London Marathon 2011 in under 3 hours 4 minutes!
18/04/2011
Don’t worry this isn’t going to be a marathon blog - I’ve had my fill of marathons for a while! But I want to congratulate everyone who was pounding the streets of London, thank the phenomenal spectators who supported every one of the 35,000 runners and also, everybody who sponsored me and Headway.
The London Marathon is a special day. There aren’t many races with so many winners, whether that’s a personal best, completing the course or raising money for a charity due to a personal connection. But yesterday’s race was more significant to me than I could have imagined nine months ago.
Lining up at the start, I felt incredibly lucky to be there and be running at all after my accident in the States last summer, admittedly I wasn’t feeling quite so fortunate sixteen miles later. But for me it was the perfect opportunity to finally draw a line under the events of last year and move on. The trilogy of programmes have since been aired on Discovery, Bev and I have had a beautiful baby and I’ve shown that I’m back in good health.
Unfortunately I couldn’t show I was back as I didn’t run a PB but yesterday it was more about completing rather than competing. That said, I wanted to reach the finish line knowing I’d given everything so I aimed for a sub-three hour run. In order to do that I knew I had to do a 1.25 first half - as the chance of me negative splitting (going faster) in the second half was as likely as Arsene Wenger saying Liverpool deserved a penalty.
The first half went nearly according to plan with a 1.26 but after that the wheels came off. But there’s a reason three hours is a big target for people running a marathon, it’s hard and you’ve got to put the training in. The first part of that equation I could cope with - but after breaking my foot as well as skull last summer, I haven’t been able to do the long runs. So when I went looking in the cupboard for extra energy in the last eight miles, the cupboard was bare and I ended up running 3.03.
Struggling down the Embankment in the last few miles is where the support of the crowd was so important. Cheers of “You’re doing well!” had changed to “Don’t stop!” as I clearly wasn’t looking my best. I was also thankful to a guy in a duck fancy dress outfit who was going really well until his duck got sidetracked by some water.
Considering the last long run I did was in the 55 degrees of Death Valley I didn’t find the heat a problem, but California is a long way to go for an acclimatisation run, and there are more fun things to do when you’re there. I really felt for those that had put so much training in to run a particular time and for the marathon to coincide with a really hot day. It affected everyone aside from the Kenyans, who not surprisingly coped very well. My old rowing partner, Matt Pinsent, was no exception who I think was going to hang up his trainers if he nipped under 4 hours, unfortunately he’s going to have to dust them down next year. He’s not the type of person to leave a job unfinished.
Well done again to everyone who ran, cheered or sponsored a runner.
To sponsor James click here.
To watch James interviewed by The Telegraph about the Marathon click here.
Back to News ListComments
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Well done - what an inspiration to anyone who's trying to come back from a serious health challenge. Keep it up!!Dianne
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James I just wanted to congratulate you on your amazing London Marathon result. Last Easter I got married and 4 months later at exactly the same time as you my husband had a terrible motorbike accident. He remains in hospital and although he is fighting hard he is struggling to talk and stand. I was very moved by your comments on the BBC when you were interviewed, especially what you said about people trying to impose limits on your recovery. You are an inspiration to me and at 27 you give me encouragement that my husband will succeed in his own time. After the marathon we agreed that if he ever walks again we will run it together and if not I will push him around!! He was a keen runner and this seems very fitting. Keep living life to the full and we hope to overtake you in the marathon in the future.Rebecca
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Well Done Mr Cracknell so inspired by your efforts. My partner and I spotted you at Canary Wharf where I captured a quick video shot of you. Looking forward to your trilogy to come out on DVD as I dont have Sky and when I was over in Mallorca on Tricamp during the airing of the first programme it turned out they didnt have Discovery channel. Looking forward to your next personal challenge. www.redcarpetvideo.c o.ukBrian Abram
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Congratulations! A big fan, I found myself stood pretty much next to you at the start and couldn't think of anything worthwhile to say - but I did want to know what your next challenge is going to be? Well done to all runners and thanks to the amazing support of all the spectators. A PB by 8secs, I scraped in at 3.23:17Caroline Turner
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You are an inspiration James to so many. We where very pleased to see you raising money for Headway, as we recognised the logo on your running vest. Our brother passed away in October last year after a short illness following a brain aneurysm . Headway are a fantastic support network. Keep it up!anthony clark
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Well done for yesterday. What is next ?!Vicky Gleed
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I have been back a week from the MdS and it was so fitting to spot you yesterday at the London Marathon at mile 11. You are truly inspirational and your achievement in the MdS is truly remarkable. For me, it was an amazing experience and I had the benefit of one of your tent mate's (Tom) invaluable support in the build up (and during) this years MdS.
Keep on doing what you are doing. It is fantastic tracking your progress. As for me, I think it may be triathlon next!Zoe -
An almighty effort James, accident aside. A 3 hour marathon is an accomplishment for anyone, particularly someone who doesn't fit the usual build of an endurance athlete. I'd struggle to haul my 75kg around in the time you achieved.
I've enjoyed both reading about and watching your challenges over the years so on behalf of all your followers, please keep them coming. Good luck and all the best on your road to recovery.Mark -
Truly inspirational. A fantastic time considering everything you've been through. Your programme on discovery was incredible to watch. My Dad and I were glued to the television set. Well done again. And congratulations to you and your family on the new baby.Jodie Phillips
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