Dentaid http://www.dentaid.org/ is a charity dedicated to providing vital, pain relieving dental care in the most remote and disadvantaged parts of the world. Dentaid’s vision is a world in which everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a healthy smile, with access to safe, effective and affordable oral health care. It will be a two week trip, offering dental care in orphanages, schools and prisons in Phnom Penh and outlying rural areas.
I have always been a keen runner, and have completed a couple of 10K and half marathon races. But the London Marathon was my longest race yet! I got a place through the ballot entry and was actually supposed to be running in 2014. However, due to bad timing I deferred my entry to 2015.
I started increasing my training runs in January, with my friend Lizzie (also doing the London Marathon). I really loved training for this event as it kept my mind and body occupied - I had something significant to aim for and tailored my daily regime to accomplish it. I learned to train, rest, eat and recover properly.
Since doing my last half marathon, I developed a dodgy "runner's knee" and was worried it would get worse with marathon training. But I owe a huge thanks to my physio who helped me completely change the way I run. Changing my running style not only improved my knees, it also made me run more efficiently (there was also some serious calf muscle hypertrophy going on too)! So with a new pair of trainers at the ready, I was excited to run run run!!
During training I reached 21 miles on my long runs (the advice is not to go beyond this). Some runs were glorious and beautiful, complimented with the spring sunshine, whilst others were wet and damp. But I loved every single one. I learned to eat lots of good things like eggs, fish and cheese for protein to recover from the long runs. Discovering protein shakes was one of the greatest things ever. And I learned to "carb-up" before the long runs (something I would have found impossibly scary to do not so long ago) - energy gels were a blessing whilst running for 3hrs+. Cross-training is also important when training for a marathon, and I continued going to gym classes like body-pump, step and spinning.
On the 25th April, Lizzie and I caught the train and tube to London ExCel, where the Virgin Money London Marathon exhibition was held. We collected our running numbers and timing chips. The following morning, I caught the train to the "blue start" at Greenwich Park, where over 37,000 competitors gathered to welcome the 35th anniversary of London's greatest run! The weather was perfect for running - drizzling whilst we waited but then cool and dry once we started - couldn't have asked for anything better!
I started the run well, but about 4 miles in began to get cramp in my foot - that had never happened in training! At about 18 miles I began feeling a bit sick/faint but was determined to get to the finish line alive! I did not stop. Not once. I just kept running. The crowds of people shouting my name from the side lines really helped me keep going. I must have looked terrible, but the spectators kept telling me I was 'looking good'. Aww bless. I was relieved to see my friends at mile 23, as I began to think I'd missed them. I felt so special they all came to support me. My family also came and supported me at three points - they even had to run a mile short-cut to reach me in time between mile 9 and 11.
Is there such thing as a sprint finish in a marathon? As a friend reassured me: "if you could sprint finish, then you weren't running fast enough for the rest of it." But I did pick up the pace v.slightly towards the finish, and once I crossed the line, nearly fell over as my legs wanted to keep going!
The finish line greeted me with a finishers medal, a goody bag and a post-run photo! I met my friends and family at the runners meet and greet area, and enjoyed catching up over a well-deserved picnic :-)
I was surprisingly not aching at all the following day, or week! I must have walked it off afterwards! But I still treated myself to a sports massage, as you do.
I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored me for this run, and donated to this cause - I have raised just over £1000 so far. My target is £2500, so I still have a little way to go. If you are reading this and would like to donate to the Dentaid Cambodia Trip, please visit my donation page at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/jessicascott1 - I am extremely grateful for every pound donated!
Thank you all again, your support means the world to me :-)
Jess xxx
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