marathon. This race (one of the greats) is of significance as for the first time in 3 years, its raised the profile of my annual marathon feat to a higher level. Yes, on the spotlight. There's no hiding away. The Adrenalin, and being on TV too!

I better get my beauty sleep, to look my best....3 more sleeps to go!

Here's some pics to review and relish of the journey...

Not the best photo, but I lived through Wokingham half marathon in the rain, completely drenched!

Runkeeper logs of part of my longest training run through Windsor Great Park

The End, The Mall, after the Birdcage walk

Last training weekend

Next week is the real thing.
Can't believe its around the corner! We've had really lovely weather in London, warm (feels like) 20+ degrees and all I have been wearing is a vest, and shorts (for running!)

Made a visit to Richmond Parkrun - it has been a while! Glad to report that I have established a new PB by 8 seconds - wouldve been better if I had made an earlier train and didnt have to waste my energy running up Richmond Hill!

Sunday was a 6.5 miler to Chertsey and back, keeping a consistent pace of approx 9:30 min/mile and trying not to stop. Holding a Nestle water bottle throughout (thats the type we are getting in the VLM)! Just have to keep the mind focused like this for next week, doing this 4.5 times over!

Been reading the VLM magazine, starting to pack my bag. Not sleeping too well though, my right foot seems to feel like its needing its own night splint - she keeps on doing tiptoes through the night! But I really dont want to be investing in any piece of equipment like this. Shin pains still there - just like last year (!), just need to destress - my physio can feel it.

Finally, please visit my Justgiving page and provide that little bit of cheer for my efforts and more importantly, for Deafness Research!
http://www.justgiving.com/Bonnie-Wong

the countdown is on!

the home stretch..

Only a week and a bit to go before the big day!

On saturday, I went for a run with my friends who are doing Paris Marathon next weekend ( the race is a week before London!) along the Thames Path, from Hammersmith to Richmond. We were all hoping to do more, but in a warm spring day and for me, uneven terrain too...we opted to cut short our return run, through Old Deer Park, for a brunch at Richmond.

I must say I miss the social aspect of running. I've had very few sessions this year that I had the chance to hook up with fellow marathoners and its always good to share tips and (ouch!) stories of injuries. We all talked about our plans after our respective marathons, whether signing up and eventually following through to the start (and finishing) the 26.2 miles means one can go on to do greater things in life, and whether we would do it again, or keep on running....Yes? No? signing up for a second one this year (hmmm....that was me, and I'm sure I would get in 'trouble' with certain individuals if I did)? It's probably not one of the sports that is the best for your body, but the rewards are worth it.

 

The 'clang' sound everytime we close the door to our bedroom,  or our overloaded curtain pole (as pictured) is solid proof that it is such a rewarding experience. There are very few aspects in life where you can prepare for something, achieve it and be recognised . If you get a personal best time, it is yours to keep - no one can take that away from you. 

You ran the race - in a marathon, you know you are not there to win it. The person you can win over is yourself - the goals you set and perform to or exceed, the cheers from the supporters along the route and behind the scenes. 

And, it is not over in minutes...you get to know the city better during the process.

This is certainly not yet the time to relax, and this evening's run is slowly putting that back into perspective. My masseur and physio saying that I'm behind on my exercises, and downing 3 krispy kreme donuts in a day yesterday (2 boxes for the team landed right next to my desk!) a big No No No! No - its not the time to throw it all away that close...the lovely spring evening , starting slow, remembering: the lessons learnt from running school, the feel good moments at Dorney Lake, and overtaking people on a straight mile...picking up my pace towards the end of the run...it is all possible! One cannot lose heart yet due to some tiredness...and certain temptations.

On that thought, I passed through Buckingham Palace and into the Mall, the stands were all set up (for the Royal Wedding) and the yellow sign saying the Mall will be closed on the 16th and 17th April...yes, thats my event.

I'm on the home stretch....almost, almost there!