28/04/2026
Well that was a challenge. Two marathons, two weeks apart.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/london-marathon-mark-tyler-cox-northamptonshire-health-charity
Brighton was warm and hilly at the start, and a challenge of the soul with the amount of out and backs you had to do, almost constantly seeing people who were a few miles nearer to the finishing line. Then on the approach to mile 19 you can see the finishers village but have to turn right and head in the opposite direction, fast forward to mile 23 and you're back in the same place, again turning right and away from the finishing village. That was another mental obstacle to confront. The run down the sea front to the finish line was great though, sea air, sun what more can you want. Crossing that line was great.
The time in between Brighton and London was strange, what do you do? Run, don't run I didn't know what was best because I've also been managing a nice bruised toenail that didn't want to change in any way - it's been there since the Kettering half marathon in early March.
I used the TheraPlate several times on the Monday following Brighton to aid the muscle recovery, this seemed to help because I was able to walk pretty normally from the moment I got up on Tuesday. Then I continued to use it right up until the Saturday lunchtime before I headed off to London.
Now London, what a blast. The atmosphere in Brighton was great, but London is London and the crowds were awesome. Setting off from Greenwich Park and heading through the streets until you reach the first major point - Cutty Sark, ait feels like a funnel with an increase in noise and colour, but that is out done by Tower Bridge, you reach here and receive such a buzz and a boost at just the right time as you approach the half way point. Noise, colour in abundance. The journey through Canary Wharf was challenging for me, the legs suddenly felt heavy as the Brighton effect hit home, it was tough going for the next 5-6 miles but the crowd and other participants help you battle through. When you get back to the tower you know you're on the home straight, it's a 4 mile home straight but it's the home straight nevertheless. A mile and a half later, you reach Blackfriars tunnel/underpass, which opens out onto the Embankment and your first glimpses of Big Ben and the London Eye. This is another special area with regards to the crowd and atmosphere. Before you know it Big Ben looms larger than ever, right turn and we're nearly there now. Birdcage Walk comes next, now you can see all the signs that the finish line isn't too far away now. You keep going, one foot in front of the other. Then you see the signs 385 yards to go, and the metric 400 meters to go, around the corner, Buckingham Palace ahead. Turn right and you're on The Mall, there it is, the finish line, time to put on that beaming smile and pretend your legs, your mind and the rest of your body are fine...over the line, collect the medal and inwardly smile and say 'thank f***' that's over 😂
Yesterday my legs felt ok, today that's different, they're tired and aching. More TheraPlate sessions through the week will no doubt help...
The link at the top will remain open for awhile yet so if anyone would like to sponsor me that would be awesome.
